The Collision Devices FZ is an analog gating fuzz pedal and the first release in the maker's new Sparks Series. Collision Devices sums it up in one line: "It fuzzes, it gates. Don't ask for more." The circuit is inspired by the Boss Tone and by the fuzz from the company's own Black Hole Symmetry pedal, and it is aimed at classical rock and grunge sounds, with noisy textures available when its settings are pushed to the extreme1.
Sound and circuit
The FZ is a fuzz in the gated style: it fuzzes and it gates, in the maker's words, rather than smoothing over the gaps between notes. Collision Devices says it is inspired by the Boss Tone and by the fuzz section of the Black Hole Symmetry, the company's earlier fuzz, reverb and delay pedal1. RockBoard's PedalPedia entry describes the range of sounds as classical rock or grunge, with noisy textures available when the settings are pushed, "as we love from years at Collision Devices"2.
For players comparing it within the maker's range, Collision Devices also offers the TARS and TARS DLX fuzzes and the compact Snack Fuzz, but the FZ is the gating design and the opening release of the Sparks Series1.
Ways to buy: assembled, kit or workshop
The FZ is unusual in being offered three ways, all from the maker1:
- Assembled and tested: the pedal built by Collision Devices, ready to play.
- DIY kit: a kit to build at home, with components and instructions included.
- Workshop: a session at Collision Devices' office to assemble your pedal with the company.
The DIY kit and workshop options mean the FZ can be a first soldering project or a guided build, depending on which version you choose. The assembled version arrives tested and ready to play1.
Power
The FZ runs on 9V DC with a center negative plug, the standard arrangement for pedalboard supplies. Its current draw is 75mA, which is higher than many compact analog pedals, so a supply output rated for that draw is worth having2.
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Questions
Is the Collision Devices FZ analog?
Yes. The FZ is an analog circuit, according to Collision Devices' listing on RockBoard's PedalPedia. It is a gating fuzz, meaning it combines fuzz distortion with a gated, choppy quality at extreme settings, and it is inspired by the Boss Tone and the fuzz section of Collision Devices' own Black Hole Symmetry pedal.
What power supply does the Collision Devices FZ need?
The FZ runs on 9V DC with a center negative plug, the standard pedalboard supply arrangement. Collision Devices' PedalPedia listing gives its current draw as 75mA, so a supply rated for at least that output is needed, and a low-current daisy chain output may not be enough.
What is a gating fuzz?
A gating fuzz is a fuzz design that stops the signal abruptly rather than letting it decay naturally, producing a choppy, gated, almost synth-like character between notes. Collision Devices describes the FZ simply: "It fuzzes, it gates. Don't ask for more." At extreme settings it produces noisy textures.
Can you build the Collision Devices FZ yourself?
Yes. Collision Devices offers the FZ in three ways: as a pedal assembled and tested by the company and ready to play, as a DIY kit to build at home with components and instructions, or as a workshop at the company's office where you assemble your own pedal with them.
What is the Sparks Series?
The Sparks Series is a new line of pedals from Collision Devices, and the FZ is its first release. The company announced the FZ as "the first pedal of our new « Sparks Series »" on its product page in October 2026.
Sources (2)
- FZ infos, Collision Devices
- FZ by Collision Devices, RockBoard PedalPedia, 2026
