The MMK Electrics Norris Fuzz is a two-knob fuzz pedal that Pedal of the Day describes as "a balance between a Big Muff and Fuzz Face", two of the circuits that shaped the classic fuzz sound. On That Pedal Show, Daniel Steinhardt and Mick Taylor called the Tone Bender, Fuzz Face and Big Muff "the cornerstones" of that tradition, which is the territory the Norris draws from.1
What it does to your sound
Pedal of the Day's reviewer called it "one straight cold monster of a fuzz", and described it as having "loads of gain and range on tap, blowing out speakers and sparking creativity as it carves a gorgeous auditory warpath wherever it goes".1 The character sits between the compressed, sustained wall of a Big Muff and the looser, more reactive response of a Fuzz Face, so it leans aggressive rather than clean-blend territory. If you want to compare it against other approaches, the Fuzz Pedals page covers the wider field, and players looking for a gentler push may be weighing it against Overdrive Pedals or Distortion Pedals instead.
Controls
Don't ever let a 2-knob pedal fool you, as the reviewer put it: the two controls cover a lot of ground.1
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Stall | Controls the Sustain, Fuzz, Attack, Gain and related gain-side character; the reviewer suggests calling it what you will1 |
| Throttle | The volume potentiometer on the output of the circuit1 |
Power and practical notes
The pedal can be run at any voltage from 9V to 18V, and the reviewer added that "18 sounds killer" in their words.1 Higher voltage operation means you can pair it with supplies that offer 18V outputs, but it also means a standard 9V daisy chain is not the only option worth considering. The review does not give a current draw figure.
The Norris Fuzz is a hand-built pedal from a small maker. MMK Electrics has since released the MMK Electrics Pavlof Fuzz, available in Darlington Electra and Silicon Fuzz Face circuit topologies, which is worth knowing if you are comparing the two.1
Background
The enclosure is a Rust Brown Hammer tone finish with Chrome Yellow graphics, and the pedal carries a dedication from the maker to the proud men and women that work the oil fields and waters of Alaska.1 Pedal of the Day reviewed it on 27 August 2023.1
Videos
MMK Electrics
Pedal of the Day
Mark Hopkins
Questions
What voltage does the MMK Electrics Norris Fuzz run on?
Pedal of the Day reports that the Norris Fuzz can be run at any voltage from 9V to 18V, with the reviewer noting that 18V sounds killer in their words. That gives players some flexibility on a pedalboard power supply, though the review does not list a current draw figure.
What does the Stall knob do on the Norris Fuzz?
Stall is the main gain-side control. Pedal of the Day describes it as controlling the Sustain, Fuzz, Attack and Gain, among other names you might use for that kind of control. The second knob, Throttle, is the output volume potentiometer.
Does the Norris Fuzz use an op-amp?
Yes. According to Pedal of the Day, the circuit uses an OPA2134 chip, which the reviewer describes as a very high-quality op-amp. That places it closer to op-amp-driven designs than to pure transistor fuzzes.
What is the Norris Fuzz dedicated to?
Pedal of the Day notes that the pedal is dedicated to the proud men and women that work the oil fields and waters of Alaska, a nod from the maker that the reviewer highlights in the write-up.
Sources (1)
- MMK Electrics Norris Fuzz, Pedal of the Day, 2023-08-27
