The Tru-Fi Spider Fuzz is a fuzz pedal made in the USA by hand, built to recreate the tone of Mick Ronson, the guitarist Tru-Fi calls "Ronno", during the Ziggy and the Spiders from Mars era: his Les Paul played through an original MK 1 Tonebender. The maker describes the sound as "Fat - Raspy - Pure Rock N Roll attitude", saying the pedal "relives the HUGE crunch chords of Ziggy, and the powerful soaring slow bend solo's"1.
Circuit and Tonebender Mk 1 lineage
The Spider Fuzz is built around the circuit of the Vox Tonebender Mk 1, the pedal Vox released in 1966. Tru-Fi says it "runs on 1 - OC75 Black Glass Mullard transistor and 2 - Texas Instrument Metal Can transistors just like in 1966 when Vox released the Tonebender Mk 1 pedal"1. The germanium OC75 in the first position is the part that gives a fuzz of this type its character, and the maker's description of the design leans on that original parts list rather than modern substitutes1.
Tru-Fi builds the Spider Fuzz to order, and the maker notes that wait times can run about 3 to 4 days for shipping, adding "I am really caught up - still our most popular pedals"1. The pedal carries a 1 year warranty1.
Tru-Fi's maker describes the appeal of the design in his own words:
"I love the initial Velcro rip of the MK1 but that it doesn't choke like other gated fuzzes."
Power and bypass
The Spider Fuzz runs on a 9V power supply with negative tip polarity, or on a battery. Tru-Fi states that "it runs LIKE ALL Tru-Fi Pedals in negative tip 9V Power Supply OR Battery"1. The pedal also has a power inverter at the power jack, which the maker lists as a feature1. For bypass, the maker answers plainly: "Of course it is Tru-Bypass"1, so the pedal is out of the signal path when off.
Buying and support
Tru-Fi lists a 1 year warranty on the pedal1. The maker notes shipping takes "About 3-4 days" because he is caught up, and describes the Spider Fuzz as "still our most popular pedals"1.
If you are exploring Tru-Fi's other fuzzes, the company's range includes the Tru-Fi Zosa Fuzz, Tru-Fi Zonked Machine, Tru-Fi Supa Fuzz, Tru-Fi Floyd Fuzz and Tru-Fi Dizzy Buzz, all covered on the Fuzz Pedals page.
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Questions
Does the Tru-Fi Spider Fuzz run on a battery?
Yes. Tru-Fi says the Spider Fuzz runs on a battery or a standard 9V negative tip power supply. The maker notes that it runs like all Tru-Fi pedals on a negative tip 9V power supply or battery, so it can sit on a pedalboard with a standard supply or be powered by a battery inside the pedal.
Is the Tru-Fi Spider Fuzz true bypass?
Yes. Tru-Fi's product page states that the pedal is Tru-Bypass, meaning the effect is removed from the signal path entirely when the pedal is switched off, so your guitar's signal reaches the amp unchanged when the Spider Fuzz is not engaged.
What polarity does the Tru-Fi Spider Fuzz power supply need?
The Spider Fuzz needs a 9V power supply with negative tip polarity, or it can run on a battery. Tru-Fi also notes that the pedal has a power inverter at the power jack, which is worth knowing if you plan to share a supply with other pedals.
What is the Tru-Fi Spider Fuzz based on?
The Spider Fuzz is based on the Vox Tonebender Mk 1, which Vox released in 1966. Tru-Fi builds it with one OC75 Black Glass Mullard transistor and two Texas Instrument metal can transistors, the same arrangement the maker says was used in 1966.
Where is the Tru-Fi Spider Fuzz made?
The Spider Fuzz is made in the USA. Tru-Fi describes the pedals as made by hand, and the maker notes shipping takes about 3 to 4 days because the Spider Fuzz is still one of the company's most popular pedals.
Which guitarist's tone does the Tru-Fi Spider Fuzz recreate?
The Spider Fuzz is built to recreate the tone of Mick Ronson, the guitarist known as Ronno, during the Ziggy and the Spiders from Mars era, playing his Les Paul through an original MK 1 Tonebender. Tru-Fi describes the sound as fat, raspy, pure rock and roll attitude.
Sources (1)
- Tru-Fi The Spider Fuzz Guitar Pedal, tru-fi.com
