The EarthQuaker Devices Colby Fuzz Sound is a fuzz pedal built as a collaboration between EarthQuaker Devices and Colby Amps. It recreates the original Park Fuzz Sound from the 60s, a pedal that was itself a branded version of a Tone Bender, and keeps that design's matched NOS germanium transistors. Compared with the 60s original, it adds extra gain and a wider tone control range, in a more practically sized pedal1.
What it does to your sound
MusicRadar's reviewer Trevor Curwen summed it up as "great-sounding late-60s fuzz that's surprisingly versatile in its range - thanks mainly to the tone control"1. The tone control works in both directions: to the right it adds low-end warmth for fat, sustaining vocal leads that hold their note indefinitely, while to the left it brings more of a buzzy, ripped-Velcro rasp1.
Curwen's recommended way to play it is with the fuzz control maxed and the amount of fuzz shaped from the guitar's volume knob: "We like it best with the fuzz maxed and controlled with the guitar volume knob. Classic."1
How it compares to the original and to EQD's other fuzzes
The Colby Fuzz Sound sits alongside EarthQuaker Devices' other takes on vintage British fuzz circuits. The Park Fuzz Sound was EQD's earlier version of the same 60s Park design, and the Barrows Fuzz Attacker is the company's germanium take on the MKII Tone Bender circuit. Players after a broader range of fuzz flavors in the same family can also look at the Hoof V2, the Erupter or the Tone Reaper.
What sets the Colby apart from the 60s original it follows is practicality: a smaller enclosure, more gain on tap, and a tone control with a wider usable range, while keeping the matched NOS germanium transistors that give the circuit its period character1.
What reviewers said
MusicRadar's verdict was strongly positive: "Vintage fuzz revamped to be splendidly versatile and slot right into a modern pedalboard."1
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Questions
Is the EarthQuaker Devices Colby Fuzz Sound true bypass?
Yes. MusicRadar's review lists the Colby Fuzz Sound as true bypass, so when the pedal is off, your guitar's signal passes through without the fuzz circuit loading it. It runs on standard nine-volt power.
What transistors does the Colby Fuzz Sound use?
The Colby Fuzz Sound uses matched NOS (new old stock) germanium transistors, carried over from the original 60s Park Fuzz Sound design it is based on. Germanium is the transistor type behind the classic late-60s fuzz character.
What is the Colby Fuzz Sound based on?
It is based on the original Park Fuzz Sound from the 60s, which MusicRadar notes was a branded version of a Tone Bender. EarthQuaker Devices developed it in collaboration with Colby Amps.
How does the Colby Fuzz Sound differ from the original Park Fuzz Sound?
It takes the original design, complete with matched NOS germanium transistors, and packages it in a more practically sized pedal with extra gain and a wider tone control range than the 60s unit had.
What does the tone control do on the Colby Fuzz Sound?
According to MusicRadar's review, turned to the right the tone control adds low-end warmth for fat, sustaining vocal leads, while to the left it offers more of a buzzy, ripped-Velcro rasp. That wide range is what makes the pedal versatile.
Sources (1)
- Earthquaker Devices Colby Fuzz Sound review, MusicRadar, 2016-03-15
