Wampler Fuzztration

Wampler Fuzztration ends the search for the perfect fuzz that can be an exercise in frustration. On one hand, there’s always the desire to emulate the classic, vintage-inspired tones like the Rock Gods before us. On the other hand, there are players who desire to break outside of the norm and push their own boundaries, using fuzzes that are over the top.

Classis fuzzes weren’t without their shortcomings. Many of those were simple and lacked EQ controls that could really make a great pedal extraordinary — or not so much, due to the manufacturer using whatever parts they had available, which led to major part tolerance issues leading to each of the pedals sounding potentially drastically different.

The three-band EQ gives full sculpting capability to dial in whatever tone you want without needing magic vintage mojo. The voicing switch can take it from classic, tight response to dark, sludgy and writhing with a depth to it like piping hot magma bubbling just below the surface.

The Fuzztration isn’t a pedal designed to really play “nice.” It’s brash, raspy, doomy, in-your-face fuzz from top to bottom. This is not to say it can’t get some classic Floyd sounds, but this isn’t just another classic with some added EQ options.

The volume knob is pretty self-explanatory, but it controls the overall output of the Fuzztration. The Bass controls the overall low-end response of the Fuzztration. Mids controls the mid presence of the circuit. Center is fairly flat, counter-clockwise will scoop the mids and become much more aggressive and cutting, almost distortion-like. Clockwise will add in some mids, which helps combat the scoop that lead many of those old classic fuzzes to be lost in the mix with the full band. The treble control effects the overall high-end and brightness of the circuit.

The Voicing switch gives you two very different but usable sets of tones. On the Tight setting, it has a classic, more modern sound that’s…well, tighter, less sag and acts more as a fuzzy distortion. The Open setting is much woolier, darker, saggier, and an overall thicker and sludgier fuzz tone.

Wampler Fuzztration demo video