Tone Report Weekly Issue 79 | Page 49

The grip that’s comprised of tiny little metal pyramids invites the user to spin these knobs all the livelong day. Experimentation will reveal a surprising variety of fuzz tones. On the lower end of the Depth knob—around seven to 10 or so—the Fuzzrite delivers a darker, seemingly bassier tone than it does on higher settings. Make no mistake, the signal still sizzles with electricity here, it’s just that the treble won’t grate on sensitive ears. Spinning the depth knob closer to noon thins the tone by seeming to draw back its mid and lower ranges. At the higher levels, the Fuzzrite’s tone will pierce the thickest of mixes. The Fuzzrite really excels in producing an electric sizzle that can, at times, remind one of a synthetic, digital distortion. The electricity is most evident in the moment one lets a note ring out: the input signal’s amplitude diminishes, and the fuzz circuits begin to mangle the signal even more, thinning it with a scratchy sizzle. In the right setting, this sort of effect will do just the trick. Click on the Fuzzrite for the climax of “In-A-Gadda-Da Vida” and play along to the recording. You might begin to think that your stereo has become quadrophonic. Catalinbread also packed a lot of circuit into the Fuzzrite. Its interior leaves just enough space for a nine-volt battery just in case a 1Spot or other external power supply is not available. WHAT WE LIKE Simple layout that shifts the original pedal’s side-mounted knobs to the face of the pedal. Fuzz that brings to mind those acid-soaked solos from the ‘60s. CONCERNS None. If simplicity and classic tone are two of a wouldbe buyer’s main interests, then the Fuzzrite ought to be heard and considered. Original Mosrite fuzz pedals sell for prohibitive amounts. The next best thing, albeit with a nice, clean design, inside and out, is Catalinbread’s Fuzzrite. ToneReport.com 49