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.
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7 years ago
Lots of muffs and muff variants but no fixd fuzz or musket? Need to add the EQD toneReaper, something from fuzzHugger…..I know their are a variety of cool muff style pedals out their but half muffs?
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7 years ago
Agree, don’t agree, doesn’t matter. Tone is too subjective. My favorite fuzz, for you Davie Allen fans out there, Vintage FX FUZZRIOT. Beautiful nasty fuzz!
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7 years ago
Personal faves: MJM Foxey Fuzz for velvety smooth tones, Paradigm Effects Atomic Fuzz for complete annihilation (love that fission knob)!
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7 years ago
Really enjoying my Walrus Audio Jupiter Fuzz. Love that I can set it for a long sustained, fuzzy sound. Great pedal.
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5 years ago
Of all my fuzzes (I’m a junkie) my Basic Audio Fuzz Mutant is my Sophie’s Choice.
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5 years ago
Fuzz factory or even better the fuzz probe. Fuzz war was going to be there I knew it but still way too many variations on muff; least fave fuzz.
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