Vox VFZ-1 Fuzz Pedal
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Description
Few effects have defined the sound of electric guitar quite like fuzz. The VFZ-1 celebrates this legacy by revisiting one of the most influential fuzz circuits of all time: the classic two-transistor of the late 60s commonly known as the Mk 1.5, whose expressive breakup inspired a generation of players.
Classic Germanium character; Modern Silicon stability
Vintage fuzz boxes are beloved for their warm, harmonically rich distortion, but their Germanium transistors present familiar issues: temperature drift, inconsistent performance, and high noise. While Silicon solves these problems, it rarely recreates the musical sweetness of Germanium, until now.
After extensive analysis of prized vintage units, VOX engineers developed a Silicon-based design that retains the magic of those originals. Each of the two Silver Can BC108 transistors is biased at a precisely calculated operating point, allowing them to interact in the same musical, interdependent way as the best Mk 1.5 circuits.
The result is a fuzz that is aggressive yet refined, dynamic yet stable, combining timeless tone with modern reliability and exceptionally low noise.
The sound of classic fuzz and more
The VFZ-1's carefully biased first transistor offers unusually high input impedance for a vintage-style fuzz, preserving your guitar's natural harmonics and enabling full compatibility with buffered pedals and Wahs. This solves a major limitation of classic fuzz designs and makes the VFZ-1 dramatically more flexible on modern boards.
The second transistor shapes the fuzz's breakup character, recreating the smooth compression and rich overtone saturation reminiscent of an overdriven vintage valve amp. Together, the two stages deliver an expressive, musical fuzz with excellent cleanup and touch sensitivity.
Shape your fuzz. Shape your voice.
Once you've set the amount of fuzz via the main Fuzz control, the VFZ-1 offers expanded tonal tools designed for modern players:
- Bass Cut: Adjusts how much low end enters the gain stages. Perfect for humbuckers, neck pickups, or tightening up the fuzz for rhythm work.
- Tone Cut: Rolls off high frequencies at the output, great for smoothing harshness or dialing in the iconic "violin" tone.
- Crunch Switch: Instantly produces the classic low-gain overdrive tones that vintage fuzzes create when the guitar's volume is rolled back, without touching your guitar's controls.
Tradition, perfected
Inspired by the classic Mk 1.5 and early two-transistor fuzzes, the VFZ-1 captures their liquid sustain, mid-rich presence, and dynamic feel but with lower noise, rock-solid stability, and greater flexibility. It delivers the organic breakup that made early fuzz tones so captivating while solving the usability issues that limited original units.
Legendary fuzz within reach
Authentic Mk 1.5 fuzz tones have become rare, expensive, and inconsistent. The VFZ-1 brings that unmistakable character to today's players with modern enhancements that make it easier to integrate, easier to control, and far more reliable-without sacrificing the soul of the originals.
Features
• Vintage two-transistor fuzz design updated with modern stability• Silicon transistors voiced for authentic Germanium-like tone and response
• Precisely targeted biasing for an expanded sweet spot and natural cleanup
• Two premium Silver Can BC108 transistors
• Crunch Switch for lower-gain, volume-rolled-back overdrive tones
• Bass Cut and Tone Cut controls for wide-ranging tonal shaping
• High input impedance allows placement anywhere in your signal chain-even after Wah pedals or buffers
• Exceptionally low noise performance
• Compact, rugged, vintage-style enclosure
• Modern 9V pedalboard-friendly power compatibility
Q & A
Reviews
Protect your investment with the Long & McQuade Performance Warranty
A warranty can be a very important factor when making a buying decision. Because repairs can be very expensive in terms of parts and labour costs, manufacturers usually only provide one year limited warranties that generally only cover items that malfunction due to a manufacturer’s defect. With an important purchase such as a musical
instrument or piece of studio gear, however, many people want to have the peace of mind in knowing that their investment will be protected should the product no longer be performing at 100%.
Because of this, Long & McQuade provides our customers with a FREE one-year Performance Warranty on most of our products. The Long & McQuade Performance Warranty supplements the manufacturer’s warranty to ensure that our customers receive complete “no hassle” warranty coverage within their first year.
How does the Long & McQuade Performance Warranty differ from most manufacturers' warranties?
- Performance Guarantee: Normal wear and tear is covered, so your product will be performing as well as the day you purchased it for the entire duration of the coverage. Band and Orchestral Performance Warranty does not include replacing pads or cleaning for woodwind instruments, unless deemed necessary by our repair staff. Ultrasonic cleaning for brass instruments will be provided if deemed necessary by our repair staff, but is not routinely offered under the Performance Warranty.
- Product Replacement: If your product cannot be fixed or costs too much to fix, we will replace it with the equivalent model for no additional charge. If this is not possible, a full refund will be provided.
- No Lemon Policy: Your product will be replaced should the same problem occur multiple times.
- Convenient: Easy drop off and pick up of the product at any Long & McQuade location.
- Guitar Setup: Guitars purchased at Long & McQuade come with 1 free setup, to be redeemed within 1 year for new guitars and 90 days for used guitars.
- Loaners Available: A loaner product may be given while the product is being repaired.
- Power Surge Protection: Your product is covered even if damaged from a power surge.
- Accessory Coverage: Any peripheral devices or accessories that come with your product (i.e. foot pedal, case) are also covered.
- Commercial Use Coverage: Music and recording professionals who purchase gear for “heavy-use” commercial purposes will still be covered.
Long & McQuade reserves the right to restrict the purchase of additional years of Performance Warranty. Used products come with a 3-month Long & McQuade Performance Warranty. Some products (i.e. computers, software, cymbals and other items) are covered only by the manufacturer‘s warranty. Consumables (i.e. strings, reeds, drum sticks, batteries, tubes, cross faders) are excluded as they are designed to be replaced. Cosmetic Damage, Accidental Damage, or problems caused by Humidity or Temperature Issues are not covered. Speakers damaged by overpowering are generally not covered. Our coverage does not provide compensation for loss of use. As of June 2018 the Performance Warranty is no longer transferable. The warranty is only valid in Canada.
Purchasing additional years of coverage
Some manufacturers provide warranties for longer than 1 year; however, these are usually limited warranties that do not provide the same coverage as the Long & McQuade Performance Warranty. Customers interested in more complete and convenient (but not necessarily longer) coverage are still able to purchase additional years of the Performance Warranty.
If you are interested in receiving this coverage for longer than one year, you have the option of purchasing additional years of the Performance Warranty. The pricing is as follows:
- NEW products: Starting at 4% of the current new selling price to double the warranty from 1 year to 2 years. Starting at 4% for each additional year.
- USED products: Starting at 4% of the current new selling price to increase the warranty from 3 months to 1 year. Starting at 4% for each additional year.
- GUITARS: 4% of the current new selling price to double the warranty from 1 year to 2 years. 4% for each additional year. $45 maximum. An additional free setup is not included with additional purchased years of Performance Warranty.
- BAND and ORCHESTRAL instruments: 4% of the current new selling price to double the warranty from 1 year to 2 years. 4% for each additional year.
Reserve in Store
| Product | SKU | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| VFZ-1 Fuzz Pedal | 836604 |
