As with any fuzz, signal-chain placement is key: Before a J. Rockett Audio Archer (set to clean boost) and with the fuzz’s master volume past 3 o’clock (I preferred cranked), the Raven yielded a delicious array of tones, ranging from envelopingly burly germanium sounds with cello-like sustain to more focused, nasal, and—at higher gain settings—splatty silicon sonics. With a Catalinbread Topanga placed before it, the Raven transformed into a lovely shoegaze dream, serving up all sorts of bristling harmonic textures in the hinterlands between clean tones and overt mayhem. As Pam from Archer would say, “Sploosh!”
Test gear: Squier/Warmoth baritone Jazzmaster with Curtis Novak Jazzmaster Widerange pickups, Jaguar HC50, Goodsell Valpreaux 21, J. Rockett Audio Archer, MXR Reverb, Catalinbread Topanga, Drybell Vibe Machine, Ibanez Echo Shifter.
Ratings
Pros:Stellar germanium (via new-old-stock Russian transistors) and silicon (current production) FF-style tones in one box. Crazy-low price.
Cons:
Takes up a lot of space for such a simple design. Master volume range could be tuned better—it’s uninspiring through the first 3/4 of its throw.
Street:
$130
Red Hawk Effects Raven
Red Hawk Effects
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