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Fuzz—from smooth to splatter, where would the contemporary guitarist be without it? Whether mild or wild, it's been one of the defining tones in pop and rock ever since 1960, when Nashville session great, Grady Martin, unknowingly played through a broken input channel on Marty Robbins' 1960 hit, “Don't Worry.” In this article, we're going to take a look at a selection of fantastic fuzz pedals you can buy from Guitar Center today.
Table of Contents
Comparing the Top Fuzz Pedals
The Best Fuzz Pedals
Put It on the Board
Comparing the Top Fuzz Pedals
|
Pedal |
Power |
Power Draw |
Voicings |
Tonal Character |
|
9V battery or power supply |
1mA |
1 |
Silicon version of the classic germanium Tone Bender circuit |
|
|
Power supply only |
60mA |
3 |
Lots of variation on the Tone Bender heritage; smooth to biting |
|
|
9V battery or power supply |
16mA |
2 |
A thoroughly modern fuzz that also makes a nod to vintage heritage |
|
|
9V battery or power supply |
1mA |
Variable |
Capable of extreme fuzz with a wide-ranging tone control |
|
|
9V battery |
0.5mA |
1 |
Classic psychedelic fuzz tones; a true original |
|
|
9V battery or power supply |
3mA |
1 |
Creamy, violin-like sustain to huge fuzz growl |
|
|
9V battery or power supply |
80mA |
2 |
Reimagined version of vintage octave fuzz with presets |
|
|
Power supply only |
4mA |
6 |
Tone of every Big Muff in one box, plus JHS' take on the circuit |
|
|
9V battery or power supply |
2.5mA |
1 |
Aggressive silicon fuzz with germanium smoothness and splatter |
|
|
9V battery or power supply |
3.1mA |
2 |
Thick, harmonically complex fuzz sounds |
|
|
9V battery or power supply |
5.5mA |
1 |
The darker ’90s Muff sound, reborn |
|
|
9V battery or power supply |
4.3mA |
2 |
Authentic Tone Bender Mk1.5-inspired fuzz |
The Best Fuzz Pedals
Animals Pedal Sunday Afternoon Is Infinity Bender
Why We Picked It: This pedal channels the classic germanium Tone Bender sound, expanded with more stable silicon transistors.
Key Features:
- Ultralow 1mA current draw
- Works well with both solid-state and tube amps
- True-bypass operation
Shop Now: Animals Pedal Sunday Afternoon is Infinity Bender Fuzz Pedal
Starting off as a copy of the Maestro FZ-1 Fuzz-Tone pedal, which was most famously used by Keith Richards on "Satisfaction," the Sola Sound (later VOX) Tone Bender was one of the pedals that helped define what fuzz could be. The Sunday Afternoon Is Infinity Bender, designed by Wren and Cuff for Animals Pedal in Japan, carefully redesigns the vintage germanium transistor circuit to use more stable silicon transistors, but without compromising the glorious spatter and growl of the original. This new, true-bypass design also adds some more modern features and adds a "Smooth" knob that easily enables the Sunday Afternoon Is Infinity Bender to play gracefully with a wider range of amplifiers than the original.
If the sound of the Tone Bender gets you all warm and fuzzy, you might want to check our article on the history of the original Tone Bender.
Beetronics FX Royal Jelly
Why We Picked It: The Beetronics FX Royal Jelly is a versatile combination overdrive/fuzz that enables blending between the two.
Key Features:
- 60mA power draw and usable only with an external power supply (sold separately)
- Parallel signal paths for OD and fuzz effects enable two distinct blend settings
- 2-band EQ for broad tone shaping
Shop Now: Beetronics FX Royal Jelly Fuzz Pedal
Another fuzz based on the Sola Sound Tone Bender, the handwired Beetronics Royal Jelly offers a unique take by providing parallel signal paths for the fuzz and overdrive that can be blended together for two distinct switchable voices. You can also blend in your dry (uneffected) signal for a layering of clean under the gritty fuzz. Another plus is the Buzz switch, which adds some of the high-frequency "sting" that vintage fuzz pedals are known for back into the smoother sound of the Royal Jelly.
BOSS FZ-1W
Why We Picked It: The BOSS FZ-1W channels a rich history of fuzz and distortion, capable of running the gamut from vintage clipping to heavier fuzz sounds.
Key Features:
- 16mA current draw means decent battery life if you’re going without an external power supply
- Tight midrange focus in modern voicing
- The Waza Craft concept means excellent design and build quality
Shop Now: BOSS FZ-1W Waza Craft Fuzz Pedal
While, in many ways, inspired by the Tone Bender—a modified take on the first commercial fuzz box, the Maestro FZ-1—the BOSS FZ-1W is less a clone and more a unique circuit that pays tribute to the tonal character of those early fuzzes. But don't be fooled by that, as the FZ-1W has plenty of its own personality that can readily take if from vintage, bee-buzzy tones to a tighter, more aggressive modern fuzz.
Death By Audio Fuzz War
Why We Picked It: Death By Audio’s Fuzz War covers an exceptionally wide range of tones, and an internal trimpot lets you adjust gain to your personal playing style.
Key Features:
- Ultralow 1mA current draw for long (~300-hour) battery life
- Versatile enough to use with bass as well as guitar
- Streamlined control layout
Shop Now: Death by Audio Fuzz War Fuzz Pedal
Possibly the most extreme fuzz in this list—the Death by Audio Fuzz War definitely has the most extreme range of available tones. While not a clone or even an "inspired by" type of design, it obviously has sonic roots in vintage units like the Big Muff and Fuzz Face. An internal trimpot allows you to customize the basic gain structure, which can help either reduce or max out the sonic chaos factor, tuning it in to your personal playing style.
Dunlop JH-F1 Jimi Hendrix Fuzz Face
Why We Picked It: Dunlop’s Hendrix fuzz is an extremely accurate recreation of a classic, as heard on Electric Ladyland.
Key Features:
- Built on the BC108 silicon transistor
- Handwired circuit board
- Design based on the original round chassis
Shop Now: Dunlop JH-F1 Jimi Hendrix Fuzz Face Pedal
The Dunlop JH-F1 Jimi Hendrix Fuzz Face is a lovingly accurate recreation of one of the most legendary fuzz pedals of all time, as used in Hendrix’ iconic signal chain, plugged into a Octavia, Uni-Vibe and Marshall stack. Based on analysis of the best of a number of classic original Arbiter Fuzz Face pedals, this hardwired fuzz is about as simple as you can get, with only two knobs—Volume and Fuzz—that's it. Like the original, it is extremely interactive with your playing dynamics and your guitar's volume knob in a completely organic way. If early psychedelia is your jam, this is the pedal. You can dig into Dunlop's full assortment in our Fuzz Face buying guide.
Electro-Harmonix Classics USA Big Muff Pi
Why We Picked It: The legendary Big Muff Pi offers a broad swath of tones taking you from the ’60s to the present.
Key Features:
- Low 3mA current draw
- True-bypass design
- Interactive with guitar volume knob and playing dynamics
Shop Now: Electro-Harmonix Classics USA Big Muff Pi Fuzz Pedal
Before Electro-Harmonix existed, Mike Matthews was making fuzz boxes for Guild (the Foxey Lady), out of which grew the Big Muff Pi. The Electro-Harmonix Classics USA Big Muff Pi harkens back to the original three-knob Big Muff, with a rich, creamy sound that can be smooth or aggressive, depending on your fuzz and tone settings. This one has been a favorite of many players over the years, from David Gilmour to Billy Corgan and J Mascis. If your pedalboard is getting a little crowded, you might want to check out the Nano and Little Big Muff Pi models. And, if you want the full story, check out our dedicated history of the Big Muff.
Fender Shields Blender
Why We Picked It: An updated and expanded version of the Fender octave fuzz, the Shields Blender features multiple voices.
Key Features:
- 80mA current draw
- Reacts to playing dynamics
- True-bypass design with two available preset voicings
Shop Now: Fender Shields Blender Fuzz Pedal
Part of Kevin Shields’ sonic signature with My Bloody Valentine was always his vintage Fender Blender octave fuzz. Shields and Fender collaborated on this updated design that nails the vintage sound while adding some very modern touches. With two available presets, the ability to blend fuzz, sub-octave and clean tones along with a unique sag control that varies the fuzz depending on your attack, the Fender Shields Blender offers extreme versatility in tonal mayhem.
JHS Muffuletta
Why We Picked It: The Muffuletta offers every version of the classic Big Muff Pi in one box.
Key Features:
- Low 4mA current draw
- Six different fuzz voicings
- JHS Muff mode plays well with bass
Shop Now: JHS Muffuletta Fuzz Pedal
Two things we love about JHS Pedals' Josh Smith are his love of classic effects pedals and his obsessive attention to detail. In the Muffuletta, JHS has packed five different variations of the iconic Big Muff fuzz, plus his personal take on the circuit into one screaming pedal. You get everything from the earliest iteration, late ’60s "triangle knob" Big Muff, through the classics of the ’70s, ’80s, ’90s and early 2000s. For those with only room for a single fuzz on their pedalboard, this may be the answer.
MXR Custom Shop Hybrid Fuzz
Why We Picked It: MXR’s Hybrid Fuzz combines two timeless Fuzz Face circuits in one for a unique, yet familiar, sound.
Key Features:
- Low 2.5mA current draw
- Combines aggressive bite with just the right amount of germanium splatter
- Tons of tonal range from only two knobs
Shop Now: MXR Custom Shop Hybrid Fuzz Pedal
Leave it to the MXR Custom Shop to take an icon and make it more interesting. Their Hybrid Fuzz pedal takes the best of the very early germanium-based Arbiter Fuzz Face and the later silicon-based version to create a sound that's unique, but still familiar. You get the raw aggression of the silicon circuit tempered with a bit of the smoother sound of the germanium version. Plus, the pedal graphics are a cool psychedelic addition to your pedalboard.
Way Huge Electronics Jumbo Fuzz Swollen Pickle XXX
Why We Picked It: The limited-edition Swollen Pickle XXX celebrates 30 years of the most unapologetically outrageous fuzz around.
Key Features:
- Overhauled tone stack with Filter, Hi and Lo controls
- Crunch toggle activates one of two clipping styles: LED circuit or silicon transistor
- Internal midrange voicing switch (flat, scooped, boosted)
Shop Now: Way Huge Electronics Jumbo Fuzz Swollen Pickle XXX
The Way Huge Electronics Jumbo Fuzz Swollen Pickle XXX was a highlight from this year’s NAMM convention, where we got up close and personal with the pedal at the Dunlop Sound Lab. Spoiler alert: It sounds massive.
One of the things that makes this limited-edition anniversary fuzz so special is its expanded control array, bringing tone shapers that were originally internal and difficult to access to the outside. It also utilizes high-gain discrete transistors for a sound that’s simply more than the standard Swollen Pickle: wilder saturation, deeper lows and a denser harmonic texture. Depending on the tone you’re after, you can flick the Crunch switch for an overdrive-like response from the LED circuit or the hairy, out-of-control character of the silicon transistor.
Wren and Cuff OG Box of War
Why We Picked It: If you’re looking for a definitively ’90s fuzz sound, it’s been accurately recreated in the Box of War.
Key Features:
- Reasonably low 5.5mA current draw
- True-bypass circuit
- Very heavy-duty box
Shop Now: Wren and Cuff OG Box of War Fuzz Pedal
Wren and Cuff take pride in their painstaking research and accurate reproduction of classic circuits, and their OG Box of War fuzz, a recreation of the ‘90s-era "Civil War" Big Muff fuzz, shows it in spades. The original was a weapon of choice for many grunge and alt-rock players, and this fuzz pedal captures that sound perfectly. Its darker sonic nature is perfectly suited to a moodier vibe and menacing attitude.
VOX VFZ-1
Why We Picked It: VOX lets you experience the sound of one of the most influential mid-’60s fuzz circuits right here, right now.
Key Features:
- Silicon-based circuit accurately captures old-school germanium sonics
- Crunch/Fuzz toggle switch for light overdrive or face-melting fuzz
- High input impedance allows placement anywhere in your signal chain
Shop Now: VOX VFZ-1 Fuzz Pedal
The VOX VFZ-1 fuzz pedal pays homage to the venerable Tone Bender Mk1.5 circuit from the mid 1960s. They’ve managed to recreate the fundamental character of the vintage germanium design using a pair of specially-voiced silicon transistors as a substitute, which translates to lower noise and more stable, consistent performance—germanium electronics are notoriously temperamental, but VOX shields you from their mood swings in the VFZ-1. The overall sonics can be sculpted by a Tone Cut knob that rolls off the high end, as well as a Bass Cut control that determines how much low end you want in the signal. What’s really cool, though, is the Crunch/Fuzz switch that engages an alternative lower-gain, overdriven sound in addition to the more familiar fuzz voicing.
Want to learn more about a legendary fuzz pedal that inspired the VFZ-1? Check out “The History of the Tone Bender.”
Put It on the Board
There you have it—eleven fuzzes, from vintage inspired to new circuits, all waiting for you to crank it up. We know it can be a difficult choice, and that's why your local Guitar Center store has a massive selection of pedals, with an interactive pedal table at select locations, where you can plug in and play, and make that decision with your own ears. Plus, our knowledgeable associates can answer any questions you might have and help you kit out a personalized pedalboard. Or, if you don't have a local store, the Gear Advisers at our Call Center can provide the information you need to make sure that when you rock out, you've got the right gear.