The Vox VFZ-1 MK 1.5 is a fuzz pedal from Vox, built around one of the most storied circuits in fuzz history. Vox describes it as "revisiting one of the most influential fuzz circuits of all time: the classic two-transistor of the late 60s commonly known as the Mk 1.5"1. The pedal was announced in mid-January 2026 and is available now from the Vox Webstore and at leading dealers, including Andertons in the UK2.
What it does
The Mk 1.5 circuit is the Tone Bender lineage, and the VFZ-1 aims to capture what made those early two-transistor fuzzes distinctive. Vox says the pedal delivers "liquid sustain, mid-rich presence, and dynamic feel but with lower noise, rock-solid stability, and greater flexibility" than the originals1. Bass Musician Magazine's announcement puts it the same way: the VFZ-1 captures "the mid-forward presence, liquid sustain, and touch sensitivity of early two-transistor fuzz pedals"4.
Vox also claims "exceptionally low noise performance" for the pedal1, which matters on a circuit type historically known for hiss and instability.
Controls
Guitar Pedal X describes the VFZ-1 as "somewhat more expansive with a 4-knob / 5 x controls topology" than a basic vintage fuzz2.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Volume | Output level |
| Fuzz | Fuzz amount |
| Tone Cut | Treble shaping |
| Bass Cut | Bass shaping |
| Crunch / Fuzz Voicing toggle | Switches between voicings |
The Crunch switch is the pedal's most distinctive addition. Premier Guitar's announcement explains that it "instantly offers those expressive overdrive-like textures without requiring any change at the instrument itself"3, in other words the sound of a vintage fuzz with the guitar's volume rolled back, available at the flip of a switch. Bass Musician Magazine describes the same feature as offering "expressive overdrive-like textures" on demand4.
How it differs from other vintage-style fuzzes
Two things set the VFZ-1 apart from the vintage circuits it draws on. The first is the transistor choice: Guitar Pedal X notes that Vox's new pedals are "vintage-inspired, Germanium sounding pedals using BC108 vintage silicon metal can transistors"2, aiming for the character of germanium-era fuzzes with silicon parts.
The second is input impedance. Bass Musician Magazine calls this "a key breakthrough in the VFZ-1": it has "unusually high input impedance for a vintage-style fuzz, compatible with buffered pedals and Wah effects"4. Classic two-transistor fuzzes are famously fussy about what feeds them, and a wah or a buffered pedal ahead of one can make them sound wrong. The VFZ-1 is built to accept both.
The VFZ-1 sits alongside the related VOX VFZ-1 page and Vox's fuzz history, including the Vox Tone Bender and the Vox Tone Bender Professional MKII, whose Mk 1.5-era circuit this pedal revisits.
Availability and price
Guitar Pedal X reported the pedal priced at "just £115 / circa $150"2. The VFZ-1 MK 1.5 is a fuzz built around BC108 vintage silicon metal can transistors, with a gold-accented black vintage-style enclosure and a 4-knob, 5-control layout2.
Videos
VOX Amps
VOX Amps
VOX Amps
Sources (4)
- The VOX VFZ-1 Fuzz Pedal, VOX (voxamps.com), 2026-01-16
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2026-01-19
- VOX Introduces the VFZ-1 Fuzz Pedal, Premier Guitar, 2026-01-16
- New Gear: VOX Introduces the VFZ-1 Fuzz Pedal, Bass Musician Magazine, 2026-01-15
