The TSVG Angry Jeff is a germanium fuzz pedal, handwired point-to-point with no circuit board, built around AC 128 germanium transistors. Premier Guitar's reviewer heard it covering two familiar territories: the spitty, hectic character of an old Fuzz Face, and, pushed harder, the burly, bossy intensity of an old Triangle Muff, though the review notes it lacks that pedal's singing sustain1. It sits in TSVG's fuzz line alongside the TSVG Babbling Flower and the TSVG Slow Ride Overdrive/Fuzz, a later germanium fuzz with a thickening voicing switch2.
Sound and character
The germanium transistor-based circuit is the heart of the pedal. Premier Guitar described it as having "the spitty, hectic qualities of an old Fuzz Face," and found that with the guitar volume rolled back and the fuzz cranked, "Jeff will spit out the buzzy, '66-style sounds of a similarly configured germanium Fuzz Face"1. With the fuzz pushed, the reviewer heard it take on the burly, bossy intensity of an old Triangle Muff, while lacking that pedal's singing sustain1.
The review's verdict on the build and the tones was positive: "Beautiful, handwired, point-to-point circuitry. Lots of unique tones."1
Construction and controls
The Angry Jeff is wired point-to-point with cloth wire to its array of AC 128 germanium transistors, with no circuit board. The parts list includes Mullard tropical fish and Sprague capacitors1. The enclosure carries a decal finish rather than the hand-painted work TSVG is otherwise known for, and the knobs are unlabeled1.
- Volume (far left knob): a standard volume or level control1
- Unlabeled knobs: the decal enclosure leaves the controls unmarked, so players set them by position1
The knobs are unlabeled, and the far left knob is the volume or level control. If you pick one up secondhand, that is the knob to reach for first when dialing in a clean-ish rhythm tone.
Related TSVG fuzzes
TSVG's fuzz line includes the Angry Jeff, a handwired fuzz that Premier Guitar's reviewer praised for its "Beautiful, handwired, point-to-point circuitry. Lots of unique tones."1
Videos
TSVGpedals
Prymaxe
Questions
Does the TSVG Angry Jeff use germanium transistors?
Yes. Premier Guitar's review describes the Angry Jeff as point-to-point wired to an array of AC 128 germanium transistors, the old-style components behind its spitty, hectic Fuzz Face-like character. Germanium fuzzes like this typically respond strongly to guitar volume changes, which is where the pedal's rolled-back, '66-style sounds come from.
Is the TSVG Angry Jeff built on a circuit board?
No. According to Premier Guitar, the Angry Jeff is point-to-point wired with cloth wire and no circuit board, connected to its AC 128 germanium transistors by hand. That handwired construction was one of the review's listed pros, alongside what the reviewer called lots of unique tones.
How much does the TSVG Angry Jeff cost?
Premier Guitar's April 2021 review listed the Angry Jeff at a street price of $155 USD. As a small-builder handwired pedal, its availability and pricing may vary from that figure over time.
Does the TSVG Angry Jeff sound like a Fuzz Face?
Partly. Premier Guitar described the germanium circuit as having the spitty, hectic qualities of an old Fuzz Face, producing '66-style sounds when the guitar volume is rolled back and the fuzz is cranked. The reviewer also heard it take on the burly, bossy intensity of an old Triangle Muff, though without that pedal's singing sustain.
Are the knobs on the TSVG Angry Jeff labeled?
No. Premier Guitar noted that the Angry Jeff uses a decal finish rather than the hand-painted enclosures TSVG is known for, and the knobs are unlabeled. The knob at far left is a standard volume or level control, so players work by position rather than by printed markings.
Sources (2)
- TSVG Angry Jeff Pedal Review, Premier Guitar, 2013-05-11
- TSVG Slow Ride Overdrive/Fuzz Review, Premier Guitar, 2013-08-29
