The JMI Burns Buzzaround reissue is a faithful reproduction of the Burns Buzzaround, a vintage germanium fuzz pedal from the late 1960s and early 1970s. In 2010, British JMI Amplification commissioned a limited series of 50 reproductions, hand-built in England under license from the Baldwin company, with the stated aim of providing "look, sound and tone almost identical to the original unit"1. If you are hunting for the original, be aware that it is described by pedal makers as rare and sought after2, which is exactly why the reissue exists.
What it does
The Buzzaround is a germanium fuzz, the circuit family that produced the saturated, sustaining fuzz tones of the late 1960s. ThorpyFX's founder called it "one of my favourite germanium circuits ever, the venerable Burns Buzzaround"3. Paolo De Gregorio of Delicious Audio describes the original's character in a band context: "It's an effect that cuts through thick mixes thanks to its tight low end, strong mids, and prolonged sustain"4.
That combination of tight low end and strong mids sets the Buzzaround apart from the sputtering, loose-bottomed character often associated with fuzz pedals of its era, and it is why several modern builders have designed pedals around the same circuit4.
The original and the reissue
The original Burns Buzzaround is a vintage germanium fuzz from the late 1960s and early 1970s, and it is rare5. Delicious Audio has called it "legendary and rare"5, and Mojo Hand FX describes it as "the rare and sought after Burns Buzzaround Fuzz"2. Originals seldom come up for sale, which is what makes a faithful reproduction the practical route for most players.
The 2010 reissue was built to close that gap, and its construction follows the original closely1:
- Steel chassis, as on the original1
- Tag board circuit construction rather than a modern printed circuit board1
- New old stock germanium transistors, meaning period-correct transistors that were manufactured decades ago but never used1
- Hand-built in England1
The reissue was limited to 50 units, hand-built in England for JMI in 20101. It is a collector-oriented build, and units do not turn up often.
Related circuits and modern takes
The Buzzaround's reputation has outlived the original by a wide margin. Mojo Hand FX's Rounder is described as "inspired by the rare and sought after Burns Buzzaround Fuzz"2, and Delicious Audio's Alchemist fuzz is billed as "Our take on the legendary and rare Buzzaround insane-o-matic fuzz sound"5. ThorpyFX has also built around the circuit3. Players who want the Buzzaround sound without chasing a 50-unit reissue or a vintage original have these modern options alongside it.
For context on where the Buzzaround sits in JMI's fuzz history, see the JMI Tone Bender Professional Mk II, another germanium fuzz from the same maker's era.
Videos
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Questions
What is the JMI Burns Buzzaround reissue?
It is a limited series of 50 faithful reproductions of the Burns Buzzaround fuzz pedal, commissioned by British JMI Amplification in 2010 and built under license from the Baldwin company. Each was hand-built in England using a steel chassis, a tag board circuit, and new old stock germanium transistors, with the aim of matching the look, sound, and tone of the original unit.
Why is the original Burns Buzzaround hard to find?
The original is a vintage germanium fuzz from the late 1960s and early 1970s that was made in small numbers. Pedal makers describe it as rare and sought after, and one builder called it one of his favourite germanium circuits ever. That scarcity is what prompted the 2010 limited reissue.
Sources (5)
- TONEHOME, TONEHOME
- Rounder - A Nod to a Rare Fuzz, Mojo Hand FX
- EAO | Fuzz, ThorpyFX
- The 3 Best Fuzz Pedals Per Type, In 2023, Delicious Audio, 2022-09-15
- Massive Pedals Alchemist Fuzz, Delicious Audio, 2019-02-12
