This page is not intended to be a thorough and deep analysis of each of these pedals, but might help you get a overall view of what different pedals sound like in the same environment with the same input sample. The samples are recorded straight through a Line6 Pod XT, so no amplifiers, microphones or studios were used. Therefore, the samples will not give the best achievable sounds that can be achieved from each of these pedals, but since all are in the exactly same environment a comparison can be made.

The recording equipment and method as evolved during the few years of the pedalarea existence, thus not all pedals are recorded in an equal way. Some pedals only contain one sample which was recorded with different input samples, so straight comparison is not quite justified, but I have left these samples since they might give some vague impression of the sound the pedal offers. The newer comparisons are made by playing these four samples with different settings through the pedals are trying to explore the different soundscapes these pedals offer. The volume levels might vary slightly from sample to sample, since exact adjustments of the volume levels is very hard with the tools used.

Japan made Fuzz Face clone from the early 70ies. Uses 2SB54 Germanium PNP bipolar transistors, which are essentially the same as in many of the original Arbiter Fuzz Face.

Vintage fuzz/overdrive/compressor pedal, contains the opamp version of the Big Muff and a slightly modified version of the Soul Preacher-compressor. The fuzz and compressor effects can be used either in parallel or in series. in the parallel-option the level of the clean sound (through the compressor) and the distorted sound can be blended using individual volume controls. Integrated transformer, made in the US during 1978-1981.

Japan made stomp boxes since 1998, affordable fuzz sound in small die cast box.

Nice fuzz pedal from the early 80ies. Very gritty and fuzzy sound, yet remaining articulate and compact. Distortion cleans up nicely with the pedal, works as a volume pedal in off-mode.

Nice fuzz pedal from the early 80ies. Very gritty and fuzzy sound, yet remaining articulate and compact. Distortion cleans up nicely with the pedal, works as a volume pedal in off-mode.

Fuzz with octaver, which can be switched on together or separately. Made in U.S.A. by Rick Hamel.