Hidden Gems: Meet Austin Bryan of Anvil Audio

Today we’d like to introduce you to Austin Bryan.

Hi Austin, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
In November 2018, I attended a guitar-pedal building workshop at Sweetwater Sound, Inc. in Ft. Wayne, IN, hosted by JHS Pedals. It was from that workshop that I became “bit by the bug” (as they say) and found my passion and love for building guitar effects pedals. I was inspired by Josh Scott, the Founder of JHS Pedals, to start my very own boutique guitar effects pedal company.

Shortly after the workshop, I began working on a prototype, which would ultimately become Anvil Audio’s first (and best selling) pedal model, the “Fuzz”. It was based on an original “built-in” distortion/fuzz circuit found in vintage VOX branded guitars from the mid-late 1960s. Thus, I wanted to build effects pedals based on circuits and designs that were: overlooked, discontinued, and often underappreciated.

Fast forward to 2022, I have expanded and built both a “Boost” pedal model, along with a new upcoming pedal, the “PowerDrive”. The mantra of ‘Anvil Audio’ is simple: “Build Pedals, Build Relationships”. I believe in simplistic pedals which can help guitarists, bassists, electronic musicians, audio engineers, and more to find their sound and achieve sonic bliss.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
It hasn’t always been the easiest experience.

Starting up a small business, keeping up with inventory, prototyping, staying up hours into the night trying to problem-solve a technical issue, and knowing the resources may not always be available (supply chain issues, demand, scarcity, etc.) all play a part in the struggles. But staying positive, and focusing on the love of building pedals and building relationships with players, keep me going through the toughest of times.

Anything worth having takes hard work, and despite the struggles along the way, I always find a way to build the pedals I need and meet the needs of players/customers.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Anvil Audio is a guitar effect pedal company. We build boutique guitar effects pedals. Our products are not only for guitarists, but also bassists, electronic musicians, and audio-engineers/producers too. Our pedals are based on rare, discontinued, and often overlooked circuits from yesteryear. We keep our pedals simple with very minimalistic controls and aesthetics.

Point-to-point wiring (by hand) adds a cool factor to each pedal build. We are proud of our line of “drive-based” effects which include: the “Fuzz” (our first design and best selling pedal), our “Premium Fuzz” (a limited-edition run of our “Fuzz” model, which includes NOS (New Old Stock) and Vintage Original Components), our “Boost” (a recreation of a rare, and discontinued, guitar boost circuit), and our newest pedal the “PowerDrive” (based on a vintage Overdrive/Distortion circuit found in very specific guitars from the 1970s).

Our mantra is “Build Pedals, Build Relationships.” You can find us on Instagram and Facebook, and our website: www.anvilaudiopedals.com.

Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
Passion! Without a passion for building/crafting guitar effects pedals, along with the community of musicians at large, ‘Anvil Audio’ would not be where it is today!

Pricing:

• Fuzz – $160.00
• Fuzz “Premium Edition” – $200.00
• Boost – $120.00
• PowerDrive – $140.00

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.anvilaudiopedals.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anvilaudiopedals/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anvilaudiopedals

Image Credits
Austin Bryan/Erica Pullen