Fuzzy Thinking
You would think that a fuzz effect would
be easily distinguishable from an overdrive
or distortion—and some are—but others
blur the line. Technically, there is a difference—distortions and overdrives usually
use diodes and op-amps to achieve breakup,
while fuzzes use transistors—but, sonically
and feel-wise, there can be crossover.
Fuzz-pedal transistors can be of either
the germanium or silicon variety. The
first fuzz pedals used germanium transistors,
and some players prefer these to later
silicon transistors because they consider
the latter harsher-sounding. Other players
prefer the edgier silicon variety, with
its extra gain. However, old germanium
fuzzes were extremely inconsistent in tone,
because the transistor values tended to vary
greatly. Modern manufacturers such as Jim
Dunlop, Electro-Harmonix, and Analog
Man test each transistor to make certain
the sound is more consistent.
Further, though some view fuzzes as a
rather blunt and imprecise sonic “weapon,”
some fuzz units are as dynamic as an overdrive
pedal and clean up when the guitar
volume is backed off and respond well to
variations in pick attack. Others do not clean
up, but rather distort in a different manner.
In basic terms, the two extremes of
the fuzz spectrum are represented by the
original Dallas Arbiter Fuzz Face on one
end and the Electro-Harmonix Big Muff
on the other. If you want to produce fat
single notes with lots of sustain by running
a fuzz through a clean amp, à la Robert
Fripp, you are better served by a Big Muff-style
fuzz. Why? Because, before it serves
up a singing single note, a Fuzz Face-style
unit needs the help of a slightly distorted
amp or overdrive pedal placed between it
and the amp, as well as a guitar with its
own healthy sustain and modified picking
techniques (aggressive picking helps). That
said, there are also many fuzz units that fall
between these two extremes.
Octave fuzz comes with its own set
of proper playing techniques. The upper
octaves come out best on the E and B
strings above the 12th fret, and they’re
enhanced by using the neck pickup and
rolling off the Tone knob. Octave fuzz
effects are designed for single-note lines,
but some groups of notes can be played
harmoniously. If you are into dissonance,
they offer a whole other world filled with
clashing intervals to explore.