The EarthQuaker Devices Gary Automatic Pulse Width Modulation is an EarthQuaker Devices fuzz pedal, currently around $199. Close alternatives include the Fuzzrocious Electric Ocean and the Death By Audio Crossover Fuzz Dual-Band Fuzz. It pairs well with the Mesa/Boogie Triple Rectifier and the Hiwatt Custom DR20H.
EarthQuaker Devices Gary Automatic Pulse Width Modulation
EarthQuaker Devices · pedal
The EarthQuaker Devices Gary is a modulated fuzz pedal from Akron, Ohio boutique manufacturer EarthQuaker Devices, combining fuzz saturation with Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) to produce buzzing, oscillating modulated fuzz tones. The PWM modulation creates a buzzing, vibrating quality in the fuzz that adds rhythmic, synthetic character. Controls include Sustain, Volume, Tone, Rate, and Width for shaping the fuzz and PWM modulation character. Named after Gary Crespo, EQD's production manager.
What stands out
“The EarthQuaker Devices Gary is a modulated fuzz pedal from Akron, Ohio boutique manufacturer EarthQuaker Devices, combining fuzz saturation with Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) to produce buzzing, oscillating modulated fuzz tones”
— from the listing
“Controls include Sustain, Volume, Tone, Rate, and Width for shaping the fuzz and PWM modulation character”
— from the listing
“The Gary delivers modulated fuzz with PWM oscillation for aggressive, buzzing fuzz tones that oscillate and vibrate with the PWM modulation rate, suited for experimental, noise, and heavy players who want fuzz with a synthetic, buzzing modu…”
— from the community notes
“Limitations: Highly specialized PWM-modulated fuzz character is suited for experimental and noise applications”
— from the reviews
“Rate and Width controls allow shaping the PWM modulation speed and depth”
— from the reviews
Trade-offs
“s production manager”
— from the listing
- fuzz
- modulation
- saturation
- noise
- experimental
- synthetic character
- aggressive
Price updated Oct 22, 2026
Genres the EarthQuaker Devices Gary Automatic Pulse Width Modulation is commonly used in
- Experimental
- Noise Rock
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Stoner Rock
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Shoegaze
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Alternative
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag.
Amps that pair well with the EarthQuaker Devices Gary Automatic Pulse Width Modulation
Mesa/Boogie Triple Rectifier
Mesa Boogie
15% matchgain stackingStacks two gain stages for more saturation than either produces alone. (fuzzy → clean boost)
Mesa/Boogie Triple Rectifier layers clean boost onto an already fuzzy signal
Comes later in the signal chain
Hiwatt Custom DR20H
Hiwatt
15% matchpushes an already-dirty tonePushes an already-dirty tone harder and tightens it up. (saturated → tight)
Hiwatt Custom DR20H takes that saturated character and pushes it toward tight
Comes later in the signal chain
Gibson Les Paul LP-1 Preamp
Gibson
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Gibson Les Paul LP-1 Preamp stacks modulated on top of the fuzzy already here
Magnatone 510
Magnatone
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Magnatone 510 stacks modulated on top of the fuzzy already here
Pedals that stack with the EarthQuaker Devices Gary Automatic Pulse Width Modulation
Greer Southland
Greer
16% matchgain stackingStacks two gain stages for more saturation than either produces alone. (fuzzy → clean boost)
Run fuzzy into Greer Southland for more clean boost on top
Comes earlier in the signal chain
Cordovox FL-8
Cordovox
15% 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 Cordovox FL-8 after EarthQuaker Devices Gary Automatic Pulse Width Modulation in the signal chain, clear of EarthQuaker Devices Gary Automatic Pulse Width Modulation's own gain stage
Comes later in the signal chain
Catalinbread Epoch Boost EP-3
Catalinbread
15% matchgain stackingStacks two gain stages for more saturation than either produces alone. (fuzzy → clean boost)
Run fuzzy into Catalinbread Epoch Boost EP-3 for more clean boost on top
Comes later in the signal chain
Keeley Bassist
Keeley
10% matchshapes the dynamic responseShapes how the tone responds to picking dynamics rather than its frequency or gain.
Keeley Bassist's own compressed character is the real reason this is worth trying
Comes earlier in the signal chain
Pigtronix Echolution
Pigtronix
9% 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)
Run Pigtronix Echolution after EarthQuaker Devices Gary Automatic Pulse Width Modulation in the signal chain, clear of EarthQuaker Devices Gary Automatic Pulse Width Modulation's own gain stage — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Comes later in the signal chain
Crazy Tube Circuits Echotopia
Crazy Tube Circuits
9% 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)
Crazy Tube Circuits Echotopia's analog warmth voice goes after EarthQuaker Devices Gary Automatic Pulse Width Modulation in the signal chain — it's not there to compete with EarthQuaker Devices Gary Automatic Pulse Width Modulation's own fuzzy character — 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
EarthQuaker Devices Utility Series Buffer Preamp stacks clean boost on top of the fuzzy already here
Cheaper alternatives
Boutique & premium upgrades
Third Man Records Knife Drop Fuzz/Synth
Third Man Records
62% similarityShared character: noise, fuzz, aggressive playing
EarthQuaker Devices Terminal Destructive Fuzz Device
EarthQuaker Devices
61% similarityShared character: noise, fuzz, aggressive playing
Zvex Machine
Zvex
60% similarityShared character: noise, modulation, fuzz
Manson Supermassive Black Fuzz
Manson
55% similarityShared character: noise, fuzz
Fuzzrocious Wicked Jawn
Fuzzrocious
55% similarityShared character: noise, fuzz, aggressive playing
Rainger FX Chop Fuzzz
Rainger Fx
49% similarityShared character: fuzz
Similar charactersee all similar tone character →
Fuzzrocious Electric Ocean
Fuzzrocious
62% similarityShared character: noise, fuzz
Death By Audio Crossover Fuzz Dual-Band Fuzz
Death By Audio
59% similarityShared character: noise, fuzz, aggressive playing
Rainger FX DRFF-3 Dr. Freakenstein Fuzz
Rainger Fx
57% similarityShared character: noise, fuzz
Fuzzrocious Croak
Fuzzrocious
57% similarityShared character: noise, fuzz
Beetronics Swarm
Beetronics
54% similarityShared character: noise, modulation, fuzz
Zvex Fuzz Probe
Zvex
51% similarityShared character: noise, fuzz
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the EarthQuaker Devices Gary Automatic Pulse Width Modulation?+
The closest matches in character are the Fuzzrocious Electric Ocean, the Death By Audio Crossover Fuzz Dual-Band Fuzz, the Rainger FX DRFF-3 Dr. Freakenstein Fuzz. Budget picks: Fuzzrocious Tyrannochorus. Boutique upgrades: Third Man Records Knife Drop Fuzz/Synth, EarthQuaker Devices Terminal Destructive Fuzz Device, Zvex Machine.
What pairs well with the EarthQuaker Devices Gary Automatic Pulse Width Modulation?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Mesa/Boogie Triple Rectifier, Hiwatt Custom DR20H, Gibson Les Paul LP-1 Preamp — Mesa/Boogie Triple Rectifier layers clean boost onto an already fuzzy signal.
How much does the EarthQuaker Devices Gary Automatic Pulse Width Modulation cost?+
Around $199 (live listing price, updated Oct 22, 2026).