The VOX VFZ-1 is a compact fuzz pedal from VOX, announced in January 2026 and available now through retailers and online worldwide1. It revisits what VOX calls one of the most influential fuzz circuits of all time: the classic two-transistor design of the late 1960s, commonly known as the Mk 1.521. Where the originals used germanium, the VFZ-1 uses silicon transistors voiced for what VOX describes as an authentic germanium-like tone and response2.
The result, in VOX's words, is a fuzz that is "aggressive yet refined, dynamic yet stable, combining timeless tone with modern reliability" and exceptionally low noise2. Press coverage adds that the design gives the pedal the smooth compression, organic breakup, and expressive sustain associated with overdriven vintage valve amplifiers1.
A Mk 1.5 fuzz on silicon transistors
The VFZ-1's circuit is a late-1960s two-transistor fuzz design, the one commonly associated with the Mk 1.5 name and the Vox Tone Bender family1. Guitar Pedal X's Stefan Karlsson places it squarely in that lineage, describing the pedal as a Tone Bender MK 1.5 style fuzz and noting that he owns several Tone Bender MK 1.5 variants himself4.
Instead of the germanium transistors of the originals, the VFZ-1 uses two carefully selected Silver Can BC108 silicon transistors, each precisely biased to replicate the musical behavior of germanium1. VOX itself describes the pedal as a silicon-driven interpretation of a vintage fuzz that preserves warmth, harmonic richness, and musical response, according to Bass Magazine's launch coverage5. Guitar Pedal X frames the pairing with the companion VTB-1 treble booster as vintage-inspired, germanium-sounding pedals built on BC108 silicon4.
For players, the practical appeal is the germanium sound without the germanium drawbacks. Silicon transistors are less temperature-sensitive and more consistent from unit to unit, and VOX pairs them with what it calls modern reliability and exceptionally low noise2.
A key point for pedalboard users: the VFZ-1 has unusually high input impedance for a vintage-style fuzz, which makes it compatible with buffered pedals and wah effects1. Many vintage-style fuzz circuits load down buffers and wahs placed in front of them, changing the tone; the VFZ-1 is designed not to.
The controls: Fuzz, Bass Cut, Tone Cut and the Crunch switch
The VFZ-1 carries a Volume knob plus the Fuzz control, two cut controls, and a toggle switch. Guitar Pedal X lists the full set as Volume, Fuzz, Tone Cut, Bass Cut, and a Crunch / Fuzz Voicing toggle-switch4.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Fuzz | Sets the core voice of the pedal1 |
| Bass Cut | Adjusts how much low end enters the gain stages; VOX calls it perfect for humbuckers, neck pickups, or tightening up the fuzz for rhythm work2 |
| Tone Cut | Rolls off high frequencies at the output, for smoothing harshness or dialing in the iconic "violin" tone2 |
| Crunch switch | Selects lower-gain, volume-rolled-back overdrive tones2 |
The two cut controls work at opposite ends of the signal path. Bass Cut trims low end before the gain stages, so thick humbucker or neck-pickup signals can be kept from overloading the fuzz; Tone Cut shapes the high-frequency response at the output1, taming brightness after the fuzz is formed.
The Crunch switch is the VFZ-1's nod to the classic trick of rolling a guitar's volume back to clean up a fuzz. Bass Musician Magazine's launch coverage describes it as offering those expressive overdrive-like textures instantly, without requiring any change at the instrument itself1. In effect, it gives the player a second, lower-gain voice on the same pedal, closer to overdrive than full distortion.
Power, size and price
The VFZ-1 runs on a 9V supply with a center-pin negative plug, and it also takes a 9V battery2. The enclosure is compact and rugged in a vintage style2, measuring 2.91 in × 4.84 in × 2.28 in and weighing .89 lbs2.
The announced street price is $149.99 USD3. UK coverage put the pedal at £115, roughly $150, at launch4.
The owner's manual for the VFZ-1 was published on 01/14/2026 and is available from VOX2.
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Questions
Does the VOX VFZ-1 take a 9V battery?
Yes. VOX lists the pedal's power as 9V center-pin negative, and it also runs on a 9V battery, so it works on a pedalboard power supply or standalone without an adapter.
What transistors are in the VOX VFZ-1?
Two silicon transistors. VOX describes them as premium silicon transistors voiced for a germanium-like tone and response, and press coverage identifies them as carefully selected Silver Can BC108 silicon transistors, each precisely biased.
Does the VOX VFZ-1 work with a wah in front of it?
Yes. The VFZ-1 has unusually high input impedance for a vintage-style fuzz, which makes it compatible with buffered pedals and wah effects, where many vintage-style fuzzes struggle.
What does the Crunch switch on the VFZ-1 do?
It drops the pedal into lower-gain, volume-rolled-back overdrive tones. VOX positions it as an instant shift to expressive overdrive-like textures without needing to change anything at the guitar itself.
How much does the VOX VFZ-1 cost?
The announced street price is $149.99 USD. UK coverage put it at £115, roughly $150, when the pedal launched in January 2026.
Sources (5)
- New Gear: VOX Introduces the VFZ-1 Fuzz Pedal, Bass Musician Magazine, 2026-01-15
- The VOX VFZ-1 Fuzz Pedal, VOX (voxamps.com), 2026-01-16
- VOX Introduces the VFZ-1 Fuzz Pedal, Premier Guitar, 2026-01-16
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2026-01-19
- VOX Introduces the VFZ-1 Fuzz Pedal, Bass Magazine, 2026-01-15
