The Ibanez FZMINI is a compact fuzz pedal released in 2017 as a mini version of Ibanez's OD850 fuzz. Guitar World's announcement described it as inspired by the recent reissue of the classic OD850, with the compact FZMINI recreating "the classic fuzz sound with a sweet, organic tone that almost feels three-dimensional"1. Kit Rae's history of Big Muff clones lists it as the "OD-850 Fuzz Mini - (2017) OD-850 reissue in a mini sized enclosure"2.
Where it came from
The FZMINI arrived alongside Ibanez's reissue of the OD850, the fuzz pedal it shrinks down. The OD850 itself dates back to 1980, when TONEHOME records the version 5 enclosure with a block logo, no flying fingers graphics and no power jack31. The reissue added modern conveniences: RockBoard's PedalPedia entry for the OD850 Overdrive Reissue lists "100% Analog Circuitry" and "True Bypass Switching"4, and the FZMINI carries the same approach in a smaller box1.
Controls and size
The FZMINI keeps things simple. Guitar World's announcement lists "Controls for sustain, tone and level, for creative flexibility"1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Sustain | Sets the amount of fuzz sustain1 |
| Tone | Shapes the treble character of the fuzz1 |
| Level | Sets the output volume1 |
At 2.004 inches wide by 3.646 inches long by 2.169 inches high, it takes up about as much board space as a single standard footswitch1.
Related Ibanez fuzz pedals
Ibanez has a long history with fuzz, and the FZMINI sits in a family that includes the Ibanez Standard Fuzz, the Ibanez 850 Fuzz Mini and vintage first series pedals like the Ibanez No.59 Standard Fuzz and Ibanez Tone Machine1.
Videos
GAK
Mr. Fastfinger - Mika Tyyskä
Questions
Is the Ibanez FZMINI true bypass?
Yes. The FZMINI has true bypass switching, which Ibanez says is there to prevent signal loss when the pedal is off. That means your guitar's signal passes straight through the pedal untouched when it is disengaged, which matters on a crowded pedalboard where several pedals in a row can dull your tone.
Is the Ibanez FZMINI analog or digital?
The FZMINI is fully analog. Guitar World's announcement described it as having 100 percent analog circuitry for a warm organic tone, and the circuit is a mini version of Ibanez's OD850 fuzz pedal.
Where is the Ibanez FZMINI made?
The FZMINI was made in Japan, according to Guitar World's 2017 announcement of the pedal.
What is the Ibanez FZMINI based on?
The FZMINI is a mini sized version of Ibanez's OD850 fuzz pedal, released around the time of the OD850 reissue. Kit Rae's history of Big Muff clones describes it as the OD-850 reissue in a mini sized enclosure.
How much does the Ibanez FZMINI cost?
Guitar World's January 2017 announcement listed the FZMINI at $128.55.
How big is the Ibanez FZMINI?
The FZMINI measures 2.004 inches wide by 3.646 inches long by 2.169 inches high, per Guitar World's announcement, which is what puts it in the mini pedal class.
Sources (4)
- NAMM 2017: Ibanez Introduces Retro Fuzz Pedal as a Mini, Guitar World, 2017-01-11
- The Big Muff History, www.kitrae.net, 2017-01
- TONEHOME, TONEHOME, 1980
- OD850 Overdrive 2016 Reissue by Ibanez, RockBoard PedalPedia, 2026
