The Supro 1304 Fuzz is a fuzz pedal from Supro, part of what MusicRadar's reviewer Trevor Curwen described as "a new range of Supro pedals"1. Supro says the design takes inspiration from three classics of the genre: a Fuzz Face, a Tone Bender MKII and a Big Muff, with the Fuzz Face dominant1. The circuit uses a NOS germanium transistor in its first stage, followed by a silicon-based gain stage1.
Circuit and designer
MusicRadar notes that "one of their designers, Thomas Elliot, has now put his expertise behind a new range of Supro pedals," of which the 1304 Fuzz is one1. The hybrid transistor arrangement, a NOS germanium transistor in the first stage followed by a silicon-based gain stage, is the core of the pedal's approach to the classic fuzz formula1.
Controls and expression input
The pedal carries Volume and Gain knobs, and the reviewer found it best "with both Volume and Gain knobs at the further extremes of their travel"1. It also has a treble knob, and like others in the range it has "a socket to take an expression pedal to control one specific parameter," which on the Fuzz is the treble knob's parameter1. That means a player can sweep the treble setting by foot using an expression pedal.
Power and enclosure
The pedal runs from a standard nine-volt power supply but "can also take 18 volts for extra headroom"1. It can also run from a battery "housed in an easy-access slide-out plastic tray on the pedal's side"1. The casing is described as solid brushed aluminum, though rather tall1.
The 18-volt option is for extra headroom; the pedal runs from a standard nine-volt supply as well1.
What reviewers said
MusicRadar's Trevor Curwen found that "at midway settings the pedal's voicing is full and fat," and that it leans towards needing to be cranked to come alive1. His overall verdict: "While fuzz can be a very personal thing, this one offers extra versatility through its tone knobs."1
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Questions
Who designed the Supro 1304 Fuzz?
According to MusicRadar's review by Trevor Curwen, Thomas Elliot, one of Supro's designers, put his expertise behind a new range of Supro pedals that includes the 1304 Fuzz. The pedal is part of that range, described by the reviewer as a new range of Supro pedals.
Does the Supro 1304 Fuzz run on 18 volts?
Yes. The pedal runs from a standard nine-volt power supply, but it can also take 18 volts for extra headroom, according to MusicRadar's review. It can also run from a battery housed in a slide-out plastic tray on the pedal's side.
Where is the battery on the Supro 1304 Fuzz?
The battery sits in an easy-access slide-out plastic tray on the side of the pedal, so it can be swapped without opening up the casing, according to MusicRadar's review.
What does the expression input on the Supro 1304 Fuzz control?
The pedal has a socket to take an expression pedal to control one specific parameter, and on the Fuzz that parameter is the treble knob's setting, according to MusicRadar's review. That lets a player sweep the treble control by foot while playing.
What circuits is the Supro 1304 Fuzz based on?
Supro says its Fuzz pedal design takes inspiration from three classics of the genre: a Fuzz Face, a Tone Bender MKII and a Big Muff, with the Fuzz Face dominant in the design, according to MusicRadar's review.
Sources (1)
- Supro 1304 Fuzz review, MusicRadar, 2017-05-28
