Acorn Amps TMA-1 Fuzz Pedal

The Acorn Amps TMA-1 is a four-stage transistor fuzz pedal with selectable diode clipping, hand-built and hand-wired by Acorn Amplifiers in Atlanta, Georgia. Its design nods to HAL 9000 from 2001: A Space Odyssey, complete with a giant glass lens indicator that glows red when the fuzz is engaged. Beneath the sci-fi styling is a flexible fuzz circuit that lets you choose the clipping character in two separate stages, so you can shape everything from warm, vintage-flavored fuzz to cutting, modern saturation.

Selectable Clipping in Two Stages

The TMA-1's standout feature is its pair of clipping switches, labeled Clip 1 and Clip 2. Each toggle lets you choose germanium diodes, silicon diodes, or no clipping diodes at all in a separate stage of the circuit (stages two and three of the four). Three positions on each of two switches means nine different clipping combinations. Germanium diodes tend to give a softer, warmer character, while silicon diodes are sharper and more cutting. Mixing the two, or removing the diodes entirely, opens up a wide range of fuzz textures from a single pedal.

Controls

• Volume: sets the output level of the pedal.
• Tone: shapes the brightness of the fuzz.
• Gain: sets how much fuzz you get.
• Clip 1 and Clip 2: three-position toggles for germanium, silicon, or no clipping in two separate stages.

Features at a Glance

• Four-stage transistor fuzz circuit
• Germanium, silicon, or no diode clipping, selectable in two stages
• Giant glass lens LED indicator inspired by HAL 9000
• True bypass switching
• Rugged latching footswitch and metal Switchcraft jacks
• Runs on standard 9V tip-negative pedal power
• Weighs 360 grams
• Hand-built and hand-wired in Atlanta, Georgia

Who the TMA-1 Is For

The TMA-1 is a good match for fuzz fans who want more control than a traditional fuzz offers. Four-stage transistor fuzz designs are often compared to Big Muff-style circuits, and the TMA-1 can certainly get big, thick, and sustained. What sets it apart is the clipping options, which let players dial the pedal toward something rounder and more vintage or sharper and more aggressive. It suits alternative, stoner, shoegaze, and garage players, and it's a strong choice for anyone who likes to experiment with their tone. Studio players may especially appreciate having so many fuzz flavors on tap in one box, since nine clipping settings let you audition a wide range of fuzz tones in minutes without swapping pedals.

Clipping Combinations to Try

With nine clipping combinations available, it helps to start with a plan. Treat these as starting points and let your ears decide:

• Both switches on germanium: typically a softer, warmer, more vintage-flavored fuzz.
• Both switches on silicon: typically a sharper, more cutting fuzz with more edge.
• One germanium, one silicon: a blend of the two characters.
• Diodes bypassed in one or both stages: typically a looser, more open fuzz with less clipping.

Because the Tone and Gain controls interact with the clipping settings, it's worth revisiting each knob whenever you change a switch.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do the Clip 1 and Clip 2 switches do? Each switch selects germanium diodes, silicon diodes, or no clipping diodes in a separate stage of the fuzz circuit, giving you nine possible combinations.

Is the TMA-1 true bypass? Yes. When the pedal is off, your signal passes through unaffected.

What power does it need? Standard 9V tip-negative pedal power.

Why does it look like HAL 9000? The design is inspired by the computer from 2001: A Space Odyssey, and the glowing red lens doubles as the on/off indicator.

Where should I put the TMA-1 in my signal chain? Fuzz pedals generally work best early in the chain, right after your guitar or a wah, because they respond to your pickups and your guitar's volume knob. Placing buffered pedals ahead of a fuzz can change how it behaves, so experiment with the order.

Does Town Center Music ship this pedal? Yes. Orders over $100 ship free.

Buy the TMA-1 at Town Center Music

Town Center Music has been serving musicians in Suwanee, Duluth, Cumming, Johns Creek, Buford, and Sugar Hill since 2012. We've earned many five-star Google reviews, and we take pride in serving customers of all ages and stages of musical ability, from beginners to professionals. Stop by our shop at 4072 Suwanee Dam Rd NW in Suwanee, Georgia, or contact our team with any questions about the TMA-1 and how it fits your rig.