Note: The Fuzz Factory, and Octane were recorded at quiet, home stereo volume levels. The perception of loud; intense sound pressure, is a quality of the effects. The Fuzz Factory produces a wide range of neat Fuzz Tones, no problem. Now, turn the "Dials of Madness", (cleverly disguised as volume, gate, drive, compression, and stability controls), and SLOWLY turn up your guitar volume. Ah...yes Igor, yes! I hear it too...IT'S ALIVE! There are a number of good tones you can dial in with the Fuzz Factory; perhaps even something semi-civilized. The one we bought came with a sheet of settings suggested by the maestro; we quickly lost ours! Think: dynamic, crazy, powerful, and fun; when the artist formerly known as Prince said, "there's a Lion in my pocket , and baby, he's ready to roar", he must have had an early Fuzz Factory prototype in his pants! Yes, it's true, and the Fuzz Factory is approved by, teachers and community leaders everywhere!
YO! An update: 1/30/99: Gentle visitor, the Fuzz Factory was the first effect recorded for Tonefrenzy, it first appeared on the site around March of '98. What we didn't know; last winter, would have scared a hungry Bulldog away from a meat truck: in terms of what we needed to learn, and how much work it would take to fashion something worth while. How does, thousands of hours grab you? The insanity of the Fuzz Factory evangelized enough players, to help establish Zachary as a major creative force in pedaldom. When recording this pedal, we didn't do a track of every sound it can produce. Be sure to listen to the Fuzz Factory "dance mix" sample below for an idea of the craziness contained within. It's easier to to send "Calcinator Death Rays" through your Amp; using this pedal, than to get bored with generic fuzz tones. Howling, self-modulating sirens, ripping sonic textures, tuned, and adjustable feedback, are delicately balanced by overly-gated blurts, and as damned fine a Geiger Counter effect as we've heard! Rest assured: in this maelstrom of modulation there are also several neat fuzz tones as well. (end of update 1/30/99)
A few of our visitors encountered a slight learning curve, in achieving deep, and unending ecstasy with the Fuzz Factory. Yet, BEHOLD: the Maestro has offered these comments re: his creation, enjoy:
"This is a five-knob fuzz using two new old-stock sixties germanium transistors. The circuit is not modeled after any classic fuzz design, but should have been around when Leary was still lucid. Although the five knobs are named for the parameters over which they seem to have the most
control, please don't hold me to it. They are controls for various operating levels and biases, and basically shape you a personalized fuzz.
VOLUME: Output level.
GATE: Squelches noise after end of sustain. TURN
TO RIGHT TO ELIMINATE SQUEALS, HISS AND BUZZ, STOPPING JUST AS THEY
DISAPPEAR, or use to tune in exact feedback pitch, if you're that
kind. Turning to left opens gate.
COMPRESS: Adds attack characteristic when turned
to left, which gets softer to right, and suddenly pinches tone when
all the way right. Also use to tune in fat feedbacky fuzz, if you're
that kind. Lower the Stability and see what happens to this control.
DRIVE: Increases distortion when used as a "normal"
fuzz, and adjusts feedback pitch and tonal thickness, if you're
that kind. This control becomes meaningless when Compress is all
the way right.
STABILITY: Use all the way right. Do not attempt
to adjust this control below 2:00, unless you like your fuzz soft
and squishy. Use to control feedback pitch. (Did I say that already?)
WARNING: Many "incorrect" settings on this pedal
squeal. This may annoy the faint-hearted. If you use the example
settings, you won't get hurt. I don't want to see anyone hurt. Unless
you're that kind. Don't forget to memorize or write down your favorite
settings.
GREENNESS: Yes, folks, like all Z. Vex pedals,
it's as low current as possible, extending battery life so long...
I have never changed the battery in the prototype (1 1/2 years).
'On' current is less than 3 mA...compare to the Tube Screamer (of
course an entirely different animal) at almost 40 mA. Another detail
entirely unique to Z. Vex effects is that the circuit card is machine
milled, rather than chemically etched, eliminating any pollutants
in that process.
ARTINESS: All Z. Vex pedals are hand painted and
each is unique. They are produced in small batches (about 10) with
changes in color combination and decoration details in every batch.
FAMOUS PEOPLE: David Sylvian, Robert Fripp, Semi
Sonic, David Torn, Lloyd Cole, Silverchair, and Todd Wolf (Sheryl
Crow) have all purchased the Fuzz Factory. Billy F. Gibbons bought
a dozen Fuzz Factories and gave some away as Christmas presents,
including one to his guitar tech Elwood Francis.
** EXAMPLE SETTINGS **: (These use "o'clock" notation, not Spinal Tap 1 to 11.)
Hi compression fuzz... Vol 10:00, Gate 3:00, Comp 9:00, Drive 5:00, Stab 5:00
Smooth fuzz... Vol 10:00, Gate 7:00, Comp 3:00,
Drive 5:00, Stab 5:00 (lower Stab is more mellow).
Velcro fuzz... Vol 10:00, Gate 7:00, Comp 5:00,
Drive 5:00, Stab 2:00 Cleanish hi octave intermodulation... Vol
10:00, Gate 2:00-3:00, Comp 7:00, Drive 7:00, Stab 5:00
Radio fuzz... Vol 10:00, Gate 7:00, Comp 10:00,
Drive 12:00, Stab: Lower from fully clockwise while playing open
'A' with left hand. Stop at most interesting tone.
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