The Creepy Fingers Effects Fuzz Nugget is a fuzz pedal built on the Maestro Fuzz Tone FZ-1A circuit, the design behind the classic 1960s fuzz sound. Pedal of the Day describes it as "a tasty little morsel of fuzz wrapped in a big old gold box," and its reviewer heard it as "Heavy but clear, bold but not overpowering, loud but not deafening," a classic 60's sound1.
From the Maestro FZ-1A to the Fuzz Nugget
Pedal of the Day explains that "The Fuzz Nugget began its life as a straight up one-to-one Clone (of the Universe) of the Maestro Fz-1a, using all germanium transistors and running on an actual AA battery." The current version keeps the lineage but revises the design: "The transistors have been changed to NOS Silicon (providing temperature stability) and re-biased, for a more sustain"1. Silicon transistors are less touchy about temperature than germanium, which matters on a hot stage or a cold basement.
The circuit still runs its fuzz section on a 1.5V supply like the original, so, per Pedal of the Day, "you still get that squishy, saggy feel," the softened, compressed response that starving a fuzz for voltage produces1.
Controls
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Attack/Fuzz | Goes from a low gain sound to full on fuzz, with a better range than before1 |
| Bottom | Tone control giving either the thin buzz of the original or lots of lows1 |
The Bottom control is the main addition over the FZ-1A: it lets you choose between the original's thin buzz and a much fuller low end, which is also what makes the pedal usable on bass1.
Power and practicalities
The current version accepts 9V power and adds an LED indicator and a battery eliminator jack, so it fits a standard pedalboard supply setup1.
The fuzz section itself still runs on a 1.5V internal supply, like the original Maestro design. That low internal voltage is deliberate: it is what produces the squishy, saggy feel Pedal of the Day describes1.
What reviewers said
Pedal of the Day's 2019 review found the Fuzz Nugget "will be a welcome asset to any guitar OR bass rig, believe it," and reported no bad settings found on the pedal1. For a sense of the underlying circuit, Guitar FX Layouts, reviewing the Maestro FZ-1A design itself, found "it's so dynamic and responsive, you can have a lot of fun with pick attack or fingerpicking etc"2.
Videos
Pedal of the Day
fuzzz
Messy Marvin
Questions
What is the Creepy Fingers Fuzz Nugget based on?
The Fuzz Nugget began as a one-to-one clone of the Maestro FZ-1A, the 1960s fuzz circuit. The current version revises that design: the transistors were changed to NOS silicon units that are re-biased for temperature stability, an Attack/Fuzz control with a wider range was added, and a Bottom tone control lets you dial between the thin buzz of the original and a much fuller low end.
Who designed the Creepy Fingers Fuzz Nugget?
Brad Davis, a bass player, is the designer behind the Fuzz Nugget and the mastermind behind Creepy Fingers Effects, the company that builds it.
Does the Fuzz Nugget use germanium or silicon transistors?
The original version used all germanium transistors and ran on an actual AA battery. The current version uses NOS silicon transistors, re-biased, which provide temperature stability and, per Pedal of the Day, more sustain.
Does the Fuzz Nugget run on a battery?
The original germanium version ran on an actual AA battery. The current version accepts a 9V supply and includes a battery eliminator jack, so it can be run from a standard pedalboard power supply rather than a battery.
Does the Fuzz Nugget work with bass?
Pedal of the Day's reviewer found it works in both guitar and bass rigs, saying it will be a welcome asset to either, and reported no bad settings found on the pedal.
Sources (2)
- Creepy Fingers Effects Fuzz Nugget, Pedal of the Day, 2019-11-23
- Guitar FX Layouts: Maestro Fuzz Tone FZ-1A, Guitar FX Layouts (tagboardeffects.blogspot.com), 2015-09-12
