JAM Pedals reboots its Germanium Fuzz Phrase as the BC107 loaded Fuzz Phrase Si
We’re living in interesting times - where the more classic Germanium Transistors have almost all been used up already. JAM Pedals’ Fuzz Phrase used to be a purple suede-wrapped Custom Shop Edition loaded with Germanium CV7003 variants - which are military spec equivalents to OC44. While those were always is short supply and stocks eventually ran out!
It turns out that Jimi Hendrix favoured the Silicon variety of Fuzz Face - which for many is just as good as or even preferable to the original Germanium Transistors. The early Silicon Transistors used to be more Zingy and Searing than the Germanium ones - more stable and reliable too. We saw both BC108 first, and then BC109 varieties. And for Type III we got the more Germanium-sounding BC183’s.
JAM Pedals is all about flavour - and they always pick the most flavourful components - which on this occasion are the BC107C’s - cool metal can variants that have that extra sear and zing.
The Fuzz Face is typically a very straightforward circuit - classically with just 11 circuit components - while the JAM Pedals Fuzz Phrase has 14 - most likely to give it a little more output and range - some of the older / vintage Fuzz Faces can suffer from something of a low output.
The control topology is per the original - just Level and Gain knobs - while I typically like to have an external Bias control too. You don't need it on the Fuzz Face as Silicon is not temperature sensitive and therefore doesn't need to be adjusted for optimal range - like the Germanium ones. While for me the Bias is an additional voicing and character control - where you can go from starved and spitty - through open and searing, and onto sticky and zithery. I like all those different textures, and depending on my mood like to be able to sample those various flavours with ease - which is impossible to do with the Bias control on the inside.
You can pretty much guarantee that the Fuzz Phrase Si is going to be as full fat flavour as Silicon Fuzz Faces get - and I may be in a minority in preferring an external Bias on my Fuzz Faces. I do have a handful of 2-knob fuzzers in my collection - so I might still get this one - even though it doesn't fit entirely within my preferences.
Like all JAM Pedals - this sounds great and looks great, and also in contrast to the pricey former Custom Shop Fuzz Phrase - this one is something of a bargain at €219 | $229 | £191. The former Fuzz Phrase was one of the best sounding Germanium Fuzz Faces out there, but its lack of external Bias control somewhat held me off. The same is the case with this new variety - while the lower price point and Silicon nature makes it probably more likely - only time will tell! Of course available from the JAM Pedals Webstore right now, and surely imminent at the usual International Dealers.
I think I have nearly 100 Fuzz Face varieties so I really don't need another - but I might just eventually. Really love the look of this one!
Demos
12 Degrees of Saturation 2023 Compact Edition
