The ZVEX Reverse Fuzz Factory is a fuzz pedal from ZVEX, a variant of the company's Fuzz Factory circuit built with Reverse Spam Can transistors and wired for reverse polarity power. ZVEX describes those transistors as sounding "amazing and squishy"1. The circuit's reverse-polarity approach is, in ZVEX's words, "Similar to many 1960s fuzz boxes with reverse polarity"1, which is what sets this pedal apart electrically from the standard Fuzz Factory line.
It is a small-run, collector-oriented product rather than a catalog staple. The Engraved and RSCFF2602 versions are both listed as sold out on ZVEX's own pages23, and Gearnews noted back in 2017 that "These 'reversed' Fuzz factory pedals have since become something of a rarity"4.
A Fuzz Factory with reverse polarity power
The Reverse Fuzz Factory is part of ZVEX's long-running Fuzz Factory family, which includes the Vexter Fuzz Factory, the Fat Fuzz Factory, the Silicon Fuzz Factory, and the seven-transistor Fuzz Factory 7. What distinguishes the Reverse version is its power scheme and its transistors13.
The circuit contains Reverse Spam Can transistors, which ZVEX says sound "amazing and squishy"1. The Spam Can name goes back to the beginning of the line: the original 1995 Fuzz Factory models used the Spam Can transistor for the first 50 ever built4. The 2017 Reverse Fuzz Factory 111 revived that idea, using the '111' Spam Can-style transistor with a reverse polarity circuit, and was sold as a limited edition directly from ZVex at an RRP of $319 plus shipping and taxes, with ordering open from February 9th until February 16th, 20174.
The RSCFF2602 version has its own origin story: ZVEX calls it "A frankenstein Fuzz Factory made from odds 'n' ends at the shop"3.
Versions at a glance
| Version | Enclosure | Price | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reverse Fuzz Factory (clear) | Clear Lexan with swirly inside paint by LJM1 | $479.001 | Listed on ZVEX's Mod Bench1 |
| Reverse Fuzz Factory Engraved | Repurposed from a dead Inventobox, hand-engraved by LJM25 | $449.002 | Sold out2 |
| Reverse Fuzz Factory RSCFF2602 | Built from shop odds 'n' ends3 | $449.003 | Sold out3 |
| Reverse Fuzz Factory 111 (2017) | Limited edition, sold directly from ZVex4 | $319 plus shipping/taxes4 | 2017 ordering window closed4 |
Power: reverse polarity, battery suggested
This is the part a player needs to understand before putting the pedal on a board. The Reverse Fuzz Factory runs on reverse polarity power, so ZVEX suggests using it with a 9V battery or "one of those little red plugs," and states that "it can't be daisychained" with other pedals' power1.
Reverse polarity means this pedal cannot share a standard daisy chain or common pedalboard power supply with conventional pedals. Plan on a 9V battery or a dedicated reverse-polarity adapter1.
The reverse-polarity design is not a quirk unique to ZVEX. ZVEX notes the approach is "Similar to many 1960s fuzz boxes with reverse polarity"1, so the pedal follows an older convention rather than the modern center-negative standard.
Enclosure and artwork
The clear version of the Reverse Fuzz Factory sits in a Lexan enclosure, which ZVEX describes as bulletproof glass, with swirly inside paint by LJM that "Looks awesome under a black light!"1. The Engraved version takes a different route: its main enclosure was repurposed from a dead Inventobox, and it carries hand-engraved artwork by LJM, who ZVEX says doesn't make these very often25. ZVEX calls the Engraved version "a cool collector item, for sure!"5.
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Questions
Can I daisy chain power to the ZVEX Reverse Fuzz Factory?
No. ZVEX states plainly that it can't be daisychained with other pedals' power. Because the pedal runs on reverse polarity power, sharing a common supply with standard center-negative pedals is off the table. Run it from its own 9V battery or a dedicated adapter.
What power supply does the Reverse Fuzz Factory need?
It runs on reverse polarity power, so ZVEX suggests using it with a 9V battery or one of those little red plugs, the reverse-polarity adapters sold for this kind of circuit. A standard daisy chain or shared pedalboard supply will not work with it.
What are Reverse Spam Can transistors?
They are the transistors ZVEX fits in the Reverse Fuzz Factory's circuit. ZVEX describes them as sounding amazing and squishy. The name traces back to the Spam Can transistors used in the first 50 Fuzz Factory pedals built in 1995, and the 2017 Reverse Fuzz Factory 111 used an '111' Spam Can-style transistor with reverse polarity.
How much does the ZVEX Reverse Fuzz Factory cost?
The clear Lexan-enclosure Reverse Fuzz Factory is listed at $479.00, and the Engraved and RSCFF2602 versions at $449.00 each, on ZVEX's product pages as of October 2026. The 2017 Reverse Fuzz Factory 111 was priced at $319 plus shipping and taxes during its February 9 to 16, 2017 ordering window.
Is the Reverse Fuzz Factory Engraved still available?
No. ZVEX's product page lists the Reverse Fuzz Factory Engraved as sold out, and the RSCFF2602 version is also sold out. The hand-engraved artwork by LJM is made infrequently, so these appear only in small, occasional runs and sell as collector items.
What is the enclosure made of?
The standard Reverse Fuzz Factory uses a clear Lexan enclosure, which ZVEX describes as bulletproof glass, with swirly inside paint by LJM that looks awesome under a black light. The Engraved version's main enclosure was repurposed from a dead Inventobox and carries hand-engraved artwork by LJM.
Sources (5)
- Reverse Fuzz Factory, ZVEX Effects (www.zvex.com)
- Reverse Fuzz Factory Engraved, ZVEX Effects
- Reverse Fuzz Factory, ZVEX Effects
- ZVex announces 111 'reverse' Spam Can Fuzz Factory via Facebook, gearnews.com, 2017-02-09
- Reverse Fuzz Factory Engraved, ZVEX Effects
