The Basic Audio Super Fuzz is an octave fuzz, a type of fuzz pedal that adds octave notes above or below the notes you play. Basic Audio describes it simply as an "Octave fuzz based on the Univox Super Fuzz"1. The original Univox Super Fuzz dates to 1968, and General Guitar Gadgets calls it "the 1968 octave fuzz behind Pete Townshend's Live at Leeds tone"2.
The circuit it comes from
The Univox Super-Fuzz is an octave fuzz that, in JHS Pedals' description, "turns any note or chord into a thick and searing texture," playing a high octave up alongside the distorted note3. Coda Effects' history of fuzz types describes the octave structure of the design: "There is a lower octave that is added to your tone and make it heavier, and an upper octave, quieter than on the Octavia" that becomes audible higher up the neck, around the 12th fret4. The Guitar FX Layouts community characterizes the original as a "very high gain distortion/fuzz hybrid with sick up octave overtones"5.
Controls
Basic Audio lists two switches on the Super Fuzz1:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Octave cut switch | Cuts the octave content from the fuzz |
| Half Gain cut switch | Cuts the gain, halving the fuzz intensity |
On the original Univox design, DIY builders note a 10k trimmer for controlling the octave fuzz amount5; the Basic Audio version puts its shaping on the two external switches instead.
Power and availability
Basic Audio states that "All pedals use a center negative 9v DC jack and have a battery snap"1, so the Super Fuzz runs on a standard 9V DC center negative supply or a battery. The page also notes that "Pedal colors are subject to change"1, so the enclosure finish varies between runs.
The Super Fuzz was listed as sold out on the Basic Audio store as of 26 October 20261. Basic Audio builds in small batches, so the pedal reappears when new runs are made.
Basic Audio also builds other fuzzes, including the Scarab Deluxe, Nonts, Face, Gnarly Fuzz and The Futureman.
Videos
Joe Perkins
gearmanndude
BOB BRADLEY
Questions
What is the Basic Audio Super Fuzz based on?
Basic Audio describes the Super Fuzz as an octave fuzz based on the Univox Super Fuzz, an octave fuzz circuit first released in 1968. The original design produces a high-gain distortion and fuzz hybrid with upper octave overtones, and it is associated with Pete Townshend's tone on Live at Leeds.
What does the Octave switch do on the Basic Audio Super Fuzz?
The Super Fuzz carries an Octave cut switch alongside a Half Gain cut switch. As cut switches, they let the player remove the octave content or reduce the gain from the circuit, shaping how much of the octave fuzz character comes through.
What polarity does the Basic Audio Super Fuzz use?
Basic Audio says all of its pedals use a center negative 9V DC jack and include a battery snap, so the Super Fuzz runs on standard center negative 9V DC power and can also run from a battery.
Is the Basic Audio Super Fuzz still in production?
As of October 2026, the Super Fuzz is listed as sold out on the Basic Audio product page. Basic Audio builds pedals in small runs, so availability changes over time.
Sources (5)
- Super Fuzz, Basic Audio
- Univox™ Super-Fuzz™ Clone Kit: Octave Fuzz with Tone Switch, generalguitargadgets.com, 2014-06-02
- SUPREME - JHS Pedals, JHS Pedals
- Coda Effects, Coda Effects, 2015-08
- Guitar FX Layouts: Unicord/Univox Super-Fuzz, Guitar FX Layouts (tagboardeffects.blogspot.com), 2013-12-21
