The Frantone Peachfuzz is a fuzz pedal first released in 1997 by Frantone, a boutique builder known for hand-made pedals, with the Peachfuzz its best-known design12. Frantone describes it as "a screaming cranked-to-ten amp-in-a-box, smooth singing fuzztone, and overdrive distortion all in one," so it reaches into overdrive territory as well as straight fuzz3. The pedal is currently listed as back in production: "It is a legendary design, and it is back!"3
What it does to your sound
The Peachfuzz sits in the fuzz camp but is voiced to cover gain stages a player would normally reach for an overdrive or distortion pedal to get. Frantone calls it a fuzztone outright, and the maker's pitch of amp-in-a-box, fuzztone and overdrive in one box is the core of the design3. Vintage Guitar's August 2002 review found the fuzz side of the pedal in familiar company: "The fuzz tone has that high-end sparkle, like a Dallas Arbiter Fuzz Face, which worked well for soloing"4.
The reviewer also had good things to say about the pedal's tone shaping4:
"The tone control was voiced very well with a sweet sound that isn't harsh or irritating."
Controls and versions
The Peachfuzz has come in two-knob and three-knob versions. In the two-knob layout, the Fuzz knob controls the amount of overdrive4. The current three-knob version adds a tone control on top: Frantone says it "has been hot-rodded with super quiet circuitry and the addition of a rockin' tone control," and that it carries "50% more gain than the original 2-knob model"3.
| Version | Controls | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Original 2-knob | Fuzz (controls the amount of overdrive) plus a second knob | The baseline design from 19974 |
| Current 3-knob | Fuzz, tone, and a third control | 50% more gain than the original 2-knob model, super quiet circuitry, added tone control3 |
The Custom Shop finishes
Frantone's Custom Shop builds Peachfuzz units in a range of one-off finishes and LED colors, each built by Fran5:
- Southwest: fiesta color changing LED, white Bakelite knobs, white graphics, gloss turquoise finish5
- Citrus: orange LED, red Bakelite knobs, orange graphics, gloss lemon yellow finish5
- iFuzz: crystal white LED, white Bakelite knobs, gray graphics, gloss white finish5
- Autumn: pumpkin graphics and pastel red leaf finish5
- Rainforest: special teal LED, Vintage 1950's green Bakelite knobs, mint green graphics, pastel apple finish5
History
The Peachfuzz dates back to 1997, when Frantone first released it1. The pedal later went out of production, and Frantone has now brought it back as a new release, announcing the return with the words "It is a legendary design, and it is back!"3. The re-issued pedal keeps the hardware players remember: a tough cast aluminum case with a peach baked enamel finish3. MusicRadar's listing gives the price as $1952.
The Peachfuzz's return has been framed by its standing among players. Frantone itself calls it "a legendary design" in announcing that it is back in production3. The pedal first appeared in 19971, and its re-issue keeps the original's tough cast aluminum case with a peach baked enamel finish3, housed at 41/2″ x 31/2″ x 11/2″4.
Relation to The Sweet
The Peachfuzz's physical design is part of its identity. Vintage Guitar's review describes the pedal as housed in a 41/2″ x 31/2″ x 11/2″ cast-aluminum case4, and Frantone specifies a tough cast aluminum case with a peach baked enamel finish3. The listing price is $1954.
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Questions
Is the Frantone Peachfuzz true bypass?
Yes. Frantone's product page lists true bypass switching, and Vintage Guitar's 2002 review described a vintage-style stomp switch with true bypass. Frantone also states that all new Frantone effects come with full signal bypass and a status light, so the pedal is out of the signal path when switched off.
How is the Peachfuzz different from the Frantone Sweet?
Vintage Guitar's reviewer noted that the Peachfuzz bears a strong physical and functional resemblance to The Sweet, which the magazine tested in December 2001. The Peachfuzz is a fuzztone with an overdrive character, while The Sweet is a germanium-transistor fuzz. The Peachfuzz's tone control was described as voiced very well, with a sweet sound that isn't harsh or irritating.
Does the Peachfuzz run on a battery?
Vintage Guitar's 2002 review says the unit runs on a 9-volt battery, accessed via the back panel and its four screws. The review does not mention an external power option, so battery power is the documented supply for the version reviewed.
Where is the Frantone Peachfuzz made?
In the USA. Frantone's product page says each Peachfuzz is completely hand made in Philadelphia with love by Fran, and that each fuzztone is hand-made in the USA by Frantone. At the time of the 2002 review, the company was listed as Frantone Electronics in Brooklyn, New York.
What happened to Frantone Pedals?
Frantone folded or went into hiatus around 2009. In 2016, Blanche Frantone launched a Kickstarter campaign to re-issue the Cream Puff and restart the company, and an earlier Kickstarter for the Peachfuzz sold out in 12 days in January 2016. The Peachfuzz is currently listed as back in production on Frantone's product page.
Sources (5)
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2025-12-09
- Frantone announces return of Cream Puff guitar effects pedal, MusicRadar, 2016-04-19
- Peachfuzz, Frantone Electronics, 2026
- Frantone Peachfuzz, Vintage Guitar magazine, 2004-10-28
- Fran's Custom Shop, Frantone Electronics, 2026
