Fender Pugilist Distortion

Product Overview

Thank you for purchasing the Fender Pugilist Distortion, a flexible distortion pedal offering a wide range of tones. The Pugilist is unique in its design, featuring two separate distortion engines (A and B) that can be blended together or stacked in series for enhanced gain. Each engine can be independently adjusted for gain and tone, allowing for versatile sound shaping. For example, a cleaner tone can be blended with a more distorted sound, adding clarity and articulation. Combining two high-gain tones can create richer, more complex sounds than a single distortion. The pedal features simple, wide-ranging tone controls designed to complement various amplifier types.

Designed in California, U.S.A.

Pedal Layout and Controls

The Fender Pugilist Distortion pedal features a user-friendly layout with controls and connectors clearly marked. The top panel houses the primary controls and indicators, while the rear panel contains the input/output jacks and power connector.

Top Panel Controls:

• 1. Bypass Footswitch: Engages or disengages the effect (true-bypass design).
• 2. Jewel Indicator: Illuminates when the distortion effect is active.
• 3. Output Jack: Low-impedance output for connecting to an amplifier or the next effect pedal.
• 4. Blend Knob: Controls the mix between Distortion Engine A and Distortion Engine B when in Blend mode. Fully counterclockwise is Engine A only; fully clockwise is Engine B only; midway is a 50/50 mix.
• 5. Tone A: Adjusts the high-frequency content for Distortion Engine A.
• 6. Gain A: Adjusts the amount of gain (drive) for Distortion Engine A.
• 7. Blend/Series Switch: Selects between parallel blending of the two engines or series stacking for higher gain. The Blend Knob is disabled in the series (up) position.
• 8. Bass Boost Switch: Increases low-end "fatness" and lower-midrange energy.
• 9. Tone B: Adjusts the high-frequency content for Distortion Engine B.
• 10. Gain B: Adjusts the amount of gain (drive) for Distortion Engine B.
• 11. Level Knob: Adjusts the pedal's overall output volume.
• 12. Input Jack: High-impedance input suitable for guitars, keyboards, and other instruments.
• 13. Low Battery Indicator: A red LED that illuminates when the battery voltage is low, indicating the need for replacement.
• 14. LED Kill Switch: Extinguishes the knob LEDs to conserve battery life when running the pedal from batteries.
• 15. DC Power Connector: Standard center-negative 9VDC jack for external power supplies.

Rear Panel Connectors:

• 15. DC Power Connector: Located on the rear panel, this is a 9V DC input.
• 14. LEDs: Label indicating the location of the LED Kill Switch.

Detailed Control Explanations

Gain (A and B)

This control adjusts the amount of gain (or drive) in the A and B distortion engines. Counterclockwise settings result in cleaner tones with slightly less volume. Clockwise settings provide more sustain and saturation. Lower gain settings make individual notes in chords clearer, ideal for mixing sounds for clarity and power. Engine A offers less gain and a cleaner tone, while Engine B can reach high-gain territory at its extreme settings.

Tone (also applies to Tone B)

This control affects the amount of high-frequency (treble) content in the final sound. Counterclockwise settings produce darker tones, while clockwise settings add brightness. Adjust this control to preference, considering your amplifier's characteristics (e.g., bright, clean amp vs. distorted, warmer amp) and experiment to find the best sound.

Blend/Series Switch

This switch determines whether the two distortion engines operate in parallel, allowing blending between them, or in series for very high gain settings. When the switch is in the series (up) position, the Blend knob is disabled.

Blend Knob

In Blend mode, this knob controls the mix between Distortion Engine A and Distortion Engine B. Fully counterclockwise outputs only Engine A. Fully clockwise outputs only Engine B. A midway setting provides a 50/50 mix of both engines. Experiment with different settings, such as cleaner/brighter A tones and more distorted/warmer B tones, for complex sounds suitable for various playing styles.

Bass Boost Switch

This switch adds tonal "fatness" by increasing bass and lower-midrange energy. It may be beneficial to turn this switch off (down) when using a distorted amplifier and turn it on (up) when using a clean amplifier.

Level Knob

The Level control knob adjusts the pedal's overall output volume.

Jewel Indicator

The Jewel Indicator shows when the distortion effect is active.

Bypass Footswitch

This rugged footswitch is used to bypass the effect, featuring a true-bypass design.

Input Jack

This is a high-impedance input suitable for electric guitar, bass, acoustic guitars with pickup systems, keyboards, and other instruments.

Output Jack

This is a low-impedance output jack that connects to the amplifier or to the next effect pedal in the signal chain.

DC Power Connector

This is a standard center-negative 9VDC jack for use with appropriate power supplies.

LED Kill Switch

This switch extinguishes the LEDs that illuminate the knobs, which is useful for maximizing battery life when running the pedal from batteries.

Low Battery Indicator

This red LED on the front of the battery door illuminates when battery voltage drops below a set threshold, indicating that the battery should be replaced soon.

Specifications

Product specifications subject to change without notice.

Compliance Mark: CE

Important Safety Instructions

• [Warning] To prevent damage, fire, or shock hazard, do not expose the unit or its AC power to rain or moisture.
• Do not alter the AC plug of the connected power adapter.
• Do not drip or splash liquids on the unit.
• No user-serviceable parts inside; refer servicing to qualified personnel only.
• [Warning] The unit must only be connected to a safety agency certified, regulated power source (adapter), approved for use and compliant with applicable local and national regulatory safety requirements.
• Unplug the AC power adapter before cleaning the unit exterior. Use only a damp cloth for cleaning and wait until the unit is completely dry before reconnecting it to power.
• Amplifiers, loudspeaker systems, and headphones (if equipped) are capable of producing very high sound pressure levels which may cause temporary or permanent hearing damage. Use care when setting and adjusting volume levels during use.

This device complies with Part 15 of FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

Manufacturer Information

A PRODUCT OF: FENDER MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION

CORONA, CALIFORNIA, USA

Fender® is a registered trademark of FMIC.

Copyright © 2018 FMIC. All rights reserved.

Part Number: P/N 7713293000 - REV A

Language Availability

Manual available in Espanol, francais, Italiano, Deutch, Portugues, (Chinese).

For expanded owner's manuals, visit: www.fender.com/support

Hazardous Substances Compliance (China RoHS)

This table indicates the presence and concentration of hazardous substances in product components, as per SJ/T 11364 regulations.

Notes on Table:

• Ο: Indicates that the content of the hazardous substance in this component's homogeneous material is below the limit requirement specified in GB/T 26572.
• X: Indicates that the content of the hazardous substance in at least one homogeneous material of this component exceeds the limit requirement specified in GB/T 26572.
• Note: Due to limitations in global technological development, it is not possible to substitute hazardous substances in components containing them.
• *Effective when the product includes a speaker unit.