Top Fuzz Pedals

Before revealing our top Fuzz pedals, let’s first have a look at what is a fuzz or fuzzbox, pedal. Fuzz pedals are particular type of distortion pedals. Distortion can be categorized into three different categories, though some pedals may straddle the lines between these types. The three types are distortion, overdrive and fuzz. The one that interest us is the last one, fuzz, and it distinguishes itself by producing a nearly square wave from the audio signal.

Fuzz is a very particular sound, and is often found along side other distortion pedals, as its sound is so particular that it cannot be interchanged with other types of distortion.

Top Fuzz Pedals

Our criteria on deciding the top fuzz pedals is, as always, based on the pedals’ appearances on the pedalboards of today’s top guitarists. They are tried and true effects, and a are the source of the many sounds you’ll on your favorite songs.

Top Fuzz Pedals – “Fun” Category – Z. Vex Fuzz Factory

Used by: John Frusciante of Red Hot Chili Peppers

In most reviews we’ve seen for this pedal, many guitarists claim that this particular unit is one of the funnest to play. It’s wide range of options might not mean you’ll get exactly the sound you want, but you’ll get a lot of very interesting ones.

top fuzz pedals Zvex Vexter Fuzz Factory Guitar Effect Pedal
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Top Fuzz Pedals – “Octave” category – Fender Blender

Used by: Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys, Mike McCready of Pearl Jam

This particular pedal deserves a category of its own, as it combines the fuzzbox effect with an octave effect. The Fender Blender is perhaps the most popular of these, placing it the best of the top fuzz pedals with octave.

Fender Fender Blender Custom Octave/Fuzz Pedal
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Top Fuzz Pedals – Most Popular – Big Muff Pi

Used by: Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys, John Frusciante of Red Hot Chili Peppers

The Big Muff Pi is the most seen fuzzbox among all the pedalboards we’ve seen, bar none. While there are many different options for this pedal, such as the Black Russian version, the green box as well as the original and mini versions from Electro-Harmonix. All are good pedals, though some may swear on one more than others. If its the green version you like, it has been said the the bass version of the pedal is very close to the original green box version, as the original was employed by bassists at the time leaving very little changes necessary for the bass-only version. Still, the Big Muff Pi USA is perhaps the most popular of all of these versions.

Electro-Harmonix Xo Bass Big Muff Pi Distortion Effects Pedal
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Electro-Harmonix Classics Usa Big Muff Pi Distortion / Sustainer Guitar Effects Pedal
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If you liked the top Fuzz Pedals list, see more essential pedals