Univox Super-Fuzz

The Univox Super-Fuzz is a fuzzbox produced by the Univox company, primarily for use with the electric guitar or bass. Super-Fuzz pedals have become highly sought after, and have developed a fanatical following, exalted by many as the "Holy Grail" of fuzz pedals.Fact|date=May 2007

History

Origin

The circuit was designed in the late 1960s by the Japanese company Shin-ei, (who also produced another well known fuzz box, the Shin-ei Companion FY-2) and manufactured in Japan by Unicord. The first Super-Fuzzes were made in 1968, and production continued until the late 70s.

Design

The first units were made in a simple stamped sheet metal box, painted grey, with a blue Univox sticker on the top. Around 1970 production was changed to a die-cast metal box, with a large pedal featuring a rubber cover that hade the words "Super-Fuzz" embossed on it. The first die cast units were either grey or black, with a green or black foot pedal. Around 1973 or so, they were all produced with an orange pedal, with a green or blue foot pedal. The later models also featured an internal trim pot for controlling the octave balance.

Alternative manufacturers

Although the Univox is the most well known incarnation of this circuit, Shin Ei licensed this circuit out to dozens of manufacturers, including Ibanez, Apollo, Companion, Shaftsbury, Mica, JAX, Kent, Teisco, Marlboro, Royal, and many others. Sometimes it was packaged with a wah pedal, or with the tone switch being a footswitch, or both. This circuit is also very similar to the famous Fender "Blender", and Roland "Bee Baa". More recent applications of this circuit type can be found in Guyatone's TZ-2 Fuzz, MJM China Fuzz, Prescription Electronics' Outbox, Boss's Hyper Fuzz, and others, although most agree the newer versions do not sound quite the same.

ound

This unique fuzz tone is an octave fuzz using two germanium diodes to produce the square wave clipping. The controls are 'Balance' (volume), 'Expander' (fuzz amount), a two position 'tone' switch, and an on/off footswitch on top. There are two unique features of this device that set it apart from other distortion and fuzz pedals. The first is that the full-wave rectification of the circuit produces an upper octave as well as a slight lower octave. This also gives the sound a lot of compression and gives a mild ring modulator effect. The second unique feature is a tone switch that engages a 1khz filter that "scoops" the mids, giving a very fat, almost bassy tone, unique to this circuit.

uper-Fuzz users

Notable musicians who have used the Super-Fuzz include:
* Pete Townshend of The Who
* Poison Ivy of The Cramps
* Mark Arm and Steve Turner of Mudhoney
* J Mascis of Dinosaur Jr.
* Jimi Hendrix of The Jimi Hendrix Experience
* Billy Corgan of The Smashing Pumpkins
* Fu Manchu
* Adam Yauch of The Beastie Boys
* Jon Niederbrach of The Untold Fables
* Hillel Slovak of The Red Hot Chili Peppers

External links

* [http://members.fortunecity.com/uzzfay/superfuzz1/superfuzz1.html A guide to the Super-Fuzz]
* [http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Effects/product/Univox/Super+Fuzz/10/1 Harmony-Central page on the Super-Fuzz]
* [http://johannburkard.de/blog/music/effects/legendary-guitar-effects-univox-super-fuzz.html Legendary guitar effects: Univox Super-Fuzz] sound clips
* [http://wattson-fx.com A Superfuzz reproduction] featuring the classic tone and aesthetics of the original.