The Skreddy Pedals 1966 Modernized is a fuzz pedal that Skreddy describes as "classic old-school fuzz," built from silicon transistors for stability but using low gain units. It pairs that vintage-style fuzz character with modern conveniences: a Voice knob that works like an extra guitar tone control, a Bias control for the fuzz texture, and adjustable input resistance so it behaves with humbuckers and other pedals1.
Skreddy Pedals has discontinued the 1966 Modernized. Marc of Skreddy Pedals wrote, "I've decided to discontinue this model in favor of the [Angel Face.]" The related Skreddy Pedals Angel Face page carries the same "classic old-school fuzz" description12.
Controls
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| FUZZ | Sets the gain for the whole circuit; gets milder and darker as you turn it down1 |
| VOLUME | Gives a lot more output volume than most classic fuzzes, with unity gain around noon and plenty of boost beyond that1 |
| VOICE | Goes from bright and articulate to smooth and syrupy with upper-harmonic emphasis, like an extra guitar tone control1 |
| BIAS | Goes from buzzy and low-fi to clear, louder, and more present; sometimes called a "MIDS" control, with noon the classic setting1 |
| HOT | Adds resistance to the input to keep a humbucker from swamping the circuit; useful with wah pedals and buffered pedals1 |
Power and bypass
The pedal runs on regular negative ground 9v power with no special requirements, through the industry-standard 9v DC plug, a 5.5mm barrel by 2.1mm center coax connector with a negative tip. It can also run from a 9v battery, though no battery is included, and the battery is disconnected whenever a power supply or input cable is plugged in. Bypass is true bypass, with an LED indicator and a standard 9v power jack1.
Humbuckers and other effects
A common weakness of old-style fuzzes is how they react to hot pickups and to the pedals around them. The 1966 Modernized addresses that with adjustable input resistance, which Skreddy says lets it work great with humbuckers and get along with other effects too. The Hot knob is the control for this: it adds a little or a lot of resistance at the input, which keeps a humbucker from swamping the circuit, and Skreddy points to wah pedals and buffered pedals as the situations where it is useful1. Players pairing a fuzz with a wah or running a buffered pedal ahead of it can dial that interaction in rather than living with it.
Availability
The 1966 Modernized is no longer available. Before it was discontinued, the maker's page listed it at $259, with a sale price of $233.102. Skreddy's other fuzz designs, such as the Lunar Module Deluxe, the General Pig and the Perestroika, remain part of the maker's range, and more fuzz circuits are covered on the site's fuzz pedals page.
Videos
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Questions
Is the Skreddy Pedals 1966 Modernized still available?
No. Skreddy Pedals lists the 1966 Modernized as no longer available, and Marc of Skreddy Pedals says he decided to discontinue the model in favor of the Angel Face. The maker's page listed it at $259, with a sale price of $233.10, before it was discontinued.
Does the 1966 Modernized work with humbuckers?
Yes. The pedal has adjustable input resistance, which Skreddy says lets it work great with humbuckers and get along with other effects too. The Hot knob adds resistance to the input to keep a humbucker pickup from swamping the circuit.
Does the 1966 Modernized take a battery?
It can, but a 9v battery is not included. The battery is disconnected when a power supply or input cable is used, and the pedal also runs from a regular negative ground 9v supply through a standard power jack.
What does the Hot knob do on the 1966 Modernized?
The Hot knob adds a little or a lot of resistance to the input to keep a humbucker pickup from swamping the circuit. Skreddy notes it is useful for working with other effects such as wah pedals and buffered pedals.
Is the Skreddy 1966 Modernized true bypass?
Yes. Skreddy specifies true bypass, with an LED and a standard 9v power jack.
What does the Bias knob do on the 1966 Modernized?
The Bias knob lets you go from buzzy and low-fi to clear, louder, and more present. Skreddy says it is sometimes referred to as a MIDS control, and that noon is the classic setting.
Sources (2)
- Fuzzface Variants, Skreddy Pedals
- Fuzzface Variants, Skreddy Pedals
