The guitar world is abuzz following the unveiling of the Crazy Tube Circuits (CTC) Venus at NAMM 2025. What was already a highly anticipated release based on early previews has now become a certified sensation, with attendees raving about its rich, tube-driven tones.
Crazy Tube Circuits Venus
The Venus draws inspiration from the legendary BK Butler Tube Driver, a pedal revered by guitar icons like Satriani and Gilmour. CTC has successfully captured the essence of this sought-after sound, packing it into a compact and elegantly designed pedal.
Tube-Powered Warmth and Versatility
At the heart of the Venus lies an ECC832 tube, a hybrid of the ECC83 and ECC82, delivering the pedal’s signature warmth and dynamic drive. CTC’s innovative design allows a genuine tube circuit within a compact form factor, powered by a standard 9V DC supply.
Controls
The Venus boasts a comprehensive control set, offering exceptional tonal flexibility. The top row features Volume and Drive controls, while a Bias knob allows users to fine-tune the tube’s harmonic character and saturation, morphing between aggressive distortion and smooth overdrive.
A three-band EQ (Lo, Mid, Hi) provides precise tone shaping, complemented by a Tight switch for added low-end punch and a Line Driver button for a clean boost.
Customization and Boutique Quality
One of Venus’s standout features is its user-friendly tube swapping capability.
Guitarists can easily replace the included ECC832 with other dual triode tubes, such as ECC83/12AX7, 5751, ECC81/12AT7, 12AY7, or ECC82/12AU7, to tailor their sound further.
Pricing & Availability
As a boutique pedal, the Venus comes with a premium price tag. The Crazy Tube Circuits Venus is priced at 299 euros, reflecting its high-quality components and exceptional sonic versatility.
“While it might not be your first overdrive,” remarked a representative from CTC, “with its incredible sound and flexibility, the Venus could very well be your last.”
The Venus is expected to hit retailers in the coming months, and is poised to become a staple on pedalboards worldwide.
MSRP – £265/€299
More Information
Video
This article may contain affiliate links to Sweetwater, Fender, Gear4Music, Thomann, and Andertons that help finance the running costs of GuitarBomb. We will receive a small commission if you buy something through these links. Don’t worry; you pay the same price, and it costs you no extra to use these affiliate links for your purchases.
