RatingsPros:Big, modern sounds. Offers more than just psych-rock fuzz tones. Cons: Not as responsive to guitar-volume adjustments. Street: $72 Rectifier Effects Maniac Fuzz tonemasters.com | Tones:  Ease of Use:  Build/Design: Value: |
As John Lennon once sang, “All you need is fuzz.” Those immortal words live true to this day when you consider the sheer number of fuzz flavors available. Everything from dark and sputter-y to fizzy and glitchy is a mere toe tap away. Quite simply, fuzz has become one of the most ubiquitous stomps around, and Rectifier Effects’ Maniac Fuzz aims for the center of that spectrum. The controls consist of the familiar set of volume, tone, and sustain—nothing new there. However, inside the pedal is something rather refreshing: a neatly handwired breadboard based on silicon transistors.
Aside from the aesthetics of the circuit, the Maniac Fuzz has a fair amount of overdrive in its DNA. At lower gain settings the Maniac had a growly and biting midrange along with some beefy low end. It’s not as raspy as a Big Muff, but it does have that classic rock ethos found in so many mid- to high-gain overdrives. The high end is clear and smooth enough to force me to go for my best Gilmour impression, and combined with some gentle phaser, it was easy to head into Dark Side territory. If fuzz isn’t your thing, or if your tastes lean toward more moderate flavors, the Maniac Fuzz will likely be a gateway drug into more diabolical-sounding setups.
Test gear: Gibson Les Paul Custom, Schroeder Chopper TL, Fender Hot Rod Deluxe IV
