Pricing and availability

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Average Price: $50

Budget/Beginner

$60

$151+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

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Description

Unleash the raw energy of your guitar with the Walrus Audio Contraband, a no-nonsense fuzz pedal designed for musicians who crave simplicity with a punch. This compact powerhouse delivers a range of gritty tones, from subtle breakups to full-on fuzz mayhem, with minimal fuss. The unique Thick/Thin switch tailors your sound to fit any setup, ensuring that your instrument cuts through with its true voice, be it bass, synth, or guitar. Perfect for crafting your signature sound or experimenting with new sonic territories, the Contraband makes a bold statement on any pedalboard.

Key Features:

  • Single knob control for easy adjustment of fuzz intensity
  • Built-in gate for achieving that sought-after dying battery sound
  • Thick/Thin switch to accommodate different instruments and tonal preferences
  • Compact design, fitting seamlessly into crowded pedalboards
  • Ideal for guitarists, bassists, and synth players alike

Product specs

Brand Walrus Audio
Model Contraband Fuzz, Contraband Fuzz Limited Edition - 1116, Contraband Fuzz Limited Edition - Callisto Series
Finish Callisto, Gold Sparkle / Red, Pearl / Gold
Year 2016 - 2017
Made In United States
Categories Fuzz Pedals and Effects
Pedal Format Standard

FAQs

What type of fuzz tones can I expect from the Walrus Audio Contraband pedal?

The Walrus Audio Contraband delivers a gritty, aggressive fuzz tone with a focus on midrange frequencies, making it ideal for cutting through a mix in live performances or recordings.

Does the Walrus Audio Contraband work well with both single-coil and humbucker pickups?

Yes, the Contraband fuzz pedal is designed to perform well with both single-coil and humbucker pickups, providing a versatile fuzz sound suitable for various guitar types.

What power supply is required for the Walrus Audio Contraband fuzz pedal?

The Walrus Audio Contraband requires a standard 9V DC power supply, drawing 10mA of current. It does not support battery operation.

Is the Walrus Audio Contraband suitable for bass guitar?

While primarily designed for electric guitar, the Contraband can also be used with bass guitars, offering a thick, textured fuzz that enhances low-end frequencies.

How does the Walrus Audio Contraband differ from other fuzz pedals?

The Contraband stands out with its single-knob design for simplicity and its unique voicing switch that allows users to toggle between two distinct fuzz tones, providing versatility in a compact format.

Reverb

Reverb

Walrus Audio Contraband Fuzz | Reverb Demo Video

Video thumbnail for Walrus Audio Contraband Fuzz | Reverb Demo Video by Reverb

Walrus Audio Contraband Fuzz | Reverb Demo Video

Reverb

Reverb

Video thumbnail for Walrus Audio: Contraband Fuzz Tech Demo by walrusaudioeffects

Walrus Audio: Contraband Fuzz Tech Demo

walrusaudioeffects

walrusaudioeffects

Video thumbnail for Walrus Audio: CONTRABAND Fuzz by Brett Kingman

Walrus Audio: CONTRABAND Fuzz

Brett Kingman

Brett Kingman

Video thumbnail for Walrus Audio Contraband (demo) by Living Room GD

Walrus Audio Contraband (demo)

Living Room GD

Living Room GD

Video thumbnail for Walrus  Audio - Contraband by 60 Cycle Hum

Walrus Audio - Contraband

60 Cycle Hum

60 Cycle Hum

Video thumbnail for Walrus Audio Contraband Fuzz by shnobel

Walrus Audio Contraband Fuzz

shnobel

shnobel

Video thumbnail for Walrus Audio - Contraband (Fuzz) - A review as simple as the product by EytschPi42

Walrus Audio - Contraband (Fuzz) - A review as simple as the product

EytschPi42

EytschPi42

Video thumbnail for Walrus Audio Contraband Fuzz by Curtis Kent

Walrus Audio Contraband Fuzz

Curtis Kent

Curtis Kent

Video thumbnail for Walrus Audio CONTRABAND one knob fuzz of love demoed with Telecaster by gearmanndude

Walrus Audio CONTRABAND one knob fuzz of love demoed with Telecaster

gearmanndude

gearmanndude

Video thumbnail for Walrus Audio Contraband | fuzz by JJ of the T

Walrus Audio Contraband | fuzz

JJ of the T

JJ of the T

Reviews

PROS

  • Smaller dimensions make it a compact choice

  • Versatile single knob operation caters to various bass types

  • Thick-Thin switch effectively modifies tone

  • Unique dying battery sounds achievable through volume manipulation

  • Surprisingly well-voiced without needing tone or volume control

  • Gating function allows for creative sputtery effects

  • Works well with different guitar pickups and settings

  • Complements other pedals, especially for creating swells with reverb

  • Affordably priced for its features

CONS

  • Can be volume sensitive, causing issues with certain amp settings

  • May act unfavorably with the wrong settings, mimicking poor overdrive

  • Limited controls might feel restrictive for some users

  • Tone can feel locked in place, offering less flexibility

  • Some may find it gimmicky or buy it mainly for the branding

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Walrus Audio Contraband.

Features and functionality

  • The pedal is characterized by a single output knob that acts as both gain and volume control, producing very loud output when maxed.

    Source
  • Owners appreciate the simplicity of the single-knob design, which minimizes time spent adjusting settings and delivers immediate satisfaction.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Ideal for achieving vintage garage rock tones, especially effective for staccato riffs in the style of Queens of the Stone Age or Jack White.

    Source
  • The pedal is praised for its smooth tone and the right amount of dirt, making it a suitable addition for those who prefer minimalistic controls.

    Source

User experience

  • Works best on thick mode with Telecasters to manage high frequencies, and on thin mode with Les Pauls to prevent muddiness in the low end.

    Source
  • P90 pickups shine through this pedal, offering a chunky rhythm sound in thick mode and sharp leads in thin mode.

    Source
  • Turning down the guitar volume can introduce a desirable dying battery effect, adding unique character to the sound.

    Source
  • After owning only a Big Muff and octave fuzz, one user found the Contraband to be a perfect addition due to its smooth sound and pleasurable playability.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Users compare its sound to a Fuzz Face, suggesting it's not based on a Big Muff or Octavia, and noting its unique "dying battery" effect.

    Source

3.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 5 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
thedreadpirateknoberts

Good fuzz for price

Good fuzz overall for the price. Not a lot of features. Be careful with using this with a buffer. If you use it post buffer, it's very acidic and trebly. If you use it prebuffer, it's much more full sounding. Stacks well with OD's for a high gain tone.

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Albert Hammond Jr uses Walrus Audio Contraband

Albert Hammond Jr

Singer, Guitarist

The Strokes

...
Verified via Twitter

You can check in this tweet a photograph of a Walrus Audio Contraband in Albert's gear,

See how Cory Wong uses Walrus Audio Contraband

Cory Wong

Guitarist, Composer

The Fearless Flyers

...
Verified via Photo

In this photo, which comes from Cory Wong's Instagram story, his session pedalboard is visible. One of the pedals that can be seen is the Walrus Contraband.

See how Jack Antonoff uses Walrus Audio Contraband

Jack Antonoff

Singer, Guitarist

Bleachers

...
Verified via YouTube

The item can be seen 0:03 into this video

See how Eirik Stordrange uses Walrus Audio Contraband

Eirik Stordrange

Guitarist

...
Verified via YouTube

Reviewed in this video.

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 Walrus Audio Contraband, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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