The 12 Best Fuzz Pedals You Can Find From $30 to +$200

Wampler Velvet Fuzz V2

• The quintessential fuzz-into-a-screaming-stack sound
• 2 completely independent clipping circuits: pure fuzz or a fuzz-like distortion
• High-grade film capacitors and resistors for superior sound and response
• Handmade in the USA
• True-bypass circuitry

If you are a fan of the tones of the players like David Gilmour or Eric Johnson, then this could be the pedal you are looking for.

Welcome to a new world of thick as a brick, wall crumbling and window shattering fuzz. Velvet Fuzz.

Overpowered Classic Fuzz

Looking back through the Fuzz tone history, there have been some truly outstanding examples, especially those achieved by running a fuzz into a screaming stack, characterized by their depth, aggression and smoothness.

That’s the idea behind the Velvet Fuzz, a pedal that combines the best of classic fuzz character, power and tone with the sound of an EL34-powered stack.

Best of all is, as you will soon discover, you can switch between the two modes.

Three Knob Layout

The Velvet Fuzz follows the common 3-knobs layout that we can find in any modern fuzz pedal:

• Volume: controls the overall effect output level BUT it has to be compensated depending on where the Fuzz knob is set. When the fuzz is low, the level knob will have to be run a little higher to achieve unity, and the other way around
• Fuzz: controls the amount of distortion and sustain. This knob changes its behavior based on what switch position is selected.
• Brightness: high frequencies filter (Tone knob in other pedals)

Beyond The Knobs: The Voice Switch

With two completely different clipping options (not just the basic silicon or germanium option like most) you can achieve those classic fuzz big tones that compress massively across the bottom or you can tighten them up and have it respond more like a distortion.

You can toggle between the two modes with the Voice switch. Some people say it sounds like a fuzz but feels like a distortion. Get ready to experiment a new kind of fuzz!

• Big mode: deliver a darker and saturated tone, like the classic fuzz tones from the 60s and 70s going into a hot amp. Dropping the volume back cleans it up perfectly so your rhythm can remain clear enough.
• Tight mode: retains a clarity and note definition, even with the fuzz all of the way up. If you love the tone of Fuzz but need a more distortion-ish effect, this is the right setting for you.