Joe Halliday’s latest ShipWreck FuzzStortion has been through quite the development journey. Initially based on the request of a friend to make a Higher Gain HSE pedal. It combines a JFET preamp section with some beautifully amp- and fuzz-like dynamics and characteristics - and produces rather exceptional long singing sustain.
It’s basically a discrete transistor style distortion - with an initial JFET preamp section to deliver more organic feel under the fingers. Then it hits something ...
This article was actually inspired by the recent Fjord Fuzz SOL Fuzz-Vibe feature - where I got to thinking about extended range Fuzz Face style pedals. To my memory there is only the Carl Martin Purple Moon and Fjord Fuzz SOL in that compact Fuzz-Vibe format. I then recalled the Keeley Electronics Monterey - but realised there weren’t a whole lot of pedals in the extended format category - for Fuzz-Vibes - so I expanded the remit to cover ’Fuzz Face+’ pedals - essentially expanded feature set ...
The SOL Fuzz-Vibe is a very personal pedal - both for Daniel himself, and all Fjord-dwelling Scandinavians in particular. In those jagged fjords the sun never manages to rise far enough above those craggy peaks through the depths of winter (which in some parts can be almost half the year!) - the first hint of spring is the sun finally cresting those fjord peaks and releasing the land from darkness. We Icelanders call this fabulous natural phenomenon ’Sólarkaffi’ - when the first appearance of ...
For me Markus and Izzy have left the best to last for Facet February - as we get a second chance to order this fantastic ballsy modern leaning take on the Fuzz Face. As always Markus has selected a superb pair of NOS Silicon Transistors for the job - 2 x MicroElectronics C1016Y Yellow Dots - these are essentially the higher gain grade of the red dot ME-C1016’s used in the RedDotSound.
Markus describes this unique Fuzz Face take as :
"This fuzz F@ce has a greasy mid range and a very ...
In my recent review of the Kernom Moho Magmatic Fuzz - I already lauded it to the high rafters as the greatest Multi-Fuzz pedal ever created. It’s the perfect tool for proper fuzz fans - and in particular for those who have fully mastered the relatively tricky Zvex Fuzz Factory and similar - all those should get along with the Moho fabulously. Newbie fuzz fans may find the device a little tricky to dial in - as every knob impacts the texture and tonality of the output - so pretty much all 6 ...
The 3rd in the Facet series to be released - following the Mid-Forward Facet IZ (Yellow), and recent Facet 1.5 Tone Bender variant (Red).
This cool Cyan hued facia edition is based on the Type 3 Germanium Voiced Silicon BC183 Edition (Type I is NKT275, Type II is BC108/BC109. Markus lucked out in securing original 1969 Texas Instrument BC183’s - from a batch actually ordered by Arbiter back in 1969.
I have several BC183 Fuzz Faces in the collection - it’s very common for when trying to ...
The second phase of the Reeves Electro DaughterBoard Series sees 4 cool takes on the 2-Transistor Fuzzes which evolved in 1966. We’ve already had a taste with the more modern-leaning and mid-forward Facet IZ Fuzz Face, where we also have takes on the Tone Bender MK 1.5, Vox Tone Bender, and original Arbiter Fuzz Face Distortion. You then get an opportunity to order the Facet IZ again at the end of the month (28th Feb) - and indeed you can order the whole set of 4 then if you wish!
Each of ...
JAM Pedals takes its Eureka Ducky Fuzz to its logical evolution with a 3D-Printing masterclass. The Eureka Fuzz of course combines Fuzz Face and Big Muff voicings in a single circuit - aided by a smart 3-way Bass Boost Switch.
Controls - Level, Tone, Gain, Bass Boost Switch : +1 / 0 / +2.
JAM Pedals is of course very well known for its artistry and artisan approach to pedal making - where all of its pedals are hand-painted. While their limited edition EureQuack edition of the Eureka ...
The final arrangement for the year - all the pedals that impressed the most!
So we featured 120 pedals across the 5 Genre categories this year - as you’ve witnessed over the last 5 days, and those have been whittled and distilled down to these 27 Magnificent and Exceedingly Flavoursome candidates.
Picking out the very best of those is obviously a slightly subjective exercise while based on a series of exacting criteria - including innovation, versatility, practicality, variability, playability, quality of manufacture, quality of output and sheer enjoyment.
Here ...