The ZVEX Engraved FF7 is a one-off version of the Fuzz Factory 7 from ZVEX. ZVEX offered it at $329.001. It is a fuzz pedal in the Fuzz Factory family, which also includes the original Fuzz Factory, the Vexter Fuzz Factory and the Fat Fuzz Factory. ZVEX describes its character in three words: "Looks tough, sounds tough!"2
What it is
ZVEX describes the pedal as a "Utilitarian Fuzz Factory 7 Raw style enclosure" with "hand engraved art by LJM"2. The maker's listing reads, in full spirit: "Looks tough, sounds tough!"2 Like the hand-painted Fuzz Factory 7, it is a one-of-a-kind enclosure rather than a production finish; ZVEX notes on its hand-painted pedals that "Colors and details may vary" and that "Hand painted pedals feature a lifetime warranty"3.
As a version of the Fuzz Factory 7, the Engraved FF7 carries the same circuit family, and ZVEX describes its character as "Looks tough, sounds tough!"12. It sits alongside the other Fuzz Factory variants, including the Fuzz Factory 7 USA Vexter, and ZVEX listed it at $329.001.
How it differs from a standard Fuzz Factory 7
The standard Fuzz Factory 7 is a hand-painted pedal built by ZVEX's artists, one color and part at a time4. The Engraved FF7 instead uses what ZVEX calls a utilitarian raw-style enclosure with engraved rather than painted artwork2. ZVEX also notes: "We made a few of these during Covid, but this one has different transistors"2, so even within the small engraved run this unit is not identical to its siblings.
Two other differences set this particular pedal apart:
- It has 3 screws instead of 4, and one of those is stripped. ZVEX says it was "being offered at a discount since it has 3 screws instead of 4"1.
- Despite the missing and stripped screw, ZVEX states the pedal works perfectly1.
The Fuzz Factory 7 line also includes the larger vertical-format version. Premier Guitar reported in July 2013 that the FF7 "comes in a larger box with a vertical form factor and has a window with illuminated hand-painted black glass transistors from 1956, made originally by Amperex"5. The Engraved FF7 is a variant of the Fuzz Factory 7, not that vertical model.
Availability
ZVEX lists the Engraved FF7 as sold out1. As a one-off engraved enclosure it will not be restocked, though ZVEX's mod bench pages have carried other one-off and sample Fuzz Factory 7 units, including a Vexter FF7 sample enclosure from artwork testing with a board ZVEX describes as being from the Covid era6. Players looking for a production Fuzz Factory 7 can compare the hand-painted model, the Fuzz Factory 7 Vexter, which Guitar Pedal X described as "a very slightly lower cost version of the Fuzz Factory 7 (i.e. not hand-painted)"7, or the Russian Fuzz Factory 7, which ZVEX has shown in the midst of being hand-painted, one color and part at a time4.
Questions
Who engraved the ZVEX Engraved FF7?
The engraving was done by Lisa McGrath, who signs her work LJM. ZVEX lists the pedal on its mod bench pages as a hand engraved FF7 by Lisa McGrath (LJM), with the artwork described as hand engraved art by LJM. Like other ZVEX art pedals, it is a one-of-a-kind enclosure rather than a production finish.
What transistors does the Engraved FF7 use?
ZVEX states the pedal has GT308 germanium transistors. ZVEX also notes that it made a few engraved FF7 pedals during the Covid era and that this one has different transistors from the others in that small group.
How is the Engraved FF7 different from a standard Fuzz Factory 7?
It is a Fuzz Factory 7 in a utilitarian raw-style enclosure with hand engraved art by LJM, rather than the hand-painted finish of the standard model. ZVEX made only a few of these during Covid, and this unit has different transistors from the others. This particular pedal also has 3 screws instead of 4, one of which is stripped, which is why ZVEX offered it at a discount.
Is the ZVEX Engraved FF7 still available?
No. ZVEX lists the pedal as sold out on its product page. Because it is a one-off engraved enclosure, it will not be restocked, though ZVEX has made other engraved and hand-painted Fuzz Factory variants over the years.
Sources (7)
- Engraved FF7, ZVEX Effects (www.zvex.com)
- Engraved FF7, ZVEX Effects (www.zvex.com)
- Fuzz Factory 7, ZVEX Effects
- Z Vex Effects, Stompbox Book (stompboxbook.com), 2019-03-09
- Z.Vex Launches New Fuzz Factory 7 & More Pedals, Premier Guitar, 2013-07-11
- FF7 - FF740401 - ZVEX Effects, ZVEX Effects (www.zvex.com)
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2024-03-11
