The SolidGoldFX 76 Octave Fuzz is a germanium octave fuzz pedal from Canadian maker SolidGoldFX, inspired by the legendary Japanese fuzzes of the 1970s, which is where the name comes from. Its circuit lineage runs through the Ibanez Standard Fuzz, and Delicious Audio's Paolo De Gregorio described it as "a comprehensive guided tour to the best that the Standard Fuzz and its ilk has to offer without any of the drawbacks," such as a quiet signal or fragile wiring1. As an octave fuzz, it "gives you hints of octave-up snarl while it ruthlessly pummels your amp with hair and fangs," in his words1.
The controls
Aside from standard Volume and Fuzz knobs, the 76 carries a Texture control that sweeps the midrange, "effectively giving you many flavors of fuzz across several positions"1. A three-way Color toggle offers a little frequency scoop, with the center position off for full-frequency fuzz1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Volume | Standard output level control1 |
| Fuzz | Standard fuzz amount control1 |
| Texture | Sweeps the midrange, giving many flavors of fuzz across several positions1 |
| Color (three-way toggle) | Two mid-scoop options; center position is off, for full-frequency fuzz1 |
| Clip (internal DIP switch) | Changes the clipping stack from two germaniums to a hybrid germanium-silicon arrangement, opening up the sound and increasing crunch and definition1 |
| Dark (internal DIP switch) | Engages a treble cut on the input, useful after a bright dirt pedal or with jangly pickups1 |
How it differs from the original Ibanez Standard Fuzz
The stock circuit keeps the Standard Fuzz arrangement of two germaniums in the clipping stack, but the internal Clip switch swaps in a hybrid germanium-silicon stack for a more open sound with more crunch and definition1. Beyond the tone shaping, the 76 addresses the practical drawbacks of the original, including its quiet signal and fragile wiring1.
"this is a multi-voiced, germanium-equipped device that's a tribute to all the fuzzes of that era"
The 76 family
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Questions
What is the SolidGoldFX 76 based on?
The 76 is inspired by the legendary Japanese fuzzes of the 1970s, and its circuit lineage runs through the Ibanez Standard Fuzz. Delicious Audio described it as a guided tour of what the Standard Fuzz and its kind can do, but without the drawbacks of the original, such as a quiet signal or fragile wiring.
Does the 76 use germanium or silicon transistors?
The original 76 is a germanium-equipped fuzz, with two germanium transistors in the stock clipping stack. The internal Clip switch changes that arrangement into a hybrid germanium-silicon stack, which opens up the sound and adds crunch and definition.
What does the Color switch do on the 76?
Color is a three-way toggle that offers two mid-scoop options. The center position switches the scoop off entirely, for full-frequency fuzz.
What do the Clip and Dark DIP switches do?
Clip changes the clipping stack from the stock two-germanium arrangement into a hybrid germanium-silicon one, opening up the sound with more crunch and definition. Dark engages a treble cut on the input, which helps prepare the incoming signal for the fuzz, useful after a bright dirt pedal or with jangly pickups.
How does the 76 differ from the original Ibanez Standard Fuzz?
The 76 keeps the Standard Fuzz lineage but adds a Texture midrange sweep, a three-way Color scoop switch and internal Clip and Dark DIP switches. It also addresses the original's drawbacks, such as a quiet signal and fragile wiring.
Sources (1)
- SolidGoldFX 76 Octave Fuzz At The BK Stompbox Exhibit!, Delicious Audio, 2018-06-05
