The Best Fuzz Pedal for Every Blues and Rock Players! 2022 review

By Monica | Gear

Jun 06
best fuzz pedal

The best fuzz pedal is your key to producing high-quality blues and rock sound. This particular stompbox can create gritty and succulent feeling when you are playing. In fact, the fuzz effect has been one of the most beautiful accompaniments you can get for your guitar.

A fuzz pedal is indeed a great addition to your pedalboard. Most guitarists that we know have two or three of these units. It is not a surprise, considering that there is a need for them to explore various options and capabilities.

You can find a lot of fuzz pedals on the market today. However, it is quite difficult to choose which one of them is worth investing in. There are a plethora of choices, which varies from design, performance, and price.

We know that most of you just don't want to engage in that extra hassle. That's why in this article, we will feature some of the most impressive options that you can have for this type of pedal. Check out which of these pedals can suit your needs!

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Best Fuzz Pedal: Our Top Picks

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But before we discuss each of these pedals, we have to make a quick detour first. In the next section, we will be featuring some of the basic things that you need to learn about a fuzz stompbox. Through this, you'll have a clear idea to the capabilities of this tool.

What is a Fuzz Pedal

In the realm of guitars, the distortion effect has three subcategories. Specifically, they are the fuzz, distortion, and overdrive. Therefore, it is not surprising anymore if we can see pedals that combine these three. However, it doesn't mean that such is the ideal build.

Among these three effects, the fuzz can be considered as the most outstanding. If you are familiar with guitar effects, you already know that overdrive and distortion share the same nuances. As a matter of fact, some people confuse the two.

On the other hand, the fuzz effect is a byproduct of a different signal. We can say that the distortion and overdrive effects are somehow related to the orchestra's string section. Meanwhile, the fuzz acts like a vibrant saxophone in any generic jazz band.

Technically, distortion and overdrive effects "cut" some parts of the signal. As a result, it would delete some frequencies while emphasizing the remaining ones. The fuzz effect is due to the alteration of the signal of your guitar. It is like forming a rectangular wave, which causes the complexion of tones. However, you can still guarantee that these sounds would still be consistent and mesmerizing.

How to Choose the Best Fuzz Pedal for You

Overall, we deem that a fuzz is a sophisticated effect. It is not an achievable effect for those stompboxes that have flimsy build. What you should get is a fuzz pedal that has excellent circuitry and straightforward interface to keep you going.

1

True Bypass Circuitry

When looking for guitar pedals, always prioritize those that have true bypass circuitry. This particular innovation eliminates the electronic circuit of the pedal once you deactivate the effect. As a result, you can let the signal from your instrument pass through the stompbox without effects on the gain or tone.

Those guitar pedals that don't have a true bypass circuitry will produce annoying sound. The tone would be overpowered and flavored, which removes the original aural characteristic of your instrument. Moreover, do not pick those units that have a triple bypass. They won't do you any good!

2

Power Source

Power Source

You have to realize that a guitar pedal is an electronic device. Therefore, it runs on electricity. Of course, if there are no power sources, this device won't operate. Currently, there are two ways you can run any stompbox: batteries and AC adapter.

If you are always on the go, battery-operated guitar pedals are heaven-sent. However, you have to keep in mind that batteries don't have infinite juice on them. That's the reason why we really recommend that you should get a guitar pedal that has an AC adapter. In this way, you can guarantee that the pedal will work continuously.

Yes. Investing in an AC adapter adds to the overall cost. However, this extra accessory is a cost-efficient option in the long run! Just imagine if you replace your batteries from time to time.

3

The Dirt

Distortion pedals work best when they have a clean configuration. But this doesn't work on fuzz effects. Instead, the latter can generate the best tone when the amp is quite dirty. You have to experiment with various settings until you can get that nastiest modification on your knobs. Just explore. It is a very rewarding process!

4

Simplicity

simplicity

When choosing for a guitar pedal, make sure that it has an intuitive interface. It should be usable even for beginners and learning practitioners. Some people think that pedals with complex designs and multiple knobs are for experts. But it is not. In fact, seasoned guitarists just abhor using them. Nobody wants to complicate the situation, especially if you are playing live or recording.

High-quality pedals have a simple layout. All the presets and controls that you need should be provided is an array of two to three knobs. It doesn't have to be flashy all the time!

5

Durability

A pedal is always subjected to abuse. It is a given fact. Even the most moderate players out there will certainly maximize the full potential of this device. Since you will be experimenting most of the time, it is pretty given that you will be stressing this tool, too.

Ideally, you should choose a guitar pedal that has a metal or aluminum construction. It should be rugged enough so that it won't break on constant usages. You don't want to buy replacements from time to time, right?

The Best Fuzz Pedal: Features, Performance and More

We already covered all the essential things about a fuzz pedal and stompboxes in general. Now is the perfect time to fully introduce the capabilities of our featured fuzz pedals. Get to know all their features in their respective reviews.

In the pedal community, the Wampler Velvet has an outstanding reputation. It is one of the most beloved fuzz pedals, as people just want to have this device on their pedalboards. The build of this device is very durable and rugged. Specifically, it has a handmade construction, which all took place in the United States.

This fuzz pedal comes with high-quality resistors and capacitors. Therefore, you can guarantee that it has an impressive responsiveness and sound production. It uses a true-bypass circuitry to ensure that there will be overpowering that will take place in the signal chain.

Moreover, this device allows you to switch between two independent circuits. You can either get a pure and authentic fuzz or a fuzz that sounds like distortion. Also, the Wampler Velvet Fuzz V2 runs on battery and 9V AC connection. Well, you can really use this one all day long!


Pros:

  • True bypass circuit with intuitive switch
  • Two fuzz effect options
  • Impressive responsiveness and sound production
  • It is easy to operate
  • Durable and rugged construction

Cons:

  • Nothing seems to be off here

Let's take a look at this product...


You will be dying just to get the Death by Audio Fuzz War Effect Pedal! This one is built for every sound aficionados out there who want an excellent fuzz pedal but with a reasonable price tag. Specifically, the sound and circuitry of this device are on the premium spectrum because of their quality.

The fuzz of the Death by Audio Fuzz War gives a unique high-tech vibe. Such capacity is relatively rare, even among its top competitors. It is also notable that this device allows various configurations to the sound effects. You can explore a plethora of sound, thanks to its Tone, Fuzz, and Volume knobs.

We personally like the Tone control because it allows you to curve and shape the timbre of the sound. You can either go from extreme highs down to deep bass! Moreover, there is nothing to be ashamed about its construction. It is super sturdy and can withstand abuses!


Pros:

  • True bypass circuitry
  • Responsive tone production
  • Doesn't color the guitar's signal
  • Fully adjustable fuzz effect
  • Durable and compact

Cons:

  • No particular drawbacks noticed

Let's take a look at this product...


It is undeniable that the Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi has an icon to the guitar community. It is among the few fuzz pedals that have constantly been sought by seasoned guitarists. In fact, this particular unit is always on the list, whenever you ask for recommendations for a fuzz pedal.

Of course, such phenomenon is not surprising anymore. Since its inception, this device has been providing responsive and authentic fuzz effects. You can fully configure the quality of the fuzz, too, thanks to its Tone and Sustain controls. There are no latencies and flavoring in the sound production due to its true bypass circuitry.

When it comes to the layout, the Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi features a semi-large construction. If you are trying to build a portable and compact pedalboard, this one might not suit you. But if you are after the sound quality and intuitiveness, investing on this fuzz pedal is really worth your money. Also, it is pretty durable, too!


Pros:

  • Durable and rugged construction
  • True bypass circuitry
  • You can configure its fuzz effects
  • Intuitive layout and interface
  • Works on various applications

Cons:

  • It is quite large
  • It is using an unconventional 1/8 power jack

Let's take a look at this product...


It is not surprising that the Dunlop JDF2 Fuzz Face Distortion is a part of this list. This exceptional fuzz pedal has been patterned to the iconic Dallas-Arbiter Fuzz Face. It has a unique construction, which features a circular design. This just veered away from the traditional rectangular design that is suited for every pedalboard. However, it is definitely not a deal breaker, considering its sound quality and performance.

The Dunlop JDF2 Fuzz Face Distortion is a classic and vintage fuzz pedal. Most of the guitarists during the 70's era used this device. Of course, Dunlop has inserted various modifications to this stompbox. However, you can still guarantee that its responsiveness and sound quality are still top-notch.

One of the key features of this pedal is its Germanium transistors. The latter drastically improves the tonal characteristic of the device. With this component, the fuzz effect that this pedal produce is warm and less aggressive. It is a definite choice from those are into the blues genre!


Pros:

  • Extremely rugged construction
  • Responsive sound production
  • Doesn't color the tone of your guitar
  • True bypass circuitry
  • Powerful and noticeable throughout the mix

Cons:

  • The circular design is a letdown to many guitar players
  • It doesn't have a power adapter (runs only on batteries)

Let's take a look at this product...


Another Electro-Harmonix pedal that you should check out is the Soul Food. Specifically, this unit offers three effects: fuzz, distortion, and overdrive. Now, don't ever think that it is a bad thing. As we mentioned earlier, it is a common design to many distortion pedals.

Of course, the Soul Food guarantees that the generation of these effects is solid and authentic. It has a fuzz effect that is notably warm but comes with mild aggression. The responsiveness is present, too. Meanwhile, this device is using enhanced power rails to improve its overall sound production.

You can also choose between two types of bypass in this pedal. It can work in true bypass mode or buffered bypass mode. Each of them will give unique definition to the effects. But all in all, they will certainly satisfy your ears!


Pros:

  • Switchable buffered and true bypass modes
  • Solid and rugged construction
  • Responsive and immune to latencies
  • Doesn't color the sound at all
  • Ergonomic interface

Cons:

  • The overdrive effect that it has is not fully transparent
  • The knobs are too sensitive

Let's take a look at this product...

Final Verdict

Overall, investing on a fuzz pedal gives your rig the tonal versatility that it needs. It is a great accompaniment for various effects, especially with the overdrive and distortion. Moreover, it provides the presence to your instrument throughout the mix.

There are a lot of fuzz pedals that you can get on the market today. These could serve as a disadvantage or advantage to you, depending on how well-versed you are to this device. But on this list, we deem the Wampler Velvet Fuzz V2 as the best fuzz pedal. From its effects quality down to its build, this device is truly outstanding.

But of course, we still recommend that you should check all those options that we listed here. You will never know which fuzz pedal will work for you until you haven't tried all the possible options.

Did you learn from this article? What do you think about these fuzz pedals that we featured? Tell us your answers in the comment section below!

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About the Author

Hi everyone! Im Monica and I am an avid lover of guitars and everything in-between. My current profession is not really music-related. It is quite discouraging but I just don't want to drop my zeal--especially not to guitars! I created GuitarTrance.Com so that I can keep up with my hobby. Of course, I want to engage with the community as well! Hope we can all get along!