The Minotaur Sonic Terrors Saturnine Fuzz is a fuzz pedal with three distinct voices: two different fuzz tones and one extremely loud boost, selected by a three-position rotary switch12. It is built as a tribute to the Boss FZ-2 Hyper Fuzz, which RockBoard's PedalPedia calls one of the most famous Japanese fuzz pedals1. Pedal of the Day described it as "About as fuzzy and nasty as you can get"2.
The three modes
A three-position rotary switch moves between the two fuzz tones and the boost2.
| Mode | What it does |
|---|---|
| Fuzz Mode 1 | A mid-saturated fuzz with a sympathetic higher octave1 |
| Fuzz Mode 2 | A heavily scooped fuzz, described by RockBoard's PedalPedia as perfect with lower frequency instruments like bass or downtuned guitar1 |
| Mode 3 | A boost with no saturation1 |
Pedal of the Day's reviewer found the third mode "nice and loud, with a tinge of breakup as the Gain is increased," and noted that the Gain knob controls the amount of fuzz and should also be used to set the output in Boost mode2.
Controls
The Saturnine has three control knobs and the 3-way mode switch2. The Bass and Treble controls are active in all three modes, which lets you fine-tune the fuzz's EQ sections in each voice21. That matters for bass and downtuned players, since the scooped Fuzz Mode 2 can be reshaped with the active EQ rather than accepted as fixed1.
Bass and downtuned guitars
Fuzz Mode 2 is the voice aimed at lower-tuned instruments: RockBoard's PedalPedia describes it as a heavily scooped fuzz that is perfect with bass or downtuned guitar1. RockBoard's PedalPedia describes the pedal overall as having "a classic, modern vintage fuzz tone where you can instantly get the Electric Wizard tone!"1. Players working in doom and sludge styles are the obvious audience, and the reviewer's verdict was that the Saturnine Fuzz "leapt to the top of our fuzz list" and stayed there2.
The Boss FZ-2 at its core
The Saturnine is inspired by the classic Boss FZ-2 Hyper Fuzz2, a gray enclosure pedal Boss released alongside the black HM-2 Heavy Metal3. For players who want to understand what sits underneath, Aion FX describes the FZ-2 as an enormous circuit broken into four distinct parts: boost, fuzz, filter and tone, with its fuzz and octave-up stage being a near-exact replica of the Univox Superfuzz4. The Saturnine carries that circuit's character into a modern, hand-built pedal.
Build
Pedal of the Day notes the Saturnine is housed in a vintage style large, heavy duty, die-cast aluminum enclosure, professionally powder coated in black and screen printed in silver, and built using some of the finest materials in the market, along with lead-free (Sn96,3 Ag3,7) solder2.
How it sits in the Minotaur range
Minotaur Sonic Terrors builds several fuzzes with different roots. The Swamp Lord and the Evil Eye MKIII Tone Aggravator are the range's other fuzz pedals, and the Saturnine is the FZ-2-based entry. The same publication that covered those pedals concluded that "the Minotaur crew knows what they're doing"5.
Videos
Fuzzed Drones
Pedal of the Day
Daemoncula
Questions
What are the three modes on the Minotaur Saturnine Fuzz?
A three-position rotary switch selects between two fuzz tones and a boost. Fuzz Mode 1 is a mid-saturated fuzz with a sympathetic higher octave. Fuzz Mode 2 is a heavily scooped fuzz that the maker describes as perfect with lower frequency instruments like bass or downtuned guitar. Mode 3 is a boost with no saturation, and Pedal of the Day found it nice and loud with a tinge of breakup as the Gain is increased.
Does the Saturnine Fuzz work with bass?
Yes. Fuzz Mode 2 is a heavily scooped fuzz that both the maker and Pedal of the Day describe as perfect for bass and downtuned guitars. The pedal's active Bass and Treble controls, which work in all three modes, also help fine-tune the EQ for lower-tuned instruments.
Do the Bass and Treble controls work in all three modes?
Yes. The maker states that all modes feature an active Bass and Treble control, and Pedal of the Day confirms the Bass and Treble controls are active for all three modes, allowing you to fine-tune the fuzz's EQ sections.
How do you set the volume in Boost mode on the Saturnine?
Use the Gain knob. Pedal of the Day notes that the Gain knob controls the amount of fuzz, and that you should use it to set the output in Boost mode as well. The boost is described as nice and loud, with a tinge of breakup as the Gain is increased.
Sources (5)
- Saturnine by Minotaur Sonic Terrors, RockBoard PedalPedia, 2026
- Minotaur Sonic Terrors Saturnine Fuzz, Pedal of the Day, 2022-01-08
- Boss reignites the Hyper Fuzz Hype with new teaser, Guitar.com, 2020-11-13
- Hypercube Fuzz Distortion / BOSS® FZ-2 Hyper Fuzz, Aion FX, 2021-05-28
- Minotaur Sonic Terrors Swamp Lord Cyclopean Tone Wizard, Pedal of the Day, 2022-02-23
