The Fjord Fuzz Hedda Bias Fuzz is a dynamic always-on gain-shaping secret weapon

I will start here by clarifying that this is an entirely different beast to the ’People’s Choice’ Fjord Fuzz Berserk II - which is the ultimate beginner’s fuzz. The Hedda is definitely intended for more experienced players as it relies on your using your guitar volume a lot - to control the level of gain. In fact for this pedal I always have that knob knocked back somewhat as I get better tones that way - with your guitar volume at max the fuzz can over-compress a touch and you lose the delicacy of its harmonics.

Another thing to note is that with the Bias fully CCW the Hedda stars off quite fat and meaty - and more in classic fuzz territory but then gets progressively thinner, wirier, reedier, and more brassy as you dial CW - up through those muted trumpet tones etc. Also as you dial up the Bias - the output diminishes by the same amount - so as a guide - with the Bias fully CCW I have the Master Volume dial @ c. 2 o’c, and with the Bias fully CW I need to max out the Master Volume to compensate.

So when you’re-road testing the pedal - start at either extreme with the Master Volume adjusted appropriately - remembering to knock your guitar volume back too - and you get incredible tones at both ends. The Feedback somewhat mangles the tone and I personally don’t tend to use that too much. The Feedback works more / better when the Bias is in the Left hemisphere.

Also when in the Classic half of the Bias hemisphere - the Fuzz can be quite chunky - and so is probably better for Single Coils overall than humbuckers.

Another thing to note is that this is pretty much Daniel Thornhill’s signature pedal. And when he’s out gigging he rides his guitar volume up and down all night - giving him all the different levels of gain that he needs. It was partly designed as an always-on gigging pedal for him - and when he wants to play cleaner he just drops the volume and then rides it up again for the more aggressive parts.

This means it doesn’t work particularly well as a stompbox that you punch in at certain intervals - as you typically have to adjust your guitar volume when you transition.

For my setup I could have done with an additional ’Thickness’ control per the Embla pedal - while I have tone components within my rig that can tackle that too. The Hedda certainly makes you work a little more than say the Berserk II or Embla - where it also delivers classic silicon fuzz tones. 

The Hedda is kind of a retro-futuristic descendant of those original BC108 silicon fuzzes and uses a 12th generation BC848 Transistor of that same lineage. To complete its retro-futuristic appeal it also has the most gorgeous RCA Bakelite knobs - which really look stunning up close.

This Fuzz is not for everyone - but for those that like to ride their guitar volume and finely control the output gain from their guitar - then this is surely a fantastic weapon of choice.

You can get some really magnificent sounds out of the Hedda - while it does make you work for them at times. If you want something a little more set and forget - go for the Berserk II or the Embla. 

The Hedda is really for a certain kind of player who drives his entire gain range through a single pedal.

Available right now from the Fjord Fuzz Webstore - and at International Dealers - including Effekt Boutique which has been added to the roster most recently. It is priced at $189.

How many of you rely on a single pedal to shape your entire gain range?