Fuzz pedals are everywhere these days, right? But so what?!?! They’re awesome, and we love checking out new ones in any way, shape or form. Today’s featured beauty comes to us from Wright Sounds in Portland, OR, and is a take on a rare and not-well-known classic fuzz from the past. The Fuzz-Stang MkII adds in an extra control knob from the original, and features more fuzz than you’ll know what to do with.
The Sam Ash Fuzz-Stainer (don’t feel bad, we had to look it up as well) is a fuzz pedal that was produced and sold by Sam Ash in the 70’s, although there’s not a ton of information about them, and apparently not of lot of actual pedals, either, as they are one of the rarer fuzzes around. If the Fuzz-Stang is any indication of what these pedals did sound like, however, then you should grab one if ever you come across it, without question. Volume, Tone and Fuzz are controls that you’d almost expect to see on a fuzz like this, but the MkII gives you yet another tonal option to work with and enjoy. The Attack knob lets you dial in your perfect amount of spitty, spluttery, gated fuzz, or giving the overall fuzz tone a bit of a boost in sustain and presence. This is a key to the success of the pedal, and an option you don’t want to go without.
The Fuzz-Stang MkII boasts a wide range of tones, going from an almost overdrive-like sound with Attack maxed and Fuzz almost off, to a super-fuzzy, face-melting, bone-crushing fuzz when both dials are dimed. There’s a great range in between those extremes as well, and half the fun of this pedal is mixing and matching tones using these two controls in unison, at varying settings. At times, it’s seemingly uncontrollable, but in a controlled sort of way, to confuse you all a little bit.
All-in-all, the Fuzz-Stang MkII is one of the most powerful, smooth, gritty, sputtered and clear fuzzes we’ve ever played, and the word is apparently out, with artists who use it including Jon Spencer and Robbie Seahag Mangano. Tough as nails, built to last and tones for days, this is a fuzz that might send your others packing from your pedalboard. Thanks so much to Matt and Wright Sounds for letting us gaze upon this sonic marvel and demo it for you guys, check out the video below and then head over to their website to pick on up for yourself!
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