If you’re searching for some of the best fuzz pedals for shoegaze, metal and blues music – don’t worry, you’ve come to the right place! In today’s review, we’re going to have a look at 10 best and most affordable pedals that can be efficiently used for these genres.
The truth is that finding a good and inexpensive fuzz pedal isn’t an easy task. Surely, there are a lot of cheap fuzz effects available on the market, but a lot of them do not sound that good. Still, there’s quite a few models that definitely deserve a lot of attention.
That’s why I decided to create a list of top 10 best fuzz pedals that can be used for shoegaze, metal and blues music. All of the effects listed below offer a lot of versatility, so they can be used for a lot of different styles of music.
Check out the list below and scroll down to the next section if you’d like to see how they all sound. Hopefully, today’s guide will help you to find the right fuzz pedal for you and your style of playing.
Best Fuzz Pedals For Shoegaze, Metal & Blues – List
| Fender The Pelt Fuzz | See on Amazon | Thomann |
| BOSS FZ-1W | See on Amazon | Thomann |
| JHS 3 Series Fuzz | See on Amazon | Thomann |
| Fender The Trapper Fuzz | See on Amazon | – |
| Danelectro 3699 Fuzz | See on Amazon | Thomann |
| JHS Bender Fuzz | See on Amazon | Thomann |
| Old Blood Haunt Fuzz | See on Amazon | Thomann |
| EarthQuaker Park Fuzz | See on Amazon | Thomann |
| Behringer SF300 | See on Amazon | Thomann |
| Dunlop JDF2 Fuzz Face | See on Amazon | Thomann |
1. Fender The Pelt Fuzz
Fender The Pelt is one of the coolest and most affordable fuzz pedals available on the market right now. It’s a really versatile piece of gear, so it can be used in a lot of different genres such as shoegaze, rock, blues or even metal.
Why is it so good? Well, it’s a very simple, yet functional effect. The pedal has only four knobs (level, tone, bloom and fuzz) and two switches (mid & thick) that allow you to add some girth and cut your mids. Overall, although it’s a simple pedal, it gives you access to a very large amount of sounds – and they all sound great!
When it comes to pricing, it’s really affordable. Although it’s not the cheapest pedal on today’s list, it definitely deserves a lot of attention. I’m sure that a lot of guitarists will be really happy after adding The Pelt to their pedalboards.
Here’s the sound demo.
2. BOSS FZ-1W
BOSS FZ-1W is one of the coolest fuzz pedals manufactured by this legendary manufacturer of guitar effects. It’s not a cheap option, but it guarantees a really high quality tone. Undoubtedly, it’s one of the best fuzz pedals for shoegaze, blues and metal.
This pedal will be great for all lovers of the vintage fuzz sound. The FZ-1W delivers a remarkable tone quality in a very simple, durable and modern design. It has two different fuzz modes: vintage and modern. Overall, it’s a really versatile effect suitable for the most demanding guitarists.
I have to admit that it’s one of my favorite fuzz pedals on today’s list, so I highly recommend checking it out. I’m sure that you won’t be disappointed! Although it’s expensive, it’s definitely worth the money.
Here’s the sound demo.
3. JHS 3 Series Fuzz
JHS 3 Series Fuzz is an another really cool fuzz pedal that offers a great quality. In comparison with previous two pedals, this one is far more affordable, so it’s more suitable for guitar players on a tight budget.
All pedals from 3 Series offer a simple and minimalistic design which makes them all easy to use. Sometimes less is more and to be honest, this particular pedal really proves that statement. Although there are only three knobs, the JHS Fuzz is very powerful and it offers both vintage and modern fuzz tones.
Considering its price and versatility, it’s definitely one of the best fuzz pedals for shoegaze, metal, rock and blues. I have no hesitation in recommending this guitar effect to anyone who’s looking for a reliable fuzz pedal that doesn’t cost hundreds of dollars.
Here’s the sound demo.
4. Fender The Trapper Fuzz
Fender The Trapper is a dual fuzz pedal which also deserves a lot of attention. Although it’s a bit more than The Pelt mentioned earlier, it’s definitely one of the best fuzz pedals available on the market right now.
What makes it so good? Well, it has two different fuzz sounds and to be honest, both of them sound equally awesome! In addition, there’s a switchable high octave and an interactive noise gate. Whether you’re searching for a mild or wild fuzz tone, The Trapper won’t disappoint you.
Undoubtedly, this pedal will be a great choice even for the most demanding guitarists. Great tone, high versatility and affordable price – who needs anything else?
Here’s the sound demo – feel free to check it out.
5. Danelectro 3699 Fuzz
Danelectro 3699 Fuzz is an another example of a high quality fuzz pedal that offers a lot of versatility when it comes to tone. I’m positive that this is one of the best fuzz pedals for shoegaze, blues, rock and metal genres.
The pedal looks and sounds absolutely fantastic. If you’re a lover of oldschool aesthetics and vintage guitar tones, you’ll most definitely appreciate the quality of the 3699 Fuzz. It offers the classic fuzz tone straight from the 1970’s! On top of that, there’s a switchable octave and a toggle switch that boosts the mid-range.
Although the market is full of great fuzz pedals, Danelectro 3699 really stands out from the competition. It’s really tough to be disappointed with that iconic guitar tone! That’s why I highly encourage you to check it out.
Here’s the sound demo.
6. JHS Bender Fuzz
JHS Bender is an another top quality fuzz pedal suitable for a really wide range of music genres. Whether you’re searching for a mild or a more aggressive fuzz tone, this pedal will be a great choice for you.
The Bender is based on the 1973 MKIII Tonebender. This pedal was frequently used by a lot of artists throughout the ’70s and ’80s and it features a very characteristic tone. Surely, all lovers of classic fuzz will be satisfied with that effect.
It is also worth mentioning that this pedal is also really durable and simple to use. I’m sure that it will last you for years to come if you decide to get it!
I have to admit that I’m a big fan of JHS. If you’re not familiar with that brand, I highly recommend checking them out. I recently wrote an article about them, so if you’d like to read more about JHS, check it out here.
Here’s the sound demo of the JHS Bender Fuzz.
7. Old Blood Haunt Fuzz
Old Blood Haunt Fuzz is a perfect option for all guitarists who are searching for something really powerful. Undoubtedly, this is one of the best and most affordable fuzz pedals for metal.
Although this brand is not as popular as some of the other manufacturers of pedals mentioned above, their Haunt Fuzz deserves a lot of attention. This pedal proves that a top quality fuzz pedal doesn’t have to be overly expensive.
On top of that, the pedal looks fantastic from the outside too. This dark and gloomy artwork is definitely interesting and it significantly improves the overall aesthetic of that pedal. What’s important, the sound of Old Blood Haunt Fuzz matches its look, so as you can imagine – it’s perfect for heavier music!
Here’s the sound demo.
8. EarthQuaker Park Fuzz Sound
EarthQuaker Park Fuzz Sound is an another example of a top quality fuzz pedal suitable for both amateur and more advanced guitarists. This particular pedal offers a vintage tone, which can be used in a lot of different genres.
Why is it so good? Well, this is a recreation of the Park Fuzz Sound, so if you’re familiar with that tone, you probably know that there’s nothing to complain about. The pedal is very easy to use and although it looks basic, it delivers a stunning and versatile guitar tone.
I have no hesitation in recommending the Park Fuzz to all guitarists who are looking for the best fuzz pedals for blues, shoegaze and metal. The versatility of that effect is amazing, so I’m sure that you won’t be disappointed!
Here’s the sound demo.
9. Behringer SF300
Behringer SF300 is one of the cheapest fuzz pedals on today’s list, but it doesn’t mean that it’s bad. In fact, it’s one of the most popular and most affordable entry-level pedals of this type that are available on the market right now.
The popularity of the SF300 model doesn’t surprise me – it’s just a really good piece of gear! Of course, it’s not as good as pedals that cost five times more, but considering the price, it’s an excellent option for guitarists on a tight budget.
Surely, if you’re a beginner, you’ll be totally fine with using the Behringer SF300 for playing metal, rock, blues or shoegaze. It’s cheap and it sounds pretty good – who needs anything else?
Here’s the sound demo.
10. Dunlop JDF2 Fuzz Face
Dunlop JDF2 Fuzz Face is an another example of a top quality fuzz pedal that sounds absolutely fantastic. If you like the sound of Jimi Hendrix and all the other legendary guitarists from the ’60s and ’70s, you should definitely give this pedal a chance.
The JDF2 pedal features the iconic design, which is very basic. This is totally understandable though – it was created a very long time ago! Although it may seem ugly in comparison with other pedals on today’s list, it works and sounds perfectly fine.
I’m sure that a lot of lovers of vintage guitar tones will appreciate the sound of Dunlop JDF2 Fuzz Face. This pedal is not for everyone, but if you like that kind of vibe, you should definitely consider adding it to your own pedalboard.
Here’s the demo.
FAQ
Are fuzz pedals worth it?
Fuzz pedals are definitely worth it! Especially if you want to spice up your playing and you don’t want to rely on the regular overdrive or distortion.
Is fuzz better than distortion?
It is really difficult to say whether fuzz is better than distortion – these pedals are a bit different, so it all comes down to your own preferences. Nevertheless, getting a fuzz pedal can be extremely beneficial.
Are fuzz pedals noisy?
In most cases, fuzz pedals tend to be really noisy. Especially when you turn up the volume and gain knobs!
Where does the fuzz go in the signal chain?
Fuzz pedals usually go in front of your signal chain. If you have a few different pedals, you should probably start with the fuzz at the beginning and then take it from there. Still, it also depends on what kind of fuzz pedal you have.
Summary
As you can see, there are a lot of great fuzz pedals out there. I’m absolutely sure that if you decide to choose one of the models mentioned above, you won’t be disappointed. I have no hesitation in recommending these pedals to all guitarists who are searching for affordable and great sounding fuzz effects.
Which fuzz pedal do you think is best? Leave a comment below and let me know what you think, I’m really interested to hear your thoughts!
Thanks for checking out today’s guide, hopefully it was helpful. If you enjoyed this article, you may also like:
