What the Fuzz? A Guide to Choosing a Fuzz Pedal | Tone Report Demo

With so much variety these days, it's often hard to know where to begin with fuzz pedal options. However, as you will see, there is a fuzz for every player. Watch along as Andy breaks fuzz into four different categories and shows off a range of pedals, both classic and new, budget and boutique. Learn more about choosing a fuzz pedal: bit.ly/3rQ65k6
Gear in Video:
Amp: Fender ‘65 Deluxe Reverb
Guitars: Suhr Classic Antique, Hagstrom Super Swede, PureSalem Classic Creep
Pedals: Blammo! Fuzz Unit, Danelectro 3699 Fuzz, Catalinbread Giyas, Dunlop Fuzz Face Mini Ge, MXR Brown Acid Fuzz & Octavia Mini, Wren & Cuff Garbage Face, Spiral Electric FX Brute, Spaceman Effects Sputnik III
Recording Gear: Universal Audio Apollo 8 QUAD, UA OX Amp Top Box, de Lisle Amp-Speaker Switcher 4x4 Pro Plus, Royer R-121 Mic
Strings: Stringjoy Signature 10-46
Cables: Revelation Dark Gold Tweed Guitar Cable
0:00 - Intro Multiple Fuzzes
1:36 - Classic Fuzzes
3:25 - Octave Fuzz
5:54 - High Gain Fuzz
9:50 - Modern Fuzz
11:30 - Experimental Fuzz

[@uncletrick1]

Andy has the coolest job on the planet.

[@LannonHarmsEpicDev]

Coolest dude with the coolest job and the coolest (invisible) pick 😎👌

[@smartacus88]

He deserves it. Been a fan since his PGS days.

[@johndrowe5281]

Also, he is one of the very best and most likeable people doing his job! He would be a great chap to meet over drinks with our wives … so we did not simply spend the day/night talking pedals and guitars. We could talk amps, too😊. Merry Christmas, Andy. Stay safe and healthy.🎸👨🏼‍⚕️. 😎🌲🎄🎅🏻🎁🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇺🇸🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

So nice to see Andy still being our pedal specialist in 2021.

[@AndyDemos]

Hey everyone, obviously the hardest part of a general guide is to choose only a handful of pedals to mention! So, let’s hear about your favorite fuzzes and why you chose them, rather than ask why this or that wasn’t included. I’d like to start by adding that anything from Death By Audio fits into the last category nicely! 🤘

[@rubydoom420]

lol i have a fuzz war and reverberation machine so you're right about dba!!!

[@jameschristiansson3137]

Fuzz 292. Fret Junkies convinced me.

[@AndyDemos]

@@jameschristiansson3137 Great pedals and real affordable too!

[@chaseduvall3081]

feel like EQD's Hoof or Cloven Hoof was worth a mention here but otherwise very nice video as always Andy

[@Mr.Steve-O]

Agree Andy it could be an all day event, but a fun one at that, enjoy the weekend.

[@tubularbill]

Andy is the best. Wonderful explanations on each Fuzz category.

[@michael_caz_nyc]

Great choices & options from Andy (as always). I was impressed with the singing sustain on: MXR Brown Acid Fuzz & Wren & Cuff Garbage Face. Those 2 really-stood-out to me. I'm currently using a Thorpy Muff. It cuts-thru fairly well, in a full-band-mix.

[@User-jk8wq]

6:45 When you want to play a Smashing Pumpkins song but don’t want to get a copyright strike

[@xyu2198]

LMFAOOOO

[@joshfowler8360]

1 of the best fuzz demonstrations ever thanks!

[@sleazybtd]

Never touched a guitar in my life. Don't know how you ended up on my suggestion list. But damn, that was interesting.

[@psychonaut12]

@neonthunderbirdhappened to me. its the cycle of life

[@ileutur6863]

You know you're early on a fuzz pedal video when there isn't a "I don't understand fuzz, it sounds broken" comment

[@MEGAMIGA]

LOL!

[@serginhosena]

True! 😂

[@markferguson3745]

Fortunately, that group seems to be retiring and fading away.Being dismissive of such a broad category of effects says all I need to know about that player.

[@grayaj23]

Great video, Andy, as always.

[@pirateradio808]

dang man, that Sputnik guitar playing was actually OFF THE HOOK.... this is the best vid I've ever seen you do because the depth of your knowledge and your easy way of teaching combine to make a great learning experience.... wish I could take a course with you or something :-)

[@charibruh]

Sputnik section was clearly the best sounding!

[@jtcolecomedy]

I got a DOD Flashback Fuzz when they came out because of how it looked and it's been my go to for years! It can do that set wah sound from Brian May and Knopfler on Money for Nothing surprisingly well.

[@grizelda4526]

Wow the Giygas on Bass! Sounded fantastic.

[@TwoSheds160]

I love the obvious joy that Andy has in this video. I get the same way when talking about fuzz, too hahaha

[@paulmatulevich3623]

Glad to see the MXR get some respect, it's a killer fuzz!!

[@joseca7509]

I love your incredible taste for choosing guitars Andy

[@benallmark9671]

What is that a Suhr ?

[@jonnymillerproductions]

That Brute is AWESOME. Definitely a sound I'm looking for.

[@MrDMF567]

Andy’s the best. These vids are awesome

[@AndreLeoMusic]

Reuss & Basic Audio make some really incredible fuzzes too. Thanks for the great video.

[@ralvknights]

Andy great video. Please make a longer video on the modern fuzzes and experimental ones. You rock sir.🤘

[@cd349er]

I've got the Tour Bender by Union Tube and Transistor Company on my pedal board right now. Loving it. Cleans up. Gets knarly. Controllable. I also like playing the Havalina germanium fuzz by Way Huge. More of a 1st generation fuzz sound. Germaniums are a different beast. One more - Keeley Tesla Mk III fuzz. Keep up the great playing and reviews, Andy! Always look forward to them.

[@R3volutionEarth]

The Tour Bender is so good! Cleans up very nicely, but can also sound like every note is exploding. I like putting a compressor in front of mine to make it a little harsher.

[@keaton121]

I love the swollen pickle I got years ago but i mostly use it for texture style leads and it sound awesome with a good delay pedal.

[@calinguga]

this is at high time for me, i'm planning on trying out some fuzz circuits and i've been scouring youtube for demos.

[@djc5897]

I like the sound of that blammo. Right up my alley. Not a fuzz user but if i was a user that would be the sound ill be aiming for.

[@WhiskeySam1]

I was really surprised by the Dunlop Fuzz face. Sounds huge and cleans up really well with the volume knob.

[@jsr79-81]

My favourite fuzz is a BC108 clone called the 'Loveface'. 2 knobs and goes from clean to sputter using the guitar volume. ONly problem is it is really sensitive to what goes before and after it. I run a Way Huge Green Rhino into the Carl Martin Plexiranger and then the Loveface. Works great. I like a fuzz that cleans up. The new EHX Ripped Speaker looks great.

[@MrFatshit6]

Not fuzz-related but I actually just ordered a pair of Railhammer pickups for my Hagstrom! Nice to hear the pairing in this video!

[@pensatorseven1898]

Love your Vids Andy!

[@druwk]

I have a bunch of Fuzz pedals and love the effect. Once you get used to dialing them in (...if you have the controls), and using them they can have a ton of sounds. Some Fuzz pedals only sound “right” when played with certain kinds of amps? Do some surfing, and playing before you pull the trigger. Carbon Battery vs. power supply also can make a difference? There is something EPIC about the woolly tone, and clean up of a Germanium Fuzzface types, but lately, I am liking the Splattier Fuzz tones of Silicon Fuzz with bias control, tone, and good volume output. The DOD Carcosa is an awesome pedal! It keeps coming back on my board as my main Fuzz. It’s NASTY, in a good way, and I can get many, MANY great tones. When combined with my Henretta Purple Octopus (old school Octave up), and Klon Clone after, I can cover a lot of ground. It’s not even a “for the money” question...I own a bunch of expensive Fuzz pedals. By themselves, some of those pedals sound “better, richer, fuller, less noisy”, but The Carcosa REALLY cuts in the mix, and has character? $99 NEW, crazy $75 or less, Used. Honestly, dogs most other Fuzz pedals, as far as versatility and sound.

[@fuzzingawesomepedals7377]

Just got the wren cuff garbageface! It rules so much!!!

[@jjrusy7438]

i always see my precious malekko 616 on the shelf. The B.A.T. Pharaoh supreme has 2 tone boost knobs and several clip options along with the pharaoh circuit. yes you can fuzz a synth with it.

[@jeremyhoevenaar7205]

Thank you for this! I must tip my hat to personal favorites Oathbreaker (Bardic Audio Devices), which is devastating and includes a really nice octave up effect, and the Hawaiian Pizza (Caroline), which can seemingly do anything...

[@michaelggallagher]

Think we need another category for "are they fuzz or distortion or both?" pedals.

[@zachary963]

I think I finally figured out the difference!! I’ve been looking at building pedals, and I think the difference is the way the distortion is achieved.

[@maspesasmasperras5554]

@@zachary963 elaborate please

[@Alberto-ny7kf]

RAT fits that category

[@tyr4489]

@@maspesasmasperras5554 as i understand it, fuzz was traditionally achieved by allowing your guitar signal to overload germanium/silicon transistors, which would naturally clip your signal and create fuzz. distortion pedals came about later with the invention of op-amps, which boost your signal's volume. distortion pedals then clip the boosted signal with diodes

[@skone9965]

I love the Sputnik III - like the guitar takes on a life of its own and you gotta go with it.

[@paulstanitz4458]

Andy, great job as usual. What are your personal thoughts on the Function F(x) Clusterfuzz or Clusterfuzz Jr? Your demo with the full size was great and demonstrated its flexibility well. That company makes a plethora of micro pedals too from the Rat to Zen drive to bluesbreaker etc. Tonebender too.

[@jonnymillerproductions]

Really sick stuff coming out of the Sptunik haha. Very similar to the Wave Cannon!

[@rzvncj]

Fairfield Circuitry An Unpleasant Surprise is a great experimental fuzz.

[@masonianbund]

I’m smitten by the Lovepedal MKIII. It’s ostensibly a 2 transistor Tone Bender (so cleans up like a FF) but I’ve never heard such a smooth and musical tonebender. Worth the price of admission. I leave it on all night and just use the volume knob.

[@godfreydaniel6278]

I just ordered one!

[@LuigiTheMetal64]

Will you also do a video about drive pedals? To start, will you compare the MXR Shinjuku Drive, and the Boss OverDrive OD-3?

[@JamesOnGuitar]

DanDrive is making some amazing, albeit pretty expensive pedals. I love the Austin Pride 😈 great video, cheers

[@eljoel89]

Way Huge Pork and Pickle has the Russian Pickle circuit with the clean blend signal from the Pork Loin.

[@Nigel_Shortpants]

Can’t go wrong with any fuzz from analogman! I have 3 different ones on my main board, Sun Lion, Astro tone, and Sunbender mark 1.5. I have about 10 other fuzzes sitting on a shelf

[@noctum17]

Omg that Sputnik 3! Andy sure can bring out the devil in that one. Not sure what that means but yeah!

[@absolutehooman8948]

0:20 woah, look who's an Earthbound fan!

[@stagnatic]

Analogman AstroTone; Mythos Pedals Golden Fleece; ZVex Phat Fuzz Factory.

[@ronmatthews7213]

Mahoney's Jordan Buzz Tone. It's a very accurate recreation of the Jordan Boss Tone from the '60s. The original was not a pedal. It was a small box that plugged into your guitar's output jack. Two knobs...volume and attack. They describe it as a "smooth, singing, melodic fuzz with a mild hint of low octave harmonics." Works for me.

[@brainbuster15]

love the video but I really wanna know where I can get a puresalem classic creep like in the opening, can't find a right-handed one anywhere

[@clintgordon5488]

Thank you for this

[@glendaw4394]

The new “ Benson germanium fuzz “ has changed my life. Stick an “EP booster “ in front of it and go to heaven !

[@paulcowart3174]

Hey that's good to know Have an EP but haven't found the right fuzz yet CV7005 fuzz on the way That EP boost makes all pedals sound better Especially a good TS

[@glendaw4394]

@@paulcowart3174 You know , I’m hardly using it as a fuzz. It does an incredible “ clean boost “ , as nice in its own right as the EP. The low gain settings are really amp like , put the inspiration back into bedroom volume practice. TPS could do a whole show on this thing for sure.

[@dakotahrivers6640]

Forget the fuzz, i want to hear what it sounds like when Andy uses a guitar pick

[@AndyDemos]

The same, only sloppier!

[@dakotahrivers6640]

@@AndyDemos you gotta show the world at least once lol

[@AndyDemos]

@@dakotahrivers6640 Haha, the old Marshall Plexi demo says it all. Opened with Zep using fingers and the rest is some really uncomfortable pic usage. No major tone change, just me wishing I’d played better. 😃

[@Mr.Steve-O]

Got some winners in the batch today Andy, keep up the great work. Have my eye on the Danelectro 3699 Fuzz as well at the CB Fuzzrite and Park from EQD

[@unclefoiley819]

I have the Park Fuzz. It's good,but try the Abominable Electronics Hail Satan if you want to go over the edge.

[@_MetaL]

cool but what Amp/Guitar would be best for fuzz? I kind of want to build my whole playing style/setup around it, might be a cool idea for video about getting the most out of fuzzes?

[@HarshTonesInc]

Fuzz Unit and Giygas! PDX Fuzztown representin'

[@MEGAMIGA]

Love it!

[@1upfx281]

An EQD Plumes into a Hoof is heavenly!

[@fuzzingawesomepedals7377]

Word gonna pair mine up tonight!

[@spyr01d]

Andy, what about fuzz from Wampler? I have it and it’s awesome

[@paulcowart3174]

I'm trying out a CV 7005 transistors for hopefully FF med gain clean up Have tried several so need one to stick But most sound good stand alone altho don't always play nice w other circuits

[@cerclesvicieux]

The definitive fuzz lesson

[@ALtheDoctorWho]

once I seen the circuit on the Blammo I know that was going to be as close as it gets. OC75s and a Bias control would have been the cherry on top. Thanks for sharing. c];-)

[@JakeTerch]

I like boosting my Big Muff Pi Nano with my Tube Screamer Mini!

[@SuperJiggawhat]

I want that guitar pick!

[@jsullivan2112]

Giygas is a fucking beast. If ever I were to swap out my Pharaoh for a different fuzz, Giygas would definitely be the one. Buuuut I'm pretty happy with the Pharoah. Thanks for the awesome video Andy!

[@pomod]

Is that RF bleeding through the pedals we're hearing while andy is talking? I kinda want it to be.

[@herschelvonrudiger]

I liked the Spiral Electric FX, but I can’t afford it. What other similar pedal would recommend guys? Thanks in advance!

[@drprick7432]

My favorite is the Yardbox from Prescription Electronics!

[@user-fb8yb8so8n]

Another rare Yardboxer! I'm using a dizzy tone clone these days though.

[@IShldHavBghtaSqrl]

Andy was born to fuzz!

[@NainUsar]

that intro... I'm gonna blow my speakers here... buy new ones... and play it again... and blow the whole set up again... while loving it...

[@stopit2964]

can someone help me out? andy did a demo video of a pedal playing rusty cage by soundgarden where the pedal is like a wah left in the middle of the sweep, but didn't have a footswitch that rocks back and forth. it was a click-able stomp box. i RRRREALLY need that pedal and don't remember it's name.

[@austinsadler1403]

Don't remember the video but that sounds like an EHX Cock Fight

[@matthewwilliams7735]

Fuzz Face for me germanium, I like EQD dream crusher V2, then EHX Rams Head and finally the Billy Gibbons Siete Santos Octavia just nasty.

[@WeaponsRemorse]

I wanted another pharaoh but realized I only used the Germanium side 90% of the time found a EQD tone reaper clone for $80 after a listen snapped it up

[@user-yz2be6gm9e]

At 0:56s what's that technique ? I really love that sound

[@squareversesine]

Random side question: where'd you get that shirt? All black with epaulettes - i'm into it haha

[@samgorton2027]

Give this cat a few fuzz pedals and he gives some of the crunchiest grooves I've ever heard.

[@JohnMichaelBurns]

What was the crazy, upside down, spiky white strat thing in the intro?

[@entropybentwhistle]

I would have to get the Brown Acid Fuzz just for the name.

[@markschuth8036]

Andy, can you do a cheap ukelele shootout so I can decide which one I want? And can you use a pick?

[@underoath16v]

I have the Thorpy FX Fallout Cloud!

[@TheMurrblake]

What is that beautiful white guitar at the beginning??

[@Da_Publick]

These are the real solution for the Solid State amp's so-called Overdrive Channels. OY VEY, some of these are more expensive than my amp!

[@MoncoField]

I like how he used a Jazzmaster for the "experimental" fuzz section haha

[@TheCleaner6969]

Some germanium trannys "Blammo". These circuits are very simple to build. The Shin-ei FY-2 is a super fuzz that "The Jesus & Mary Chain" & "The Black Keys" used. The "Classic FF" always sounds better with single coil as Andy has it on the neck.

[@markbinderGH]

what song is this from 0:20?

[@madmac66]

That opening jam....fucking wow....monsterous

[@markbinderGH]

Would anyone know what this song is as of 0:20?

[@madmac66]

@@markbinderGH I just assumed it was something he made up in the style of Sabbath or the many post rock bands influenced by them. I don’t recognize it specifically

[@jacobfrazier9582]

I've got one of those Spiral FX brutes and can confirm that it is nasty af. The carbon clipping gives it an almost more "hi-fi" sound than a lot of classic-stye fuzz pedals. I love it

[@young__blacksmith]

Anyone have a good recommendation for a fuzz that works well with a Vox/Ac15? Having trouble cutting through with a big muff pi

[@R3volutionEarth]

I don't have a specific recommendation, but muffs are well known to suck you out of the mix. Try looking for something with more mids.

[@josephwright5921]

Buzz Boy?

[@kendo5862]

Andy’s guitars cure CoVid 🤟

[@mundolafora9539]

Absoluty

[@U2WB]

For my money the Wampler Velvet Fuzz is the best one I’ve ever used.

[@mikemph7779]

How about king tone mini fuzz si ??

[@johntierney387]

Can someone help me? I’m looking for a fuzz that’s more of a mid 60s germanium variety but that also keeps chords defined and twangy/ringy. Like a fuzz drive type thing. Thanks.

[@wgutherie]

Ive got a Fulltone 69’ and i think it delivers what you describe.

[@user-fb8yb8so8n]

Elka Dizzy Tone

[@Rejette]

Can a fuzz pedal be used with a bass?

[@_MetaL]

Treble booster into fuzz for me boys!

[@drdre4397]

The best tone bender mk1 clone? Well I have to say the Ronno Bender by Manlay sounds is killer.

[@rikhaven]

Where's the 2 hour full version of this video? 😅

[@unclefoiley819]

I have quite a few fuzz pedals, but one of my favorites is the Abominable Hail Satan.

[@AzulSupergigante]

I kinda wanted him to mention death by audio's fuzz war

[@luizhenriquemoraismazzucco4526]

HELL YEAH BABY

[@headbangerblooddrunk]

Keeley fuzz bender is all you need

[@ahmetyasirsakall77]

intro smell badassssss

[@jugobugo]

Fuzz face hands down

[@thebreakfastmenu]

The Sputnik III sounded like me playing my Otamatone.