The fuzz pedal was invented in 1960 after a recording session for a Marty Robbins song called "Don’t Worry", where the guitar amp faltered and created a fuzzy sound. Marty decided to include it on the track anyway and people went crazy for the result! The fact that no-one had ever heard anything like it before meant everyone wanted the tone. Soon after that, the guitar world changed forever as we started to put sound controls at our feet.
Essentially, a fuzz pedal is a circuit that breaks the audio coming from the amp, clipping it so hard that it sounds distorted; that's why great guitarists like Jimi Hendrix and Keith Richards love it! While most fuzz pedals are pretty similar, what sets them apart is their tone - so let’s find the right one for you. Whether you're after a germanium pedal with a classic design or an op-amp for under £100, we've got a range of options for you to check out!
Quick List - Top Fuzz Pedals
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Table of Contents
Now that we've shared some of the history behind this musical gadget, let’s get into the buying guide. Here, we’ll be thinking about the different types of circuitry used in fuzz pedals, how this will affect your tone, and other practical factors.
As you’d expect, the circuitry that manufacturers use has changed over time, which inevitably changes the sounds that pedals can produce. Let's take a look at the three most common types of wiring and which kind of sounds you'll be able to get using them.
Germanium transistors became popular during the birth of fuzz pedals and were used on many classic pedals in the 60s, such as the first Maestro Fuzz-Tone and the original Fuzz Face. These have lower gain and an overall creamier sound that many people consider pleasing to the ear.
However, they can be unstable and won't always sound the same - even if you’ve dialled in the same settings! This makes them unpredictable, which is something that you’ll either love or hate. Luckily for those that love it, companies still produce germanium pedals either as reissues of old designs or as modern models that are intended to recreate the vintage sound.
Did you know that Electro Harmonix’s Big Muff, which is possibly the most famous fuzz pedal ever, uses a silicon transistor? This type of circuit was introduced a little later in the 70s and is seen by some players as a step up from germanium. Not only are the parts that it's made from cheaper but it's more consistent in tone, so it should give you exactly what you expect every time you plug in and play.
The sound from these stompboxes is a little brighter (thanks to more treble) and harsher than a traditional germanium pedal. Therefore, they particularly lend themselves to heavy modern music rather than soft classic rock.
Op-amp fuzz pedals are certainly the least common ones available, although they are beginning to grow in popularity. This style initially bombed and was discontinued only a few years after it was released. However, when Billy Corgan and James Iha from The Smashing Pumpkins found some in a second-hand store and used them on their infamous Siamese Dream album, everything changed!
In terms of their sound, these pedals have a pretty smooth tone that balances the creaminess of a vintage pedal with the attack and sustain of a modern one. So, if you want something versatile that will really allow you to sculpt your desired sound, this is a great option.
True bypass allows the signal to run straight from guitar to amp without getting mixed up in the pedal when it’s not turned on, therefore keeping the signal clean and uncoloured. For some pedals, true bypass isn't particularly useful - with fuzz though, we would say it’s worth it.
While this feature might not be too important if a lot of your playing is distorted anyway, those who like to produce clean, melodic, or ambient parts too will definitely benefit from buying a pedal with true bypass.
Unfortunately, most players are required to work within the confines of their pedalboard. Hence, before you go hitting that "buy now" button, you’ll want to check the amount of space you have and whether you can fit your new toy on there.
Thankfully, as technology has become more advanced, you can now get big sounds from tiny boards, so you don't have to rely on the bulky boxes of yesteryear. That being said, the large ones do look cool!
All we're saying is, check the dimensions and make sure that the one you buy will fit your current set-up; this will save you from having to carry an extra bag for your pedal when you're out gigging. Of course, if your purchase is for home use only then pick up whichever size you like - the postie will do most of the heavy lifting for you!
Depending on where you plan on using your pedal and how enthusiastic a player you are, you might want to check the type of casing that it comes in.
Most stompboxes use a sturdy metal casing; this means they can withstand being stamped on, thrown in guitar bags, and the general wear and tear that comes with being used regularly.
In contrast, some budget pedals come in a plastic casing. While this helps to keep costs down, it means they’re much more fragile - so you’ll want to make sure that you don’t put yours through the wringer too much!
Lastly, you have a few different options when it comes to powering your new pedal; it can use a 9V DC plug, a 9V battery, or both! A 9V DC plug won’t be provided so you'll have to buy it separately, but one of these will save you money in the long run. Plus, you could even set up a few of them in a row (this is known as a "daisy chain") and run a few pedals at the same time.
Or, you might want to use a 9V battery. This option is quite risky though as you never quite know when it'll run out, so it could happen right as you're about to step on-stage! However, some players actually prefer the "sag" that a fuzz pedal experiences when its battery power is dropping below 9V and towards the 3 or 4V line.
It’s a personal choice, but one thing to remember is that mini pedals won’t have space for a battery - this is how they're able to make the pedals so small!
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Electro Harmonix Big Muff Pi USA | ![]() | Probably the Most Iconic Fuzz Pedal in the World! | |
2 | Fulltone Soul Bender Overdrive | ![]() | Inspired by Classic Tonebenders From the 60s | |
3 | JHS Pedals Mini Foot Fuzz V2 | ![]() | Mini Fuzz That Can Take Your Tone Through Time | |
4 | Electro Harmonix Op-Amp Big Muff Pi | ![]() | A Unique Take on the Traditional Fuzz Sound | |
5 | Death By Audio Supersonic Fuzz Gun | ![]() | Punky, Grungy, and Downright Dirty | |
6 | Jackson Audio FUZZ Modular Analog Fuzz Pedal With Octave | ![]() | A Versatile Stompbox That's Worth Spending More On | |
7 | Dunlop Fuzz Face Mini | ![]() | Provides the Ultimate in Vintage Tones | |
8 | Behringer SF-300 Super Fuzz | ![]() | Colossal Tones That Drip With Fuzz | |
9 | Wampler Velvet Fuzz | ![]() | Aggressive Yet Smooth-Sounding Vintage Fuzz | |
10 | Dunlop Authentic Hendrix '69 Psych Octavio Fuzz Mini | ![]() | Combine Trippy Modulation and Snarling Saturation |
With this iconic product from Electro Harmonix, you'll get classic tones that have been tried and tested for decades - they appear on more albums than you can even count! Here, we've opted for the traditional large case, just for authenticity. But there's a whole family available in different sizes, including the Little Big Muff and the Nano Big Muff, all of which use the same circuitry set up.
The tones provided by this pedal will come in handy for every player, no matter whether you're an experienced guitarist or just dipping your toes into the fuzzy pool for the first time. It can do everything you need, ranging from a touch of grit to full-on 70s vibes, and it's a steal too - that's why it takes our top spot!
Fulltone based the sound of this pedal on the classic Vox Series III and Colorsound Tonebenders from the 60s, which were favourites of players like Jimmy Page and Jeff Beck. It uses three germanium transistors which give the pedal a tube-like saturation; while it's fuzzy, you'll still hear the nuance of what you're playing too.
This pedal is totally versatile, thanks to the range of tone control, so whether you're searching for lengthy sustain, tube-like overdrive, or something a bit heavier, the Soul Bender will provide exactly what you need!
Simple and straightforward to use, the Mini Foot Fuzz V2 from JHS Pedals has a switch that alternates between low or high gain, a volume knob, and a fuzz knob. Easy, right? Moreover, because the knobs are so sensitive, you can dial in a wide range of colours from classic rock to contemporary fuzz.
Best of all, this pedal is tiny! Its compact size makes it perfect for those without much space who still want to add a fourth or fifth distortion sound to their board. Plus, the brand does so much for the pedal community that buying their gear feels like supporting a mate in the industry.
While this Electro Harmonix offering may be our only op-amp fuzz pedal, that shouldn't put you off! Alongside the classic three-knob EQ, it has an additional switch that provides a unique sound - it's a little more coarse than the traditional Big Muff, but works well whether you're playing chords or riffing away.
Although this stompbox can get a little extreme at times, there are perfect little pockets in between that produce just the right amount of edginess. Even if it's not the top of your list, everyone should try one at some point as it lends itself effortlessly to various types of heaviness. It's incredibly affordable too, so you might as well!
Is it just us, or is Death By Audio is the greatest pedal brand name ever? This offering is their most well-known fuzz pedal and it pretty much epitomises the company - they've thrown a ton of parts into the circuit, resulting in a crazy-sounding stompbox.
If you don't play noisy music, shoegaze, or grunge, then move on. Those looking to create a punk ruckus that's dirty enough to annoy the neighbours, however, will relish the tones that you can achieve with this mighty pedal!
If you fancy yourself as a bit of a fuzz connoisseur, à la J Mascis of Dinosaur Jr, then this stompbox from Jackson Audio was created with you in mind. The pedal is incredibly versatile, with nine knobs giving you everything from subtle vintage sounds at the lower settings to growling, cacophonous noise at the higher end.
There's also a built-in octave effect that'll help you replicate your whole musical catalogue, from Black Sabbath all the way through to John Mayer. While it's pricey, if you're a guitar aficionado then you'll agree that this one is excellent value for money!
If you've been searching for the ultimate vintage tone, look no further! The original Fuzz Face, released in the 60s, was a favourite of many a professional player and has been on the pedalboards of pretty much everyone, from Clapton to Harrison. Thankfully, Dunlop has recreated it for modern times, even returning to using the traditional germanium circuitry.
They have upgraded the pedal though, and our favourite improvement is that it's about one-fifth of the size of the original, which makes fitting it on a board or carrying it to a show a whole lot easier!
Behringer is one of the cheapest names in the pedal game at the moment. While that can often lead to less than accomplished tones, it's thankfully not the case at all with this product. The SF-300 has three different fuzz modes, as well as a three-knob EQ so you can dial in your own sound.
The thick sound is sure to be a favourite of those looking to create colossal tones that drip with fuzz. Our only concern is that the casing is plastic, so be gentle with it if you want it to last over the years.
The creator of this pedal, Brian Wampler, describes the sound as a vintage fuzz running through a Marshall stack - so it's super-aggressive yet smooth. As well as the three simple knobs, there's also a big/tight switch that provides more tonal options.
This additional switch allows you to dial in sounds anywhere from rough and tumble Jack White-style riffs to polished Gilmour-esque leads, plus pretty much anything in between. The only downside is that it's no good for saturated distortion.
If you're looking to recreate the tone of the guitar god himself Mr Hendrix, this product should help you get there. As an octave fuzz pedal, it combines trippy modulation with snarling saturation to provide a truly psychedelic experience much like Jimi's playing.
Furthermore, you can switch between straight-up fuzz and the octave fuzz, so you'll have some versatility. This a mini pedal that won't take up much space but this does mean you'll need to commit to buying a 9V DC plug in order to power it.
We've got plenty more pedal recommendations if you need them! Delay, reverb, loop - whichever effect you want to create during your jam session, you'll be able to find something suitable at one of the links below.
No. 1: Electro Harmonix|Big Muff Pi USA
No. 2: Fulltone|Soul Bender Overdrive
No. 3: JHS Pedals|Mini Foot Fuzz V2
No. 4: Electro Harmonix|Op-Amp Big Muff Pi
No. 5: Death By Audio|Supersonic Fuzz Gun
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