Shin-ei FY-6 Super Fuzz

The Shin-ei FY-6 Super Fuzz is a reproduction of the original 1968 Shin-ei branded FY-6 Super Fuzz, the Japanese octave fuzz circuit that Aion FX describes as "best known for being re-branded as the Univox Super Fuzz"¹². The current version is built by Shin-ei as a limited edition of fifty units, using NOS carbon comp resistors and original design Matsushita/Panasonic transistors³.

The FY-6 sits in the wider family of vintage Shin-ei fuzz pedals. In 1968, Shin-ei branded each FY-6 with their own label, and the pedal also appeared under other brand names over the years, including the Astron FY-6 and the Rands Super Fuzz FY-6 made in Japan by Shin-ei in 1977⁴⁵. The circuit was widely cloned by other makers, including the Wattson FY-6 Shin-Ei Super-Fuzz clone covered by Premier Guitar⁶.

What it is and what it does

The FY-6 Super Fuzz is an octave fuzz: a silicon transistor fuzz circuit that generates an octave-up component along with the fuzz itself. Aion FX notes that the FY-2 Companion "does not have the octave effect of the Super Fuzz," and that the FY-6 adds a make-up gain stage, which is what separates the two circuits¹. The Super Fuzz sound became familiar to players largely through the Univox-branded version sold in the West¹.

The current reproduction is described by Shin-ei as a reproduction of the original 1968 Shin-ei branded FY-6 Super Fuzz²¹⁰⁷. Delicious Audio, covering the reissue, reports that it "features the same circuit and high-quality parts as the '67 unit, including NOS carbon comp resistors and Matsushita/Panasonic transistors"¹¹.

Build and components

Each unit is built to match the vintage circuit with period-correct parts:

• NOS carbon comp resistors, new old stock carbon composition resistors of the type used in vintage effects³
• Highest quality original design Matsushita/Panasonic transistors³
• Steel enclosure with a recessed control area and the original "Shin-ei" foil label³
• Stainless bottom with "Super Fuzz" printed on it, which Shin-ei calls "a tribute to the old days"³

Production is limited to fifty units, and the pedal is available in Vintage Black³.

The FY-6 versus the FY-2 Companion

Players often confuse the FY-6 with the Shin-ei FY-2 Companion Fuzz, but they are different circuits. General Guitar Gadgets states plainly that "this is not the Shin Ei FY-6 which is the re-branded Super Fuzz"¹², and Aion FX confirms the FY-2 lacks the octave effect and the make-up gain stage¹.

Shin-ei also sells a separate Shin-ei Companion FY-2 Fuzz Box Reproduction, a reproduction of the original vintage 1960s FY-2 fuzz box. Players comparing the two can find details on its own page¹⁰.

Related versions and brand history

The FY-6 circuit appeared under several brand names, all made by Shin-ei:

• Astron FY-6 Super Fuzz: a version branded "ASTRON," announced by Shin-ei as now shipping¹⁰¹³⁸. See the Shin-ei Astron FY-6 Super Fuzz page.
• Rands Super Fuzz FY-6: see the Shin-ei Rands Super Fuzz FY-6 page.
• Honey Baby Crying FY-6 Super Fuzz: see the Honey Baby Crying FY-6 Super Fuzz page.

The circuit also inspired a long line of clones and derivatives from other makers, from the Wattson FY-6 clone noted by Premier Guitar⁶ to modern boutique takes covered in the press.

Availability

The current reproduction is listed by Shin-ei at $498.00 USD⁹. The Astron-branded version of the FY-6 was likewise announced as now shipping¹³¹⁰.

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