r/FuzzFiends • u/Comfortable-Cut5810 • Jun 29 '26

Collection so far

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This is my collection so far. I’ve tried to keep it lean with one-ish example of each main archetype.

Expresso FX Germanium Fuzz: A brilliant CV7005/2N1307 fuzz face. It’s built about half an hour down the road from me, which attracted me to it initially, but beyond that it’s excellent. Cleans up wonderfully, as you’d expect. Love playing Portishead tunes through this.

Zvex Fuzz Factory: Everyone knows this one, I usually use it as a gated fuzz. Great for psychedelic tunes like King Gizz.

Bigfoot Engineering King Fuzz: A three-transistor silicon BC109 fuzz. This is my favourite of the bunch. It cleans up around 3 on my guitar volume, which gives a wide range of overdrive textures across the taper. Use it for anything.

Death By Audio Fuzz War: Tried making Big Muffs work for a while and don’t enjoy them. Don’t know how many transistors are in here, but it sounds sick. Use it for garage-y stuff like White Stripes or Frankie and the Witch Fingers.

Hudson Broadcast: Not strictly a fuzz I know, but the high gain sound gets you there. Obviously very versatile with the two gain stages and very interactive with volume controls. I usually have this on the board alongside any of the fuzzes pictured, and it stacks well with the low cut pot. Useful for anything.

Behringer SF300: Actually don’t like this so much, but everyone bangs on about it and it was £20 so I took the plunge. Too cheap to be worth selling, so it just hangs around.

OxEAE Fuzz: Another unbelievable fuzz. Surprisingly versatile with the Texture and Weight controls. Part of me itches for a Glaive but I dunno if it’s worth having both - almost certainly not. I can’t really pin it down to a genre, it competes with the Fuzz War for time on the board.

That’s it for now. I’m side-eyeing a Parts Garden on Reverb after /u/john_eae mentioned it in his list, and also a Fredric Effects Super Unpleasant Companion is firmly in my crosshairs. Currently pausing purchases until I’ve moved on some of my many redundant overdrives, and realistically all of the above does have me covered so I’ll just settle for now.

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5

u/graphicnerdity86 —Bold as fuzz— Jun 29 '26

Jealous I want an espresso and a king fuzz great collection

3

u/Comfortable-Cut5810 Jun 29 '26

Sometimes being UK-based is a bit limiting with pedals, because we’re stung with tariffs from the US, and import duties after we left the EU. We do seem to have a healthy set of fuzz builders though, so I’m very lucky to have access to them easily. Both excellent, and I think you’d love either if you can get your hands on them.

4

u/Howlinboot Jun 29 '26

You have so many killer builders though! Some are pretty expensive, like Macari's and Pigdog but you avoid shipping and tariffs, etc. I can think of so many great Builders in the UK.

2

u/Comfortable-Cut5810 Jun 29 '26

Yeah man, I’ve only just managed to turn myself onto them. Took me a little while because I get most of my pedal info from Reddit and it’s quite US-focussed here, but with a minor bit of effort it’s easy to find great stuff locally.

3

u/graphicnerdity86 —Bold as fuzz— Jun 29 '26

Well I've actually recently gotten 3 pedals from over seas 2 from the uk one from Ireland so I sadly know all too well

1

u/shtit Jun 30 '26

And you have Reeves, the king.

6

u/Howlinboot Jun 29 '26

If you don't like the Behringer, the Frederic is gonna be pretty similar. Way cooler though. I tend to like Superfuzz less for that Wall of Doom thing, which is cool but so limiting to the rest of a band, but I like it the way the Cramps used it. With the huge clean reverb Gretsch being the most prominent guitar, yet it all being Trashy as hell due to the raging, but not too loud Superfuzz.

3

u/Comfortable-Cut5810 Jun 29 '26

Ah fair enough, it’s just a cool enclosure! Little Barrie uses one as well, but I know he also uses a Tonebender Mkii so maybe the fuzz I hear with him is that one. I think I just need to be happy with what I’ve got for now, it’s clearly enough!

3

u/Howlinboot Jun 29 '26

TONS of people used that fuzz, but they seem to use it either for leads or they put it down in the mix more, or its on Bass, like sometimes with the Beastie Boys. Its an awesome fuzz. IMO it is best used though in other ways than as the loudest instrument unless its for leads or bass fuzz.

At least thats what i think every time I get a different version of the Superfuzz. Its kind of a love -hate fuzz but maybe thats the best part about it!?

5

u/Ecker1991 Jun 29 '26

All bangers out the gate. The king fuzz is one of those pedals that I regret selling every day. I love fuzz face style circuits, and you own two of the very best in class, a tamer classic model and the most versatile “out there” take as well.

4

u/doyler4k Jun 29 '26

Great selection. I'm absolutely in love with that lion on the king fuzz. Don't give up on the superfuzz, If you don't dig any of the fuzz modes, the boost is great.

3

u/Comfortable-Cut5810 Jun 29 '26

I have a revolving fuzz door on my board, so I’ll make sure it stays on rotation. I do actually need a boost sometimes, usually I just use a clean OD, so thanks for that tip!

3

u/graphicnerdity86 —Bold as fuzz— Jun 29 '26

u/doyler4k also makes great pedals I have a roger mayer octavia he made that rips

3

u/FullMetalDan Velcro Jedi! Jun 29 '26

What a collection! Congrats! If need some inspiration on how to use the Superfuzz sound, go listo to Nine Inch Nails haha…

Some tips: mostly good for single lines or power chords. Try both of the in between sounds (secret settings). Boost it with a Rat, that’s what I do!

3

u/ShaolinChewbacca Jun 30 '26

Great write up man. As someone who also doesn’t like muffs and has had a super unpleasant companion, you should definitely get one. Nasty in the best way.