This is going be a controversial topic. A Top 10 list for fuzz pedals? I mean, there are thousands of fuzz pedals out there. How can I distill that down to a “top 10”? I’ve avoided this post for years, because it’s difficult. So what determines the top? Popularity? Something classic? Tone? Uniqueness? Combination of all? You can understand the challenge.
The other factor is the Big Muff, there are a few pedals that are inspired or a modification of the classic. The Big Muff has spawned so many pedals, but what I like, they have become their own thing. For this post, I decided to take in a combination of fuzzes I’ve seen on Pedal Line Friday posts, what I know personally and what I know are popular fuzzes out there. I’m also excluding vintage fuzzes. Only fuzzes available today. It was hard to get to this list down to 10. I started with 40 fuzzes! I added an Honorable Mention section as well. For this original list, the Fuzz Face didn’t make the list – barely.
What I’m excited about this post – is the opportunity to get a dialog going. If you feel strongly that you have a fuzz not in the top 10, please comment and let me know why it should be in there. People looking for fuzz could find this information very valuable.
Simple Top 10 List for Fuzz – ordered alphabetically.
Death by Audio Fuzz War
Devi Ever Soda Meiser
EarthQuaker Devices Hoof
Electro-Harmonix Big Muff
Fulltone ’69 Fuzz
Malekko Heavy Industry Diabolik
Walrus Audio Jupiter Fuzz
Way Huge Swollen Pickle
Wren and Cuff Tall Font Russian Fuzz
ZVex Fuzz Factory
Honorable Mention:
Dunlop Fuzz Face
Let me know what you think by commenting below! Please comment with your suggestions that are not in this list.
