Seven Killer Fuzz Face Style Pedals Compared: Germanium, Silicon, Hybrid

The Fuzz Face is my favorite effect. If I could have only one pedal, it would be a Fuzz Face. But which one? Here are 7 great examples of Fuzz Face style pedals ranging from lower gain Germanium, to Higher gain Silicon, and everything in between.

My qualifications for a great Fuzz Face are that it cleans up well with the guitar's volume knob, it doesn't get too muddy, and that it retains the character of the guitar. I think all of these pedals do that, while all having different personalities.

Germanium or Silicon? This question has plagued many Fuzz Face users, myself included. Here we explore a few examples of each, with a bonus Hybrid Germanium/Silicon Fuzz that bridges the gap between the warmth of Germanium and the gritty attack of Silicon. Hopefully this video can help you decide what you prefer, or maybe help you determine if a certain boutique fuzz you've heard about stacks up or stands apart...

Pedals in this video:
Expresso FX Germanium Fuzz- CV7007 Germanium Transistors
Jam Pedals Fuzz Phrase- CV7003 Germanium Transistors
Prescription Electronics Face Lift- AC128 Germanium Transistors*
Foxrox Captain Coconut 2- Unknown Germanium/Silicon Transistors**
Chase Tone '68 Red Velvet Fuzz- BC183C Silicon Transistors
KR Musical the Gypsy Fuzz- Unknown Silicon Transistors***
Berkos FX Third Stone II- Unknown Silicon Transistors

Other Gear Used:
1965 Fender Stratocaster
1965 Fender Deluxe Reverb

* These pedals are known for having inconsistent fuzz circuits (the octave side is always awesome- this is a Fuzz/Octave Up in one pedal). The transistors were sometimes poorly matched. This pedal has had the original NT108 Transistors replaced with original Prescription Electronics stock AC128 Transistors. The original transistors were barely functioning and the pedal sounded, frankly, bad. It's now the best sounding Face Lift I have heard. These original Prescription pedals sell for a lot of money now as they are associated with some famous players, but beware that the fuzz side doesn't always sound great, and they may need work. The Octave is the sought after part on this pedal, and it is, quite simply, incredible. I will do a separate video on this another time.

** This pedal will also get its own dedicated video, as it combines Octavia, Fuzz Face, and Univibe effects, but the fuzz here is unique. It was the very first Fuzz Face clone to feature a hybrid Germanium/Silicon design. It retains the best characteristics of both Transistor styles, and it totally temperature stable. It paved the way for a lot of fuzzes that came after.

*** I am aware this pedal is not a direct Fuzz Face clone. It is modeled after Jimi's Band of Gypsy's tone, and my understanding is that it seeks to sound like a Fuzz Face driving a cranked Marshall. It certainly has a bit of the grit of an overdriving amp, on top of the fuzziness. I am including it because it is awesome, and because it is a highly regarded pedal within the world of Fuzz Face clones and Hendrix tone seekers.

Видео Seven Killer Fuzz Face Style Pedals Compared: Germanium, Silicon, Hybrid канала Groundwire Podcast