The Hudson Electronics Buzzard is a fuzz pedal built around two new old stock germanium transistors, each voicing a different sound: the first a dark and thick boost, the second a super bright and buzzy full-on fuzz. A single Buzz knob blends the two together, and Hudson says the result can cover classic Fuzzrite-style tones, 60s bite, pseudo octave effects, fuzzy filtered wah-like sounds and dense, chewy distortion1. It belongs to the wider family of fuzz pedals, and it was a limited edition: only 30 pieces were made worldwide2.
Two germanium fuzzes in one pedal
The Buzzard's core idea is that its two germanium transistors are not a matched pair working as one gain stage but two separate voices. Hudson describes the first as "a dark and thick boost" and the second as "a super bright and buzzy full-on fuzz"1. The Buzz control blends between them, so the pedal runs from mellow, thick textures to sharp, splitty fuzz depending on where the knob sits.
Hudson's own description of the range is broad: "The Buzzard takes you on a fuzzy flight from wasp-like buzzes to thick and greasy fuzzes," and the maker says it "can create classic Fuzzrite, 60s bite; pseudo octave effects; fuzzy filtered wah like sounds; dense, chewy distortion"1. For a player, that means one knob covers a lot of ground, with the Contour and Volume controls shaping the result.
Controls
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Buzz | Blends the two transistor sounds together1 |
| Contour | Sculpts both high and mid-range content of the tone1 |
| Volume | Output level1 |
Pedal of the Day's reviewer described the Buzz knob in practice: "they are controlled by the Buzz knob, which actually blends the 2 signals together," with one signal a dark, thick, meaty fuzz and the other a bright, buzzy fuzz, dialed back for mellower fuzz and at maximum for a buzzsaw fuzz2. The same review also describes the control as a low pass filter affecting only the second fuzz sound; the two accounts differ, and both come from the same review.
There is no clean boost on the Buzzard. Pedal of the Day's reviewer noted that "the fuzz is always on, too, no clean boost to be found"2. The dark, thick first transistor stage is part of the fuzz blend, not a separate boost.
The Buzzard Fuzz limited edition
The Buzzard is a hand wired fuzz from Hudson Electronics, and it is a limited edition: the maker's own material describes it as "limited to only 30 pieces worldwide"2. Hudson describes its range of sounds as taking you "on a fuzzy flight from wasp-like buzzes to thick and greasy fuzzes," from classic Fuzzrite-style tones and 60s bite to pseudo octave effects, fuzzy filtered wah-like sounds and dense, chewy distortion1.
Pedal of the Day reviewed the Buzzard Fuzz limited edition that November, noting it was "limited to only 30 pieces worldwide"2. The reviewer's verdict was strong: "this is one of the most unique and exciting pedals I've played yet," with a wide range of fuzz tones and no bad sounds overall2. The enclosure drew comment too, an off-kilter blue triangle shape that the reviewer called "a nice change from the normal, boring rectangle pedals"2.
The Buzzard is discontinued. Hudson Electronics' product page for it is now archived, so the pedal is no longer available from the maker1. Players looking at Hudson's current and recent fuzz designs may come across the Hudson Electronics FUZZ, a later model in the line.
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Questions
What transistors does the Hudson Electronics Buzzard use?
The Buzzard uses two new old stock germanium transistors at its core. Hudson Electronics describes the first as a dark and thick boost and the second as a super bright and buzzy full-on fuzz. Pedal of the Day's reviewer noted that the transistors are hand selected, which matters with germanium parts because their gain varies from unit to unit.
What does the Buzz control do on the Hudson Buzzard?
According to Hudson Electronics, the Buzz control blends the two transistor sounds together, from the dark, thick boost side to the bright, buzzy fuzz side. Pedal of the Day's reviewer described dialing it back for a mellower fuzz and running it at maximum for a buzzsaw fuzz. The same review also describes it as a low pass filter affecting the second fuzz sound, so the two accounts differ.
Is the Hudson Electronics Buzzard still available?
No. Hudson Electronics' own product page for the Buzzard is now archived, meaning the pedal is no longer available from the maker. It was always a limited run, and when it was announced in 2014 only 10 of each of the three new Hudson pedals were available to the USA market through authorized dealers.
How many Hudson Buzzard Fuzz pedals were made?
The Buzzard Fuzz limited edition was limited to only 30 pieces worldwide, according to Pedal of the Day's 2014 review. Of the wider Hudson release it was part of, only 10 of each model were available to the USA market through authorized dealers.
Does the Hudson Buzzard have a clean boost?
No. Pedal of the Day's reviewer noted that the fuzz is always on, with no clean boost to be found. The first transistor stage is described by Hudson as a dark and thick boost, but it is part of the fuzz circuit rather than a separate clean boost.
Sources (3)
- BUZZARD - HUDSON ELECTRONICS UK, Hudson Electronics UK
- Hudson Electronics Buzzard Fuzz (Limited Edition), Pedal of the Day, 2014-11-19
- Hudson Electronics Buzzard Fuzz, Pedal of the Day, 2014-10-27
