Lil Trees Guitar Co. Velvet Ant Germanium Fuzz Pedal

The Velvet Ant is a germanium-based three-transistor fuzz and Lil Trees Guitar Company’s take on the hard-to-find Burns Buzzaround circuit. Built around a simple three-control layout, it delivers an intense, cutting fuzz with a tight low end, strong sustain, and enough tonal range to move between vintage fuzz textures and surprisingly modern sounds.

The circuit has a lively response when playing chords, while single-note lead lines compress without losing their sustain or falling apart. Compared with many vintage-style fuzz circuits, the Velvet Ant stays tighter through the low frequencies and avoids the pronounced midrange scoop associated with a traditional Muff-style sound. The result is raw, loud, aggressive fuzz that can still sit clearly in a mix.

Three interactive controls shape the circuit. Size adjusts the output volume, Sting controls gain and fuzz intensity, and Color handles the overall tone. Rather than operating as completely independent sections, the controls interact with one another because each affects voltage and bias within the circuit. Color can take the sound from thick and full to considerably leaner and sharper, while Size provides enough output range to compensate as the tone is reshaped.

The Velvet Ant also incorporates Lil Trees' polarity-protection circuitry, designed to protect the internal circuit if an incorrect polarity or unsuitable power source is accidentally connected. Audio and power connections are mounted along the rear of the enclosure to keep the footprint pedalboard friendly.

Each pedal is housed in a 1590N1 aluminum enclosure with the Lil Trees logo, lettering, and insect artwork physically fiber laser-engraved into the aluminum and finished with enamel paint. The Velvet Ant is handmade in Atlanta, Georgia using chassis-mounted construction and carefully selected components.

Features:

• Germanium-based three-transistor fuzz
• Lil Trees interpretation of the vintage Burns Buzzaround circuit
• Lively, cutting chord response
• Strong sustain and compressed single-note response
• Tight, fast-tracking low end
• Pronounced midrange without the traditional Muff-style scoop
• Capable of both vintage and more modern fuzz sounds
• Interactive Size, Sting, and Color controls
• Rear-mounted audio and power connections
• Built-in polarity-protection circuitry
• Fiber laser-engraved aluminum enclosure
• Enamel-filled artwork and lettering
• Chassis-mounted construction
• Handmade in Atlanta, Georgia

Controls:

• Size: Overall output volume
• Sting: Gain / fuzz intensity
• Color: Tone control

Specifications:

• Effect Type: Germanium Fuzz
• Circuit Topology: Three-transistor
• Circuit Inspiration: Burns Buzzaround
• Enclosure: 1590N1 aluminum
• Connections: Rear-mounted audio and power jacks
• Additional Circuitry: Polarity protection
• Country of Manufacture: USA