The Empress Effects Fuzz is a compact fuzz pedal from Canadian maker Empress Effects, released around October 2011 as one of the company's three "Singles" pedals1. Empress describes it as a "classic sounding fuzz" that offers "smooth, rich sustain with great note definition," with a tighter low end that suits full chords as well as sustaining single notes2. The signal path is all analog, and the circuit leans toward the Fuzz Face design, significantly evolved with a three-transistor silicon build and various clipping diodes21.
For practical purposes the pedal is discontinued: Empress is selling off its remaining stock of the Singles series1. It was listed at $99 as of December 2022, down from an initial price of around $1991.
Controls: gain, two-band EQ and output
The Fuzz keeps its control set simple: four knobs covering Treble, Bass, Gain and Output1. Empress describes the EQ section as hi shelf and low shelf EQs that let you tweak your sound, so the two bands are shelving filters rather than a mid parametric2.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Gain | Sets the amount of fuzz2 |
| Bass | Low shelf EQ, cuts or boosts the low end2 |
| Treble | Hi shelf EQ, cuts or boosts the top end2 |
| Output | Sets the overall level2 |
Guitar Pedal X's review highlights the pairing of the gain range with what it calls a "smart 2-Band Active EQ," and notes the pedal has Fuzz Face style guitar volume cleanup, so rolling back your guitar's volume knob clears the fuzz in the classic way1.
Circuit and where it came from
The Fuzz is one of Empress's Singles pedals, a line of compact effects that launched at around $199 each and later sold for $9921. Its circuit leans mostly towards the Fuzz Face, though it is significantly evolved from that, using a 3-transistor silicon design with 3 x 1R K silicon transistors and various clipping diodes1. Like the other Singles, it comes in a compact 1590B size enclosure with side-mounted jacks1.
According to Guitar Pedal X, the Fuzz circuit leans mostly toward the Fuzz Face, but is significantly evolved from it, using a three-transistor silicon design with 3 x 1R K silicon transistors and various clipping diodes1. The enclosure is a compact 1590B size with side-mounted jacks1.
What reviewers said
Guitar Pedal X's Stefan Karlsson reviewed the Singles series in December 2022 and was positive about the Fuzz, calling it "hugely under-the-radar and underrated" and praising it as "supremely versatile and granularly controllable overall"1.
"The Empress Fuzz is a hugely under-the-radar and underrated Fuzz"
Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Signal path | All analog2 |
| Bypass | True bypass2 |
| Input impedance | 300k2 |
| Output impedance | 50k2 |
| Frequency response (-3dB) | 20Hz to 20kHz2 |
| Power input | 9V DC, negative tip2 |
| Power connector | 2.1mm barrel, negative tip2 |
| Power consumption | ~30mA2 |
| Enclosure | Die cast aluminum2 |
| Dimensions | 4.5" L x 2.5" W x 1.5" H (2" with controls)2 |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs2 |
The Fuzz runs on 9V DC only, through a 2.1mm barrel connector, so there is no battery option. At around 30mA it is easy on a pedalboard power supply.
On bass
Empress says the pedal "works great on bass"2, and the maker's description of a tighter low end with good note definition applies to low-tuned instruments as much as guitar. Bass players comparing fuzzes can read more on the bass pedals page.
Questions
Is the Empress Fuzz discontinued?
Yes, for practical purposes. Empress Effects is selling off remaining stock of the Singles series, which includes the Fuzz, and the line is treated as discontinued. The Fuzz was released around October 2011 at roughly $199 and was listed at $99 as of late 2022.
Does the Empress Fuzz work on bass?
Empress Effects says it works great on bass. The maker also describes a tighter low end that makes it suitable for full chords as well as sustaining single notes, which is relevant for bass players who want note definition to survive high gain.
Does the Empress Fuzz clean up with the guitar volume knob?
Yes. Guitar Pedal X's review describes it as having Fuzz Face style guitar volume cleanup, meaning rolling back the volume on your guitar clears the fuzz the way classic Fuzz Face circuits do, alongside its two-band active EQ.
Is the Empress Fuzz true bypass?
Yes. Empress Effects states that the Fuzz employs true bypass, so the pedal does not affect your signal when it is disengaged.
How much current does the Empress Fuzz draw?
Around 30mA, according to Empress Effects. It runs on 9V DC with a negative tip, through a 2.1mm barrel connector, so it fits standard pedalboard power supplies.
Sources (2)
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2022-12-14
- Fuzz - Empress Effects Inc., Empress Effects Inc.