The Guyatone TZ-2 The Fuzz is a compact analog fuzz pedal described by RockBoard's PedalPedia as a retro-style effect based on the vintage Univox Superfuzz. Its circuit contains a diode ring, a section used to add upper octave tones to the input signal, so the pedal combines a rude, sawtooth-wave fuzz with octave harmonics on top. RockBoard's PedalPedia describes its low end as whopping, enough that the pedal suits bass as well as guitar1.
Circuit: a Superfuzz derivative with a diode ring
The TZ-2's design leans on two ideas. The first is the Univox Superfuzz, the vintage fuzz the pedal is based on. The Superfuzz lineage shows up elsewhere too: Aion FX, describing its own Hypercube Fuzz Distortion project, calls its FZ-2 fuzz stage a near-exact replica of the Univox Superfuzz and notes it has two tone modes similar to the FZ-2's filters21.
The second idea is the diode ring. RockBoard's PedalPedia explains that diode rings are used to add upper octave tones to an input signal, pointing to the Dan Armstrong Green Ringer and Tychobrahe Octavia as the pedals associated with this octave generation method. In the TZ-2 that octave content sits inside a fuzz circuit rather than standing alone, which is what separates it from a dedicated octave pedal1.
Sound and bass use
Guyatone's description, via RockBoard, is that the TZ-2 produces a sawtooth waveform that yields a much ruder and cruder tone with a whopping low-end. That low-end is why RockBoard's PedalPedia calls it perfect for use with bass as well as guitar1.
A Vintage Guitar review of the related Rick Gram Franken Tone TZ-2 Fuzz Box, from January 2000, gives a player's view of the design on bass3:
"You can get some great Geezer Butler-type distortion sounds with the Franken Fuzz"
Controls and power
The Rick Gram Franken Tone TZ-2 Fuzz Box reviewed by Vintage Guitar carries Level and Fuzz controls, in and out jacks, LED indicators, a virtual bypass on/off stomp switch, and operates with a 9-volt battery or an optional AC adapter3. The Guyatone TZ-2 itself runs on 9V DC, center negative, and draws 6mA according to RockBoard's PedalPedia1.
The Vintage Guitar review covers the Rick Gram Franken Tone TZ-2 Fuzz Box, a related pedal, not the Guyatone TZ-2 directly. Its control layout and battery operation are reported for that unit3.
Videos
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Questions
What pedal is the Guyatone TZ-2 based on?
RockBoard's PedalPedia describes the TZ-2 as a retro-style fuzz effect based on the vintage Univox Superfuzz. The Superfuzz connection runs deeper than looks: the TZ-2's circuit carries that design's character, and related builds such as the Aion FX Hypercube describe their fuzz stage as a near-exact replica of the Univox Superfuzz, with two tone modes similar to its filters.
Does the Guyatone TZ-2 work with bass?
Yes. According to RockBoard's PedalPedia, the TZ-2 produces a sawtooth waveform with a whopping low-end that makes it perfect for use with bass as well as guitar. A Vintage Guitar review of the related Rick Gram Franken Tone TZ-2 Fuzz Box noted that players can get great Geezer Butler-type distortion sounds with the Franken Fuzz on bass.
Is the Guyatone TZ-2 analog or digital?
The TZ-2 is an analog pedal. RockBoard's PedalPedia describes it as an analog fuzz that is small enough to fit in a shirt pocket, so it needs no digital conversion and sits comfortably on a pedalboard or in a gig bag.
What power supply does the Guyatone TZ-2 need?
The TZ-2 runs on 9V DC with a center negative plug and draws 6mA, according to RockBoard's PedalPedia. The related Rick Gram Franken Tone TZ-2 Fuzz Box reviewed by Vintage Guitar operates with a 9-volt battery or an optional AC adapter. Its low current draw means almost any standard pedalboard supply can run it.
What is a diode ring in a fuzz pedal?
A diode ring is a circuit section used to add upper octave tones to an input signal. RockBoard's PedalPedia points to the Dan Armstrong Green Ringer and Tychobrahe Octavia as pedals associated with this octave generation method. In the TZ-2, the diode ring sits in a fuzz circuit, so the upper octave harmonics mix with the distorted low end.
Sources (3)
- TZ-2 The Fuzz by Guyatone, RockBoard PedalPedia, 2026
- Hypercube Fuzz Distortion / BOSS® FZ-2 Hyper Fuzz, Aion FX, 2021-05-28
- Rick Gram Tone Zone Pedals, Vintage Guitar magazine, 2002-01-15
