The Fuzz Bob-Omb is a two-knob fuzz pedal from Rare Buzz Effects, a pedal-builder based in Columbus, Ohio. It is a US-made pedal with a wide tonal range, hosted in a sparkly red compact case with enclosure art by Christopher Blain of Blain Studio1. Guitar World, announcing the pedal's second run in October 2022, described it as producing "diverse fuzz tones, from subtle rumble to high pitched scrapes. A fuzz for those who hate fuzz"2.
A fuzz for those who hate fuzz
Delicious Audio's product page, from November 2021, describes the Fuzz Bob-Omb as the culmination of substantial research and development at Rare Buzz Effects, and as "a fuzz for those who hate fuzz"1. The tonal range runs from subtle rumble to high pitched scrapes, which is a wider spread than the single sound many fuzz pedals offer12. The circuit is based on a rare Soviet fuzz from the '70s: Guitar World identifies it as a new take on the circuitry found in the super-rare Soviet-era Kazan Booster circuit12.
The controls: volume and voice/timbre trim pot
There are only two controls, and neither is a conventional fuzz faceplate:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Output (the larger knob) | A passive volume control that adjusts the final output of the Fuzz Bob-Omb1 |
| Voice/timbre trim pot (small) | Adjusts the balance of the last of the germanium diode rectifier stages2 |
The larger knob is styled as a Super Mario-style bob-omb design, incorporating that look into the central volume control2. The trim pot is the tone-shaping control: Guitar World notes that it helps voice the pedal to your guitar and amp and opens up new tonal options when combined with the volume, "from crunch to wild and untamed sustain"2.
How the four germanium diodes make the fuzz
The fuzz itself is created by rectifying the signal, done by a deliberate arrangement of four germanium diodes1. Guitar World describes the layout inside as four germanium diodes with silicon gain and recovery stages2. Around that core, the pedal is a discrete hybrid fuzz with a JFET input buffer feeding the four-stage germanium fuzz core, followed by a simple transistor buffer to preserve signal strength at the output jack1.
Each germanium stage incorporates carefully selected surplus Soviet transistors, and three different varieties are used, one per germanium stage1. Connections are handled by Neutrik audio jacks and a Lumberg DC jack1.
The first run sold through, and Guitar World reported in October 2022 that Rare Buzz Effects had announced a second run of the pedal2. Delicious Audio lists it as available exclusively from Rare Buzz Effects rather than through stores1.
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Questions
What circuit is the Fuzz Bob-Omb based on?
The Fuzz Bob-Omb is a new take on the circuitry found in the super-rare Soviet-era Kazan Booster circuit, which Guitar World describes as a rare Soviet fuzz from the '70s. Rare Buzz Effects rebuilt that idea as a discrete hybrid fuzz, with a JFET input buffer feeding a four-stage germanium fuzz core and a simple transistor buffer at the output.
What does the voice/timbre trim pot do?
The small voice/timbre trim pot adjusts the balance of the last of the germanium diode rectifier stages. According to Guitar World, it helps voice the pedal to your guitar and amp and opens up new tonal options when combined with the volume knob, from crunch to wild and untamed sustain.
Is the Fuzz Bob-Omb made in the USA?
Yes. Delicious Audio describes the Fuzz Bob-Omb as a US-made two-knob fuzz with a wide tonal range, hosted in a sparkly red compact case. The enclosure art is by Christopher Blain of Blain Studio.
How much does the Fuzz Bob-Omb cost?
Guitar World reported the Fuzz Bob-Omb priced at $194.99 when the second run was announced in October 2022.
Can I buy the Fuzz Bob-Omb from stores or only from the maker?
Delicious Audio's product page states the pedal is available exclusively from Rare Buzz Effects, so it is a direct-from-maker purchase rather than a store item.
Does the Fuzz Bob-Omb use germanium or silicon?
Both. The fuzz is created by rectifying the signal with a deliberate arrangement of four germanium diodes, and each germanium stage uses carefully selected surplus Soviet transistors, three different varieties in total. Guitar World describes the layout as four germanium diodes with silicon gain and recovery stages.
Sources (2)
- Rare Buzz Fuzz Bob-omb, Delicious Audio, 2021-11-15
- Rare Buzz Effects' Fuzz Bob-Omb offers tonal pilgrims a rare Soviet-era fuzz design, Guitar World, 2022-10-10