JAM Pedals "Mandala" Fuzz Phrase Si

The JAM Pedals "Mandala" Fuzz Phrase Si is a silicon fuzz pedal built around BC107 transistors. It is the silicon version of the company's Fuzz Phrase, offered in a range of custom hand-painted artwork versions, and JAM Pedals lists Bill Frisell among the artists using it¹.

The controls

The Fuzz Phrase Si keeps its control layout simple: two knobs on the outside and one trimmer inside¹.

The Level control doing double duty as a tonal shaper means the two knobs interact: JAM Pedals describes it as adjusting output volume "while also allowing for versatile tonal shaping"¹. The internal trimmer is the kind of control found on many fuzz designs, where transistor bias shapes how the fuzz behaves, and JAM Pedals sets it at 4.5V from the factory so the pedal arrives ready to play¹.

Circuit and transistors

The pedal is designated a silicon fuzz, and the transistors were not an afterthought. JAM Pedals states that after testing various silicon transistors, "the BC107s emerged as the unequivocal choice," with the circuit fine-tuned to them¹. Players who know the original Fuzz Phrase will recognize the platform: the Si version swaps the germanium devices of that pedal for silicon BC107s¹.

Artwork versions

Every custom artwork Fuzz Phrase Si is a one-of-a-kind hand-painted piece, and JAM Pedals notes that the pedal received will differ in detail from the photos shown¹. The versions the company lists include:

• "Achenbach" Fuzz Phrase Si
• "Bad TV" Fuzz Phrase Si
• "Black Data" Fuzz Phrase Si
• "IT" Fuzz Phrase Si
• "Luminous" Fuzz Phrase Si
• "Relic" Fuzz Phrase Si
• "Shards" Fuzz Phrase Si

Power and practicalities

The pedal runs on a 9V battery or a 9V DC adaptor with a tip-negative plug, and draws 3 mA, a light load by pedalboard standards¹. JAM Pedals also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee with a refund, no questions asked¹.

Who plays it

JAM Pedals lists Bill Frisell among the artists using this pedal on its product page¹.