The Carl Martin Purple Moon V2 is a Carl Martin fuzz pedal, currently around $109.01. Close alternatives include the Jackson Audio Fuzz Plug IN Fuzz Classic Modern and the Catalinbread Fuzzrite Mini. It pairs well with the Hiwatt Custom DR20H and the Gibson Les Paul LP-1 Preamp.
Carl Martin Purple Moon V2
Carl Martin · pedal
The Carl Martin Purple Moon V2 is a dual-function pedal combining a modulated vibrato and vibe circuit with an independent fuzz section, produced by the Danish boutique effects manufacturer. The vibe section creates a swirling optical-style pitch and amplitude modulation while the fuzz delivers vintage-style saturation. Each section has independent controls and can be used separately or together, effectively operating as two distinct pedals in one housing. The Purple Moon is suited for psychedelic rock, retro blues, and experimental players seeking classic 1960s tone tools in a modern footprint.
What stands out
“Most commonly used in psychedelic and retro blues rigs seeking swirling vibe textures layered with thick fuzz saturation”
— from the community notes
“The vibe section creates a swirling optical-style pitch and amplitude modulation while the fuzz delivers vintage-style saturation”
— from the listing
“The standalone fuzz tone is described as full and angry at maximum settings with a warm vintage character”
— from the community notes
“Full fuzz at high intensity can push into an overtly heavy texture that may overpower delicate playing dynamics”
— from the reviews
“The Purple Moon is suited for psychedelic rock, retro blues, and experimental players seeking classic 1960s tone tools in a modern footprint”
— from the listing
Trade-offs
“the vibe section works well before driven amplifiers and the fuzz delivers a thick”
— from the community notes
- fuzz
- vintage
- thick
- saturation
- full
- psychedelic
- optical
- warm
Price updated Oct 24, 2026
Genres the Carl Martin Purple Moon V2 is commonly used in
- Rock
- Experimental
- Blues
- Alternative
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Noise Rock
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Classic Rock
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag.
Amps that pair well with the Carl Martin Purple Moon V2
Hiwatt Custom DR20H
Hiwatt
17% matchpushes an already-dirty tonePushes an already-dirty tone harder and tightens it up. (saturated → tight)
Feed a saturated signal into Hiwatt Custom DR20H and it comes out closer to tight
Comes later in the signal chain
Gibson Les Paul LP-1 Preamp
Gibson
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Run fuzzy into Gibson Les Paul LP-1 Preamp for more modulated on top
Magnatone 510
Magnatone
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Run fuzzy into Magnatone 510 for more modulated on top
Pedals that stack with the Carl Martin Purple Moon V2
Blackstar Dept. 10 Boost
Blackstar
17% matchgain stackingStacks two gain stages for more saturation than either produces alone. (fuzzy → clean boost)
Run fuzzy into Blackstar Dept. 10 Boost for more clean boost on top
Comes earlier in the signal chain
Paul Cochrane Timmy
Paul Cochrane
17% matchgain stackingStacks two gain stages for more saturation than either produces alone. (fuzzy → clean boost)
Run fuzzy into Paul Cochrane Timmy for more clean boost on top
Comes earlier in the signal chain
Crazy Tube Circuits Cyclone
Crazy Tube Circuits
16% matchsits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor. (fuzzy → modulated)
Keep Carl Martin Purple Moon V2's fuzzy voice out front: Crazy Tube Circuits Cyclone goes after Carl Martin Purple Moon V2 in the signal chain so its harmonically rich voice doesn't muddy it
Comes later in the signal chain
Jackson Audio Bloom MIDI V2
Jackson Audio
13% matchshapes the dynamic responseShapes how the tone responds to picking dynamics rather than its frequency or gain.
Carl Martin Purple Moon V2 leans toward fuzzy, and that's a real, usable character to pair with
Comes earlier in the signal chain
Electro-Harmonix Canyon
Electro-Harmonix
10% matchsits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor. (fuzzy → octave)
Keep Carl Martin Purple Moon V2's fuzzy voice out front: Electro-Harmonix Canyon goes after Carl Martin Purple Moon V2 in the signal chain so its modulated voice doesn't muddy it — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Comes later in the signal chain
Pigtronix Echolution
Pigtronix
10% matchsits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor. (fuzzy → modulated)
Keep Carl Martin Purple Moon V2's fuzzy voice out front: Pigtronix Echolution goes after Carl Martin Purple Moon V2 in the signal chain so its ambient voice doesn't muddy it — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Comes later in the signal chain
EarthQuaker Devices Swiss Things
EarthQuaker Devices
EarthQuaker Devices Utility Series Buffer Preamp
EarthQuaker Devices
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Put EarthQuaker Devices Utility Series Buffer Preamp in front and the fuzzy tone leans further toward clean boost
Cheaper alternatives
Jackson Audio Fuzz Page MKII- Plug -IN
Jackson Audio
46% similarityShared character: blues players, fuzz, warm
Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi
Electro-Harmonix
46% similarityShared character: thickness, fuzz
Electro-Harmonix Triangle Big Muff Pi
Electro-Harmonix
43% similarityShared character: thickness, fuzz, full
Boutique & premium upgrades
Fjord Fuzz Froy Uni-Vibe
Fjord Fuzz
56% similarityShared character: modulation, fuzz
EarthQuaker Devices Hoof Hybrid Fuzz
EarthQuaker Devices
51% similarityShared character: fuzz, warm, vintage charm
Old Blood Noise Endeavors Alpha Haunt Fuzz
Old Blood Noise Endeavors
48% similarityShared character: thickness, fuzz
Dunlop JIM Dunlop JH-M8 Jimi Hendrix Gypsy
Dunlop
47% similarityShared character: thickness, warm, vintage charm
Cusack Music Tap-A-Fuzz
Cusack Music
46% similarityShared character: thickness, modulation, fuzz
Catalinbread Fuzzrite Germanium
Catalinbread
45% similarityShared character: fuzz, warm, vintage charm
Similar character
Jackson Audio Fuzz Plug IN Fuzz Classic Modern
Jackson Audio
60% similarityShared character: fuzz, warm, vintage charm
Catalinbread Fuzzrite Mini
Catalinbread
45% similarityShared character: thickness, fuzz, vintage charm
Carl Martin Purple Moon
Carl Martin
94% similaritysimilar tone character
Fender The Pelt
Fender
92% similaritysimilar tone character
See all alternatives to the Carl Martin Purple Moon V2 (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the Carl Martin Purple Moon V2?+
The closest matches in character are the Jackson Audio Fuzz Plug IN Fuzz Classic Modern, the Catalinbread Fuzzrite Mini, the Carl Martin Purple Moon. Budget picks: Jackson Audio Fuzz Page MKII- Plug -IN, Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi, Electro-Harmonix Triangle Big Muff Pi. Boutique upgrades: Fjord Fuzz Froy Uni-Vibe, EarthQuaker Devices Hoof Hybrid Fuzz, Old Blood Noise Endeavors Alpha Haunt Fuzz.
What pairs well with the Carl Martin Purple Moon V2?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Hiwatt Custom DR20H, Gibson Les Paul LP-1 Preamp, Magnatone 510 — Feed a saturated signal into Hiwatt Custom DR20H and it comes out closer to tight.
How much does the Carl Martin Purple Moon V2 cost?+
Around $109.01 (live listing price, updated Oct 24, 2026).