The SolidGoldFX Communication Breakdown is a dual fuzz pedal from Canadian builder SolidGoldFX, first shown as a prototype at the Montreal Stompbox Exhibit and unveiled at NAMM 202012. It houses two switchable fuzz circuits in one enclosure, both inspired by the Tone Bender fuzzes of the mid-1960s: Fuzz A reinterprets the two-transistor Mk1.5 design, while Fuzz B is an evolution of the classic MkII23.
Each fuzz has its own footswitch, so the two circuits can be used individually or stacked on top of each other42. The pedal is silicon-based rather than germanium, which Guitar World's reviewer Trevor Curwen noted makes it "no slavish retro clone"5.
Two Tone Bender fuzzes in one pedal
The Communication Breakdown takes its inspiration from the Tone Bender family, the British fuzzes that shaped mid-60s guitar tones. Rather than recreating one circuit, SolidGoldFX put two related designs in a single box: the two-transistor transitional circuit now known as the 1.5, and the three-transistor MkII introduced in 196654.
Guitar World reported at NAMM 2020 that the pedal was aimed at capturing classic Led Zeppelin tones, with the bias control a key part of that: turned clockwise it gives "beefy and bold" fuzz, turned anti-clockwise it produces choked, gated fuzz tones1.
Fuzz A and Fuzz B circuits
Fuzz A is based on the two-transistor Tone Bender design produced in 1966 between the MkI and MkII, a design MusicRadar notes is less associated with Sola Sound units and more with the Italian-built Vox Tone Benders4. SolidGoldFX equipped it with hotter transistors, adding warmth and aggression, and MusicRadar found it "a little hotter than its vintage forebears"4. Guitar World's reviewer described it as "nice bright-sounding fuzz that'll take you from gritty drive up to full-on fuzzy square-wave goodness," noting that it cleans up reasonably with the guitar volume while keeping the top end intact5.
Fuzz B is based on the MkII Tone Bender introduced in 1966, with a JFET preamp added for what the maker describes as "stability and tonal clarity"5. Delicious Audio calls it an evolution of the classic MkII's super-saturated fuzz tone with more stability than the original2. Guitar World found it "fuller-bodied with more spongey compression and plenty of sustaining capability," with the attributes of a decent MkII sound5.
The controls and switches
Both sides share the same control setup, with Fuzz, Bias and Volume knobs behaving as you would expect4. The Bias knob on each channel lets you define each fuzz's tone more precisely, working alongside the four toggle switches in the center of the pedal2.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Fuzz, Bias, Volume knobs | One set per side, standard fuzz control behavior4 |
| Bias knob | Shapes each fuzz's tone; clockwise for beefy and bold, anti-clockwise for choked gated tones12 |
| Color toggle (3-way) | EQ selection, per side5 |
| Input toggle (3-way) | Different input attenuation, to aid interfacing with wah pedals5 |
| Internal DIP switch | One per side: Bold (increased output level and midrange) or default Comp (softer, more compressed tone)5 |
The Color and Input toggles come in pairs, one set for each fuzz, and the Input switch's attenuation options are aimed at players running the pedal into a wah5.
The Bold/Comp DIP switches are internal, one for each side, so choosing between the increased output and midrange of Bold and the softer, more compressed default Comp setting means opening the pedal up5.
What reviewers said
MusicRadar's overall verdict called it "a two-in-one deluxe fuzz inspired by mid-60s Tone Bender circuits but updated for today's player," adding that the Communication Breakdown is "a lot of fun and very practical, too"4.
Related SolidGoldFX fuzzes
SolidGoldFX has continued working the Tone Bender territory since the Communication Breakdown appeared. The SolidGoldFX If 6 Was 9 is a Fuzz Face-inspired design that received a MkII update at NAMM 2022, and the SolidGoldFX Fuzzbox, announced in September 2026, is a low-gain silicon Tone Bender MkII-style fuzz with Vintage and Modern modes. The SolidGoldFX 76 MKII takes the company's silicon octave fuzz in a different direction, and the SolidGoldFX Spanish Castle Dual Fuzz is another two-fuzzes-in-one design.
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R.J. Ronquillo
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Questions
Can both fuzzes on the Communication Breakdown be used together?
Yes. Each fuzz has its own footswitch, so Fuzz A and Fuzz B can be engaged individually or stacked on top of each other when you want both circuits running at once. That makes it usable as two separate fuzzes or as one combined, heavier fuzz voice.
Is the Communication Breakdown germanium or silicon?
It is a silicon-based pedal. Both fuzz circuits use silicon transistors, which Guitar World's reviewer noted makes it more than a straight retro clone of the original germanium Tone Benders, with Fuzz A running hotter transistors than its vintage forebears.
Is the Communication Breakdown true bypass?
Yes. Both Guitar World and MusicRadar list true bypass among the pedal's features, so with both fuzzes disengaged the guitar signal passes through without the circuit coloring it.
What do the internal DIP switches do?
There is one internal DIP switch per side. Each toggles between a Bold setting, which gives increased output level and midrange, and the default Comp setting, which delivers a softer and more compressed tone.
Sources (5)
- NAMM 2020: SolidGoldFX captures classic Led Zeppelin tones with the Communication Breakdown dual fuzz pedal, Guitar World, 2020-01-09
- New Pedals: SolidGoldFX Communication Breakdown Dual Bender Fuzz, Delicious Audio, 2020-01-07
- NAMM 2020 VIDEO: SolidGoldFX's Communication Breakdown is a whole lotta fuzz pedal, MusicRadar, 2020-01-21
- SolidGoldFX Communication Breakdown review, MusicRadar, 2020-10-06
- SolidGoldFX Communication Breakdown review, Guitar World, 2020-10-07
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