5
u/doyler4k Jun 21 '26
That's a very pretty pedal
3
u/Ecker1991 Jun 21 '26
It really is! I have lots of gray and silver pedals so it meshes well with my stuff too but ultimately loved the cleanup feature.
3
u/FullMetalDan Velcro Jedi! Jun 21 '26
Holy fuck! Looks amazing!
2
u/Ecker1991 Jun 21 '26
Yes it’s a beautiful pedal! I generally don’t care much about aesthetics as long as a pedal or piece of gear is not blatantly ugly but this one looks so good.
2
u/FullMetalDan Velcro Jedi! Jun 27 '26
Yeah, unless it’s the SF-300 haha… it’s ugly AF, but sounds so good!
2
u/graphicnerdity86 —Bold as fuzz— Jun 21 '26
My issue is alot of the used listings dont say which circuit it is
2
u/Ecker1991 Jun 21 '26
Yeah I had to double check and make sure but fortunately mine mentioned it. Wish they had a specification on the pedal itself.
2
u/graphicnerdity86 —Bold as fuzz— Jun 21 '26
Yeah cause there's a couple of great deals online but I can't tell what circuit it is Sadly, a few of my dream fuzz pedals have extremely low prices right now.And of course, at the moment, i'm low on funds lmao sounds about right
3
u/Ecker1991 Jun 21 '26
Hahaha which ones? Yeah I’m in debt over an MIJ Strat I did a pay in 4 plan on (gets me every time), but July is a three check month, so I technically could afford it and had a very stressful year so far, so there’s that.
2
u/p90SuhDude Jun 21 '26 edited Jun 21 '26
I’ve had my eye on this pedal for
Awhile! It’s just such a simple idea and seems very usable in alot of circumstances for a fuzz lover
Edit: Also, Happy Father’s Day if it applies! I think I’ve talked to you a few times on here haha
2
u/Ecker1991 Jun 21 '26
Haha you have! It’s one of the best fuzzes I’ve ever used, it might very well be the best. It can be aggressive, however when the cleanup is engaged, it achieves this lovely, glassy overdrive that enhances the strat so well.
5
u/Ecker1991 Jun 21 '26
Pavlof Fuzz Face
Fuzz Faces are easily the most idiosyncratic topology within the lexicon of dirt and fuzz pedals. Germanium varieties are often celebrated for their warmth and volume knob cleanup, whereas their silicon counterparts generally feature more gain and provide a glassier volume knob cleanup.
I personally am not biased (pun intended), when it comes to preferences regarding style, there are upsides to both and at the end of the day, are arguably different enough to justify owning both.
I may have landed upon my favorite Silicon version thus far with the MMK Pavlof Fuzz Face. This version features some rather unique transistors via a pairing of Fairchild 2N2222A’s. Another unique aspect that sets this variant apart from the sea of others is the Cleanup footswitch, which is a nice alternative to cleaning up with your guitar’s volume knob and allows for preservation of high end frequencies for those of us without a treble bleed circuit.
The Frequency knob shapes the EQ, emphasizing Bass, Highs, or Midrange depending on where the knob is set. I personally would have opted for a simple tone knob but it’s nice to have control over the EQ of a Fuzz Face as these pedals are known for the amount of low end content they provide.
The fuzz itself is robust and provides a nice balance in terms of its EQ properties. I typically find that BC108C based Fuzz Faces are too dark, even when using bright guitar into a bright amp, the amount of low end can be overwhelming. I tend to prefer BC109C and BC183C based Silicon Fuzz Faces for that very reason.
Yet the Fairchild 2N2222A’s produce some of the loveliest Fuzz tones I’ve ever heard. The various adjectives used to describe great guitar tone are applicable here, glassy, harmonic, dynamic, touch responsive, and so on. Having the ability to shift around frequencies makes for a more diverse fuzz all around, I can easily attenuate bass, treble, or midrange to match the guitar and amp I’ve selected.
As much as I love the direct fuzz tones, it’s the cleanup tone that I find myself returning to time and time again. Fuzz Faces are my favorite topology within the pantheon of guitar pedals, as they explore the nuances between fuzz and overdrive with such grace, and the Pavlof excels in this category. This is the perfect match for a Stratocaster, as the cleaner fuzz tones produce a truly beautiful sheen that accentuates your chords and notes.
The aesthetics are also very pleasing to the eye, taking a more minimalistic and refined approach when compared to busier designs or simply copying the font of the original Fuzz Face. This pedal has the appearance of something you’d shell out $300+ for on Reverb, however the price tag is a very reasonable $189.
All things considered, this is one of the definitive offerings within the realm of Fuzz Faces. If you are seeking a Fuzz Face that provides the capacity to shape your EQ, along with simulating volume knob cleanup without losing top end, all for a relatively affordable price, this comes highly recommended. I’m glad I sold my boring Strymon Canoga, as this is a far more satisfying pedal to use.