Boss FZ-5 Fuzz

For about 8 years, there wasn't a single fuzz in the Boss line up. Finally, they decided to make a fuzz, but they changed it up this time. Instead of the normal fuzz style components, they decided to make use of their famous COSM technology to help create an almost modeling style fuzz. It's a bit different, so it's not for everybody, but it's definitely something interesting. It has a knob for the level, knob for the amount of fuzz and a three way selector switch that allows you to select between three different fuzz types.

UTILIZATION

The manual that Boss provides is wonderful. It's easy to understand what everything does and how everything works. It also gives you some example sentences to help you get some good sounds right away. The knobs are easily accessible, and it's small enough to fit on nearly any pedalboard. The pedal is FET bypassed, so it can be used as a buffer to help boost/preserve your signal, but it doesn't sound quite as good as true bypass. The housing is awesome and will withstand even the most extreme abuse out there. It's withstood the test of time, and there's a reason why they keep using it.

SOUND QUALITY

The fuzz tones are pretty decent, and it's meant to model the Fuzzface, FZ-1A and Octavia. All three of these fuzzes are pretty iconic in the fuzz world, and they've helped create a majority of the old school 60s/70s tones that were famous back in the day. However, I can't help but think neither of them sound quite as close to the real thing. I mean, they get you in the ballpark, but they don't seem to be able to recreate the complexity and organic-ness that the originals have. The good news is, if you've never played those pedals, you'll probably really like this as it's a fairly versatile fuzz pedal that can create all kinds of different sounds.

OVERALL OPINION

If you need something for a decent price that can get a good amount of famous fuzz tones, this could be what you're looking for. I find that it's a solid pedal, but it can't match the real things. They just have something special going on that can't be recreated with today's modeling technology, but they might be able to in the future.

Chalk this thing up in the WTF were they thinking category. This thing sounds as awful as you would expect it to sound. This pedal is basically the fuzz equivalent of a Boss DS-1. It is that bad! The worst thing about it is, the thing doesn't sound like a fuzz box of any sort.

When I think of fuzz distortion I think of a Electro Harmonics Big Muff or a Zvex Fuzz Factory or a Peppermint Fuzz from Analogman. I like some Boss distortions but this thing is beyond the pale. I had heard forks going across plates sounding better than this pedal.

UTILIZATION

FZ-5: Fuzz

* Vintage sounds inspired by famous fuzz pedals of the ’60s and ’70s
* Uses advanced COSM® technology to recreate classic fuzz
* BOOST control for more aggressive tone
* Road-tough BOSS metal construction

Nominal Input Level
-20 dBu
Input Impedance
1 M ohm
Nominal Output Level
-20 dBu
Output Impedance
1 k ohm
Recommended Load Impedance
10 k ohms or greater
Controls
Pedal switch, LEVEL knob, FUZZ knob, MODE knob
Indicator
CHECK indicator (Serves also as battery check indicator)
Connectors
INPUT jack, OUTPUT jack, AC adaptor jack (DC 9 V)
Power Supply
DC 9 V, Dry battery 6F22 (9 V) type (carbon), Dry battery 6LR61 (9 V) type (alkaline), AC Adaptor (PSA series: optional)
Current Draw
36 mA (DC 9 V)
Expected battery life under continuous use
Carbon: 3 hours, Alkaline: 10 hours * These figures will vary depending on the actual conditions of use.
Accessories
Owner's Manual, Leaflet, MODE sticker, Dry Battery
Options
AC Adaptor (PSA series)

SOUND QUALITY

The only thing that is remotely usable on this box is the octave setting. That setting sounds pretty decent, but the rest of it is garbage.

It doesn't matter what amp or guitar you use with this thing it sounds like trash. I like Boss products and I love they way they last forever under harsh gigging conditions. Even though this thing will last forever, it will give you a horrible tone for that long.

If you do some ambient crazy weird sounds like Radiohead that sound low-fi or AM radio quality, then this thing will do that for you. If you have to make a guitar tones sound horrible and low-fi then this would work for you. I could see it being used on some sort of weird Radiohead recording.

OVERALL OPINION

Unless you are going for a low-fi fuzz tone that sounds trashy and scratchy then I would go for a Big Muff any day of the week over this thing. At new they come in at around $90 which in my opinion is a complete waist of money. They claim that this thing is the sound of the 60's and 70's fuzz tones and quite honestly I am not sure what records they were listening to to get this tone, but I would never buy that album.

I wouldn't recommend this pedal to anyone. If I got it for free I would sell it for $30 on craigslist and call it a day. No amount of money is acceptable for this pedal.

(Originally written by Sebpoto/translated from Audiofanzine FR)
Digital fuzz pedal that simulates three legendary fuzzes. Standard Boss housing, input, output, 9-volt PSU or battery operation.

Controls:

-Level (to boost the signal if needed)

-Fuzz to adjust the distortion (at the center detent you've got the maximum distortion of the original fuzzes. Above that point you get a mega-fuzz);

-Mode selector to choose the fuzz model. F = Dallas Arbiter Fuzz Face; M = Maestro; O = Roger Mayer Octavia.

UTILIZATION

Ultra easy... Boss....

SOUND QUALITY

The COSM modeling technology reproduces the typical Hendrix sound (Face model), the very distorted mids of "Satisfaction" (Maestro model) or the original Hendrix solo sound (Octavia). It's amazing!

(Tip: the Octavia provides great results when the gain is set at the minimum and you play high notes.)

OVERALL OPINION

It's true that digital modeling won't ever have the same character as the analog devices but it's very authentic!

Everything has been said digital pedal (and therefore not editable) which models fuzz 3 years 60/70. Case Boss, basic connectivity, 9V.

UTILIZATION

The use of this pedal is very simple: a knob to choose between the three effects, and then the classic Gain and Volume. No need for a manual here.
Note the absence of tone, shame but I think a fuzz does not need this parameter, and then he did not fail me.

SOUND QUALITY

So here we have three fuzz.
The very first classic, a fat and dirty sound, proper sound quality but nothing exceptional. The Gain knob can go a pretty dirty to a very runny porridge boost, and that's exactly what we're looking for with a fuzz!
The second allows you to play Satisfaction, but nothing else! The fuzz is very special, and very little use.
The third faithfully reproduces the octavia used notably by Jimi Hendrix. For use with handle microphones and a small gain for replaying old songs or improvise.

I use only the first effect, and I do not use that coupled with an overdrive pedal. It is my opinion that in this use fuzz gets really interesting. With the gain at minimum, boost the signal and is a little dirty, very useful in all rock styles. With a higher gain, we get a very fat sound that can be used in many ways ...
In short, the sounds offered by the fuzz are correct, knowing that only the first effect is really interesting for me.

OVERALL OPINION

Used frequently for over 4 years, including several times on stage, she was never a problem for me.
This pedal can be interesting face fuzz quality which are much more expensive, but it all depends on what you intend to do. Personally, 100 € to boost an overdrive on certain songs or solos, it's a little expensive.
So quality / price ratio not too bad, but keep in mind that the three effects, two are reserved for exceptional use say.
I do not think the choice again: I may be leading to analog fuzz.