Crazy Tube Circuits Venus: A Real Tube Overdrive Pedal with Options
Small pedal, huge, overdriven sound!
4,8 / 5,0 | 
Crazy Tube Circuits Venus: A Real Tube Overdrive Pedal with Options · Source: Crazy Tube Circuits
To say the Venus was one of the highlights of guitar NAMM 2025 would be an understatement. Anyone who tried the overdrive pedal was at least as excited as they were about the new Tone King. And now, the Crazy Tube Circuits Venus is here. Based on one of the most sought-after drive pedals in guitar history, it combines the sound and functionality in to one compact pedal.
Crazy Tube Circuits Venus: Tube-y Overdrive
The Crazy Tube Circuits Venus is based on the legendary BK Butler Tube Driver. Satriani, Gilmour – many greats swore by the Butler. With the Venus, Crazy Tube Circuits packs a whole lot of tube-y, Butler-y warmth and drive into one compact and great-looking pedal.
At the heart of it, a ECC832 (a hybrid between an ECC83 and an ECC82) does the screaming and the crunching. This way, CTC have been able to build a real-tube pedal in such a compact format – and without the need of an additional external power supply, just the usual 9 volts DC, and off you go!
Switch the Tube!
The Crazy Tube Circuits Venus comes with six controls. In the upper row, you get controls for volume for the output level, and drive for setting the input level. Between that, with bias you control the current passing through the tube cathodes. That way, you can shape the tube’s harmonic character and saturation levels to change the pedal’s character from gnarly, aggressive distortion to smooth, creamy overdrive.
Below that you get a three-band EQ with controls for lo, mid, and hi. Above these controls, the Tight button adds a low frequency bump for additional sonic might. And with the Line Driver button, the Venus offers an additional boost.
CTC has made the Venus so that, if a different dual triode tube like a ECC83/12AX7, a 5751, a ECC81/12AT7, a 12AY7 or a ECC82/12AU7 is more suited for your sound, it’s super easy to replace the included ECC832.
How Much Does the Crazy Tube Circuits Venus Cost?
Boutique ain’t cheap’ is what they say. All this tube-y goodness, all of this sonic variety comes at a price. At 299 euros*, the Crazy Tube Circuits Venus might not be your first overdrive. But with this sound, it might be your last.
More on the New Pedal From Crazy Tube Circuits
*Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links and/or widgets. When you buy a product via our affiliate partner, we receive a small commission that helps support what we do. Don’t worry, you pay the same price. Thanks for your support!
This might also interest you
