Fuzz was the first type of distortion pedal, and the retro sound of vintage units from the 1960s remains coveted by guitarists to this day. Realised through deep analysis of many legendary pedals and detailed Waza craftsmanship, the all-analog FZ-1W delivers the inspiring tone, feel, and vibe of classic fuzz in a reliable modern design. And like all Waza Craft pedals, the FZ-1W features premium components for top-quality performance and extended range for maximum tonal versatility.
When introduced in the 1960s, fuzz pedals changed the game for electric guitarists, giving them a bold and aggressive new voice that redefined the sound of rock music forever. Through those early days, innovative pedal builders tweaked and refined fuzz circuits based on the creative input of many now-legendary guitarists. Ultimately, this led to a small number of standout designs that became the benchmarks for the broad spectrum of players.
While developing the limited-run TB-2W Tone Bender, Boss explored and analysed many vintage fuzz pedals and gained deep knowledge along the way. This experience inspired them to reimagine the classic fuzz effect with their unique Waza craftsmanship and expertise. Unlike previous Waza Craft models, the FZ-1W does not provide a reproduction of a past design. This pedal is a modern interpretation of vintage fuzz, and it carries the number “1” in its name to show respect for the classic circuits that helped shape the sound of rock guitar and launch the effect pedal industry that are loved today.
The simple circuits of the most sought-after vintage fuzz units produce bright and aggressive tones with long sustain. They’re very sensitive to playing dynamics as well, and the best designs allow you to clean up the sound by rolling back the guitar’s volume knob. But these classic pedals are also famously inconsistent—even between models of the same design—and variables like age, battery type, temperature, and more can have a dramatic effect on their sound and performance.
Backed by Waza innovation, the FZ-1W lets you enjoy all the great musical characteristics of vintage fuzz without the downsides. While inspired by historic circuits, this pedal presents an all-new BOSS approach fueled by forward-thinking perspective and deep knowledge of effect design. Using top-quality silicon transistors, Boss have created a unique circuit that delivers authentic tone and response while maintaining stable performance in any temperature or operating condition. In addition, their modern approach greatly expands the sound possibilities over vintage designs, offering higher gain, lower noise, deeper tone-shaping control, and more.
Features
- Premium Waza Craft pedal for the ultimate BOSS tone experience
- Redefined fuzz sounds that combine classic tone and response with modern versatility and stability, realised through BOSS Waza innovation
- Vintage mode delivers a retro fuzz experience with aggressive tone, dynamic touch response, and extreme sensitivity to input volume
- Modern mode provides a fatter sound and more mid focus to suit a wider range of music styles
- Powerful Tone knob provides deep sound-shaping control tuned for each mode
- Consistent sound and reliable performance with silicon transistor circuitry
- High-quality buffer for clean and clear tone when bypassed
- BOSS five-year warranty