Fuzz

A fuzz guitar effect produces thick, saturated distortion by aggressively clipping the signal, creating a bold, buzzy tone with rich harmonics and strong sustain. Unlike overdrive or standard distortion, fuzz dramatically alters the waveform, often resulting in a raw, compressed sound that can range from smooth and woolly to sharp and splattery. Fuzz was one of the earliest guitar effects and remains a defining element of many classic and modern guitar tones.

Most fuzz pedals feature simple controls such as fuzz, volume, and tone, though some designs are highly interactive with a guitar’s volume knob and pickup selection. Rolling back the guitar volume can clean up the sound, while full volume delivers heavy saturation and sustain. Different fuzz circuits emphasize different frequency ranges and textures, making placement in the signal chain and pairing with amps especially important for achieving the desired character.

Fuzz effects are closely associated with genres like classic rock, psychedelic, garage, stoner, doom, and alternative music, where bold tone and expressive texture are central to the sound. They excel at thick riffs, sustaining leads, and experimental sound design. For guitarists looking to add raw energy, vintage character, or extreme saturation to their rig, fuzz remains one of the most distinctive and influential effects available.