Thorn Black Swamp Flex Fuzz
Thank You
Thank you for purchasing the Black Swamp Flex Fuzz.
The Thorn Black Swamp – Flex Fuzz is a highly versatile fuzz pedal designed to give you total control over your fuzz tone. With a wide range of controls, including Gain, Damping, Mid Freq, Volume, Bass, Mid, and Treble, this pedal lets you fine-tune everything from subtle warmth to intense, raw fuzz tones. The Mid Freq control adds an extra level of flexibility, allowing you to adjust the midrange frequency for even more tonal variety.
Equipped with two unique switches. Character S/N/H (Smooth / Normal / Hot) lets you choose between different fuzz character settings, while the Hard Clip O/I switch allows you to toggle between soft and hard clipping for varying degrees of distortion.
The Thorn Black Swamp – Flex Fuzz is an essential tool for guitarists who want to explore a wide range of fuzz tones with maximum control and flexibility.
Controls
- 1/4″ (6.35 mm) mono output: Use an instrument / patch cable to connect to your next pedal or the input of the amplifier.
- 9-18 VDC power supply jack: Connect a regular pedal power supply unit with a 5.5 x 2.1 mm barrel plug, center negative.
Battery operation is not possible. Do not connect more than 18 V! - 1/4″ (6.35 mm) mono input: Use an instrument cable to connect your guitar or the previous pedal in your effects chain.
- GAIN control: The Gain control adjusts the input gain of the signal, i.e. the signal strength before it is affected by the other controls. Increased gain results in a more pronounced distortion effect.
- DAMPING control: The Damping control is a variable filter that reduces the low frequency content before the signal enters the distortion circuit. Allowing all of the low frequency content to be processed can make the bottom end sound loose and flabby. Reducing (damping) the low frequency content at the input will keep the bottom end tight and responsive. In general, higher DRIVE settings sound better with increased DAMPING (i.e. less low frequency in put into the circuits). Lower DRIVE settings with less DAMPING give a more open low end character. There is no damping at the lowest setting (7 o‘clock).
7 o‘clock position: „minimum damping = maximum bass“.
5 o‘clock position: „maximum damping = tight bass“. - MID FREQ control: This control adjusts the center frequency for the MID control of the tone stack between 310 Hz and 2 kHz. Depending on the setting of this control, the MID control dampens or boosts the mids around the selected center frequency as a variable bandpass filter.
- VOLUME control: The volume control determines the signal level sent to the output jack.
- CHARACTER switch: Switches between Smooth, Normal and Hot fuzz character.
- HARD CLIP switch: This switch activates (I) or deactivates (0) hard clipping of the signal before the tone stack. „Hard clipping“ refers to the peaks of the signal waveform being cut off instead of being compressed once the signal amplitude reaches the edge of the headroom. This results in a harder or harsher sounding distortion. Hard clipping occurs before the signal reaches the EQ section of the circuit so any changes you make on the tone stack will affect a signal that has already been distorted.
- Tone Stack controls: This is an active tone stack that can boost or cut BASS, MID and TREBLE frequencies. The bands are interactive, i.e., a boost or cut on the BASS control (for example) will also have some effect on the behavior of the MID control. In this sense, it is similar to the tone stack in a typical guitar amplifier. The center frequency for the MID band can be adjusted with the MID FREQ control.
7 o‘clock position = lowest cut of the respective frequency band 12 o‘clock position = flat / neutral response (no cut or boost) 5 o‘clock position = highest boost of the respective frequency band - ON/OFF footswitch & LED: This footswitch activates pedal (LED above the switch is lit) or activates the True Bypass (LED off).
Specifications
- Input: ¹/4″ (6.35 mm) mono (TS) jack, impedance = 470 kΩ
Output: ¹/4″ (6.35 mm) mono (TS) jack, impedance = 2.2 kΩ - Power supply: 9- 18 VDC, 5.5 x 2.1 mm barrel plug, center negative
Battery operation is not possible.
Do not connect more than 18 V!
Current draw: max. 29 mA - Dimensions: 3.70″ x 4.72″ x 1.50″ (94 x 120 x 38 mm)
- Weight: 0.87 lbs (395 g)
Safety Precautions
Power Requirements
Please only use a power supply adapter approved by the manufacturer (9- 18 VDC and center negative polarity).
Only use power supplies that have been approved by the relevant authorities and that meet UL, CSA, VDE or CCC standards. Unplug the power adapter when not in use or during thunderstorms.
We recommend pedal-specific, transformer-isolated wall wart power supplies or multiple isolated-output supplies. Pedals will make extra noise if there is ripple or unclean power. Switching-type power supplies, daisy chains and non-pedal specific power supplies do not filter dirty power as well and will let unwanted noise through.
DO NOT RUN AT HIGHER VOLTAGES!
Storage and handling
- Do not use excessive force to operate the control elements of the pedal.
- Do not drop the pedal, and avoid placing the pedal in locations where it may be subject to shock or vibrations.
- Do not modify the pedal without authorization.
- Do not place the pedal in locations exposed to direct sunlight or excessively high or low temperatures.
- Do not place the pedal in wet locations or places with high humidity.
- Do not place the pedal in excessively dusty or dirty locations.
Cleaning
Clean only with a soft, dry cloth. If necessary, lightly moisten the cloth.
Do not use abrasive cleaners, cleaning alcohol, paint thinners, wax, solvents, cleaning fluids, or chemical-impregnated wiping cloths.
Connections
Always disconnect the power supply from the pedal and any other equipment before connecting or disconnecting signal cables.
Also make sure to disconnect all connection cables and the power supply before moving the pedal.
Warranty
This device has a limited warranty of 2 years to the original owner.
Should you encounter any issues, please visit www.thorn-soundlabs.com/warranty.
RECYCLING
This product carries the selective sorting symbol for Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE). This means that this product must be treated in accordance with European Directive 2012/19/EU in order to be recycled or dismantled to minimize its impact on the environment.
The user has the option of returning the product to a competent recycling organization or to the retailer when purchasing new electrical or electronic equipment.
The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of important operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying the appliance.
Customer Support
THORN SOUNDLABS INC.
1508 Elm Hill Pike Suite 106 Nashville, TN 37210 UNITED STATES www.thorn-soundlabs.com info@thorn-soundlabs.com
Documents / Resources
 | Thorn Black Swamp Flex Fuzz [pdf] User Manual Black Swamp Flex Fuzz, Swamp Flex Fuzz, Flex Fuzz |