Boss - FZ-1W Fuzz

Discovering the essence of vintage fuzz
When they first came out in the 1960s, fuzz pedals were a game-changer for electric guitarists, giving them a proud, aggressive new sound that redefined the sound of rock music for ever. Since then, innovative pedal builders have modified and improved fuzz circuits, following the recommendations of many now-legendary guitarists. The result has been some highly original products that have become benchmarks for guitarists of all kinds.
During the development of the limited edition TB-2W Tone Bender, we explored and analysed a number of vintage Fuzz pedals, gaining a broad knowledge of these models. This experience inspired us to reimagine the classic Fuzz effect using our Waza know-how and expertise. Unlike previous Waza Craft models, the FZ-1W is not a recreation of a model from the past. This pedal brings to life our modern interpretation of a vintage Fuzz, and incorporates the number '1' into its name to show our great respect for the classic circuits that helped shape the rock guitar sound, and opened up the effects pedal market we hold so dear today.

The best features of a vintage fuzz in a modern pedal
The simple circuits of most famous vintage fuzz pedals produce clear, aggressive tones with long sustain. They're also very sensitive to the nuances of playing, and the best ones even allow you to lighten the sound by turning back the guitar's volume knob. But these classic pedals are also notoriously inconsistent in quality, even between supposedly identical models, and variables such as age, battery type, temperature and so on can have a significant effect on sound and behaviour.
Packed with Waza innovation, the FZ-1W lets you enjoy the excellent characteristics of vintage fuzz without the drawbacks. While inspired by historic circuitry, this pedal offers a whole new BOSS approach, blending visionary design with a deep knowledge of effects design. Using the highest quality silica transistors, we've created a unique circuit that delivers authentic sound and response, while ensuring reliable operation in all temperature and application conditions. What's more, our modern approach greatly enhances the sonic possibilities compared to vintage models, providing high gain, less noise, and more sound shaping options.

Vintage mode: classic fuzz, greater expressivity
With Vintage Mode on the FZ-1W, BOSS redefines the classic fuzz sound by giving it more gain and a wider range of expressivity. The sound has raspy, assertive characteristics without being harsh. And you can move smoothly from a heavy fuzz to a crunch, then to a crystal-clear sound, simply by using your guitar's volume. The powerful Tone knob adjusts high and low frequencies simultaneously, allowing you to find different fuzz colours. And by lowering the Fuzz knob while increasing Level, the FZ-1W becomes an excellent booster for your amp and other gain pedals.

Modern mode: fat and focused
Modern mode provides a more refined and versatile fuzz, with tighter mids and more fatness, making it ideal for all styles of contemporary music. The gain range is even wider than in Vintage mode, and pushing the Fuzz knob above three-quarters brings out a rich, singing sustain, ideal for solos. The Tone knob provides a different setting, allowing you to change the brightness without altering the midrange, so it stands out in any mix. And when used as a Boost, the Modern mode delivers a rounded, midrange-filled sound.

Waza Craft: The art of big sound
BOSS engineers have always been dedicated to creating the best guitar sounds, using everything from old-school analog circuitry to the most advanced DSPs. This enthusiasm is evident in the Waza Craft range, which delivers exceptional tone and touch response from carefully selected and assembled analogue components with meticulous attention to detail. In Japanese, 'Waza' means both art and craftsmanship, and these special edition pedals are perfect representations of this. They embody the very best of BOSS design and craftsmanship.