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.