The Area 51 Fuzz is a fuzz pedal from Area 51 Tube Audio Designs built around silicon transistors voiced to give a germanium-style tone. The maker describes it as a "Silicon fuzz with germanium tone," with its roots in the classic germanium fuzzes players know, but without the drawbacks that come with actual germanium parts: less noise, and a circuit that is not affected by temperature changes1.
Silicon transistors with a germanium-style tone
Germanium fuzzes are prized for a smooth, vintage character, but germanium transistors are known for noise and for shifting with temperature. The Area 51 Fuzz takes the other road: silicon transistors voiced to deliver what the maker calls "Smooth germanium character, without the issues associated with germanium transistors. Less noise - not affected by temperature changes"1. For a player, that means a fuzz in the classic germanium mold that should behave the same on a cold stage and a hot one, and stay quieter while doing it.
The maker sums up the design intent plainly:
"The Area 51 Fuzz has it's roots in the classic germanium fuzzes we all love"
Cleanup and the internal bias trimmer
Like the classic fuzzes it draws from, the pedal responds to the guitar. The maker says it "Cleans up just like a classic fuzz, by rolling your guitar volume back"1, so rolling the volume knob down on the guitar takes the fuzz from full roar toward a cleaner voice, and rolling it back up brings the fuzz in again.
Inside, there is one extra control: an internal bias trimmer, which the maker describes as offering "even more tonal options"1. Bias trims the operating point of the fuzz transistors, so a small screwdriver adjustment changes the texture and character of the fuzz itself. It is set inside the pedal rather than on the top panel, so it is a set-and-forget control rather than a performance knob.
Power, jacks and switching
The pedal runs on either a 9V battery or a pedal board power supply, and the maker says there is "no change in tone" between the two1. The input and output jacks are top quality Switchcraft, chassis mounted1, and switching is true bypass, which the maker says keeps your tone intact when the pedal is off1.
Price and test-drive policy
The maker listed the Area 51 Fuzz at $149.95 USD plus shipping as of 20151. It also offered what it calls a 48 hour test-drive: if you are not satisfied, you contact the maker within 48 hours of receiving the pedal and get a refund, minus shipping1.
Questions
Does the Area 51 Fuzz take a battery?
Yes. The maker says the pedal can be powered with a pedal board power supply or any type of 9V battery, with no change in tone between the two. That makes it easy to try on a board or run standalone with a battery.
Is the Area 51 Fuzz true bypass?
Yes. Area 51 Tube Audio Designs specifies true bypass switching, which the maker says keeps your tone intact when the pedal is off.
Does the Area 51 Fuzz clean up with the guitar volume knob?
Yes. The maker describes cleanup that works just like a classic fuzz: rolling your guitar volume back cleans the sound up, which is a familiar behavior for players who like to control fuzz from the guitar.
What does the internal bias trimmer do?
The pedal has an internal bias trimmer that the maker says offers even more tonal options. Bias sets the operating point of the fuzz transistors, so adjusting it changes the character of the fuzz.
How much does the Area 51 Fuzz cost?
The maker listed the Area 51 Fuzz at $149.95 USD plus shipping as of 2015.
Sources (1)
- Area 51 Fuzz, Area 51 Tube Audio Designs, 2015
