Zvex Vexter Fuzz Factory Effects Pedal, Silk Screened Graphics

The Z.Vex Vexter Fuzz Factory is identical in construction to the newest hand-painted Fuzz Factories, including a DC power jack and on/off LED indicator. Because it is hand silk-screened instead of hand-painted, Z.Vex are able to offer it at a somewhat reduced price!

This is a five-knob fuzz using two new old-stock sixties germanium transistors. The circuit is not modelled after any classic fuzz design, but should have been around when Leary was still lucid.

Although the five knobs are named for the parameters over which they seem to have the most control, don’t try and compare these to any other pedal you’ve used. The controls are for various operating levels and biases and basically shape you a personalised fuzz.

The Controls

Volume
Output level.

Gate
Squelches noise after end of sustain. Turn to the right to eliminate squeals, hiss and buzz, stopping just as they disappear, or use it to tune in exact feedback pitches, if you’re that kind. Turning it to the left opens the gate.

Compress
Adds attack characteristic when turned to the left, which gets softer as you turn to the right and suddenly pinches tone when turned all the way right. Also use to tune in fat feedbacky fuzz, if you’re that kind. Lower the Stability and see what happens to this control.

Drive
Increases distortion when used as a ‘normal’ fuzz and adjusts feedback pitch and tonal thickness, if you’re that kind. This control becomes meaningless when Compress is all the way to the right.

Stability
Use all the way right. Do not attempt to adjust this control below 2:00, unless you like your fuzz soft and squishy. Use it to control feedback pitch.