JHS 4 Wheeler alternative?

[Mezcalito]

Hi! I’m shopping for a new fuzz pedal and the JHS Four Wheeler has really caught my eye/ear. After reading a bit more about the company’s ethics/customer service, however, i’m not sure i want to support them (the fact that google autocompletes “JHS Pedals” with “controversy” is a bit of a red flag).

Anyone have any additional background on why the company has been smeared online, or, if they’re really that bad, recommendations for a similar product that will keep my conscience clean? What sold me on the Four Wheeler was this video:



...in particular the distortion tone at the beginning, between 0:11-0:37. Ideally i’d prefer something around the same price (~$200) made in the US or Canada.

thanks!

 

[ole Jason]

wooly mammoth or mastotron

 

[The Ryantist]

I'll try to be neutral since I don't have first hand knowledge on their customer service or ethics. And I don't really have a strong opinion on people modding / tweaking / cloning other pedals' designs. I'm sure there are 2 sides to the story.

I had a 4 Wheeler for a little while and ended up selling it because it wasn't the tone I wanted. I tend to like fuzz/distortion when you can blend in some clean. This is a pretty gnarly fuzz which was cool but too over the top for me. I do think it was a fair price (my other pedals are all in the $200 range) and it seemed to have a sturdy construction.

 

[nshuman]

The 4 Wheeler Fuzz is just a straightforward woolly mammoth clone. You could get the real thing, or a mastotron. Or, any dime a dozen mammoth clone. Plenty of places to read about what JHS has done and continues to do.

 

[Driven Crane]

The 4 Wheeler Fuzz is just a straightforward woolly mammoth clone. You could get the real thing, or a mastotron. Or, any dime a dozen mammoth clone. Plenty of places to read about what JHS has done and continues to do.

Absolutely. RIGHT.