The Top Gear Fuzz Sustain is a rare UK-made effect pedal from 1975 to 1977 that puts two circuits in one box: fuzz and treble boost. Guitar FX Layouts describes it as Top Gear's most dynamic pedal, combining "both their Fuzz and Treble Boost circuitry into one versatile effect," with a large tonal palette that sounds good with any combination of control settings1. It belongs to the broader family of fuzz pedals, but it is not a fuzz alone.
Rarity and value
Top Gear pedals made in the UK are described as inherently rare, and the Fuzz Sustain had a short production run of only two years. Guitar FX Layouts reported in 2016 that "when they come up for sale they go for stupid amounts of money, >$700"1. For a player, that means originals seldom appear and cost more than most current fuzz pedals when they do.
Controls
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Boost | Increases distortion when turned clockwise, per the corrected layout1 |
| Volume | Sets output level; verified as functioning correctly by builders1 |
| Tone | Shapes the treble response; verified as functioning correctly by builders1 |
The circuit and clones
Guitar FX Layouts states that "this circuit is completely unique to the Fuzz Sustain, and while it is similar to other late-'70s Colorsound and Eurotec" models, the differences are significant1. So no, it is not simply a Colorsound pedal under another name. The circuit runs on an LM741 op amp, and builders confirmed that a TL071 works as a substitute1. Verified vero (stripboard) and tagboard layouts were published and marked verified by builders in August 20161.
Clone results are mixed. One builder using a TL071 reported that "with boost all the way up I got a shrill tone"1. Another, who bought a clone built from the traced schematic, reported in 2019 that "It just sounds like" the original did not, and described swapping the pedal in place of a Boss OD-1: "It freaks you out, because it sounds thin. I used" the thinness as distance, air and atmosphere1. In other words, a faithful parts build can behave differently from a vintage original, and the character some players hear in the original may not survive the clone.
A TL071 substitute for the LM741 makes building easier, but one builder found the tone turned shrill with the Boost control at maximum on that substitution1.
A related pedal: Schaller Fuzz Sustain
A pedal with the same Fuzz Sustain name came from a different maker. The Schaller Fuzz (-Sustain) Pedal was made in Germany in 1972, according to the vintage pedal reference TONEHOME2. The two are separate designs from separate countries and should not be confused with each other.
Questions
How much does a Top Gear Fuzz Sustain cost?
Originals are rare and expensive. Guitar FX Layouts reported in 2016 that when Top Gear Fuzz Sustain pedals come up for sale they go for more than $700. Because so few were made during the pedal's short 1975 to 1977 run, availability is sporadic and prices depend on condition and who is selling at the time.
Where was the Top Gear Fuzz Sustain made?
The Top Gear Fuzz Sustain was made in the United Kingdom between 1975 and 1977. UK-made Top Gear pedals are described as inherently rare, which is a large part of why originals command high prices from collectors when they appear on the used market.
Is the Top Gear Fuzz Sustain the same circuit as a Colorsound pedal?
No. According to Guitar FX Layouts, the circuit is completely unique to the Fuzz Sustain. It is similar to other late-1970s Colorsound and Eurotec models, but with significant differences, so it should not be treated as a rebadged Colorsound design.
Does a Fuzz Sustain clone sound like the original?
Not necessarily. A builder who bought a clone based on the traced schematic reported in 2019 that it just did not sound like the original. Builders have verified stripboard and tagboard layouts for the circuit, and a TL071 op amp works in place of the original LM741, but one builder also noted a shrill tone with the boost control all the way up on a TL071 build.
Sources (2)
- Guitar FX Layouts: Top Gear Fuzz Sustain, Guitar FX Layouts (tagboardeffects.blogspot.com), 2016-08-15
- TONEHOME, TONEHOME - the World of Vintage Guitar Effect Pedals
