Abbey Road Fuzz | Hand Wired Silicon Fuzz | Transformers Decepticon Edition

Description

Description of Product

The Abbey Road Fuzz began with a simple idea. Keep everything people love about the classic two transistor fuzz, then quietly improve the areas that matter to players.

This one has been hand wired on traditional tagboard inside a large vintage style fuzz enclosure. At its heart is a carefully matched pair of NOS RS Components BFX88 silicon transistors. These are unusual devices that occupy a space somewhere between traditional silicon and germanium. They retain the stability and consistency expected from silicon while delivering much of the warmth, touch sensitivity and remarkable clean up normally associated with vintage germanium transistors. They have become one of my favourite silicon devices because they offer the best characteristics of both worlds without feeling like a compromise.

The circuit uses genuine vintage blue moulded capacitors for both the input and output stages, the same family of capacitors found throughout many Fender and Magnatone amplifiers during the nineteen sixties. These components were chosen because they complement the response of the circuit and reflect the philosophy behind every Hello Sailor build, selecting parts because they belong there rather than because they are fashionable.

The circuit has been developed to provide more available output than a traditional Fuzz Face style design while offering a much wider clean up range from your guitar’s volume control.

The circuit works naturally with both single coils and humbuckers and delivers a broader, fuller response associated with a traditional Fuzz Face style circuit.

The enclosure has been finished in aged metallic blue using nitrocellulose lacquer before being carefully reliced by hand. The Decepticon artwork gives this build a distinctive character while the ageing allows the finish to develop the appearance of a well travelled piece of vintage equipment. Like every Hello Sailor Effects build, this is an entirely individual pedal. No production line, no printed circuit board and no second example will ever look exactly the same.

Description of Sound

The Abbey Road Fuzz combines the clarity and reliability of silicon with the musical response that players usually associate with germanium.

With the guitar wide open it delivers a powerful, articulate fuzz with enough output to drive the front end of an amplifier naturally. Roll the guitar’s volume control back and the circuit cleans up with an ease that feels remarkably close to a great germanium fuzz, producing bright, expressive tones without becoming sterile or harsh.

The result is a pedal that rewards subtle changes in picking dynamics and guitar volume, encouraging the player to interact with the instrument rather than simply switch between sounds.

Real World Testimonials

“Best fuzz I’ve ever played.”

“Sounds killer and is definitely the coolest pedal on my board.”

“Super high quality handmade pedals.”

This is a one off build, hand wired on tagboard and individually finished in aged metallic blue nitrocellulose lacquer with Decepticon artwork. It features NOS RS Components BFX88 silicon transistors together with vintage blue moulded capacitors in both the input and output stages, the same style used in classic Fender and Magnatone amplifiers during the nineteen sixties. It will never be repeated in exactly the same form. If it speaks to you, it is available.