Boss FZ-1W

jeffwhitfield

jeffwhitfield

Well-known member
Oh boy…I admit, I gave in and pre-ordered one. I’m a sucker for a good fuzz! I almost got the TB-2W but passed on it and got a good Tone Bender clone from Drunk Beaver instead. The FZ-1W seems more of an original circuit so…yeah, I have to try it. 🤪

www.boss.info

BOSS - FZ-1W | Fuzz

FZ-1W: Fuzz - Redefined Vintage Fuzz and Versatile Modern Tones, Brought Together with Waza Craftsmanship
www.boss.info www.boss.info
 
I was just reading about it. There's no non-Waza Boss FZ1, it's the first Waza pedal that's a new design. Except it's a fuzz, so I'm guessing it's a variation on one of the classics.
 
I am very much interested in this pedal. It sounds very neat. I'm not sure I would buy one (I would take one as a gift, or as a prize *cough* Fig), but I would definitely build one. Though, being a Boss pedal, I'm sure it would be more complicated than it should be...especially for a silicone fuzz...

On a side note, I hate how all of these "New Release videos...you know, the demos that are all released at the EXACT same time...every single video acts like the pedal they are testing is the greatest thing ever. And you can tell they really studied the copy...
 
Big Monk said:
The aesthetics look indebted to both the TB-2W and the FZ-5.

Obviously I can't speak to the tone but something tells me it's a modified version of the FZ-5. I imagine the tone knob and the Vintage/Modern switch take you though some of the changes the rotary knob on the FZ-5 would give you.
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I thought something similar...or at least it is most like a Maestro-inspired fuzz. The FZ-5 uses magical "digital" tech...while the FZ-1 (apparently) is analog. It sounds a bit different too. Its not an obvious Maestro...unless you consider the FZ-1B (the second one, not the first).
 
Coda said:
I thought something similar...or at least it is most like a Maestro-inspired fuzz. The FZ-5 uses magical "digital" tech...while the FZ-1 (apparently) is analog. It sounds a bit different too. Its not an obvious Maestro...unless you consider the FZ-1B (the second one, not the first).
Click to expand...

Definitely not anything having to do with the FZ-5 for sure. However, I can't say it's a Maestro based fuzz either. I have the Drunk Beaver Fuzz Master, which is based on the FZ-1B. It's a rather gnarly sounding pedal. Based on the demos, the FZ-1W doesn't sound anything resembling a Maestro. In fact, it sounds more along the lines of a silicon Fuzz Face.

However, unlike any of these classic fuzzes, I think what Boss is going for here is a classic fuzz sound but without all the downsides that most of the classics have. That being the problem of pedal placement. Most of the classics require you to have it at the beginning of the chain. I think Boss is trying to nix that requirement with the FZ-1W by implementing some sort of modified buffer that makes impedance changes less of a problem. Could be wrong...but it sure sounds like that's what they're after with this pedal.
 
Big Monk said:
When your a multi-national EFFECTS PEDAL juggernaut but your people don't know the difference between Silicon and Silicone.
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I heard Jeorge Tripps himself say silicone in a video where he introduced the Dunlop Fuzz Faces with Joey Santiago.
 
Silicon = rock.
Silicone = plastic.

Just in case there's any lingering confusion.
 
jeffwhitfield said:
Definitely not anything having to do with the FZ-5 for sure. However, I can't say it's a Maestro based fuzz either. I have the Drunk Beaver Fuzz Master, which is based on the FZ-1B. It's a rather gnarly sounding pedal. Based on the demos, the FZ-1W doesn't sound anything resembling a Maestro. In fact, it sounds more along the lines of a silicon Fuzz Face.

However, unlike any of these classic fuzzes, I think what Boss is going for here is a classic fuzz sound but without all the downsides that most of the classics have. That being the problem of pedal placement. Most of the classics require you to have it at the beginning of the chain. I think Boss is trying to nix that requirement with the FZ-1W by implementing some sort of modified buffer that makes impedance changes less of a problem. Could be wrong...but it sure sounds like that's what they're after with this pedal.
Click to expand...
It definitely has a warm character, which all the Maesteo fuzzes lacked. I wonder how long it will take for someone to trace?
 
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