The Chemical Burn Fuzz from Animal Factory Amplification is a fuzz pedal built on the circuit of the classic Shin-Ei Super-Fuzz FY-6, which was produced from 1968 until the late 1970s1. It was the maker's first pedal, and it keeps the FY-6's signature octave fuzz character while adding its own control layout, including a blend of germanium and silicon clipping1.
Controls
Pedal of the Day's reviewer, Mike B, walked through the layout in his 2016 review1:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| 3-way toggle (Skin / Flesh / Bone) | Blends in the amount of octave present in the fuzz signal1 |
| Degree | The gain control, increasing or decreasing how much actual fuzz is introduced into your signal1 |
| Agony | Essentially the volume control, working in tandem with the Degree knob1 |
| pH | Tone shaping, fading from a scooped-mids mode when cranked counter-clockwise to a flatter, mid-boost response1 |
| Blister | Mixes the germanium and the silicon clipping, as well as fluctuating the volume output1 |
The toggle's three positions set how much of the FY-6's upper octave comes through1:
- Skin: the mode with the lowest octave amount1
- Flesh: mixes the octave in about halfway or so1
- Bone: the fullest amount possible, similar to the stock Shin-Ei FY-61
The octave content is a trait of the Super-Fuzz design, and it puts the Chemical Burn in territory adjacent to dedicated octave and pitch pedals, though here the octave is blended into the fuzz signal rather than added separately1.
The FY-6 connection
The Shin-Ei FY-6 the Chemical Burn draws on is a piece of history in its own right. Shin-ei's own page notes that the original "features a stainless steel bottom with 'Super Fuzz' printed on it as a tribute to the old days"3. Mike B's review also mentions that the pedal "made a long journey to us via India," a nod to the build origins he noted in passing1.
What reviewers said
Pedal of the Day's verdict was warm. Mike B wrote that the pedal "has the innards and homage that make it an excellently-modified version of an awesome vintage effects pedal. Not"1, going on to describe it as wicked loud and crazy-powerful overall1.
Guitar Pedal X's Stefan Karlsson, rounding up mini fuzz pedals in 2022, grouped the Chemical Burn with its sibling from the same maker, calling "Animal Factory's Killer Pair of Chemical Burn and Baron Samedi ... beautifully textural and visceral Fuzz Boxes"2.
The published figures for this pedal come from a 2016 review and a 2022 roundup. The 100mA current draw is high for a single fuzz, so a battery-free setup on a shared power output is worth planning around.
Videos
Animal Factory Amplification
Animal Factory Amplification
Pedal of the Day
Questions
What does the Skin, Flesh and Bone switch do on the Chemical Burn Fuzz?
It is a three-way toggle that blends how much octave is present in the fuzz signal. Skin is the mode with the lowest octave amount, Flesh mixes the octave in about halfway, and Bone gives the fullest amount possible, similar to the stock Shin-Ei FY-6.
What pedal is the Chemical Burn Fuzz based on?
It is based on the classic Shin-Ei Super-Fuzz FY-6, a pedal produced from 1968 until the late 1970s. The Chemical Burn keeps the FY-6's octave fuzz character but adds modern controls, including a blend of germanium and silicon clipping.
Is the Chemical Burn Fuzz true bypass?
Yes. Pedal of the Day's review lists the pedal as true bypass, running on 9V power at 100mA, and backed by a 3-year warranty.
How much current does the Chemical Burn Fuzz draw?
Pedal of the Day lists the current draw at 100mA at 9V. That is worth checking against a daisy-chain supply's spare capacity before sharing a power output with other pedals.
What does the pH knob do on the Chemical Burn Fuzz?
The pH knob handles tone shaping. It fades from a scooped-mids mode when cranked counter-clockwise to a flatter, mid-boost response, letting you move between a hollowed-out fuzz and a fuller, more forward voice.
What is the warranty on the Chemical Burn Fuzz?
The pedal carries a 3-year warranty, according to Pedal of the Day's review.
Sources (3)
- Animal Factory Amplification Chemical Burn Fuzz, Pedal of the Day, 2016-01-22
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2022-09-16
- Astron FY-6 Super Fuzz, Shin-ei (shin-ei.com)
