Get Your KYUSS Tone On With EARTHQUAKER DEVICES’ Reissued Dirt Transmitter

EarthQuaker Devices has reissued one of its earliest and most distinct fuzz pedals with a fresh look and a notable backstory. Enter the Dirt Transmitter. Originally released in 2008, the Dirt Transmitter is a fuzz circuit loosely based on the classic Fuzz Face but reimagined with a unique sonic twist, thanks to a set of rare, low-gain silicon transistors.

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Unlike typical high-gain silicon designs, these transistors deliver a tone that’s warm and smooth, almost germanium-like in character, while still retaining the edgy, mid-forward bite silicon is known for. The result is a versatile fuzz that balances vintage warmth with a sharp, cutting presence.

A standout feature of the Dirt Transmitter is its Bias control, which adjusts the voltage going to the transistors. When turned fully clockwise, the pedal is “properly biased” for a rich, full fuzz tone. As the knob is rolled back, the circuit becomes starved of voltage, producing a gated, sputtery effect reminiscent of velcro or dying batteries.

The reissue also comes with a story rooted in desert rock history. In early 2023, EarthQuaker founder Jamie Stillman was invited by Dave Catching (Eagles of Death Metal, Queens of the Stone Age, etc.) to record at Rancho de la Luna, the legendary Joshua Tree studio known for its role in shaping the sound of bands like Queens Of The Stone Age and Kyuss.

During the session, the Dirt Transmitter was used extensively, and the results led to a collaboration between EarthQuaker and Catching to reintroduce the pedal in celebration of Rancho’s 30th anniversary.

For this edition, EarthQuaker tapped artist Mike Egan — a longtime friend of the brand and fellow Ohio native — to create custom Rancho de la Luna-themed artwork for the enclosure. The updated aesthetic complements the pedal’s raw, experimental sonic palette, making it as visually distinctive as it is sonically.

Control-wise, the pedal keeps things simple and intuitive: Fuzz for gain, Tone for treble response, Level for output, and Bias for voltage shaping. It runs on standard 9V power and is built in Akron, Ohio, like all EarthQuaker Devices products.

The reissued Dirt Transmitter is available now and should appeal to fuzz enthusiasts, experimental players, and anyone looking to add some gritty personality to their signal chain—especially with a bit of desert rock history baked in.

Get it here for $179.

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