JHS Pedals - Supreme Legends Of Fuzz

In the late 60s, Japan was chock-full of superb pedal companies and innovations. One of the most sought-after effects of this period and this country is the Univox Super-Fuzz pedal.

This effect is a fuzz/octave that turns any note or chord into a thick, powerful texture. It was first produced inside a multi-effect the size of a large amp head called the Honey Psychedelic Machine (1967) and then reissued a few months later as a pedal under the name Honey Baby Crying Effect.

Honey became Shin-Ei and in 1968 Shin-Ei became the leading guitar pedal company in Japan, making effects under the Shin-Ei name and also manufacturing circuits for dozens of other brands such as Shaftesbury, Kent, Crown, Jax and Univox in the USA.

Thanks to Pete Townsend of The Who, the Univox Unicord Super-Fuzz version stood out from the crowd and became famous. First produced in a simple, unassuming metal case (1968), its look changed to something more attractive thanks to a large rectangle balance wheel with SUPER-FUZZ written across the top in large letters (1970). Red and blue, black and grey, white and black - you could even choose your own colours.

Although each of the early versions of this pedal sounds strikingly similar, this 1972 model has a certain magic that sets it apart from the rest. Imagine an Octavia Fuzz that's got off on the wrong foot: a powerful, screaming, vibrant octave/fuzz that's always on full blast.

The Supreme has 2 additional settings on the left-hand side:
- Tone engages a midrange reducer that straightens out the Supreme's attack and makes it more docile,
- Mode engages a JHS mode with a more pronounced octave, thicker midrange and more volume/boost available.