The ZVEX Reverse Fuzz Factory Engraved is a fuzz pedal in the Fuzz Factory family, built from spare parts around the ZVEX shop and finished with hand-engraved artwork by LJM. ZVEX describes it as "Truly a frankenstein Fuzz Factory made from odds 'n' ends around the shop and engraved by LJM," with the main enclosure repurposed from a dead Inventobox1. It is a one-off style release rather than a standing product, and ZVEX's page lists it as sold out1.
A reverse-polarity fuzz built from shop leftovers
The Reverse Fuzz Factory takes the Fuzz Factory circuit concept and populates it with what ZVEX calls Reverse Spam Can transistors, "which sound amazing and squishy"1. The lineage goes back further than the standard Fuzz Factory: ZVEX notes it is "Similar to many 1960s fuzz boxes with reverse polarity"1. The enclosure itself has a story, since the main box was repurposed from a dead Inventobox, and a little plexiglass window was added "so you can see the hamster* that lives inside running on the wheel," ZVEX's playful way of pointing at the circuit inside1.
What the ZVEX pages establish about the build:
- Built from spare parts around the ZVEX shop, in the maker's words a "frankenstein" Fuzz Factory1
- Populated with Reverse Spam Can transistors, described by ZVEX as sounding "amazing and squishy"1
- Main enclosure repurposed from a dead Inventobox1
- Plexiglass window showing the "hamster" running on the wheel inside1
- Hand-engraved artwork by LJM on the Engraved edition2
- Reverse polarity power, like many 1960s fuzz boxes1
The Reverse Fuzz Factory name covers several one-off builds. A related unit, the Reverse Fuzz Factory RSCFF2602, is likewise described as "A frankenstein Fuzz Factory made from odds 'n' ends at the shop" and is also sold out3. A clear-bodied version, the Reverse Spam Can Fuzz Factory, comes in a Lexan (bulletproof glass) enclosure with swirly inside paint by LJM, which ZVEX says "Looks awesome under a black light!"4. Earlier still, the Reverse Fuzz Factory 111, announced in February 2017, used "the '111' Spam Can-style transistor with a reverse polarity" in a limited run sold directly from ZVex; gearnews.com noted at the time that "These 'reversed' Fuzz factory pedals have since become something of a rarity"5.
| Version | Enclosure and finish | Transistors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reverse Fuzz Factory Engraved | Repurposed Inventobox enclosure, hand-engraved artwork by LJM, plexiglass window | Reverse Spam Can | Sold out1 |
| Reverse Fuzz Factory RSCFF2602 | Shop-built "frankenstein" enclosure | Reverse Spam Can | Sold out3 |
| Reverse Spam Can Fuzz Factory (Clear) | Clear Lexan (bulletproof glass) with swirly inside paint by LJM | Reverse Spam Can | Listed on ZVEX site4 |
| Reverse Fuzz Factory 111 | Limited run, sold directly from ZVex | "111" Spam Can-style, reverse polarity | Announced February 20175 |
Reverse polarity power
The defining practical feature is the power. ZVEX states plainly: "It runs on reverse polarity power"1. Most modern pedals use a center-negative 9V supply, so a reversed pedal will not share a standard daisy chain. ZVEX suggests "using it with a 9V battery or one of those little red plugs - it can't be daisychained"1.
Because of the reversed polarity, this pedal cannot share a daisy-chained supply with your other pedals. Plan on a 9V battery or a dedicated reverse-polarity adapter.
The hand-engraved limited edition
The Engraved edition is the dressiest of the Reverse Fuzz Factory builds. ZVEX says it "rocks some cool hand-engraved artwork by LJM! She doesn't make these very often," which is why the pedal appears only in infrequent runs2. Like the other Reverse Fuzz Factory units, it carries the Reverse Spam Can transistors that ZVEX describes as sounding "amazing and squishy"1.
"Truly a frankenstein Fuzz Factory made from odds 'n' ends around the shop and engraved by LJM."
For players comparing it within the family, the standard Fuzz Factory, the Vexter Fuzz Factory and the Fat Fuzz Factory are regular production pedals, while the Reverse Fuzz Factory Engraved sits with the shop-built limited editions such as the Engraved FF7 and the Full Of Hell Limited Edition Fuzz Factory21.
Questions
What does reverse polarity mean on the ZVEX Reverse Fuzz Factory?
The pedal runs on reverse polarity power, meaning its power input is wired opposite to the center-negative standard most modern pedals use. ZVEX notes this is similar to many 1960s fuzz boxes, which were also built with reversed polarity. The practical result is that it cannot be daisychained with other pedals' power, so ZVEX suggests running it on a 9V battery or one of its little red plugs.
Who engraves the ZVEX Reverse Fuzz Factory Engraved?
The hand-engraved artwork is by LJM, the same artist whose swirly inside paint appears on the clear Lexan version of the Reverse Fuzz Factory. ZVEX notes that she does not make these engraved pedals very often, so they are infrequent releases rather than a standing product line.
Is the ZVEX Reverse Fuzz Factory Engraved still available?
No. ZVEX's product page for the Reverse Fuzz Factory Engraved lists it as sold out. Because it is a hand-engraved limited edition made infrequently, it appears in small runs rather than staying in stock. The related Reverse Fuzz Factory RSCFF2602 is also listed as sold out.
What is the hamster in the ZVEX Reverse Fuzz Factory?
The hamster is a joke, not a real animal. ZVEX added a little plexiglass window to the pedal so you can see what it calls the hamster that lives inside running on the wheel, a playful way of showing the circuit through the enclosure. The asterisk in ZVEX's own copy signals the tongue-in-cheek framing.
Sources (5)
- Reverse Fuzz Factory Engraved, ZVEX Effects
- Reverse Fuzz Factory Engraved, ZVEX Effects
- Reverse Fuzz Factory, ZVEX Effects
- Reverse Fuzz Factory, ZVEX Effects (www.zvex.com)
- ZVex announces 111 'reverse' Spam Can Fuzz Factory via Facebook, gearnews.com, 2017-02-09
