The Maxon WIND (FW10) is a fuzz pedal in the Fuzz Elements series. Maxon describes the Wind as offering "an edgy, aggressive tone with plenty of midrange sizzle, yet it cleans up beautifully with your volume knob," with excellent note definition even on complex chords.1 The pedal is listed at £130.00 GBP on the maker's product page as of October 2026.1
The controls
The FW10 keeps its faceplate simple: two knobs and a gain switch, plus a buffer you can switch in or out.1
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Attack | Controls degree of Distortion1 |
| Level | Controls output volume1 |
| Vintage/Hot switch | For two levels of Gain1 |
| Input buffer | Selectable, for smoother note response1 |
The Vintage/Hot switch is the pedal's main character control. Maxon describes the two positions this way: "Vintage serves up 100% Tonebender, while Hot offers more sustain for solos or to drive you amp over the edge."1 Premier Guitar's announcement of the series likewise described the pedal's "Vintage/Hot gain settings and switchable output buffer."2
On the sound itself, Maxon's description is of "an edgy, aggressive tone with plenty of midrange sizzle, yet it cleans up beautifully with your volume knob and offers excellent note definition even with complex chords."1 As with any fuzz, how it sits in a rig depends on where it is placed and what feeds it; the selectable input buffer is there for players who want a smoother note response than a fuzz straight off the guitar typically gives.1
A Mk II Tonebender in the Fuzz Elements series
The WIND is the Fuzz Elements series' take on the vintage Mk II Tonebender, with a fuzz engine designed to emulate that circuit, sitting alongside siblings including the Fuzz Elements Air, Earth, Ether, Fire, Void and Water. Delicious Audio's coverage of the line also noted the "Vintage/Hot gain settings and switchable output buffer" as the Wind's distinguishing features.3
The FW10 is listed as sold out on the maker's product page as of October 2026, so it is not currently available new.1
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Questions
What is the difference between Vintage and Hot on the Maxon WIND?
The Vintage/Hot switch selects between two levels of gain. According to Maxon, Vintage serves up 100% Tonebender, while Hot offers more sustain for solos or to drive your amp over the edge. In practice, Vintage aims at the classic Mk II Tonebender voice and Hot pushes the circuit harder for longer sustain and amp-pushing output.
Is the Maxon WIND FW10 true bypass?
Yes. Maxon specifies Mechanical True Bypass Switching on the FW10, so when the pedal is off, your guitar signal passes straight through without going through the fuzz circuitry.
Is the Maxon WIND based on a Tonebender?
Yes. Maxon's product page describes the fuzz engine as designed to emulate the sound of the vintage Mk II Tonebender, and Guitar Interactive Magazine's coverage of the series said the Wind conjures up the classic fuzz tones of the Vox Tonebender Mk. II.
What does the input buffer do on the Maxon WIND?
The FW10 has a selectable input buffer that Maxon says gives a smoother note response. Because it can be switched, you can choose between the rawer interaction of running the fuzz straight from your guitar pickups and the more even response the buffer provides.
Is the Maxon WIND FW10 still available?
No. As of October 2026, the Maxon product page for the Fuzz Elements WIND FW10 lists it as sold out, so the pedal is not currently available new from the maker's distributor.
Sources (3)
- WIND (FW10), Godlyke Distributing, Inc.
- Maxon Releases Line of Fuzz Element Pedals, Premier Guitar, 2014-03-27
- Maxon Fuzz Elements, Delicious Audio, 2014-04-10
