The SolidGoldFX 76 Plus is an octave-up fuzz pedal with a built-in wah-like filter, handmade in Montreal by SolidGoldFX and released in 20191. It takes its fuzz circuit from the vintage Univox Super Fuzz, Shin-Ei Companion, and Ibanex Standard Fuzz circuits, and then adds what the "Plus" stands for: a second, independent filter effect that can sweep on its own or be driven by an expression pedal23.
Delicious Audio described the result as "a powerful, cutting fuzz with a baked-in octave up that's especially apparent the higher you go up the fretboard"2. Gearnews reported the same behavior, noting that according to Solid Gold FX the octave effect becomes more apparent the further up the fretboard you play4.
An octave-up fuzz with a wah-like filter
The 76 Plus is really two effects in one box. The fuzz side is a FY-6 style octave fuzz, meaning it generates an octave above your note alongside the fuzz, in the tradition of the Japanese fuzzes of the 1970s. The filter side is a wah-like sweep that can move on its own, driven by an internal LFO whose rate you set with the Speed knob, or be controlled manually with an expression pedal346.
The filter offers several modes with different shapes, from gentle LFO movement to what Gearnews called "trippy and synth like step sequences"4. Guitar World counted nine filter types in total, "allowing for everything from 'smooth and vocal triangle waves and pulsating sawtooths to synth-like sequences'"5.
The fuzz section itself is more flexible than a straight vintage clone. It carries a midrange control, a high-end roll-off switch, and three flavors of clipping3.
"The 'Plus' refers to basically another whole pedal - a wah-like filter that can move on its own based on the speed knob."
The controls
The pedal's surface is split between the two effects. Volume 1 on the right controls the fuzz volume, while Volume 2 on the left controls the filter output, so you can balance the two effects against each other4. Alongside the knobs sit four mini-toggle switches: Mode, Shape, Clip, and Color4.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Vol knob (right) | Adjusts the fuzz output volume2 |
| Volume 2 (left) | Controls the filter output4 |
| Fuzz knob | More fuzz as you turn it up2 |
| Speed knob | Sets the rate of the filter's automatic sweep3 |
| Mode switch | Selects the filter mode: Manual (left), Triangle (center), Square (right)2 |
| Shape switch | Selects one of three shapes within each mode2 |
| Clip switch | Selects among three clipping flavors3 |
| Color switch | High-end roll-off switch3 |
The Mode and Shape switches work together. Each of the three modes has three corresponding shapes, which is what gives the pedal its nine filter types25:
- Manual mode: Standard heel/toe, inverted toe/heel, 3-step square
- Triangle mode: Ramp up sawtooth, standard triangle, ramp down sawtooth
- Square mode: Standard 2-step square, 3-step ramp up, 4-step staircase2
In Manual mode, the filter responds to an external expression pedal rather than sweeping on its own. The expression pedal is not included, and Delicious Audio noted it gives "infinitely variable control" over the filter2.
How it differs from the 76 Octave Fuzz
The 76 Plus is an evolution of SolidGoldFX's earlier 76 Octave Fuzz7. The original 76 is an octave fuzz inspired by the Ibanez Standard Fuzz and other 1970s Japanese fuzzes, designed to capture that sound "without any of the drawbacks, such as a quiet signal or fragile wiring" of the originals6. Its controls are simpler: volume and fuzz knobs, a three-way Color switch offering two mid-scoop options with a bypassed center position, and a stock clipping stack of two germanium diodes6.
What reviewers said
Gearnews called it "a filthy fuzz with wah-like sweeps" in its headline and wrote that "judging by the demo sounds this new pedal sounds pretty great"4. Guitar World covered the launch under the headline "Get fuzzy and filtered with SolidGoldFX's 76 Plus pedal," listing the $250 price and 9V DC power5. MusicRadar reported the handmade-in-Montreal detail and that the pedal became available in the UK through Audio Distribution Group1.
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Questions
What is the difference between the SolidGoldFX 76 Plus and the 76 Octave Fuzz?
The 76 Plus is an evolution of the 76 Octave Fuzz. Both are octave fuzzes, but the Plus adds a whole second effect: a wah-like filter with its own volume control, a speed knob for automatic sweeps, mode and shape switches for different waveforms, and an expression pedal input. The fuzz section also gains a midrange control, a high-end roll-off switch, and selectable clipping flavors.
Does the SolidGoldFX 76 Plus work with an expression pedal?
Yes. In the filter's Manual mode you can connect an external expression pedal and sweep the filter by foot, giving infinitely variable control over the wah-like effect. The expression pedal is not included with the pedal, so you need to supply your own.
Is an expression pedal included with the 76 Plus?
No. The 76 Plus has an expression pedal input for manually sweeping the filter, but the expression pedal itself is not included and must be bought separately.
How many filter types does the 76 Plus have?
Nine. The Mode switch selects three filter modes, Manual, Triangle, and Square, and the Shape switch then selects one of three corresponding shapes within each mode. These range from smooth and vocal triangle waves and pulsating sawtooths to synth-like step sequences.
Where is the SolidGoldFX 76 Plus made?
The 76 Plus is handmade in Montreal, Canada, by SolidGoldFX. When the pedal launched in 2019 it was also made available in the UK through Audio Distribution Group.
Sources (7)
- SolidGoldFX launches the 76 Plus octave up fuzz and filter, MusicRadar, 2019-10-23
- SolidGoldFX 76 Plus, Delicious Audio, 2019-10-17
- 20 Of The Best Super Fuzz Clones And Evolutions In 2023, Delicious Audio, 2022-10-11
- Solid Gold FX 76 Plus Octa-Fuzz: A filthy fuzz with wah-like sweeps, gearnews.com, 2019-10-17
- Get fuzzy and filtered with SolidGoldFX's 76 Plus pedal, Guitar World, 2019-10-23
- SolidGoldFX 76 Octave Fuzz At The BK Stompbox Exhibit!, Delicious Audio, 2018-06-05
- SolidGoldFX Introduces Two New Fuzz Prototypes: Communication Breakdown And 76 Plus, Delicious Audio, 2019-08-26
