The SviSound RetroZoid Germanium Fuzz is a fuzz pedal from Bulgarian builder Mark Svirkov, continuing what Premier Guitar describes as his trend of "packing killer vintage sounds into hefty, space-efficient metal enclosures"1. It is a germanium fuzz, the circuit style players associate with vintage fuzz tones, and it gets there with a remarkably simple control array rather than a deep set of switches and internal trims.
Vintage fuzz flavors from one control
The headline of the RetroZoid, per Premier Guitar's review, is how much ground it covers with so few controls. The reviewer's verdict1:
"Fantastic range of vintage fuzz flavors, enough to shame many larger, more expensive stomps, via a remarkably simple control array. Excellent deal."
The same review notes one limitation worth knowing before you buy into the idea: "Though it doesn't serve up gnarly gated sounds, the 'Zoid's range of flavors is otherwise pretty astonishing"1. In other words, this is a pedal for the smoother, saturated end of the vintage fuzz spectrum rather than the splattery, gated style some fuzz players chase.
Controls
The review gives one concrete control detail:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Volume | Achieves unity gain around 8 or 9 o'clock1 |
That unity gain point matters in practice: with unity sitting low on the dial, most of the Volume knob's travel is available for pushing the fuzz up above the rest of a board, which is a common use for a fuzz in a fuzz pedal lineup alongside overdrive pedals and distortion pedals1.
How it was reviewed
Premier Guitar's reviewer put the RetroZoid through a range of gear, including a Squier Vintage Modified Tele with Curtis Novak Tel-V and JM-V pickups, a Squier/Warmoth baritone "Jazzblaster" with Curtis Novak Jazzmaster Widerange pickups, and Jaguar HC50 and Goodsell Valpreaux 21 amps, with an MXR Reverb in the chain1. The recorded clips used an Eastwood Sidejack Baritone DLX with Curtis Novak Jazzmaster Widerange pickups into the RetroZoid and an MXR Reverb, routed to a Jaguar HC50 miked with a Royer R-121 and a Fender Rumble 200 miked with a Shure SM57, both feeding an Apogee Duet into GarageBand with no EQ-ing, compression, or effects1. The review scored the pedal across Tones, Ease of Use, Build/Design, and Value1.
SviSound also builds other fuzz designs, including the SviSound SiMosFuzz, a silicon MOSFET fuzz, and the SviSound Germanium Fuzz Mini, a smaller take on the germanium approach1.
Videos
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Questions
Who designed the SviSound RetroZoid?
The RetroZoid comes from Mark Svirkov, a Bulgarian builder whom Premier Guitar describes as having a trend of packing killer vintage sounds into hefty, space-efficient metal enclosures. SviSound also makes other fuzz designs, including the SiMosFuzz Silicon MOSFET Fuzz and the Germanium Fuzz Mini.
Where is unity gain on the RetroZoid?
According to Premier Guitar's review, the Volume knob achieves unity gain at around 8 or 9 o'clock on its dial. That means most of the knob's travel above that point is available for pushing the level up, which is useful for lifting a fuzz part above the rest of a signal chain.
Does the RetroZoid make gated fuzz sounds?
No. Premier Guitar's reviewer noted that it does not serve up gnarly gated sounds, but added that the 'Zoid's range of flavors is otherwise pretty astonishing. Players looking for that splattery, dying-battery style of fuzz will want to hear it for themselves before deciding.
Is the RetroZoid a germanium fuzz?
Yes. SviSound's RetroZoid is a germanium fuzz, the circuit style associated with classic vintage fuzz tones. Premier Guitar's reviewer found it delivered a fantastic range of vintage fuzz flavors through a remarkably simple control array.
Sources (1)
- Quick Hit: SviSound RetroZoid Germanium Fuzz Review, Premier Guitar, 2018-10-19
