The OCE Wrench Fuzz is a fuzz pedal from O.C.E. Pedals, the pedal brand of Chris Evans, an emerging builder based in Burbank, CA. It is a classic two-transistor fuzz circuit, modded for lower noise and built with more modern techniques, and it opened for preorder as reported on September 18, 2023.1
Circuit and sound
Evans chose 2N2222A transistors for the circuit. In his words, they give the pedal "a slightly aggressive sound that works well with humbuckers but still has the cleanup players expect with classic 2-transistor fuzz circuits."1
The bias trim pot
The Wrench Fuzz's key internal control is a trim pot that sets the effect's bias, with a default at 4.5V. Bias is adjusted with a small screwdriver, and turning it changes the character of the fuzz: spittier on one side, more velcro on the other. The trim pot is marked at the stock setting, so a player can always find their way back to the factory 4.5V bias after experimenting.1
From Hardware Fuzz to Wrench Fuzz
The Wrench Fuzz is not a new design from scratch. Evans describes it as "the evolution of the original Hardware Fuzz run I did in early 2021." The lineage shows in the parts: the Wrench is still built with, in his words, "big honkin' axial amp caps and big carbon film resistors," keeping the connection back to the original tagboard Hardware Fuzzes.1
Enclosure
The enclosure is meant to look like an industrial tool: weathered, dented, and grimy from years of use, with a tiny wrench embedded in the middle of the case.1
Early reception
The first review, from Buddy Blues, is described by Delicious Audio as extremely positive.1
Videos
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Questions
Does the OCE Wrench Fuzz have external knobs?
The published description centers on an internal trim pot for bias rather than a list of external knobs. Bias is set with a small screwdriver, adjustable from the stock 4.5V setting to make the fuzz spittier or more velcro, and the trim pot is marked at the stock setting.
What transistors does the OCE Wrench Fuzz use?
Builder Chris Evans chose 2N2222A transistors, which he says give the pedal a slightly aggressive sound that works well with humbuckers while keeping the cleanup players expect from classic two-transistor fuzz circuits.
How do I adjust the bias on the Wrench Fuzz?
Bias is set with an internal trim pot, adjusted with a small screwdriver. The stock setting is 4.5V and the trim pot is marked there. Turning it changes the character of the fuzz, making it spittier or more velcro depending on the direction.
Does the OCE Wrench Fuzz work with humbuckers?
According to the builder, yes. The 2N2222A transistors give it a slightly aggressive sound that works well with humbuckers but still has the cleanup players expect with classic two-transistor fuzz circuits.
Is the OCE Wrench Fuzz the same as the Hardware Fuzz?
No, it is the evolution of the original Hardware Fuzz run from early 2021. The Wrench keeps the lineage with big axial amp caps and big carbon film resistors, but the circuit is a classic two-transistor fuzz modded for lower noise and more modern build techniques.
Sources (1)
- OCE Wrench FUZZ, Delicious Audio, 2023-09-18