Top 5 Fuzz Pedals: The best dirt boxes of 2016
The very symbolic Dr No Effects Alain Johannes 11.11 Fuzz pedal · Source: https://shop.drno-effects.com/product/alain-johannes-1111/
Available in 12 different finishes! · Source: https://robertkeeley.com/product/monterey-fuzz-vibe-workstation/
SFT now with Stone to Stoner switch · Source: http://www.catalinbread.com/2016/02/25/introducing-the-new-sft/
Hand built in London. Jackdaw Fuzz is a unique sounding pedal. · Source: http://www.cloakaudio.co.uk
Top Fuzz of 2016? ThorpyFX Muffroom Cloud. · Source: http://www.joespedals.com/acatalog/Muffroom2.jpg
Top 5 Fuzz Boxes · Source: gearnews.com
Here’s My list of the top 5 fuzz pedals for 2016 so far. I am a big fan of fuzz pedals and so these choices are my personal favourites. Fuzz is such a primal sound and when used well can evoke feelings and emotions unlike any other effect in a guitarist’s sonic arsenal, from Gilmour-like ‘singing’ sustain over Jack White’s crunchy riffs to the filthy dirge of The Stooges. The humble fuzz box has shaped the history of music since its inception.
First up for me is the ThorpyFX Muffroom Cloud. This is a versatile, Muff-style fuzz from UK builder Adrian Thorpe. The design takes the classic Big Muff circuit and rebuilds it from the ground up, yet keeps that classic singing sustain just with a far more powerful and controlled EQ section.
Top Fuzz of 2016? ThorpyFX Muffroom Cloud.
Next would have to be the Dr No Effects 11.11 Alain Johannes Signature pedal which we just wrote about only last week. This is a celebration of the marriage between Alain and his late wife Natascha. I was really impressed by the thought that had gone into the pedal and love the design. It can achieve some very interesting tones and has that cocked wah feature as well, adding some versatility of the pedal.
The very symbolic Dr No Effects Alain Johannes 11.11 Fuzz pedal
The Catalinbreads SFT is not strictly speaking not just a dirt box, as it can do clean tones as well. It’s based upon an Ampeg bass head circuit. But when it does do fuzz, it really does it well. It’s a revised version of the pedal and I love the tones you can coax from it when it goes really dirty in Stoner mode!
SFT now with Stone to Stoner switch
Cloak Audio’s Jackdaw Synth Fuzz is the oddball in my list. It’s filthy! It’s synth-like! It’s all sorts of wrong and that is exactly why it’s in my top 5!
Hand built in London. Jackdaw Fuzz is a unique sounding pedal.
Last but far from least would have to be the Keeley Monterey. This is Hendrix in a box, with lots of control and ways of blending classic psychedelic ’60s effects, all crammed into one very reasonably sized unit. It’s got some great features and you should be able to get close to those classic Jimi tones using this.
Available in 12 different finishes!
So what is your favourite fuzz from 2016 so far? Was it the Fuzz Factory in its new limited edition ‘Bauhaus’ livery for example? Let us know in the comments section below!
Fuzz Factory: now 20 years old.
- Top Fuzz of 2016? ThorpyFX Muffroom Cloud.: http://www.joespedals.com/acatalog/Muffroom2.jpg
- The very symbolic Dr No Effects Alain Johannes 11.11 Fuzz pedal: https://shop.drno-effects.com/product/alain-johannes-1111/
- SFT now with Stone to Stoner switch: http://www.catalinbread.com/2016/02/25/introducing-the-new-sft/
- Hand built in London. Jackdaw Fuzz is a unique sounding pedal.: http://www.cloakaudio.co.uk
- Available in 12 different finishes!: https://robertkeeley.com/product/monterey-fuzz-vibe-workstation/
- Fuzz Factory now 20 years old.: http://www.zvex.com
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