Xploration • Curation • Recommendation
Fuzz Imp's Adventure SuperFuzz is a fantastic sounding richly textured confection of Octave Fuzz, Scooped Fuzz and Clean Preamp
Key Points
Adventure SuperFuzz from Fuzz Imp channels the Univox/Shin-ei Super-Fuzz lineage; reviewer has ~30 examples and rates it top-tier.
Its circuit blends three gain stages — Upper Octave Fuzz, Second Scooped Fuzz and Clean Preamp — with controls Oct (intensity), Fuzz (gain), Blend (Preamp|Fuzz Mix), Preamp Level and Active High/Low EQs. Ports: TS In, 9V DC [-] 50mA, TS Out.
Balance is critical: wrong mix yields overblown, mushy, compressed output; right mix yields singing, richly blooming texture. Settings: Octave 10 o'clock; Fuzz 10:30; Blend 1 o'clock; Clean Noon; High 3:30; Low 3 o'clock.
Price: $149.99 from Fuzz Imp Webstore; alternative colourways available.
I’m a huge fan of the Univox / Shin-ei Super-Fuzz and all its derivations, and have around 30 examples of that genre to date in my reference collection. And this Adventure SuperFuzz is right up at the top tier of those. Super-Fuzzes don’t normally have this many controls. In fact the original 1968 model had just 2 knobs (Balance / Volume, and Expander / Gain), and a single EQ slider switch to deliver either Flat or Scooped Mids. The Super-Fuzz has this lovely blooming richly harmonic output texture / character- typically delivered by 6 Silicon Transistors.
This is seemingly its own circuit with its own unique construction - which delivers that same fantastic utput - a touch richer even via a really smart blending of 3 core gain circuits :
- An Upper Octave Fuzz
- A Second Scooped Fuzz
- A Clean Preamp
So the AdventureSuperfuzz is all about finding the perfect balance between those 3 core circuits - which you can then shape further via the excellent 2-Band Active EQs.
If you get the formula wrong you will end up with a highly overblown and somewhat mushy output - which will also be incredibly dense and compressed.
If you get the mix just right - you end up with this beautiful singing / dancing richly blooming textured output which sounds utterly gorgeous - follow my preferred settings below for optimal results!
Controls and Top Mounted Ports
Controls - OCTAVE FUZZ } Oct (intensity); SCOOPED FUZZ } Fuzz (gain), CLEAN PREAMP } Blend (Preamp|Fuzz Mix), Preamp Level; EQ } Active High, Active Low.
Ports - TS In, 9V DC [-] 50mA, TS Out.
You can of course achieve several fantastic tones with different blends of those controls - while I'm always about generating the richest of harmonic textures. And for me I get he perfect texture with Octave set @ 10 o'c, Fuzz @ 10:30 o'c, Blend @ 1 o'c, Clean @ Noon, High @ 3:30 o'c, and Low at around 3 o'c - that sounds amazing for me.
This is such a smart take on a fuzz - while you do need some diligence on the dial-in - as those who don't exercise some degree of restraint will likely end up with a somewhat overblown output.
I really like this one - it sounds really fantastic, and has plenty of range on tap every which way. I do feel there is a knack to these, and they're probably not that suitable if you don't have the required delicacy to dial them in just right!
The Adventure SuperFuzz goes for just $149.99 from the Fuzz Imp Webstore and is therefore and absolutely bargain - one of the very best of the Super-Fuzz takes! There are a couple of alternative slightly more colourful colourways too - including hammered copper - which some will prefer.
As I picked up 3 Fuzz Imps at the same time it made sense for me to have them all in stealthy black - which of course has a degree of sleekness to it also. And as mentioned previously I really like the default knobs Justus has chosen for his range.
If you're a fan of richly textured fuzzes - then this is a must have!
Demos
