The Hudson Electronics FUZZ is a fuzz pedal built in the UK around germanium transistors. The maker traces its origins to the MKIV Bender from the late 60s and early 70s, and describes it as the most versatile pedal in the company's lineup1. It is now archived: on Hudson Electronics' own product page it sits under the Archived product category, so it is no longer part of the current range1.
The volume control and the always-on fuzz
The FUZZ has one defining behavior: the fuzz is always on. As Pedal of the Day's reviewer put it, "you can control how much comes through your amp with the Volume knob, but you're not g[etting a clean boost]": there is no clean boost available on the pedal2. In practice that means the pedal sets the character and amount of fuzz, and the Volume knob sets how hard it drives the amp.
What it sounds like
Hudson Electronics describes the pedal's range in broad terms: "This pedal can go from big thick smooth fuzz tones on over to super bright ice pick to the forehead tones." The maker presents it as covering gritty fuzz to smooth fuzz, and 60s to modern fuzz tones1. Pedal of the Day's reviewer, writing in November 2014, said "I have to say I was pleasantly blown away by the sounds these guys are generating"2.
Where it came from and where it sits
The FUZZ has also appeared on players' boards: in a 2017 rig rundown published by Origin Effects, Jeremy Knibbs listed the Hudson Electronics Fuzz in Loop 1 of his pedalboard3.
The FUZZ is archived on Hudson Electronics' product pages, so it is not part of the maker's current lineup1.
Questions
Is the Hudson Electronics FUZZ a clone of a Bender?
Hudson Electronics describes the origins of the FUZZ as lying around the MKIV Bender from the late 60s and early 70s. It is a circuit based on that design rather than a straight copy, and the maker presents it as the most versatile pedal in its lineup, with a range running from gritty, smooth fuzz to bright, cutting tones.
Does the Hudson Electronics FUZZ have a clean boost?
No. Pedal of the Day's review notes that the fuzz is always on: the Volume knob controls how much of it comes through the amp, but there is no clean boost available on the pedal.
Is the Hudson Electronics FUZZ still made?
The pedal is archived. On Hudson Electronics' own product page it is listed under the Archived product category, so it no longer sits in the maker's current lineup.
Does the Hudson Electronics FUZZ use germanium or silicon transistors?
Germanium. Hudson Electronics describes the FUZZ as a germanium transistor based circuit, which is typical of the Bender style fuzz designs it draws on.
Sources (3)
- FUZZ - HUDSON ELECTRONICS UK, Hudson Electronics UK, 2026
- Hudson Electronics FUZZ, Pedal of the Day, 2014-11-06
- Readers' Pedalboards #6 Holy Trinity of Boutique Drives, Origin Effects, 2017-03-30