The Reeves Electro Facet IZ is a hand-built fuzz pedal from UK builder Reeves Electro, and a variant of the Fuzz Face circuit rather than a straight copy. It is a two-transistor silicon fuzz built around a pair of Micro Electronics C1016Y yellow dot transistors, with a Tone control added to the typical Fuzz Face two-knob layout of Volume and Fuzz1. It was the second release in Reeves Electro's PCB-based DaughterBoard Series, following The Darlington Flyer2.
The circuit and what it does
The Fuzz Face is a two-transistor fuzz design, and the Facet IZ keeps that topology while swapping in specially selected silicon parts. Delicious Audio's Paolo De Gregorio describes the result as a "gorgeous-looking" Fuzz Face variant, and notes the tonal trade the silicon parts bring: the Facet IZ "surrenders some of the glassy clean-up typical of this circuit in favor of a more fat and aggressive fuzz tone" that still keeps some of the guitar's dynamics at lower volumes1.
The added Tone control is the pedal's main departure from the Fuzz Face format, which normally offers only Volume and Fuzz1.
Controls
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Volume | Output level, in the typical Fuzz Face two-knob layout1 |
| Fuzz | Fuzz amount, in the typical Fuzz Face two-knob layout1 |
| Tone | Added beyond the usual Fuzz Face layout1 |
Where it came from
The Facet IZ is the work of Markus Reeves, whose pedals are hand-built in a garden workshop in Northamptonshire, UK12. Guitar Pedal X's Stefan Karlsson called it "Markus's unique take on the Fuzz Face"2. It is the second release in the DaughterBoard Series, the line of PCB-based pedals that began with the Darlington Flyer in November 20232. Where the prototype used yellow circuit boards with silver tracks, the production units use dark brass colored boards with copper tracks for a more vintage-styled look2.
The case is screen-printed using glossy enamel ink1.
Availability and price
The Facet IZ was a limited edition: 25 units were offered at 8pm GMT on Saturday 9th December 2023, priced at £259 as of that date2. An earlier announcement had flagged the same run of 25 DaughterBoard Series Facet I.Z. fuzzes for a Friday December 8th sale4.
With only 25 units made, the Facet IZ is not a regularly available pedal. Reeves Electro continues to release other small-batch fuzzes, including the Twin Sound, the ZO Fuzz and the Z1.
What reviewers said
Guitar Pedal X included the DaughterBoard Facet IZ Fuzz among its 2023 fuzz releases, describing it as a "Great sounding Silicon Fuzz Face with added Tone control" powered by the two rare NOS C1016Y yellow dot transistors3. Stefan Karlsson also wrote that he "took a real shine to the Facet IZ" on a visit to Markus's workshop, and counted it worth the chase2.
For more on the circuit family it belongs to, see the site's guide to Fuzz Pedals.
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Questions
What transistors does the Reeves Electro Facet IZ use?
The Facet IZ is built around a pair of Micro Electronics C1016Y yellow dot silicon transistors, described by Guitar Pedal X as rare new-old-stock parts. Silicon transistors give a Fuzz Face design a firmer, fatter character than the germanium parts used in the original circuit, and the yellow dot grading is a gain selection marking on the transistor body.
Is the Reeves Electro Facet IZ a Fuzz Face clone?
It is a Fuzz Face variant rather than a straight clone. Delicious Audio describes it as a Fuzz Face variant built around a pair of C1016Y silicon transistors, and Guitar Pedal X calls it Markus Reeves's unique take on the Fuzz Face. The distinguishing change is an added Tone control alongside the typical two-knob Volume and Fuzz layout.
What power supply does the Facet IZ take?
It runs on a standard Boss style supply: a 2.1mm barrel connector, 9V DC center negative. Guitar Pedal X notes the pedal has minimal current draw, so it sits comfortably on a pedalboard power supply alongside other pedals.
What is the DaughterBoard Series?
The DaughterBoard Series is Reeves Electro's line of PCB-based pedals. The Facet IZ was the second release in the series, following the Darlington Flyer. The pedals are hand-built by Markus Reeves in a garden workshop in Northamptonshire, UK, and are offered in small limited drops.
Is the Reeves Electro Facet IZ still available?
The Facet IZ was a limited edition of 25 units, offered at 8pm GMT on Saturday 9th December 2023 at £259 each. As a small-batch release from a boutique builder it is not a regularly stocked pedal, so finding one now means looking at the second-hand market.
Sources (4)
- Reeves Electro Facet IZ And FF, Delicious Audio, 2024-04-30
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2023-12-08
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2023-12-18
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2023-11-24
