The Höfner Z is a wah and fuzz combination pedal made by Höfner in (Western) Germany in the 1970s. It puts both effects in a single housing, so a player could get a swept filter and a fuzz tone from one unit rather than two separate pedals. It belongs to the same family as other fuzz pedals of its era, with the wah function described in more detail on the wah-wah pedals page.1
What it does
The Z covers two effects at once: a wah-wah, which sweeps a filter across the guitar's frequencies with a rocking pedal, and a fuzz, which clips the signal for a thick, sustaining distortion. Combination pedals of this kind were common in the 1970s, but they often shortchanged one effect or the other1.
ToneHome, the independent Höfner reference site, argues the Z avoids that trap:
"Different to most of the wah/fuzz combinations I came across, which either did a good wah job or had an interesting fuzz"
In other words, where most units of this type do one effect well and treat the other as an afterthought, ToneHome found the Z offers both an outstanding wah and a decent fuzz.1
Availability today
The Z left production decades ago, and originals are hard to find. ToneHome describes them as "rare, highly sought after and rather expensive - but they are worth it", which is worth knowing before hunting one down: surviving examples change hands at prices well above ordinary vintage pedals.1
The Höfner Z is a 1970s pedal that is no longer made. Originals are rare and command high prices on the used market.1
Videos
Psych Up Melodies
Sources (1)
- TONEHOME, TONEHOME (tonehome.de)