Totally agree. I have it at the end of my chain of overdrives (3 altogether including the FZ5) and it works so awesome as a gain and volume boost for solos and even just for rhythm work.
It’s funny to hear that this pedal has some sweet spots and some dead spots cause that’s exactly what many vintage fuzzes would produce too. Lots of those vintage units are one trick ponies with plenty of caveats in getting a good tone out of them. Fuzzes are simple beasts, and most of the modern ones are so improved over older units in their use and versatility. We take unity volume for granted now but plug into a 60’s fuzz and crank the gain and you’ll probably find it’s still quieter than your clean signal. Thanks for the cool demo and review. You do good work.
This only reinforces the point that the absolute utmost important thing about any piece of gear, is not what it is, who made it, where it was made or what it cost, but what it sounds like. Sounds good is good, let’s remember we are talking about music.
This is a great demo. You said the Maestro didn’t really float your boat, and then you proceeded to make it sound cool as hell. :) Thanks for helping me decide on this versatile, cool sounding, reliable fuzz option.
So I just bought this pedal and I compared it to my Blue mini dunlop fuzz face and the Behringer Super Fuzz (A boss FZ-2 clone) and I preferred the FZ 5. The sound is clearer and cleaner and not as muffled sounding as the other ones. This is a definite sleeper pedal and I think part of the issue is people dismissing it merely because it is digital. It sounds organic and crystal clear and has a lot of volume and gain on tap.
Wasn't sure at first but now I LOVE this pedal. The secret is learning how to use each mode with some help that you already have on hand. The Fuzz Face: works just great on its own but feel free to EQ it to taste if you like. The Maestro: great and pairs well with an overdrive after it (I use a Blues Driver). The Octave fuzz: do NOT go past 10 o'clock and use an overdrive after it if you want to increase the gain (Blues Driver again for me), otherwise it just flattens out into a very thin sounding fuzz at a very high frequency and the octave sound gets lost. A great pedal once you learn what makes it sound its best.
I own this pedal, absolutely amazing!! Too many possibilities with classic fuzz tone. Low noise. If you just hear it you can't tell that this is digital.
I got one of these about a year ago and I really like it. I think it's nice to have both analog and digital fuzz if you play a wide variety of music, and it's nice to try out 3 versions of classic fuzzes for about $30 each before you decide if the real thing is right for you. Some modes are "unforgiving" in a way that's realistic and unpleasant, which I think is a good thing. Like a racing simulator that's a little too realistic. And that's exactly what some people want. The FZ-5 is seriously slept on. Boss is full of hidden gems and huge hits. This is the hidden gem you're probably looking for. I especially like the Maestro emulation.
Howdy I recently bought a FZ-5 and really do like it. Have been on the Fuzz-Hunt for years (ongoing process) and there are so many great pedals out there and you 100% are never going to find the right one 😉 Anyway my 2Cents for the FZ5: Sounds really good with a crunchy/slightly overdriven amp, sounds like poop 💩 into a clean amp. Good thing is that you can fiddle between 3 very different Fuzz-Modes that are very handy and usable - but please guys do not play Satisfaction on M-Mode (Maestro) - crank it and you‘re leaving Granny-Land. Cheers and thanks for all the great videos you‘re doing🤘🏼
This was my first Fuzz pedal, and it's never left my board really. I've since acquired many more Fuzz pedals of course, and it still holds its head up high. Unnecessary and undeserved hate I think.
Was wanting a battery powered fuzz for my THR5 which doesn't have fuzz for scaring bears off while camping haha, was on the fence about this pedal but you sold me, thanks mate, cheers! (and I dig that Maestro tone, it's just so broken and busted up, it's great)
I appreciate most people just want classic sounds but I really wish boss would've leveraged the DSP capabilities for more unique sounds and user control. The lack of interesting digital fuzz/distortion boxes in general is a major bummer to me.
I just bought one and I’m confused. Is it not supposed to make any sound when the fuzz knob is set to 0 on the Maestro mode? Also is the volume supposed to sorta drop when using the Octavia setting with the Fuzz up high? I’m wondering if mine is broken or if they all work that way. No complaints on the fuzz face setting lol that sounds great
The majority, if not all of the tones you produced were based on the bridge pickup...not much of a demonstration really. I have one and rate it,...you displayed none of its versatility !
There IS a difference betwixt extreme talent/forthright determination and...being a god. Tell us why you didn't like the FZ-5 so much after giving it a try and recommend to others who may already have one, that they discard it.
One thing I also like about the FZ-5, is that it can go anywhere in the pedal chain, and doesn't have to go first, like some fuzz pedals.
This is a very good point that I missed out!
Totally agree. I have it at the end of my chain of overdrives (3 altogether including the FZ5) and it works so awesome as a gain and volume boost for solos and even just for rhythm work.
It’s funny to hear that this pedal has some sweet spots and some dead spots cause that’s exactly what many vintage fuzzes would produce too. Lots of those vintage units are one trick ponies with plenty of caveats in getting a good tone out of them. Fuzzes are simple beasts, and most of the modern ones are so improved over older units in their use and versatility. We take unity volume for granted now but plug into a 60’s fuzz and crank the gain and you’ll probably find it’s still quieter than your clean signal. Thanks for the cool demo and review. You do good work.
You make a very good point! Thanks for that Alex ☺️
@Oakly Jeuneville Really.
This only reinforces the point that the absolute utmost important thing about any piece of gear, is not what it is, who made it, where it was made or what it cost, but what it sounds like. Sounds good is good, let’s remember we are talking about music.
This is a great demo. You said the Maestro didn’t really float your boat, and then you proceeded to make it sound cool as hell. :) Thanks for helping me decide on this versatile, cool sounding, reliable fuzz option.
So I just bought this pedal and I compared it to my Blue mini dunlop fuzz face and the Behringer Super Fuzz (A boss FZ-2 clone) and I preferred the FZ 5. The sound is clearer and cleaner and not as muffled sounding as the other ones. This is a definite sleeper pedal and I think part of the issue is people dismissing it merely because it is digital. It sounds organic and crystal clear and has a lot of volume and gain on tap.
Wasn't sure at first but now I LOVE this pedal. The secret is learning how to use each mode with some help that you already have on hand. The Fuzz Face: works just great on its own but feel free to EQ it to taste if you like. The Maestro: great and pairs well with an overdrive after it (I use a Blues Driver). The Octave fuzz: do NOT go past 10 o'clock and use an overdrive after it if you want to increase the gain (Blues Driver again for me), otherwise it just flattens out into a very thin sounding fuzz at a very high frequency and the octave sound gets lost. A great pedal once you learn what makes it sound its best.
I own this pedal, absolutely amazing!! Too many possibilities with classic fuzz tone. Low noise. If you just hear it you can't tell that this is digital.
I got one of these about a year ago and I really like it. I think it's nice to have both analog and digital fuzz if you play a wide variety of music, and it's nice to try out 3 versions of classic fuzzes for about $30 each before you decide if the real thing is right for you. Some modes are "unforgiving" in a way that's realistic and unpleasant, which I think is a good thing. Like a racing simulator that's a little too realistic. And that's exactly what some people want. The FZ-5 is seriously slept on. Boss is full of hidden gems and huge hits. This is the hidden gem you're probably looking for. I especially like the Maestro emulation.
That thing sounds pretty good. I’m ready for the “king of tone, worth a four year wait?”, video.
I'm working on it 😉
I quite like the FZ-5, versatility is it's strength.
Agreed!
Sounds amazing with the phaser in the intro! Good demo
I really love the Fuzz on the Boss OD-200, it sounds great and cleans up well! So I'm cool with the only digital fuzz I have tried. Lol
Yeah I remember that being killer. More of a big muff tone right?
@@JacksonBrooksby yeah 100% Big Muff. The OD-200 tones are just as incredible as this FZ-5, which I just ordered one, really great price Boss.
Howdy
I recently bought a FZ-5 and really do like it.
Have been on the Fuzz-Hunt for years (ongoing process) and there are so many great pedals out there and you 100% are never going to find the right one 😉
Anyway my 2Cents for the FZ5:
Sounds really good with a crunchy/slightly overdriven amp, sounds like poop 💩 into a clean amp.
Good thing is that you can fiddle between 3 very different Fuzz-Modes that are very handy and usable - but please guys do not play Satisfaction on M-Mode (Maestro) - crank it and you‘re leaving Granny-Land.
Cheers and thanks for all the great videos you‘re doing🤘🏼
Listened to The Beatles Let It Be album (Remastered) and the fuzz really caught my ear. It was a great sounding fuzz.
Thanks for the demo!
Tnx for a great review! Killer tones!
Thanks!
This was my first Fuzz pedal, and it's never left my board really. I've since acquired many more Fuzz pedals of course, and it still holds its head up high. Unnecessary and undeserved hate I think.
I guess it really depends who is using it and how they use it. You could have a £5000 pedal which sounds bad just because the player is shit lol
Was wanting a battery powered fuzz for my THR5 which doesn't have fuzz for scaring bears off while camping haha, was on the fence about this pedal but you sold me, thanks mate, cheers! (and I dig that Maestro tone, it's just so broken and busted up, it's great)
Haha awesome!
Running other instruments through the maestro mode is very interesting. Specially with drum machines sounds like a bit-crusher
I appreciate most people just want classic sounds but I really wish boss would've leveraged the DSP capabilities for more unique sounds and user control.
The lack of interesting digital fuzz/distortion boxes in general is a major bummer to me.
I'd be down for this
This pedal is best used in front of a dirty amp, like Jimi!
Agree! In fact, thats the secret for any fuzz :) overdriven amp !!!
awesome vid
They ought to reissue the PW-2 Power Driver as an FZ-6. Maybe not to phase this out but just so boss can say they still have a good fuzz pedal.
*I like it but I in the room… the FZ-1w beats it. I feel the sound with worth the extra money. 💰 Cool demo!*
lve paid twice as much for pedals that dont sound half as good as boss pedals
That's why I've almost always gotten Boss pedals (aside from wahs and a Whammy IV).
I have not had a fuzz for many years. It could be great or you could be good at finding the good
I just bought one and I’m confused. Is it not supposed to make any sound when the fuzz knob is set to 0 on the Maestro mode? Also is the volume supposed to sorta drop when using the Octavia setting with the Fuzz up high? I’m wondering if mine is broken or if they all work that way. No complaints on the fuzz face setting lol that sounds great
When you boost the Octavia, is it especially noisy with single coils?
please, was the intro song original? or was it a cover? song name?
All original 😊
@@JacksonBrooksby wow that’s awesome, sounds great 👏
Cheers mate
♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️🤟🏻🤟🏻🤟🏻
Very talked review boy
Let Boss create overdrives, not fuzzes. Even germanium benders !!!
The FZ-5 is awful. I demoed one in 2008 and instantly hated it. I bought an FZ-2 and FZ-3 a few years later.
The majority, if not all of the tones you produced were based on the bridge pickup...not much of a demonstration really.
I have one and rate it,...you displayed none of its versatility !
throw that in the trash.
get a MATAMP GT120 & a BOSS FZ-2.
Elizabeth Buckingham is GOD.
There IS a difference betwixt extreme talent/forthright determination and...being a god. Tell us why you didn't like the FZ-5 so much after giving it a try and recommend to others who may already have one, that they discard it.