EarthQuaker Devices Chelsea - Low End Fuzz Driver

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Effect Pedal for Electric Guitar and Bass

Fuzz
Developed with James Murphy (LCD Soundsystem)
Wide range from slight overdrive to full distortion
Silent relay-based switching with Flexi-Switch technology
True bypass
Controls: Level, Sustain, Tone
Switch: Tone Bypass
Footswitch: Effect Bypass
Status LED
Input / output: 6.3 mm mono jacks
Current consumption: 10 mA
Power supply via 9 V DC mains adapter (2.1 x 5.5 mm barrel connector, centre negative) – suitable mains adapter Art. 409939 (not included with the pedal itself)
Metal housing
Dimensions (L x W x H): 122 x 67 x 57 mm
Weight: 265 g
Handmade in USA

Note: Battery operation not supported.

Note Register your purchase at shop.warwick.de/en/warranty-registration for an extended warranty of 4 years.

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Available since March 2025
Item number 612668
Sales Unit 1 piece(s)
Overdrive No
Distortion No
Fuzz Yes
Metal No

$215

The shipping costs are calculated on the checkout page.

370

Sales Rank

in Distortion Pedals

A legendary low end pedal

The effect pedals created by EarthQuaker Devices are as well known for their innovative functions as they are for their stylish retro looks: The Chelsea, a fuzz pedal for bass and guitar, ticks both boxes and then some. It's actually based on a legendary customised pedal belonging to James Murphy, the creative force behind LCD Soundsystem - and all-around perfectionist sound guru. But there's no function bloat here; with just three dials and one switch, the Chelsea is easy to use, indeed intuitive. It gives musicians access to a great range of fuzz sounds, from subtle overdrive to full-on wrecking ball, without ever losing the pedal's unique, unmistakable character. This individuality is a central tenet at EarthQuaker Devices, reflected in the sound and appearance of all their pedals: The Chelsea is no different and - as is always the case with EarthQuaker - is handmade at the company's headquarters in Ohio.

Intuitive and yet so intense

The EarthQuaker Chelsea has the same familiar format as most other pedals, measuring 121 × 64 × 57mm, so guitarist's fingers will have enough space to tweak the three dials. First, though, the footswitch turns the fuzz on, which is confirmed by the red status LEDafter which the Level dial controls the Chelsea's overall volume. Tone changes the character of the sound, and Sustain is probably best described in terms of the intensity and aggression of the fuzz. This corresponds more or less to the layout of most distortion pedals, meaning the Chelsea doesn't have much of a learning curve and is fairly intuitive. One more unusual feature is the toggle switch, used to deactivate the tone control, or more precisely to remove the entire tone circuit from the signal path. This pushes the mids to the fore, creating new opportunities for sonic experimentation. The Chelsea runs on a standard 9V power supply, which is not included here.

Rear view of the EarthQuaker Devices Chelsea, Low End Fuzz Driver

Unmistakable sounds

For fans of LCD Soundsystem and the musical universe of James Murphy, the EarthQuaker Devices Chelsea is pretty much a must-have. But even musicians who prefer the Dropkick Murphys to James Murphy will have fun with the Chelsea – and of course, a fuzz is an essential part of almost every guitarist's and bass player's everyday setup anyway. Many of the history of Rock music's most legendary sounds were created with the deliberately artificial character of this particular effect, running all the way from Jimi Hendrix to Metallica to Kyuss and beyond. The Chelsea will also be of interest to anyone who wants to step away from the mainstream, with an unmistakeable fuzz sound that can't be pigeonholed. Ultimately though, the great strength of the Chelsea is the great breadth of sounds it's capable of, although the general tendency is towards a vintage tone. If this sounds like a good thing – and if high gain chainsaw fuzz doesn't – then the EarthQuaker Devices Chelsea is probably just right.

Footswitch on the EarthQuaker Devices Chelsea, Low End Fuzz Driver

About EarthQuaker Devices

EarthQuaker Devices was founded in 2004 by the musician Jamie Stillman, who had previously gathered years of experience in the world of music and sounds as the manager of a record label for Metal, Punk, and Shoegaze bands. Today, his innovative pedal designs are among the most in-demand and desirable devices in the boutique segment, attracting interest from a huge community of musicians. Stillman is now in charge of a sizeable team of developers and technicians, who are continuously working from their base in Akron, Ohio to expand their catalogue of hand-made effects pedals. EarthQuaker Devices are used by renowned artists like Paul Simon, Coldplay, Tom Bukovac, Idles, and The Black Keys.

Vintage fuzz sounds

What - and when - is the best way to use a fuzz pedal, and the EarthQuaker Devices Chelsea in particular? To answer that question, just take look through the history books of Rock music: The Rolling Stones' "Satisfaction" and "Foxy Lady" by Jimi Hendrix, "Sunshine of Your Love" by Cream, and Led Zeppelin's "Whole Lotta Love" – just some of the classics defined by the kind of fuzz sound the Chelsea can also produce. But those are just some examples of a very Classic Rock guitar sound; the Chelsea's circuitry also makes it perfect for bass guitar distortion too, giving bassists a way of dialling in the sound of icons like Paul McCartney, Geezer Butler, John Paul Jones, Noel Redding... the list is endless. But with nothing more than a few tweaks of the Tone and Sustain levels and some judicious use of the Tone on/off switch, modern musicians can also use the Chelsea to create their own very individual sound.