The FEA Labs Photon Fuzz is a fuzz pedal with an unusual trick inside: an active component in the circuit uses infrared light to control the fuzz distortion element1. That light is where the name comes from. On That Pedal Show, Dan put it plainly:
"it's called the photon first because it uses an infrared light then which is part of the circuit to create the fuzz"
The pedal also carries an octave distortion feature on its own footswitch, and No Treble described it at launch as a dual band distortion pedal, named after the infrared circuit component3. It was announced in March 2011 as the latest pedal in the FEA Labs lineup, available directly from the maker1.
How the infrared light shapes the fuzz
Most fuzz pedals get their character from clipping diodes or transistors. The Photon Fuzz instead puts an infrared light to work as part of the circuit: the light controls the fuzz distortion element, rather than sitting outside the signal path as an indicator1. The Photon Fuzz II, the later version, works the same way, using infrared light to control the fuzz distortion element in the circuit4.
Controls and switching
The original pedal keeps its control set simple. The Drive control sets the overall gain stage for the distorted signal, and two stomp switches handle everything else1:
| Control or switch | What it does |
|---|---|
| Drive | Sets the overall gain stage for the distorted signal1 |
| Activation footswitch | Stomp switch, true bypass when the pedal is not active1 |
| Octave footswitch | Stomp switch to activate the octave distortion feature1 |
The octave footswitch means you can stack the octave distortion on top of the fuzz with your foot, without touching a knob. On the Photon Fuzz II, that switch and its corresponding knob add a full-wave, post-fuzz rectifier distortion, and its Drive control adjusts the fuzz's depth and sustain4.
Size and price
The original Photon Fuzz was built to a small footprint design of 4.5" by 3.5", compact enough to sit easily on a pedalboard1. At launch it was available directly from FEA Labs for an introductory price of $1951, and No Treble reported the same $195.00 price3.
The Photon Fuzz II
FEA Labs later released the Photon Fuzz II, reviewed by Pedal of the Day in May 2018. It keeps the infrared light at the heart of the fuzz and adds the full-wave, post-fuzz rectifier Octave footswitch with its own knob, all inside a dark green enclosure4. The reviewer's verdict:
"This fuzz is extremely versatile, with options and tones specifically designed for BOTH guitar and bass, and makes each of them sound really phenomenal."
The pedal has found a home with bass players as well as guitarists. On That Pedal Show, the hosts noted that "this has been used by quite a number of bass players"2. In the same demo, Dan and Mick walked through the pedal and how the infrared light fits into the circuit.
Videos
Brett Kingman
Brett Kingman
bassfuzzcom
Questions
How does the infrared light work in the FEA Labs Photon Fuzz?
An active component in the circuit uses infrared light to control the fuzz distortion element. That infrared light is also where the pedal gets its name: on That Pedal Show, Dan explained it is called the Photon Fuzz because it uses an infrared light as part of the circuit to create the fuzz.
Is the FEA Labs Photon Fuzz true bypass?
Yes. The activation footswitch is a stomp switch with true bypass when the pedal is not active, so the signal passes through untouched when the fuzz is off.
What does the octave footswitch do on the Photon Fuzz?
The Photon Fuzz has a second stomp switch dedicated to the octave distortion feature, so you can add the octave on top of the fuzz without bending down. On the Photon Fuzz II, the Octave footswitch and its knob add a full-wave, post-fuzz rectifier distortion.
How much does the FEA Labs Photon Fuzz cost?
At launch in March 2011 the Photon Fuzz sold for an introductory price of $195, available directly from FEA Labs. No Treble reported the same $195.00 price at the time.
How big is the Photon Fuzz pedal?
The original Photon Fuzz has a small footprint of 4.5 by 3.5 inches, which keeps it compact on a pedalboard.
What does the Photon Fuzz II add?
The Photon Fuzz II keeps the infrared light controlling the fuzz and adds a full-wave, post-fuzz rectifier Octave footswitch with its own knob. Pedal of the Day found it extremely versatile, with options and tones designed for both guitar and bass.
Sources (4)
- FEA Labs Introduces the Photon Fuzz, Premier Guitar, 2011-03-29
- ZVEX Vibrophase, FEA Photon Fuzz, Fender Marine Layer, NRG Poker BC107, That Pedal Show (YouTube), 2018-11-13
- FEA Labs Releases Photon Fuzz Pedal, No Treble, 2011-03-29
- FEA Labs Photon Fuzz II Pedal, Pedal of the Day, 2018-05-16