By Buster | Last Upload on February 10, 2023 | Home → The Best Guitar Fuzz Pedals of All Time!
What Exactly Is Fuzz? Overdrive vs. Distortion vs. Fuzz
While every pedal type has its place in a guitarist’s arsenal, the Fuzz Pedal can be a game-changer.
However, choosing the right pedal can be a bit tricky. So, to make that choice a little easier, here is a look at the best fuzz pedals out there.
So, to make that choice a little easier, here is a look at the best fuzz pedals out there.
What is A Guitar Fuzz Pedal?
A fuzz pedal is a type of distortion pedal that is designed to create a “fuzzy” or “buzzy” sound. Fuzz pedals are one of the most popular types of distortion pedals and are used by many famous guitarists such as Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, and David Gilmour. Fuzz pedals can be used to create a wide range of different sounds, from light overdrive to heavy metal distortion.
How Do Fuzz Pedals Work?
Fuzz pedals work by distorting the signal of your guitar. This distortion can be caused by a number of different things, but most fuzz pedals use transistors to create their distorted sound. Transistors are electronic components that can be found in many different types of electronic devices, from radios to computers. When a transistor is used in a fuzz pedal, it can create a wide range of different sounds, from light overdrive to heavy metal distortion.
What are the Different Types of Fuzz Pedals?
There are many different types of fuzz pedals, each with their own unique sound. Some of the most popular fuzz pedals include the Fuzz Face, Big Muff Pi, and Tone Bender. Each of these fuzz pedals has a different sound, so it’s important to choose the pedal that’s right for you.
How Do I Choose a Fuzz Pedal?
When choosing a fuzz pedal, it’s important to consider what type of sound you’re looking for. Do you want a light overdrive sound or a heavy metal distortion sound? Once you’ve decided on the type of sound you want, it’s important to try out different fuzz pedals to find the one that sounds best to you.
What are some of the Best Fuzz Pedals?
There are many great fuzz pedals on the market, but some of the most popular fuzz pedals include the Fuzz Face, Big Muff Pi, and Tone Bender. Each of these fuzz pedals has a different sound, so it’s important to choose the pedal that’s right for you.
The Fuzz Face is one of the most iconic fuzz pedals of all time. It was first introduced in the 1960s and quickly became a staple for many famous guitarists including Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, and David Gilmour. The Fuzz Face is known for its thick, creamy fuzz tone and has been used on some of the most classic rock songs of all time. If you’re looking for a fuzz pedal that will give you that classic 60s/70s fuzz sound, then the Fuzz Face is definitely worth checking out.
Another great option for a fuzz pedal is the Big Muff Pi. The Big Muff has been around since the 1970s and has been used by everyone from Jimi Hendrix to Slash. The Big Muff is known for its thick, sustaining fuzz tone and is a great choice for those who want a fuzz pedal that can do it all. If you’re looking for a fuzz pedal that can give you a wide range of fuzz tones, then the Big Muff is definitely worth checking out
Earthquaker Devices-Erupter $150 USD
The minimalistic nature of this pedal should not detract from the fact that this is incredibly versatile for a fuzz pedal. It is inspired by the fuzz face but with one improvement. It has a built-in pickup simulation. This allows you to place it pretty much anywhere in the signal chain which is something not possible with the original fuzz face.
As for the tone, it is rich with plenty of low end and just the ideal amount of high-end bite. This enables it to cut through a mix very well without sounding harsh. Its single-knob makes it very easy to dial in the perfect fuzz sound and the guitar’s volume interacts really well with the pedal and you can clean things up or make it grungier as per your need.
Perfect for: Sleep, Crowbar, Sludge, and Stoner metal
Source earthquakerdevices
Dunlop-Germanium Fuzz Face $129.99 USD
This is the modern recreation of the pedal that started it all. If you are a fan of the sound that was made famous by Jimi Hendrix then this is it. Its unique shape and look also add flair to your pedalboard without taking up too much shape.
The mismatched germanium transistors produce that iconic warm fuzz sound and for a pedal that can recreate a classic sound, it is surprisingly affordable
Perfect for: Replicating the 60’s psychedelic sound
Death by Audio-Fuzz War $180 USD
The Big Muff fuzz is perhaps the most iconic pedals and this one takes it to a whole new level. It is akin to a fuzz sound on steroids. It is knarly and packs in plenty of midrange punch.
The three knobs are very useful and each of them can shape the sound in a precise manner affording you great control over the fuzz sound. All this oomph does come with the caveat of more noise and hum. So, that is something to keep in mind when considering this pedal.
Perfect for: Noise Rock, Hard Rock
Death by Audio-Waveformer Destroyer $270 USD
If the typical fuzz sound is too passé for you and you want something that can produce a unique type of fuzz sound that is still colossal then this is the pedal for you. It has four knobs which would generally be too many for a fuzz pedal but it all somehow makes sense on this pedal. It offers a wide range of useable fuzz tones. Dialing in the sound that works for you will take some time and effort but you will love it if you are someone who likes to tweak your sound to a very fine degree.
Perfect for: Hardcore Punk, Post-Hardcore (IDLES or Stooges sound)
Source deathbyaudio
Source jhspedals
JHS-Muffuletta $249 USD
JHS generally pack in plenty of punch in their pedals and the Muffuletta is no different. It has six different versions of the muff and that is great for someone looking to build a very versatile pedalboard. Despite this versatility, tweaking the sound is very easy and intuitive. The basic controls in the form of volume, sustain, and tone stay the same. The price tag might seem a bit substantial but you get five classic pedal sounds in one pedal in the form of the ’73 Rams Head, the Triangle, the Pi, the Russian, Civil War, and a proprietary JHS fuzz. That is a lot of fuzz options for the price.
Perfect for: Muff sound fans
Zvex-Fuzz Factory $320 USD
If your sound revolves around fuzz then this is the pedal to get. It offers so many great tonal options that at times it can become a bit too much. There are so many ways to tweak things that the sky is the limit for the type of fuzz sounds you can get out of the Fuzz Factory. There are a couple of caveats though. It is on the expensive side and it takes a certain level of expertise to tame this beast. However, if you are looking for a fuzz pedal that won’t ever have to be replaced then look no further. This one can do it all.
Perfect for: Pretty much every fuzz sound from classic to glitchy experimental stuff
Source zvex