Pricing and availability
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Price
Average Price: $320
High-end/Boutique
$60
$201+
Price Tier
Budget
Standard
High-end
Price History
Based on price data from 1 merchant for "Fairfield Circuitry Shallow Water". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began May 2, 2026.
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Description
Introducing the Fairfield Circuitry Shallow Water, an ocean in a box. This K-Field Modulator takes you on a sonic journey, immersing your playing in a dynamic sea of chorus, vibrato, and pitch-shifting effects. Its advanced design, grounded in simulation mathematics, generates an evolving delay that gives life to a rich, transforming sound, reminiscent of a celestial tape echo. Dive in and explore an infinity of aural landscapes, where each play reveals new, uncharted territories.
Key Features:
- K-Field Modulator offering a variety of effects, including chorus, vibrato, and pitch-shifting
- Advanced design based on the theory of simulation mathematics
- Generates a short, continually modulating delay for a lush, morphing sound
- Creates an evolving, tape echo-like effect
- Ideal for adventurous musicians seeking unique, transformative soundscapes
Product specs
| Available since | November 2018 |
| Chorus | Yes |
| Flanger | Yes |
FAQs
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What type of effects does the Fairfield Circuitry Shallow Water provide?
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The Fairfield Circuitry Shallow Water offers both chorus and flanger effects, allowing for a range of modulation textures from subtle to complex.
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How does the Shallow Water differ from traditional chorus pedals?
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Unlike traditional chorus pedals, the Shallow Water incorporates a unique "K-Field Modulator" that introduces random pitch modulation, creating a more organic and unpredictable sound.
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Is the Fairfield Circuitry Shallow Water suitable for bass guitar?
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Yes, the Shallow Water works well with bass guitar, adding depth and texture without losing low-end clarity.
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What power supply does the Fairfield Circuitry Shallow Water require?
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The Shallow Water requires a standard 9V DC power supply, center-negative, which is common for most guitar pedals.
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Can the Fairfield Circuitry Shallow Water be used in an effects loop?
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Yes, the Shallow Water can be used in an effects loop, providing unique modulation effects that complement other pedals in your setup.
Videos
Knobs
Fairfield Circuitry - Shallow Water
Reviews
PROS
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Offers a wide range of sounds and moods
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Capable of subtle to intense modulation effects
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Versatile across various instruments, not just guitar
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Solid build quality and great look
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Unique lo-fi, old tape wobble effects achievable
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Perfect for creating slight movement to keep playing interesting
CONS
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Produces noticeable hiss/white noise during modulation
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Generates a weird high pitch noise, making it less ideal for live use
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Mono output limits stereo field possibilities
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May not fit all playing styles, particularly for recording
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Fairfield Circuitry Shallow Water.
Use cases and applications
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The Shallow Water can be used as a low pass gate/envelope filter by turning off modulation, offering a versatile tonal palette.
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Described as a good choice for bedroom players due to its subtlety, which can be lost in larger band or venue settings.
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Owners note it excels at adding a metallic, flangey klang with subtle wobble, especially when mixed with drive for solos.
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Ideal for creating lofi atmospheres on synths and drum machines, adding a nostalgic, tape-like quality to various musical contexts.
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Features and functionality
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The Shallow Water can produce a unique auto-wah effect through its envelope feature, giving it additional versatility beyond typical modulation.
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The Shallow Water's envelope-controlled modulation reacts distinctly to playing dynamics, with different responses to hard and soft strumming.
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Turning the volume knob past noon introduces a JFET grit, which pairs well with delay effects for added texture.
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The Low Pass Generator control allows subtle modulation without dominating the mix, unlike other lofi pedals which can be overly aggressive.
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An internal trim pot lets users adjust how quickly the low pass filter opens, customizing the pedal's response to playing dynamics.
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Comparisons
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Some prefer the Spaceman Meridian for its multi-modulation capabilities, such as chorus, vibrato, and flanger, as an alternative to Shallow Water.
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Compared to the Chase Bliss Warped Vinyl Hifi, the Shallow Water offers more character and subtlety, especially useful if you already own a standard chorus pedal.
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User experience
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Users find the pedal particularly noisy in certain settings, but valuable for inspiring creativity and experimentation.
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Owners describe the pedal as "always on" in their setups, indicating its integral role in their tone shaping.
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Owners report a slight variability in frequency response between different units, attributed to variations in minimum delay time or offset.
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The Shallow Water pairs well with analog or tape delay pedals, enriching the modulation characteristics without overshadowing them.
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Some users encounter BBD hiss noise when the Low Pass Gate is high, a known trait of the circuit, particularly at high mix settings.
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Setup and maintenance
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A recommended starting point for achieving gentle chorus/flange sounds includes setting the damp knob clockwise, depth at maximum, and speed around 10:00.
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Adjusting the internal trim pot can resolve issues with the LPG not reacting to dynamic playing, setting the minimum threshold and sensitivity.
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Critic Reviews
5.0 out of 5
Based on 3 Reviews and 8 Ratings
118
It's indescribable
When you flip this pedal on you'll think "Is this really it? The holy Grail of pedals? The one everyone raves about?". What you'll find is that the second you turn it off you'll notice exactly what it adds.
I detest chorus pedals. As much as I find the I enjoy guitar tone that moves and modulates, the glimmery sheen of chorus turns me off immediately. The Shallow Water is the antithesis of everything I hate about chorus. It is rich, organic, random in some ways, but altogether human. It is the combination of the low pass filter and modulation, it is incredible how they work together and give anything you put through the pedal a patina that I personally can't be without.
I know I'm late to the party but I want anyone who doubts the hype of this pedal to understand how incredible it is. Fairfield Circuitry is such an inventive company and this pedal has made me a lover of their pedals for life. If you are seeking to make your music sound unique, rich, and more human then this is the pedal you have been seeking. It won't do what you think it will and will take time to understand, but this is my true "desert island" pedal in every way
55
The Chorus Pedal For Chorus Pedal Haters
The random orbit or warble is controlled chaos that is captivating, but settings allow it to serve as a regular chorus and tone sweetener. It’s my favorite pedal ever. I’ve always hated chorus pedals but the tone, achievable darkness, and the versatility of this pedal is really cool.
Preferred Settings + Usage:
Try true north on all knobs except rate (3:00) and damper (9:00).
344
So weird that it's fucking awesome
This is a special pedal for sure. I use it at the end of the pedal chain after the reverb/delay, which results in a weird old tape kind of wobble effect and gives the sound a very oldschool vibe. Loving it! Only downside is that it's mono and not stereo
Artist usage
Add artist
In this post from Andy's Instagram, captioned "Message from Andy : The pedals of life," the following pedals are visible (Left to Right, Top to Bottom):
-Radial Bassbone OD
-Caroline Guitar Company Kilobyte
-Electro Faustus EF110 Blackfly
-MWFX Judder
-Digitech Freqout
-Hologram Effects Infinite Jets
-Boss CE-2W
-EHX Attack Decay XO
-Catalinbread Belle Epoch Deluxe
-MWFX Glitch
-Paul Trombetta Rotobone
-ZVEX Instant Lo-Fi Junky (Vexter Series)
-Catalinbread Antichthon
-Catalinbread Belle Epoch
-Vaux Flores Number 23
-Fairfield Circuitry Shallow Water
-TC Electronic Dark Matter
-Caroline Guitar Company Météore
-Mad Professor Golden Cello
In a Rig Rundown with Premier Guitar, published on November 19, 2025, Jeff Tweedy's electric board is shown to include the Fairfield Circuitry Shallow Water.
In the video titled "Bradford Cox (Deerhunter) in his home studio (2024)," uploaded by Jenny Ondioline on YouTube, Bradford Cox explicitly confirms his use of the Fairfield Circuitry Shallow Water in his recording setup. This information was originally shared from the Instagram account of nahoko_otsuka.
Dijon features the Fairfield Circuitry Shallow Water on his pedalboard, as seen in a photo he shared on Instagram.
Fairfield Shallow Water can be seen in the top right section of the board between the POG and PH3 based from this Photo of Jessy’s board taken from Men I Trust’s show on 10/29/2021.
Featured in this March 9, 2020 Instagram post.
I really like this sound. I will over use it for sure. @fairfieldcircuitry @sorokinguitars @tworockamplification
Blake Mills is seen incorporating the Fairfield Circuitry Shallow Water chorus pedal into his live rig, as evidenced by a user-uploaded photo.
Tim Pierce is confirmed to use the Fairfield Circuitry Shallow Water pedal, as he is seen activating it at the 14:06 mark in the YouTube video titled "The PERFECT Guitar Pedal?" on the Tim Pierce Guitar channel.
from "The Tallest Man On Earth" official Instagram story posted on August 2nd, 2021.
As seen within photo of rack setup for 2020's MMXX Arena Tour. Information provided within FREE THE TONE's article who designed the rig for the tour.
Album Usage
The Fairfield Circuitry Shallow Water has been featured on the following albums:
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Fairfield Circuitry Shallow Water, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
Community setups
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