Resistor Head, a boutique guitar pedal manufacturer known for its bold designs, has just dropped a limited-edition pedal that’s making waves both sonically and politically. Meet the “Fuck ICE” overdrive pedal**, a fully functional stompbox that doubles as a defiant statement against US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, all while raising vital funds for immigrant legal aid.
A Bold Message, Familiar Tone
Announced via an Instagram post this week, the “F**k ICE” pedal is now available for pre-order directly from Resistor Head’s website.
While the internal components are the same as their existing ACAB pedal (no prizes for guessing that acronym), this new version sports fresh graphics and an unmistakable message.
Every Pedal Helps Immigrants
Priced at $150, the “F**k ICE” pedal costs $5 more than the original ACAB. This difference isn’t for profit; that extra $5 from each sale goes directly to the National Immigrant Justice Center.
This organization provides crucial legal assistance to immigrants, a cause Resistor Head proudly supports, stating, “That $5 will be donated… to provide immigrants with legal help.”
However, some comments on their Instagram account accuse Resitor Head of ‘cashing in’ on the situation.
Fulltone OCD Sound, Without the Baggage
For guitarists who love the famed Fulltone OCD overdrive but want to avoid supporting its controversial founder, Mike Fuller, the “F**k ICE” pedal offers a perfect solution.
Resistor Head openly states, “It’s a Fulltone OCD clone, offered for people who don’t want to support Mike Fuller of Fulltone for any of his documented offenses.”
The pedal’s design expertly blends elements from various OCD iterations (specifically versions 1.4 and 1.7) while incorporating modern upgrades for enhanced performance.
Visually, the pedal features professionally UV-printed graphics with a glossy, raised finish, ensuring it looks as striking as its message on any pedalboard.
Improved Performance, Premium Look
Resistor Head has engineered the “F**k ICE” pedal with key improvements, including an internally bypassable output buffer with a trim pot.
This allows players to dial back high-end frequencies for a warmer sound if desired. “The original Fulltone OCDs had output impedance issues that caused the tone of the pedal and output volume to change depending on the input impedance of the next activated pedal in the chain,”2 the company explains. “My update eliminates this issue but still enables you to dial in the warmth that buffers can remove.”
MSRP – $150
