The Dunlop Fuzz Face Mini FFM2 Germanium is a fuzz pedal from Dunlop that puts the classic 1960s germanium Fuzz Face circuit into a small, pedalboard-friendly housing. Dunlop says it is based on '66-'68 era pre-silicon Fuzz Faces, built with vintage-correct slightly mismatched germanium transistors, and that the Fuzz Face Mini line delivers "legendary Fuzz Face tones in smaller, more pedalboard-friendly housings"12. Where the original Fuzz Face sat in a large round enclosure, the FFM2 measures 3 ½" in circumference, about half the size of a traditional model and, as Premier Guitar's reviewer put it, "a better fit for most pedalboards"3.
The pedal keeps the two-knob simplicity of the original but adds the things players expect from a modern mini pedal: a bright-blue status LED, an AC power jack and an easy-access battery door14. It comes finished in shiny red with black knobs2.
A mini germanium Fuzz Face
The Fuzz Face circuit itself is famously simple. Premier Guitar's reviewer noted that "The Fuzz Face circuit requires only about a dozen simple components," and that you can buy a great-sounding germanium-transistor Fuzz Face for around a hundred bucks3. The FFM2 is Dunlop's mini-format take on that circuit, using slightly mismatched germanium transistors, the same general approach as the 1960s originals472.
The FFM2 is one of three small-format Dunlop Fuzz Faces; the others are higher-gain models with silicon transistors3. The silicon models came first, followed by this germanium model, with vintage-correct slightly mismatched transistors2.
What germanium brings, according to reviewers, is a particular feel. Premier Guitar's reviewer wrote3:
"Germanium transistors often sound warmer and spongier, and they excel at transitioning smoothly between clean and fuzz timbres according to input level."3
That cleanup behavior, where rolling back the guitar's volume knob takes you from fuzz toward clean, is central to how many players use a Fuzz Face. JHS's write-up of the Mini line notes that "this pedal (and the silicon FFM1) clean up really nicely"2.
The controls
The control set is the same two knobs as the original Fuzz Face5.
Setup is straightforward: run a cable from your guitar to the FFM2's INPUT jack, and another cable from the OUTPUT jack to your amplifier5. Beyond the two knobs there is a footswitch for the effect, with the blue status LED showing whether it is on or bypassed14.
Power and connections
The FFM2 can be powered three ways: a 9-volt battery, a Dunlop ECB003 9-volt adapter, or Dunlop's DC Brick, Iso-Brick and Mini Iso-Brick power supplies, none of which are included1. The manual also lists the ECB003EU adapter as an option5. The battery door is on the outside of the housing, so changing a battery does not require opening the pedal up4.
Dunlop's power options for the FFM2 are its own adapters and power supplies. If you power it from something else, check that the supply matches what the pedal expects before plugging it in.
What reviewers said
MusicRadar's review, by Michael Astley-Brown, found the pedal "offers warm vintage fuzz via slightly mismatched germanium transistors" and praised the modern additions: "true bypass switching," "easy-access battery doors" and "bright-blue status LEDs"4. The review's overall verdict was that the pedal:
"Proves the versatility of the original Fuzz Face design while adding a few modern twists to the recipe."4
Premier Guitar's reviewer focused on the dynamic behavior, writing:
"The FFM2 triumphs on this front, offering as much dynamic range as any Fuzz Face I've played. You could literally leave it on for the entire gig, regulating your distortion solely from the guitar."3
Versions and related pedals
The FFM2 sits in a wider family of mini Fuzz Faces. The Dunlop Silicon Fuzz Face Mini covers the higher-gain silicon side of the line, and other mini variants include the Dunlop Band of Gypsys Fuzz Face Mini and the Dunlop Joe Bonamassa Fuzz Face Mini. For the full-size circuit, Dunlop also builds the Dunlop Dallas Arbiter Fuzz Face.
On price, figures vary by date. Dunlop's current product page lists the FFM2 at $159.996. Earlier figures include a $129 street price from Premier Guitar in 20213, £127 from MusicRadar in 20217, and $130 cited by JHS in 20262. The maker's current list price is the $159.99 figure.
Videos
Prymaxe
Franken Stomp
Pair of Pandas
Questions
Does the Dunlop Fuzz Face Mini FFM2 take a battery?
Yes. The FFM2 can be powered by a 9-volt battery, and the mini housing includes an easy-access battery door, so you do not need to unscrew the back plate to swap cells. It also accepts a Dunlop ECB003 9-volt adapter or Dunlop's DC Brick, Iso-Brick and Mini Iso-Brick power supplies, none of which are included with the pedal.
Is the Fuzz Face Mini FFM2 true bypass?
Dunlop's manual lists the bypass as True Hardwire, and MusicRadar's review describes the pedal as having true bypass switching. JHS notes that the FFM2, like the silicon FFM1, cleans up nicely when you roll back your guitar's volume, which is a separate behavior from the bypass switching itself.
How much does the Dunlop FFM2 cost?
Dunlop's product page lists the FFM2 at $159.99. Earlier published prices were lower: Premier Guitar gave a $129 street price in 2021, MusicRadar listed it at £127 in 2021, and a JHS article cited $130 in 2026. The current maker figure is $159.99.
What is the difference between the FFM2 and the silicon Fuzz Face Minis?
The FFM2 uses germanium transistors, while the other small-format Dunlop Fuzz Faces in the line are higher-gain models with silicon transistors. Premier Guitar notes germanium transistors often sound warmer and spongier and excel at smooth transitions between clean and fuzz tones depending on input level, which is the classic Fuzz Face cleanup behavior.
Which Fuzz Face era is the FFM2 based on?
Dunlop says the FFM2 Germanium Fuzz Face Mini is based on '66-'68 era pre-silicon Fuzz Faces, the germanium-transistor versions famous for warm vintage fuzz. MusicRadar and JHS both describe it as built around the classic 1960s germanium Fuzz Face circuit.
Sources (7)
- GERMANIUM FUZZ FACE® MINI DISTORTION, Dunlop (www.jimdunlop.com)
- MINI FUZZ FACES, JHS Pedals
- Dunlop Fuzz Face Mini Germanium FFM2 Review, Premier Guitar, 2013-08-25
- Dunlop Fuzz Face Mini FFM2 Germanium review, MusicRadar, 2013-07-08
- FFM2.pdf, Dunlop Manufacturing, Inc., 2019
- SILICON FUZZ FACE® MINI DISTORTION, Dunlop (jimdunlop.com)
- Stompbox icons: Fuzz Face, MusicRadar, 2021-11-01
