After the enormous success of his limited Hybrid Edition Great Eastern FX Focus Fuzz, David Greeves releases an All-Silicon version with all the same great responsive feel and dynamics fully intact

David would have liked to have made more of the Hybrid edition of the Focus Fuzz - but parts scarcity got in the way of that so that is totally officially discontinued. And the plan here was to make a version as close in feel and dynamics to the original - retaining all those parts that made the original version such a special experience.

By dint of the changes in parts :

Original Hybrid Edition had 2 x BC107B Silicon + 1 x MP38A Germanium Transistors
The New All-Silicon Edition has 2 x BC108B + 1 x BC107A Transistors

So everything works and feels pretty much identical to the original while because of those slightly different parts - the overall character profile is slightly different. The original is best described as being sightly brighter, more open and having that typical Germanium grit. While the new one is slightly darker, denser, and smoother actually. David was keen to have the high frequencies rolled off a touch - meaning you don’t get that typical strident Silicon sharpness or aggression. Those two editions are like two sides of the same coin. They are very much of the same family - but slightly non-identical twins - while the overall working profile is very similar.

For those that did not / could not get the original hybrid edition - this version gives you a very close experience of that - while it’s also different enough to warrant getting in also - if you were lucky enough to snag one of the originals.

In many ways these are very controlled fuzzes - in how they make use of relatively low-gain transistors - to give you a more even control over those core classic fuzz sounds.

All the key mojo and magic of the original is still there - with how you get a really cool voicing with Fuzz and Focus totally turned down - and can then ramp up the various gain stages to deliver more harmonics and zing. The Silicon has a very slightly wider gain range to it - while that’s not immediately apparent in head-to-head use.

For me it has the full feel of the original - just with a slightly darker, denser and smoother profile. I really like both!

The 3 Unique Controls :

• FUZZ - simultaneously adjusting both gain and bias voltage, the FUZZ control allows you to dial in the desired amount of compression, sustain and breakup (Bias / Gain 3).
• LEVEL - Sets overall output level. Even with FUZZ and FOCUS controls at minimum, there is plenty of volume available to push your amp (Master Volume / Gain 1).
• FOCUS - A unique proprietary control that delivers a tuned gain boost to the front of the circuit, changing both the frequency pushed and the amount of gain as you turn clockwise. The end result is a uniquely powerful and effective control, ranging from fat, fuzzy sustain at one extreme to cutting and incisive bite at the other (EQ / Gain 2).

This time around I added a 4th top level setting as below - where for my preferences Fuzz and Focus at max 3 o’c is about as far as I like to go - before you get too much compression coming into the circuit and ameliorating / attenuating some of those excellent harmonics.

Preferred settings :

• Level at Max, Focus and Fuzz fully CCW
• Level at Max, Focus @ 10 o’c, Fuzz fully CCW
• Level at Max, Focus & Fuzz @ 10 o’c
• Level at Max, Focus & Fuzz @ 3 o’c

The new Silicon Focus Fuzz is part of the mainline range and will always be available for order. There may be further evolved editions of the Focus Fuzz format in the future - with slightly different controls and almost undoubtedly different parts. Where the Silicon Focus Fuzz will remain generally available throughout. As mentioned in the intro the original Hybrid version has long since been officially discontinued (you just can’t get those parts any more in any reasonable quantity).

You can of course get your Silicon Focus Fuzz direct from the Great Eastern FX Co Webstore, and the usual international dealers - for £199. This is a fantastic re-imagining of the classic fuzz (-face) and surely a must-have for every fuzz fan. It’s easier to dial in and to get to grips with than almost every other classic fuzz - highly recommended!