The Shin-ei Companion FY-2 is an early 1970s silicon transistor fuzz, a type of fuzz built with silicon transistors rather than the earlier germanium kind. Aion FX describes it as having a scooped midrange character, meaning the middle frequencies are cut away and the sound leans on bass and treble. It is a fuzz pedal from the same family as the Shin-ei FY-6 Super Fuzz, but the FY-2 does not have the Super Fuzz's octave effect1.
How the circuit works
The FY-2's circuit pits two out-of-phase transistors against each other, an arrangement that Guitar.com notes results in low output volume issues2. That matters in practice: the pedal runs quieter than many fuzzes, so players often pair it with a boost or a clean volume lift to bring it back up to level.
The Fuzz control is unusual too. Aion FX explains that it shifts the balance between the two transistor stages rather than directly controlling gain, so it changes the harmonics and texture of the fuzz rather than simply how much of it there is1. Turning it reshapes the character of the distortion more than its intensity, which takes some getting used to if you expect a normal gain knob.
A technical analysis at Guitar FX Layouts also details the tone side of the circuit: the Scoop control works as a variable resistor from the 100n capacitor to ground, with lug 3 of the pot not utilized4.
Controls
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Fuzz | Shifts the balance between the two out-of-phase transistor stages rather than directly controlling gain, changing the harmonics and texture of the fuzz1 |
| Scoop | Works as a variable resistor from the 100n capacitor to ground; lug 3 of the pot is not utilized4 |
Names and versions
The FY-2 was sold widely under other brand names, which is worth knowing when hunting one down secondhand. MusicRadar's Trevor Curwen notes it was available under various brand names5, and the documented badge names include:
Because the same circuit appeared under so many badges, a vintage FY-2 may not say Shin-ei or Companion on it at all. Avora, Jax, Kimbara, Thomas, Zenta and Tele-Star are all documented names for the same design16.
Who has used it
The FY-2 has a documented place in British and alternative rock. gearnews names Jesus and Mary Chain, Joy Division and Radiohead as bands that used it3, a fit that makes sense given the pedal's scooped, abrasive character.
Related pedals and descendants
The FY-2 sits in a Shin-ei family that includes the Shin-ei Companion Super Fuzz and the Shin-ei FY-6 Super Fuzz, as well as the Shin Ei 6TR Fuzz Wah. Its circuit has also inspired modern builds:
- The FY-2's circuit pits two out-of-phase transistors against each other, which Guitar.com notes results in low output volume issues2. Its Fuzz control shifts the balance between the two transistor stages rather than directly controlling gain, changing harmonics and texture rather than intensity1.
- Bands like Jesus and Mary Chain, Joy Division and Radiohead have used the FY-23, and a Shin-ei Companion FY-2 Fuzz Box Reproduction also exists for players after the original design.
Videos
Joe Perkins
devnulljp
blackholeproductions
Sources (6)
- Constellation Vintage Fuzz / Shin-ei Companion FY-2, Aion FX, 2019-11-25
- Dirty Haggard Audio introduces the DH-2 Death Fuzz, Guitar.com, 2018-12-17
- Dirty Haggard Audio DH-2 Death Fuzz: An improved Shin-ei Companion FY-2?, gearnews.com, 2018-12-14
- Guitar FX Layouts: Shin-Ei FY-2 Companion Fuzz with mods, Guitar FX Layouts (tagboardeffects.blogspot.com), 2014-03-25
- Earthquaker Devices Terminal Fuzz review, MusicRadar, 2014-11-14
- Review: EarthQuaker Devices Terminal Fuzz Pedal, Guitar World, 2014-06-24
