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Univox Super-Fuzz

{{Short description|Fuzzbox produced by the Univox company}}

{{For|the Italian film|Super Fuzz}}

{{more citations needed|date=May 2017}}

The Univox Super-Fuzz was a fuzzbox produced by the Univox company, primarily for use with the electric guitar or bass.

History

=Origin=

The circuit was designed in the late 1960s by the Japanese company Honey, in the form of a multi effect called the Honey Psychedelic Machine. Later on, Honey was taken on by Shin-ei, who produced the effect separately (who also produced another well known fuzz box, the Shin-ei Companion FY-2) and imported in the USA by Unicord. The first Super-Fuzzes were made in 1968, and production continued until the late 70s.{{cite book|last1=Hughes|first1=Tom|title=Analog Man's Guide to Vintage Effects|date=2004|publisher=For Musicians Only Publishing|location=USA|isbn=0-9759209-0-1|pages=117, 119|edition=First}}

=Design=

The first units were made in a simple stamped sheet metal box, painted grey, with a blue metal Univox sticker on the top. Around 1970 production was changed to a die-cast metal box, with a large pedal featuring a rubber cover that had the words "Super-Fuzz" embossed on it. The first die cast units were either grey or black, with a green or black foot pedal. Around 1973 or so, they were all produced with an orange pedal, with a green or blue foot pedal. The later models also featured an internal trim pot for controlling the octave balance.

=Alternative manufacturers=

Although the Univox units are the most well-known incarnation of this circuit, Shin-ei licensed this circuit out to dozens of manufacturers.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}}

Sound

This fuzz is an octave fuzz{{define|date=January 2019}} using two germanium diodes to produce square wave clipping.

The controls are 'Balance' (volume), 'Expander' (fuzz amount), a two position 'tone' switch, and an on/off footswitch on top.

There are two unique features of this device that set it apart from other distortion and fuzz pedals. The first is that the full-wave rectification of the circuit produces an upper octave as well as a slight lower octave. This also gives the sound a lot of compression and gives a mild ring modulator effect. The second unique feature is a tone switch that engages a 1 kHz filter that "scoops" the mids, giving a very fat, almost bassy tone, unique to this circuit.{{cite book|last1=Hughes|first1=Tom|title=Analog Man's Guide to Vintage Effects|date=2004|publisher=For Musicians Only Publishing|location=USA|isbn=0-9759209-0-1|page=25|edition=FIRST}}

Super-Fuzz users

Notable musicians who have used the Super-Fuzz include:

See also

References

{{Reflist}}

External links

  • [http://www.effectsdatabase.com/model/univox/superfuzz Effects Database page on the Super-Fuzz]
  • [https://www.coda-effects.com/2018/07/univox-superfuzz-from-70s-history-post.html Coda Effects post about the history of the Super Fuzz]

Category:Effects units