Loe Sounds Superfuzz and ♀ Fuzz have the most Exquisite and Harmonically-Rich Output!
I’ve often said that when we buy into certain pedal circuits we are actually buying into the ’ears’ of the respective builders who have tweaked and refined those circuits to their own exacting sonic preferences. And Aisha Loe has the most wonderful sensibilities when it comes to fuzz circuits and the generation of their texture and harmonics.
My first introduction to Loe Sounds was a quite superb demo by my Insta friend Matt Bradford (as below) - which really accentuated the superb texture and tonality of that Superfuzz. Aisha’s fuzzes are quite distinct from the typical genre benchmarks in that they have that warmer and more open sound typically with a truly gorgeous and richly harmonic breakup.
Both pedals are actually pretty unique in how they sound and react to your playing, and are entirely distinct from any other Superfuzz or Big Muff style pedal I own - and I do own a lot! The ♀ Fuzz very much feels like it’s cut from the same mould as the Superfuzz - and while it too has enormous range - it can also sound almost nothing like a Muff - with a slightly softer and more open delivery at lower gain.
I’m thinking I need a 3rd Loe Sounds pedal to complete the Trifecta now! - these are the kinds of pedals that sound every bit as good as they look. Aisha crafts the unique sound signature, while Fiona delivers the superior aesthetics.
There’s something particularly wholesome and organic about these pedals which really makes their deployment so satisfactory - this is rare art indeed!
Superfuzz - $250
Controls - Balance (Level), Tone, Expander (Gain)
Transistors - 4 x 2N3904 + 22L13 + Unspecified TO-106 type
As I reported in the intro - this is just a wonderfully elegant and beautifully harmonically rich Superfuzz - for sure one of the finest of its kind and fairly distinct from the more typical varieties.
It can of course get fairly rough output as such - but it still does that with a poise and elegance - all the knobs seem to respond very well to manipulation and have fairly even and predictable tapers - just a really satisfactory experience all-round - which leaves you with a warm glow!
♀ Fuzz - $275
Controls - Mids, Tone, Level, Gain.
Transistors - 2 x NKT 2N1308 + 2 x Harris 2N3904
Albeit quite a different circuit to the above Superfuzz - this still sounds very much like it came from the very same family group - in terms of how elegantly textured the output is.
I have many a fantastic Big Muff types and some with very significant extended features - yet relatively few can hold a candle to this one. At launch Aisha stated this was in part inspired by the EQD Hoof Fuzz - which has a natural warmth and smoothness to it - while this hybrid mixture of transistors delivers something even more exceptional.
This is a pretty unique sounding Muff variety - which at times sounds nothing like a Big Muff at all - while it can of course get into more typically Muff territory. The character of the breakup here - like with the Superfuzz is just genuinely really special and quite extraordinary.
The Superfuzz generally uses more readily available components, while I thought I had missed out on this ♀ Fuzz as that batch was snapped up so quickly. Fortunately Aisha was able to scour the UK for a few more parts - and she found enough to make 3 more - of which one was mine!
I'm frequently amazed that however many pedals I own - and I do have a lot - there are still some out there that can genuinely wow and awe me with their individual excellence/ brilliance - as is very much the case here!
The ♀ Fuzz also has a very formidable tone stack via dual EQ - Mids and Tone knobs which accentuate the output in a most expansive way. Rarely have just two tone controls been so far-reaching - you can pretty much dial in any combination here with ease. The combination of that beautiful output texture and extended EQ are what truly elevate this pedal to the next level.
It's rare that just a couple of pedals make this much impact on me - I'm really taken by these two.
Would be great to hear from some of you Loe Sounds fans on what other Fuzz you think would best complete my Trifecta - which are your own favourite varieties?
12 Degrees of Saturation 2023 Compact Edition
