Legendary guitar effects: The Maestro Fuzz-Tone FZ-1, FZ-1A and FZ-1B

Posted 2007-07-21 in Effects by Johann.

Dirty, distorted guitar sounds pretty much started in 1962 with the Maestro Fuzz-Tone.

Maestro Fuzz-Tone FZ-1

Used to record the single (I can’t get no) satisfaction by the Rolling Stones, the FZ-1 was the first distortion effect (“Fuzztone”) on a hit record.

Ironically, it didn’t sell at first:

The marketing and sales people were optimistic about the prospects of selling a lot of Fuzz-Tone effects and produced over 5000 that first year. Gibson's dealers bought 5458 pedals during 1962 confirming Gibson's sales forecast. Unfortunately, the buying public didn't buy all those pedals from the dealers as expected.

Maestro Fuzz-Tone FZ-1A

The FZ-1A circuit is pretty much the FZ-1 with some minor changes. For example, it runs on one 1.5 V battery instead of two like the FZ-1.

I think it sounds more like “satisfaction” though.

Maestro Fuzz-Tone FZ-1B

Contrary to the other three-transistor Fuzz-Tones, the FZ-1B is a two-transistor circuit running at 9 V. It was designed by Bob Moog from what I know. It’s also not using Germanium transistors like the FZ-1 and the FZ-1A.

The sound is closer to other two-transistor fuzzes, like the Fuzz Face.

10 comments

#1 2007-12-18 by linus robinson

Thanks a billion Johann for the demonstration of the original Maestro Fuzzbox.... nothing compares to the original FZ-1.... the FZ-1A and the FZ-1B do not even come close....

#2 2008-01-24 by Johann

Linus,

glad you liked the samples.

#3 2008-03-17 by Antonio

I got the FZ-1B and I wnted to know when was released. Thanks, Antonio.

#4 2008-03-22 by Johann

Antonio,

sorry, I don't know the exact date to be honest. My guess is early 70's.

#5 2009-05-17 by Eric Ohman

Hi! Do you know any pdf or something with measures of the enclosure? I'm building a clone and want the measures, width, length and hi-height and low-height (slope).

Very nice article and sound clips.

#6 2009-05-18 by Johann

Eric,

here are the measures:

Width: 7.8 cm
Length: 15.4 cm
Height: 6.6cm
Slope: 1.6 cm

#7 2009-09-30 by Viktor

Hi Johann!
Very nice website with useful info! Finally I found the measures for the Maestro FZ-1A, and useful sound samples also (with the original equipment!!!)! Thank You! I'm also building a clone.
Can I have some questions? Maybe You can answer.
- The 7.8 cm x 15.4 cm is the size of the bottom (the base of the pedal), or the top?
- Was the Maestro FZ-1A the effect what Robby Krieger used in the Doors? There are several info what kind of pedal he used, so I'm not sure. I built an FZ-1, an FZ-1A and a Vox Tone Bender (almost the same az the Dallas Arbiter Fuzz Face), and a Vox Tone Bender MK-II (3 Ge transistors) also, but I prefer the sound of the FZ-1A, it's more like the Doors guitar sound, but I'm not sure...
Thanks for the help!

#8 2009-10-07 by Johann

Viktor,

the measurements are of the base of the pedal.

I don't know what pedal the Doors used, sorry.

#9 2009-12-23 by Larry Pahlman

I haven't been able to find anything on Gibson's serial number assignments to their Maestro FZ-1A Fuzz-Tones. I have an original unit with serial number 19794. For all I know, Gibson may have just used a sequential numbering scheme. I did see where Pete Townshend's serial# 12362 FZ-1A went for $12,500 at auction. Since I don't have my original Radio Shack battery, I doubt if mine is worth quite that much :)

#10 2009-12-31 by Johnny Hobson

I used to work for Bob Moog and one day I took my Maestro fuzz tone to see if he would fix it to which he said "fix it? I invented it!" I think Neil Young also has it in his set up. It sounds great with a sustain pedal and octave nice and low. It sounds like thunder!!!

Legendary guitar effects: The Maestro Fuzz-Tone FZ-1, FZ-1A and FZ-1B

Maestro Fuzz-Tone FZ-1

Maestro Fuzz-Tone FZ-1A

Maestro Fuzz-Tone FZ-1B

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