Earthquaker Devices Fuzz Master General - Octave Fuzz Pedal | No Limit Guitar Co, Idaho Falls
The Earthquaker Devices Fuzz Master General Octave Fuzz Blaster reimagines the legendary Ace Tone Fuzz Master FM-2 circuit with modern enhancements for today's adventurous guitarists. This octave fuzz pedal delivers everything from nearly clean octave-up shimmer to full buzz-saw assault, with a unique three-position Voice switch that fundamentally alters the character of your fuzz tones. Whether you're chasing swelling octave grind reminiscent of classic psychedelic rock or exploring ring modulator-style textures, the Fuzz Master General provides unparalleled versatility while honoring its vintage inspiration.
Product Overview
The Fuzz Master General builds upon the foundation of vintage octave fuzz circuits while addressing the limitations that plagued original designs. The enhanced Fuzz control spans a dramatically wider range than its predecessor, transitioning smoothly from subtle grit to devastating distortion. The die-cast aluminum enclosure houses circuitry handcrafted in Akron, Ohio, ensuring each pedal meets EarthQuaker Devices' exacting quality standards. The powder-coated finish provides lasting durability for years of reliable performance on the road.
At the heart of this pedal's sonic flexibility lies the innovative Voice toggle switch, which selects between germanium diode clipping, silicon diode clipping, or no diode clipping whatsoever. Germanium mode delivers an open, loose fuzz character with increased output, perfect for vintage-inspired tones that bloom and breathe. Silicon mode compresses the signal for tighter, more controlled fuzz that cuts through dense band mixes. The center position removes diode clipping entirely, producing a nearly clean upper octave effect that borders on ring modulation and generates extreme output levels.
The variable Tone control replaces the original's two-position foot switch with continuous adjustment from bright, open treble assault to heavily scooped, bass-heavy blast. Combined with significantly more output volume and a substantially lower noise floor than vintage units, the Fuzz Master General stands as a thoroughly modernized interpretation of a classic circuit. The analog octave generation works best with single notes played above the 12th fret on the neck pickup, though full chords create wonderfully destructive textures.
Ideal For
- Psychedelic and garage rock guitarists seeking authentic vintage octave fuzz tones
- Experimental musicians exploring ring modulator-style effects and extreme textures
- Lead players who need singing sustain and harmonic richness for solos
- Studio producers capturing aggressive fuzz tones with variable character and output
- Pedal collectors pursuing modern interpretations of rare vintage circuits
Key Features
Three-Position Voice Toggle
The Voice switch offers three distinct clipping options that dramatically reshape your fuzz character. Germanium mode provides loose, open fuzz with enhanced output and dynamic response. Silicon mode delivers compressed, tight fuzz that maintains clarity under high gain. The center position creates near-clean octave effects with ring modulator qualities and extremely high output, opening doors to experimental soundscapes unavailable in traditional fuzz pedals.
Enhanced Fuzz Control Range
The reimagined Fuzz control sweeps through a much broader spectrum than the original FM-2 circuit, ranging from barely-there grit to complete sonic annihilation. This expanded range transforms the Fuzz Master General from a one-trick pony into a versatile dirt box capable of handling everything from light breakup to crushing distortion, all while maintaining the swelling octave grind that defines classic octave fuzz.
Variable Tone Control
Unlike the original's simple two-position switch, the Fuzz Master General features a continuously variable Tone knob. Counterclockwise rotation yields bright, open tones with aggressive treble presence, while clockwise adjustment produces scooped midrange with bass-heavy thickness. This flexibility allows precise tone shaping to match different guitars, amplifiers, and musical contexts.
Analog Octave Generation
The true analog octave circuit produces harmonically rich upper octave content without digital processing artifacts. While optimized for single-note playing above the 12th fret using the neck pickup, the octave effect also responds to full chords with glorious, chaotic results. This organic approach to octave generation captures the unpredictable magic of vintage octave fuzz designs.
Improved Output and Noise Performance
Significant engineering improvements provide substantially more output volume than the original Fuzz Master FM-2, ensuring the pedal can drive your amplifier hard or boost your signal for cutting solos. Simultaneously, the lower noise floor eliminates the hiss and hum that plagued vintage units, delivering clean performance suitable for modern recording and live sound reinforcement.
What's Included
- Earthquaker Devices Fuzz Master General Octave Fuzz Blaster Pedal
- Earthquaker Devices limited lifetime warranty
- User manual with operation tips and octave optimization guidance
Power Supply Note: This pedal requires a standard 9V DC power supply with 2.1mm negative center barrel (not included). Current draw is 10mA. We recommend using pedal-specific, transformer-isolated wall-wart power supplies or multiple isolated-output supplies for optimal performance and noise reduction. DO NOT RUN AT HIGHER VOLTAGES.
Important: The Voice switch center position (no diode clipping) produces extremely high output levels. Reduce the Level control when using this mode to prevent speaker damage and protect your hearing.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Circuit Type | Octave fuzz with variable clipping |
| Controls | Fuzz, Tone, Level, Voice (3-position toggle) |
| Voice Modes | Germanium clipping, Silicon clipping, No clipping |
| Octave Type | Analog octave-up generation |
| Switching | Mechanical true bypass |
| Inputs | 1 x 1/4" instrument input |
| Outputs | 1 x 1/4" output |
| Power Requirements | 9V DC center-negative (not included) |
| Current Draw | 10 mA |
| Dimensions | 4.75" x 2.50" x 2.25" (121mm x 64mm x 57mm) with knobs |
| Construction | Powder-coated die-cast aluminum enclosure |
| Manufacturing | Handmade in Akron, Ohio, USA |
Get Your Hands on This Octave Fuzz Pedal Today
Experience the swelling octave grind and versatile fuzz tones of the Earthquaker Devices Fuzz Master General at No Limit Guitar Co in Idaho Falls. Our knowledgeable staff can demonstrate the three Voice modes and help you dial in everything from vintage psychedelic tones to experimental ring modulator effects. Visit us in-store to test the Fuzz Master General through various amplifiers and discover how it interacts with your playing style, call to discuss octave fuzz applications for your music, or browse our complete selection of guitar effects at No Limit Guitar Co, your trusted Idaho Falls guitar store.
