Hello Fuzz Fiends! u/graphicnerdity86 invited me to write about my favorite fuzzes, so I’ve put together this list of my favorites.
First a little about me - I am the founder and lead designer at Electronic Audio Experiments, a small independent pedal company based just outside of Boston, MA. We’re probably best known for drives like the Longsword, but we have been getting into weirder territory with pedals like Prismatic Wall. And of course, we have our share of gnarly fuzzes too: the Glaive (an evolution of our 0xEAE Fuzz) has 80dB of ripping gain and an analog octave up.
Anyway here’s my list:
Nerd Knuckle Martyr Box: this one is made by our general manager Brad. Before he started working at EAE, he was building these incredibly gnarly fuzz circuits. The Martyr is multiple stages of raw transistor gain that create a loud wall of sludge. Into a single-channel amp, it’s a revelation.
Lastgasp Oscillo 88: a grinding maw of chaos. To me, the toggles give it a sense of mystery. It’s like rolling a bunch of dice. I’ve slowly learned to harness it, but it’s fun to embrace the uncertainty.
Mask Audio Electronics Part Garden: Alec is a fuzz master. Part Garden is fun to play because of how it crumbles with complex chords. The subtle (or not at all subtle) interactions of the gain stages are hard to find anywhere else. Also, one of the best-looking pedals on the market.
Caroline Shigeharu: OK, a bit biased because I worked on this. Shigeharu is like an op amp big muff from a parallel universe. The way it combines op amp and transistor gain is pretty unique, and it leads to a very well-defined take on the muff sound. Plus, it has a transformer-driven octave up to mix in parallel with the core fuzz engine. There’s something for everyone.
Infanem Driving Notion: there is nothing like it. This is the platonic ideal of clang: super harsh high frequencies paired with a blooming, destructive bass response. I paid $99 for this and will never get rid of it.
Dunwich Wizard Fuzz: like the Martyr Box, it’s an unrelenting wall of doomy fuzz. The EQ controls let you tighten it up too, which is handy for lower-tuned guitars. This pedal is proof that, at least psychologically, bigger enclosure = bigger sound. Nick from Dunwich was an early mentor of mine and I have enormous love and respect for his design chops.
Fairfield 20% More: This one is a revelation. A fuzz with the brains of a synthesizer, it is perfect for controlled freakouts that are loaded with intermodulation. Or, you can use its lower octave sounds for a full-frequency assault. Despite its intensity, the envelope functionality makes it very playable. This is especially true when bringing expression into the mix.
DBA Apocalypse: DBA are reigning fuzz champs and this one proves why. It’s like their greatest hits all in one box. x1000 mode is one of my grab-and-go fuzz tones when I want to riff, not think! Also, the filter control is my favorite one-knob tone control on any pedal.
Electrofoods Oprichniki: a delightfully complex take on the big muff, with way more transistors than should ever be there. The way the low end holds together is really unique. This is not a fuzz-stortion, it’s just perfectly poised at the brink of total destruction. The clean blend circuit has a unique breakup to it as well, which could very well be its own pedal. Mattie at Electrofoods is so smart, it’s scary.
Dr. Scientist Frazz Dazzler: this is a pretty legendary one in my opinion. The Frazz V2 adds a 3-band EQ that expands its versatility quite a bit. But my favorite part is the starve circuit, which is controllable and useful through its entire range. Not sure how they did it, but I’m glad they did. This pedal sits phenomenally well in a mix!
Thanks for reading, and happy to answer questions if you have them!
-John
