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Description

The Harmonic Percolator is a distortion pedal that was made in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in the 1970's. It used a silicon and a germanium transistor in a design that passes even order harmonics while suppressing odd order harmonics. These even order harmonics are more pleasing to the ear than odd order harmonics. The Harmonic Percolator also responds well with multiple notes. The left slider is the input gain or distortion control and the right one is the output control. The input is on the left and the output is to the right when looking down on it. This is opposite pedals of today but in its time this made sense. Left to Right - the same way you read.

Product specs

Power 9V
Analog/Digital analog
gearwire

gearwire

Percolator Pedals With Steve Albini

Video thumbnail for Percolator Pedals With Steve Albini by gearwire

Percolator Pedals With Steve Albini

gearwire

gearwire

Video thumbnail for Harmonic Percolator HP1 Demo by drowninginguitars

Harmonic Percolator HP1 Demo

drowninginguitars

drowninginguitars

Video thumbnail for Barge Concepts BP-1 Test And Comparison With Shellac's Steve Albini by gearwire

Barge Concepts BP-1 Test And Comparison With Shellac's Steve Albini

gearwire

gearwire

Video thumbnail for Percolator Pedals With Steve Albini by gearwire

Percolator Pedals With Steve Albini

gearwire

gearwire

Video thumbnail for HP 1 by jermsfuzz

HP 1

jermsfuzz

jermsfuzz

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Interfax Harmonic Percolator HP-1.

Features and functionality

  • The Harmonic Percolator produces a significantly noisier fuzz than typical fuzz circuits, ideal for creating a harsh, shoegaze-like wall of sound.

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  • The Dude Incredible pedal combines the Harmonic Percolator fuzz with an IVP preamp, which helps tame and smooth the fuzz while maintaining a massive sound.

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  • The JDM Little Steamer offers additional controls, including an extra knob and a switch to remove clipping, allowing for a transition between dirt and typical fuzz sounds.

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  • The Latent Lemon Hurts version excels at capturing the low octave effect, offering a unique range of sounds not typically found in other percolators.

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  • The Chimeric Percolator by Emerald Ox allows users to toggle between the Albini and Giblet versions of the circuit, enhancing tonal versatility.

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  • The Catbox Customs Bean Machine V2 includes additional features and customization options, unlike the simpler V1, which is more affordable.

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Comparisons

  • Owners have compared the Interfax Harmonic Percolator to the Land Devices version, noting that the diode lift feature in the Land Devices model enhances its appeal for some users.

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  • The HP-2 from Land Devices provides a grittier, more in-your-face sound compared to the Palmetto Pedals 335, which is noted for its versatility.

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  • The Latent Lemon Hurts is highlighted for its ability to cover a broader range of usable sounds, especially for recording, compared to other percolators.

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  • The Drunk Beaver Secret Sauce provides flexible controls, making it a favorite fuzz circuit for users seeking versatility in their fuzz tones.

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Use cases and applications

  • The pedal's sound is linked to Steve Albini's work with Big Black, making it appealing for those seeking to emulate his distinctive style.

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  • The Harmonic Percolator is praised for its clarity, making it suitable for chordal and rhythmic playing, distinguishing it from other fuzz pedals.

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  • The Blammo! Electronics version is praised for achieving a Bob Weston-like tone on bass when paired with a Rusty Box preamp.

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Other

  • The pedal is described as a "bucket list" item for its unique ability to produce an obnoxiously harsh fuzz tone, adding to its niche appeal among fuzz enthusiasts.

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User experience

  • Owners of the HP-2 note its ability to clean up well with the guitar's volume knob, offering clarity not typical of many fuzz pedals.

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  • The HP-2 pedal's interaction is sensitive to input volume and impedance, with changes noted when using a buffer before the pedal.

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4.5 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 6 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
matthewrpollard

Unreal fusion of distortion and fuzz. Nasty as hell

Unique sounding versatile germanium based distortion/fuzz ranging from cool overdrive to all out war.

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Steve Albini uses Interfax Harmonic Percolator HP-1

Steve Albini

Singer, Guitarist

Big Black

...
Verified via YouTube

One of the main pedals on Steve Albini's board, he can be shown discussing and using the Harmonic Percolator in this video. Did I also forget to mention that this pedal f**king rules?

See how Joey Landreth uses Interfax Harmonic Percolator HP-1

Joey Landreth

Singer, Guitarist

The Bros. Landreth

...
Verified via Photo

Visible in this February 3, 2020 Instagram post.

See how Lockett Pundt uses Interfax Harmonic Percolator HP-1

Lockett Pundt

Guitarist

Deerhunter

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Verified via Uberproaudio

According to this article about gear seen being used by Lockett Pundt, he has used a Chuck Collins Interfax Harmonic Percolator Fuzz.

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 Interfax Harmonic Percolator HP-1, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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