Function F(x)'s Dave Friesema Delivers a Mini Wonderland

A classic 3 x Germanium Transistor fuzz - using 3 x 2N404 Tranistors - which funnily enough are exactly the same style of transistors used in the Professional MKIII - but the differences in the circuit make-up and the different tone controls make for a significantly different and distinct output. The Hive Mind has Tilt (Tilt EQ), Level, Sustain and Timbre - the last mentioned being something of a Bias pot but not exactly. This delivers slightly more cutting and aggressive tones than the Professional MKIII which of course has that classic MKIII style creamy saturation.

When you open this one up and see the same 3 x 2N404 Germanium Transistor types as the Hive Mind - you might be led into thinking that the Professional MKIII would sound somewhat similar to the Hive Mind - while they actually sound quite distinct - where the Professional has that lovely sustaining creamy saturation so associated with this particular Tone Bender style circuit, and the Buzzaround is somewhat more cutting and aggressive in nature. This fuzz actually rounds up my 3 x Function F(x) Micro Fuzzes really nicely and you get 3 very distinctive sounding and complementary circuits - of which the Clusterfuzz is probably the star performer owing to its somewhat broader tonal range. All 3 really sound terrific and were you not staring at the enclosure you would have though that big sound surely came out of something a little bigger! There are no demos available of this pedal yet - I will update when one materialises.

A certain hobbyist boutique builder Clay Jones made just 58 copies of his 'Overdrive' pedal back around 2004/5 over a period of 9 months and 50 were put on sale for $219 - which were snapped up almost immediately and started a sort of mini Klone type Ebay hype - with the most expensive example being sold to a Japanese collector purportedly for circa $1,500 a few months later, and some on sale on Ebay more recently for a few $1,000's more. There were all manner of recriminations at the time - and several accusations that this was simply just a copy of John Landgraff's Dynamic Overdrive from 1999 - also a 3-knob design, but with a 3-way clipping toggle - and based on the classic Tube Screamer JCR4558 OpAmp. In fact to most intents and purposes this was largely a point-to-point hardwired variation of the classic TS808 circuit with some fairly minor modifications (3 component changes) - but which produced an even more dynamic and amp-like output and feel. The Landgraff Dynamic Overdrive with its swirly paint-job actually retailed for a rather mouth-watering $500 from the start. So understandably over the years there have been a number of different clone varieties - and this is the first proper mini pedal variation I have encountered of this type. I initially thought - oh just another Tube Screamer - but this is sufficiently different to be its own thing and be worthy of consideration / acquisition - so it definitely goes onto my wishlist. Upon further reading it does seem that the Clay Jones was pretty much a clone of the earlier Landgraff variety - with similar swirly paint job, while that was really very close to the original TS808 - with just those 3 component differences! I included a YouTube demo of one of the 50 odd Clay Jones - just for sound reference purposes - no official demo exists yet for the Micro version. Oh and the toggle-switch is a Diode lift - or Diode bypass I guess - probably one of the 3 modes on the original Landgraff Dynamic Overdrive.

A really cool take on Jimi's original wedge-shaped Octavio Octave Fuzz - with the same 2 simple controls - Fuzz and Level, but joined here by a toggle switch which allows you to bypass the octave element - thereby in theory yielding another classic Hendrix style variety - or Band of Gypsys Fuzz! This could not be simpler really - maximum versatility from the minimum of controls. I of course LOVE bias knobs - so would have quite liked to have seen one here for some extended range. Most will feel though that there is really no need for it. You obviously have the choice between this one and the recent Dunlop / MXR Hendrix '69 Psych Series Octavio - that one is made with SMD components and certainly not handwired - meaning I would probably pay a touch more for the better quality Octavus variant featured here - I will likely have both eventually in any case! There is no demo yet of this pedal - will ad one when there is!

I am somewhat biased when it comes to Mini Klones - owing to my long-term association and friendship with Guillem Vilademunt of Decibelics fame. I still feel that his Golden Horse is the best of the best in that category, but I expect this MiniTaur variety to come fairly close to that level of perfection. You have the same 3 classic controls as you would expect for such a device, and Dave Friesema's attention to detail is pretty on point. Dave states very specifically that his is not a direct clone - while the Golden Horse is very much in that exact category.