The Shin-ei Companion FY-2 Fuzz Box Reproduction is a modern remake of the original vintage 1960s Shin-ei Companion FY-2 fuzz box, built by Shin-ei itself. The maker describes it as a reproduction of the original, with solid steel construction, original style paint on black units, carbon composition resistors and Japanese Matsushita transistors1. It is a fuzz pedal in the wedge-shaped Japanese tradition.00, with the Metallic Green finish at an extra $20.001.
What the FY-2 circuit does
The original FY-2 is a silicon transistor fuzz, and its Fuzz control works differently from most fuzz pedals. Aion FX explains that it shifts the balance between the two transistor stages rather than directly controlling gain, so turning it changes the harmonics and texture of the fuzz rather than simply its intensity2. The FY-2 does not have the octave effect of the Super Fuzz, which sets the two circuits apart2.
The original circuit has a reputation among builders for its output behavior. Guitar FX Layouts, which published a modified tagboard layout of the FY-2, describes the original as "sluggish on output level and the overall sound is quite thin and nasal"3. The same blog's layout adds an output boost, a mid scoop control and series polarity protection, changes aimed at the level and tone issues the original circuit is known for.
"i put a 1k in place of the 390ohm resistor and the output volume is MUCH more manageable now."
Where the original came from
The original FY-2 was made in Japan, and sources place it across the late 1960s and 1970s. Union Tube & Transistor calls it "the rare and highly sought-after Shin-Ei FY-2 Companion Fuzz circuit from the late 1960s"42, and Guitar.com's reviewer Richard Purvis grouped it with "the raw and raspy Japanese-made Shin-ei fuzz pedals of the late 60s and early 70s"5. Aion FX dates the circuit to the early 1970s2, while TONEHOME dates a Fuzz Box FY-2 example to 19776.
The pedal was also sold under different brand names. TONEHOME lists Avora, Companion, Jax, Kimbara and Thomas6, and MusicRadar's reviewer Trevor Curwen likewise notes it was "available under various brand names"7.
The FY-2's influence on other pedals
The FY-2 circuit has been a recurring reference point for other makers. Guitar World's Paul Riario, reviewing the EarthQuaker Devices Sunn O))) Life Pedal, notes that pedal was "inspired by the Shin-Ei FY2 Companion and FY6 Super Fuzz boxes"89. Premier Guitar, reviewing the JHS Crimson in the Legends of Fuzz series, described its "wedge-shaped enclosure that clearly nods at the Shin-ei FY-2 Companion Fuzz"10. Union Tube & Transistor built its Shiny pedal on the same late-1960s circuit4.
Versions and finishes
Shin-ei sells the reproduction in three colors, with original style paint applied to black units111:
The maker lists battery power only, with no DC power supply input, so the reproduction cannot run on a standard pedalboard power supply as specified.
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Questions
What is the Shin-ei Companion FY-2?
A Japanese fuzz pedal from the late 1960s and early 1970s, made by Shin-ei and sold under brand names including Companion, Avora, Jax, Kimbara and Thomas. It is a silicon transistor fuzz with volume and fuzz controls, and unlike the Super Fuzz it has no octave effect. Shin-ei now builds a reproduction of it.
Does the FY-2 reproduction run on a 9V battery?
Yes. The reproduction is vintage style 9 Volt battery powered, with a stainless steel bottom panel that Shin-ei describes as EZ Release. The maker does not list a DC power supply option, so a battery is the stated way to power it.
What transistors and resistors does the FY-2 reproduction use?
Shin-ei builds the reproduction with carbon composition resistors and Japanese Matsushita transistors. DIY builders working from the original circuit have used 2N3904, 2SC828, 2N2222 and 2N5088 transistors, and one builder reported that swapping the 390 ohm resistor for a 1k made the output volume much more manageable.
What colors does the FY-2 reproduction come in?
Shin-ei offers the reproduction in Woodstock White, Sea Foam Fuzz and Metallic Green. Metallic Green costs an extra $20.00 over the standard $349.00 price. Original style paint is applied to black units, according to the maker's product page.
When was the original Shin-ei FY-2 made?
Sources differ on the date. TONEHOME dates a Shin-ei Fuzz Box FY-2 to 1977, made in Japan, while Aion FX describes the circuit as an early 1970s silicon transistor fuzz. Union Tube & Transistor and Guitar.com both place the circuit in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
Sources (11)
- Shin-ei Companion FY-2 Fuzz Box, Shin-ei
- Constellation Vintage Fuzz / Shin-ei Companion FY-2, Aion FX, 2019-11-25
- Guitar FX Layouts: Shin-Ei FY-2 Companion Fuzz with mods, Guitar FX Layouts (tagboardeffects.blogspot.com), 2014-03-25
- Shiny - Union Tube & Transistor, Union Tube & Transistor
- Fredric Effects Nouveau Super Unpleasant Companion review: An uncompromising multi-fuzz pedal for channelling your inner rage, Guitar.com, 2022-05-20
- TONEHOME, TONEHOME
- Earthquaker Devices Terminal Fuzz review, MusicRadar, 2014-11-14
- EarthQuaker Devices Life Pedal V3 review|default()|default()|default(EarthQuaker Devices Sunn O))) Life Pedal V3 review)|default(Review,,,reviews, Coverage)|fteTrans({"category":""}), Guitar World, 2023-03-23
- Vibe-2 Chrous Vibrato, Shin-ei
- JHS Crimson Review, Premier Guitar, 2020-09-07
- Shin-ei Companion FY-2 Fuzz Box, Shin-ei
