EarthQuaker Devices Fuzz Master General Legacy Reissue Octave Fuzz

The EarthQuaker Devices Fuzz Master General Legacy Reissue is a limited-edition analogue octave fuzz inspired by the vintage Ace Tone Fuzz Master FM-2 Professional and classic Super Fuzz-style circuits.

Designed for players who want everything from gritty vintage fuzz to aggressive octave-up textures, it features Fuzz, Tone and Level controls alongside a three-way Voice switch offering germanium, silicon and open transistor clipping.

The result is an extremely versatile fuzz capable of loose vintage saturation, tighter compressed tones, scooped bass-heavy sounds and almost ring-modulated octave effects. It is ideal for psychedelic rock, garage, stoner rock, doom, alternative, experimental guitar, bass and synthesiser use.

At A Glance

Feature	Details
Brand	EarthQuaker Devices
Model	Fuzz Master General Legacy Reissue
Type	Analogue Octave Fuzz Pedal
Condition	New
Inspiration	Vintage Ace Tone Fuzz Master FM-2
Controls	Fuzz, Tone, Level
Voice Modes	Germanium, Silicon, Open
Octave Effect	Analogue Octave Up
Bypass	Relay-Based True Bypass
Switching	Flexi-Switch®
Current Draw	10mA
Power	9V DC Centre Negative
Main Appeal	Vintage-style octave fuzz with three distinct clipping voices
Best For	Psychedelic, garage, doom, stoner, alternative and experimental sounds

What Makes The Fuzz Master General Special?

The Fuzz Master General takes inspiration from the vintage Ace Tone FM-2 Professional, an early Japanese octave fuzz closely associated with the aggressive sound of classic Super Fuzz-style circuits.

EarthQuaker Devices expands on that concept with a wider-ranging Fuzz control, variable Tone control and three-way Voice selector. This allows the pedal to move from relatively restrained dirt through to saturated, buzzing octave fuzz without losing the raw character that makes this style of circuit so distinctive.

Three Different Fuzz Voices

The Voice switch changes the clipping style and dramatically alters the response of the pedal.

Germanium

Germanium clipping produces a more open and loose fuzz character with strong output and a vintage-style response.

Silicon

Silicon clipping creates a tighter, more compressed sound that works particularly well for aggressive rhythm guitar, riffs and focused fuzz tones.

Open

The centre position removes diode clipping and produces a louder, more direct transistor drive with a pronounced octave-up character that can move towards ring-modulation-style textures.

This mode has considerably more output, so lowering the Level control before switching into it is recommended.

Wide-Ranging Tone Control

Unlike many vintage octave fuzz circuits with limited tone options, the Fuzz Master General gives you a fully variable Tone control.

Turn it clockwise for darker, more scooped and bass-heavy sounds.

Move it anticlockwise for brighter, more open tones with additional cut and definition.

This makes it easier to adapt the pedal to different guitars, amplifiers and musical styles rather than being locked into one fixed fuzz voice.

Who Is It For?

The EarthQuaker Devices Fuzz Master General is ideal for players looking for a more unusual fuzz sound than a conventional distortion or Muff-style pedal.

It is particularly well suited to:

• Psychedelic rock
• Garage rock
• Stoner rock
• Doom
• Alternative
• Noise rock
• Experimental guitar
• Vintage-inspired fuzz sounds
• Octave lead tones
• Bass fuzz
• Synthesiser processing

How To Get The Strongest Octave Effect

The Fuzz Master General uses an analogue octave-up circuit, so playing technique has a major influence on the result.

For the clearest octave effect, try using the neck pickup and playing single notes above the 12th fret.

Single-note lead lines generally produce the most pronounced octave response, while chords create a much more chaotic and aggressive fuzz texture.

This interaction is part of what gives analogue octave fuzz pedals their distinctive character.

Why Choose An Analogue Octave Fuzz?

An octave fuzz does more than simply add distortion.

The circuit generates harmonic content above the original note, producing the distinctive upper-octave effect heard in psychedelic, garage and experimental guitar sounds.

Unlike modern digital pitch shifting, an analogue octave fuzz responds differently depending on where you play, which pickup you use and how the notes interact.

That unpredictability makes the Fuzz Master General especially appealing to musicians who want a fuzz pedal that feels expressive, raw and slightly unruly rather than perfectly controlled.

How It Compares

Fuzz Master General vs Traditional Super Fuzz-Style Pedals

Traditional Super Fuzz-inspired pedals often provide an extremely aggressive octave fuzz character but relatively limited control.

The Fuzz Master General retains that vintage-inspired aggression while adding a variable Tone control and three clipping options, giving it considerably more tonal flexibility.

Fuzz Master General vs EarthQuaker Devices Hizumitas

The Hizumitas is focused on thick low end, heavy saturation and smooth Muff-style sustain.

The Fuzz Master General is more aggressive and unusual, with a prominent analogue octave effect and multiple clipping voices.

Choose the Hizumitas for massive sustaining fuzz; choose the Fuzz Master General for octave grind, vintage fuzz textures and more experimental sounds.

Octave Fuzz vs Conventional Fuzz

A traditional fuzz primarily changes the gain and harmonic character of your guitar.

An octave fuzz adds an additional upper-octave component, making lead lines more metallic, vocal and aggressive while creating chaotic textures when playing chords.

What's Included?

• EarthQuaker Devices Fuzz Master General Legacy Reissue Octave Fuzz Blaster
• Product documentation

No power supply included.

Technical Specifications

Specification	Details
Brand	EarthQuaker Devices
Model	Fuzz Master General Legacy Reissue
Product Type	Analogue Octave Fuzz Pedal
Controls	Fuzz, Tone, Level
Voice Switch	Germanium / Silicon / Open
Input Impedance	15kΩ
Output Impedance	Less than 1kΩ
Switching	Relay-Based True Bypass
Footswitch	Flexi-Switch® Momentary / Latching
Power Requirement	9V DC Centre Negative
Current Draw	10mA
Dimensions	121 x 64 x 57mm including knobs
Condition	New

Power Requirements

The EarthQuaker Devices Fuzz Master General requires a standard regulated 9V DC centre-negative power supply with a 2.1mm barrel connector and draws approximately 10mA.

No power supply is included.

Do not run the pedal at voltages higher than 9V.

FAQs

What type of pedal is the EarthQuaker Devices Fuzz Master General?

It is an analogue octave fuzz pedal inspired by the vintage Ace Tone Fuzz Master FM-2 Professional and classic Super Fuzz-style designs.

Is the Fuzz Master General a limited-edition pedal?

Yes. EarthQuaker Devices currently describes this version as the Fuzz Master General Legacy Reissue Limited Edition Octave Fuzz Blaster.

What does the Voice switch do?

It selects between germanium clipping, silicon clipping and open transistor drive, giving three noticeably different fuzz characters.

What does germanium mode sound like?

Germanium clipping provides a more open, loose and vintage-style fuzz response.

What does silicon mode sound like?

Silicon clipping creates a tighter and more compressed fuzz tone.

What does the open mode do?

Open mode removes the clipping diodes and produces a loud, nearly clean octave-up effect with an unusual ring-modulation-like character.

How do I get the strongest octave sound?

Use your guitar's neck pickup and play single-note lines above the 12th fret for the clearest analogue octave response.

Can I play chords through it?

Yes. Chords produce a much more aggressive and chaotic sound, which can work particularly well for noise rock, experimental music and heavy fuzz textures.

Does the Fuzz Master General have true bypass?

Yes. The Legacy Reissue uses relay-based true bypass with EarthQuaker Devices' Flexi-Switch® technology.

What is Flexi-Switch®?

It allows the footswitch to work in both standard latching and momentary modes, so you can either leave the fuzz engaged or activate it only while holding the switch.

Can the Fuzz Master General be used with bass or synthesiser?

Yes. Its analogue fuzz and octave textures can be used creatively with guitar, bass and synthesiser signals.

How much power does it require?

The pedal draws approximately 10mA at 9V DC.

Is a power supply included?

No. A compatible 9V centre-negative power supply is not included.

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