Tulpa FX Owlman Pedal Is A Thick, Terrifying Noisemaker

Fuzz and ring modulation combine to create a tool as haunting and powerful as the cryptic it is named after.

It’s not everyday that you get your hands on a guitar pedal named after a mythical (and scary) half man, half owl. But yet here we are, with the Tulpa FX Owlman Overloader sitting on my desk, connected to my RWM Guitars Tele.

The Owlman Overloader is one part fuzz, one part ring modulator. The ring modulator side is based on the famed Dan Armstrong Green Ringer, and is not too different from the idea that October Audio had with the NVMBR Fuzz I previously reviewed. The fuzz side of things is thick, and a lot grittier, almost Muff-like. But it sounds absolutely fantastic, just as a standalone fuzz, which controlled by only volume and gain controls.

The Green Ringer side has one knob, for controlling the level of the modulation which can also work as a standalone effect when the fuzz is disengaged. However, the ring modulation in this Owlman feels far more reigned in and user friendly than the NVMBR Fuzz. I loved that pedal for the distortion sounds, but this Owlman I love for the searing, synthy ring mod that never gets too crazy. In fact, it’s perfect for cutting through with lead lines or big riffs that sound a bit fuller than only fuzz. That is the best part about the Owlman; every single setting on the control knobs can fit in a song.

So naturally, this fell right into punk and alt rock territory for me. I’m already toying with some of the riffs that came out of the demo and seeing how they might become songs of their own. It’s a make better-er pedal that works great for solos but can also be a standalone or always on pedal in my opinion. You can rangle the ring mod just mellow enough to get almost chorusing or phasery fuzz tones.

Oddly enough, one band that comes to mind instantly for me with this pedal is The Killers. I know that sounds crazy, but The Killers and guitarist Dave Keuning do this really cool thing on the first album where a lot of those “synth” lines are actually overdriven and modulated guitar. While this is a noisy fuzz that is certainly not just for tight pants indie rock, I can see a lot of applications for this outside just punk and shoegaze.

Overall, it’s hard not to connect with the wooly fuzz and synthy overtones of the Owlman. It’s not a pedal that will be a requirement for everyone, but fuzz enthusiasts, noise rockers, and sonic experimentalists should take note. This is a fun pedal that brings both outlandish and very reigned in sounds to the party, with more emphasis on the reigned in sounds.

I’m also quite fond of the enclosure, with an almost Klon-ish vibe from the rectangular shape and enlarged knobs. The surf green finish is fantastic too, matching my RWM Guitars Tele and Tulpa FX has always had a nose for good color options.

The Owlman Overloader will retail for $185 (USD) and can be purchased directly through the Tulpa FX Reverb shop.