The original Fuzz Factory pedal from Z.Vex Effects has been a go-to fuzz for players across the globe for years, and has gained notoriety as one of the finest fuzzboxes available on the market today. Well, Z.Vex has upped the ante a bit more with another incarnation of this classic fuzz, it’s big brother, the Fat Fuzz Factory. Plus, mine is a limited hand-painted edition, which makes it that much cooler, right? Let’s have a look…
The Fat Fuzz Factory features the same controls as the original, plus an added “sub switch” that lets you add in three different stages of low end, producing some low, low synth-y tones and sub-sonic booms. The regular controls consist of: Volume, which adjusts the pedal’s overall output. Gate, which adds in a heap of cool buzzes, some hiss, and other squelch-type tones you can get from some fuzzes. Comp adds attack to the signal, and works with the Stab function to create a multitude of noises and fuzz. Drive increases the amount of distortion the pedal produces, but has no affect when the Comp knob is all the way up. Finally, Stab(ility) does just that: keeps everything on an even keel…kinda. If you turn this thing past about noon, it’s on, fuzzy people. This is fun to turn as you play an open string, to see the sweep and chaotic control this knob has.
There’s a small toggle switch on the Fat Fuzz Factory as well, and it controls 3 different sub levels, for beefier low end. Sub Level 1 is the setting from Z.Vex’s original Fuzz Factory pedal, Sub Level 2 is a bit lower, and Sub Level 3 even lower still. These are great to experiment with as well, as they all have their own individual personalities, and when you mix each of them with the above corresponding control knobs, this pedal has more fuzz options than you can shake a stick at.
In the user’s manual, there are a couple of suggested settings to try and start out with when using the Fat Fuzz Factory, and I highly suggest using them first. They will give you a small glimpse through an extremely tiny window as to what this pedal can do, but won’t freak you out too much that you’ll want to run screaming…or, it might, I have no idea. This is not your grandpa’s fuzz, gang – this thing will push you and your amp to the extreme of all fuzzdom, and a bit beyond, I’m pretty sure. Thanks so much to Zack, Charles and all at Z.Vex Effects for sending this pedal to us for a review. There are so many more awesome pedals these guys are making, be sure to go check ’em out and find your perfect pedal!
Submitted by Mike B, Website
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