Ol’ fashioned Fuzz-Off.

We get a lot of questions regarding the tonal differences between Commodity Fuzz and Frybread Fuzz, and today we aim to answer those questions with an ol’ fashioned fuzz off! Come along as we sort through the saturation and navigate the nastiness. Let’s Go!

The first four examples will show how Commodity and Frybread compare when dialed to the same setting, while the last two clips will explore each pedals range of gain.

0:00 - 0:53 The rough & the ready.

We’ll begin with a moderate fuzz setting of two o’clock. Engaging Frybread, we get a massive bump in the mids. This mid-focused voicing creates a robust fuzz tone with enough gain to sound tough, while ensuring you won’t “disappear” in a mix. Switching over to Commodity, you can immediately hear how much more aggressive it is. Single notes are stretched by the added sustain, while chords introduce complex textural intermodulation.

0:54 - 1:45 Showdown at noon.

For this clip, we’ve set all controls to noon to get an idea of each pedal's overall character. Frybread creates a boxy and almost woody characteristic that reminds me of the tone you get by cranking a clean amp into natural distortion. Commodity Fuzz on the other hand is firmly in FUZZ territory, creating wild textures and a searing breakup.

1:46 - 2:51 A time to dime.

Let’s hear both pedals with the fuzz control maxed out. In this setting, Frybread Fuzz creates a refined and wooly breakup, that is both versatile and controllable. Kicking on Commodity Fuzz, we get a blisteringly heavy fuzz that mangles chords and stretches single notes into infinite sustain.

2:52 - 3:38 Nine o’clock rock.

Next, let’s explore some low gain fuzz settings to create some interesting textures. Using Frybread with the gain set to nine o’clock or lower, you will get an overdrive with a fuzzy characteristic to the breakup. Applying this setting to Commodity Fuzz creates a spitty fuzz. Light playing will struggle to come through, while heavier dynamic playing will come through more clearly. Great for when you want something that sounds absolutely broken.

3:39 - 4:49 Fuzz to taste.

Both Commodity Fuzz and Frybread Fuzz offer a slew of tonal variation whether you like all the fuzz or just a dash. In this clip, we’ll dial in a few different levels of gain to demonstrate how they vary to fit all tastes.

4:50 - 7-33 Gain Rangers.

Lastly, let’s do a deeper dive of the range of gain of each pedal. We’ll begin with the gain control all the way down, and make incremental increases until we reach each pedal’s maximum fuzz setting.

When Frybread is first turned on, notice how close it is to the original bypass sound. This is unique amongst fuzz pedals, as most offer little to no variation in the low gain department. As the gain is increased, you can hear Frybread transform from subtle drive, to wooly distortion, and finally screaming fuzz. Switching to Commodity Fuzz feels almost like picking up where Frybread left off, right out of the gate Commodity Fuzz is strikingly fuzzy, with a prickly and abbrasive breakup. As the fuzz control is increased you introduce more low end, more gain, and a lot more nasty.

Let’s make some noise!

Now that we’ve explored the possible, let’s go and create the impossible. Visit here for Commodity Fuzz and here for Frybread Fuzz.