The Valco KGB Fuzz is a multi-mode silicon fuzz pedal from Canadian maker Valco FX, a subsidiary of Eastwood Guitars, which distributes it exclusively12. The name is not a spy reference: KGB stands for keys, guitar and bass, and designer Carl Cook built it specifically to work with all three3. It launched in August 2021 as Valco FX's second pedal, after the BloodBuzz, at a list price of $29942.
What sets it apart from most fuzz boxes is its variable input impedance, a four-position voice selector and a blend fader that mixes your dry signal with the fuzz. GuitarPlayer's reviewer summed up the range on offer as "smooth Big Muff stylings, more aggressive classic Tone Bender tones, and spitty modern attitude"3.
A fuzz for keys, guitar and bass
Most fuzz pedals are voiced for guitar and treat everything else as an afterthought. The KGB Fuzz was designed from the start to work with keyboards, synths, guitar and bass14. It accepts both instrument and line level sources, so synths and audio interfaces plug in without an extra box in between, and a line/instrument switch adapts the input to some synthesizers32.
The circuit's fuzz operation is similar to that of a Lovetone Big Cheese, the cult 1990s fuzz, and Delicious Audio notes the fuzz side has a muff quality to it25. The enclosure leans studio-gear rather than stompbox: a top-mounted fader, top-mounted input and output jacks, chicken-head knobs and a sturdy gray metal box13. It is smaller than the BloodBuzz but still bigger than most pedals1.
The controls: Voice, Impedance and Blend
The control set is where the KGB Fuzz earns its keep. Three controls do things most fuzz pedals cannot.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Fuzz | Sets the amount of fuzz1 |
| Level | Sets the output level1 |
| Voice (4-position) | Selects the fuzz voice1 |
| Impedance (Omega) | Changes input impedance, altering the tone and dynamics of the fuzz, the dry signal and pedals downstream12 |
| Blend fader | Mixes dry signal with the fuzz effect1 |
| Line/Inst switch | Activates the Impedance control in Inst; fixes impedance in Line1 |
The Voice selector gives four options1:
- Position 1, Mid Scoop: introduces a 1 kHz EQ dip for a Muff-style fuzz1.
- Position 2, 3-Knob Mode: a more neutral EQ curve with increased mid focus, suited to rhythm and lead fuzz tones1.
- Position 3, Gated: the same EQ as Voice 2, but the fuzz section enters deep bias saturation with an extra input drive stage for a classic gated, starved fuzz sound1.
- OFF, Tone Bypass: the pedal acts as a two-knob fuzz using only Fuzz and Level13.
The Impedance control, labeled with the Greek letter Omega, is the unusual one. Lower settings yield softer dynamics and transients with a rounded, vintage feel that suits guitar and bass; higher settings give a sharper high frequency response, more direct and aggressive transients and more perceived gain26. It works even when the fuzz circuit is off, and because it changes what the pedal presents to whatever follows it, changing the impedance also affects pedals placed after the KGB, which Delicious Audio calls "a whole universe of possibilities"2. To bypass that effect on downstream pedals, the KGB also has a dry output, a permanent dry-signal thru32.
The Blend fader mixes the dry and fuzz signals, which is what makes the pedal friendly to bass and keys, where a full wet fuzz can swallow the fundamental. Pedal of the Day's reviewer was blunt about it1:
"This should be on every pedal, hands down, and we love how you can perfectly dial in just the right mix of dry signal and effect."1
The KGB Fuzz JR
In November 2022 Valco released the KGB Fuzz JR, a smaller sibling based on the same silicon circuit6. The JR covers four fuzz styles, Two Knob, ToneBender, Muff and Velcro, and its Voice 1 Mid Scoop setting introduces the same 1 kHz EQ dip as the full-size pedal, in a Muff style reminiscent of the Triangle variety that cleans up better than a standard Muff6. The one difference is that the JR drops the Blend fader7. The JR runs on a standard 9V center-negative adapter or a 9V battery6.
History and who made it
Valco FX is a subsidiary of the Canadian eccentric guitar builder Eastwood Guitars2. The KGB Fuzz, unveiled in August 2021, was the company's second pedal, following the BloodBuzz fuzz and drive pedal, a tribute to the Lovetone Cheesesource2. Designer Carl Cook optimized the KGB for keys, guitar and bass3, and it is built in Canada3.
What reviewers said
GuitarPlayer's review found a lot to like, crediting the pedal with a "massive ability to fine tune your fuzz sound," a wide range of dirt and a high cool factor overall3. Pedal of the Day highlighted the blend control and the impedance selector's ability to recreate the lower impedance sounds of vintage fuzz pedals1. Delicious Audio called it "a very tweakable fuzz bearing a rather disquieting name"2.
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Questions
What does KGB stand for on the Valco fuzz?
KGB stands for keys, guitar and bass. Designer Carl Cook built the pedal to work with all three, and it accepts both instrument and line level sources, so synths and audio interfaces plug straight in.
Does the Valco KGB Fuzz run on a battery?
Yes. The KGB Fuzz has a nine-volt adapter jack and also runs on battery power. The smaller KGB Fuzz JR is powered by a standard 9V center-negative AC adapter or a 9V battery.
What does the Impedance knob do on the KGB Fuzz?
It changes the pedal's input impedance, which alters the tonality and dynamics of the fuzz, the dry signal and even pedals placed after it. Lower settings give a softer, rounded vintage feel; higher settings sharpen the high frequency response and add perceived gain.
Can you use the KGB Fuzz with a synth?
Yes. It is designed to work with both instrument and line inputs, and it has a line/instrument switch to adapt to some synthesizers. In the Line position the impedance is fixed; in the Inst position the Impedance control is active.
What is the difference between the KGB Fuzz and KGB Fuzz JR?
The JR is a smaller sibling based on the same Silicon circuit, covering Two Knob, ToneBender, Muff and Velcro fuzz styles, but it drops the Blend fader that lets the full-size pedal mix dry signal with the fuzz.
Who designed the Valco KGB Fuzz?
The designer is Carl Cook, who optimized the pedal for keys, guitar and bass. Valco FX is a subsidiary of the Canadian guitar builder Eastwood Guitars, which distributes the pedal exclusively.
Sources (7)
- Valco FX KGB Fuzz, Pedal of the Day, 2021-08-11
- Valco FX KGB Fuzz, Delicious Audio, 2021-09-24
- Valco KGB Fuzz Review, GuitarPlayer, 2021-12-17
- Valco FX Launches the KGB Fuzz, Premier Guitar, 2021-08-06
- Valco’s KGB Fuzz brings blended Big Cheese tones to keys, guitar and bass, Guitar.com, 2021-08-11
- New Pedal: Valco KGB Fuzz JR, Delicious Audio, 2022-11-16
- New Pedal: Valco KGB Dist JR, Delicious Audio, 2022-11-16
