In Bloom

ThorpyFX's latest stacks up the germanium transistors for full-fat vintage tone in a functional modern setting

- Trevor Curwen

There's something delightfully different about ThorpyFX’s latest pedal: instead of the usual military-derived theme, this one is decorated with a floral graphic.

The pedal takes its name from the Japanese custom of 'Hanami', where people gather to enjoy the transient beauty of cherry blossom season. But plug it in and you’re more likely to be enjoying the transient beauty of a ripping guitar solo – this is one powerful fuzz pedal!

New fuzz pedals don’t appear in a vacuum, they are usually an evolution of a previous design, and Thorpy describes the Hanami as “a natural successor sonically from where the Boneyard left off... [sitting] perfectly between the Boneyard and the Fallout Cloud”. Now, the fact that the Boneyard was based on Tone Bender sound and the Fallout Cloud channelled the vibe of the very first (Triangle) Big Muff makes the Hanami a very interesting sonic prospect.