The Foxpedal Defector is a fuzz pedal with a built-in clean boost, made by Foxpedal, a boutique manufacturer based in Richland, Washington1. Premier Guitar describes it as "a modern take on the Russian-built version of the Electro-Harmonix Big Muff", built around a four-stage transistor fuzz circuit with a gritty boost stage in front of it2. The pedal was first unveiled in 20163, and as of a May 2021 roundup of the Foxpedal range it was still part of the current lineup4.
What it does to your sound
Premier Guitar's reviewer found the fuzz "beefy and rich, with plenty of low end, especially in the LED mode", and fat and saturated when cranked, without fizziness2. Delicious Audio's Paolo De Gregorio, writing when the pedal launched, summed up the value question this way:
"A higher price point ($199) is offset by offering great sounds and outstanding build quality."
The boost stage is a large part of the pedal's character. The Pre knob controls a clean boost that feeds into the fuzz and can push it into total saturation, but it can also be engaged independently21. At unity gain, around 9 o'clock on the dial, it works as a fairly gritty boost; cranked all the way, Premier Guitar's reviewer found "a medium-gain, classic-rock vibe"1.
The controls: Level, Tone, Fuzz, Pre and Mid
The Defector keeps the standard three-knob fuzz layout of Level, Tone and Fuzz, then adds Pre and Mid on top1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Level | Output level of the fuzz1 |
| Tone | Fuzz tone shaping1 |
| Fuzz | Amount of fuzz1 |
| Pre | Clean boost feeding the fuzz; usable independently; unity gain at about 9 o'clock21 |
| Mid | Shapes the contour of the EQ curve, directly affecting the Tone control; counterclockwise adds a mid hump, the other direction gives the classic scooped Muff sound21 |
A three-position clipping toggle selects the fuzz flavor: silicon-diode clipping, which Premier Guitar calls the classic Muff sound, no clipping, and LED clipping2. Delicious Audio describes the range as running "from the openness of LEDs to the more familiar sound of transistors", and notes that a totally gnarly fuzz comes from taking the clipping away altogether1. Inside, an internal trim pot adjusts the signal saturation for even more fuzz1.
The Mid control is what separates the Defector from a stock three-knob Muff layout: it reshapes the EQ curve the Tone knob works on, so the same Tone setting can sit anywhere from a mid-forward voice to the traditional scooped sound12.
How reviewers scored it
Premier Guitar's pros and cons list was short: "Pros: Creative tone controls. Very handy boost. Plenty of gain. Cons: None."2
Videos
Premier Guitar
Mike Hermans
Eirik Stordrange
Questions
What is the Foxpedal Defector based on?
Premier Guitar describes the Defector as a modern take on the Russian-built version of the Electro-Harmonix Big Muff. It uses a four-stage transistor fuzz circuit, and adds a clean boost stage, a three-position clipping toggle and a Mid control that reshapes the EQ curve compared with the standard three-knob Muff layout.
What does the clipping toggle do on the Defector?
The toggle moves through three fuzz flavors: silicon-diode clipping, which Premier Guitar calls the classic Muff sound, no clipping at all, and LED clipping. Delicious Audio describes the range as running from the openness of LEDs to the more familiar sound of transistors, with a totally gnarly fuzz available when the clipping is taken away entirely.
Can the Defector's boost be used on its own?
Yes. The Pre knob controls a clean boost that feeds into the fuzz section, but Premier Guitar notes it can also be engaged independently. At unity gain, around 9 o'clock on the dial, it works as a fairly gritty boost, and cranked all the way it yields what the reviewer called a medium-gain, classic-rock vibe.
Is the Foxpedal Defector still in production?
As of a May 2021 Guitar Pedal X roundup of the Foxpedal range, the Defector was described as still part of the current range. The pedal was first unveiled in 2016.
How much does the Foxpedal Defector cost in the US?
Premier Guitar listed a US street price of $199 in its June 2023 review, the same $199 price Delicious Audio noted when the pedal was introduced in 2016.
What does the Mid knob do on the Defector?
The Mid control shapes the contour of the EQ curve and directly affects the Tone control. Dialed counterclockwise it adds a mid hump, while turning it the other way gives the classic scooped Muff sound, letting the player move between a more forward voice and the traditional hollowed-out fuzz.
Sources (4)
- New Pedals: Foxpedal Defector Fuzz, Delicious Audio, 2016-12-12
- Quick Hit: Foxpedal Defector Fuzz Review, Premier Guitar, 2017-01-27
- Foxpedal Unveils Three Updated V2 Pedals: Magnifica, Refinery And Wrath, Delicious Audio, 2017-03-22
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2021-05-03
