The Reeves Electro Zo Silicon Zonk II has landed to complete the Reeves Tone Bender Inspired Fuzz Trifecta
I’m delighted to have landed the third of my Reeves Electro Rare Silicon Transistor Fuzzes - with the latest Zo Zonk II style Fuzz. It has that excellent searing sizzle that Markus Reeves fuzzes have become so well known for and all of the trio are beautifully distinct and very representative of their particular and specific genres. Note that I’ve always considered the Zonk varieties to be extremely Tone Bender adjacent and I typically file them as being part of that signature tone family!
As always it’s not just about the circuit - but the exquisite assembly and finish on these pedals - and the super-smart trio of controls which deliver maximum versatility via the simplest of means. Markus spends a lot of time testing and sourcing his transistors - and these Zo Fuzzes were original supposed to sport NOS TO106 ME C1016 Red-Dot Silicon Transistors from August 1975 (i.e. same as the RedDotSound) - but those always tended to sound a little dark at the extremes. So at the last minute Markus subbed in the late 60’s Motorola Gold Leg MPSA05 ones for the production units - which generally have a more sparkly and open output than the Red-Dots - and are particularly suitable for this application. Both existing demos actually feature the original Red-Dot Transistors - as below!
When you line up the 3 Reeves Electro fuzzes the Zo appears to have the simplest circuit among them - with a lot of open and empty space in the lower half of the interior. Note that all of my Reeves Fuzzes have the custom Copper colour paint job which to my eyes makes those circuits really pop from a visual perspective. It seems that I’m the only one staying loyal to Copper - where the almost as good Gold finish for me does not look anywhere near as strong - something about that contrast with the metallic copper really makes the insides look extra special to me!
Controls - Dwell (Volume), Texture (Open <> Broken), Drift (Bias + Fuzz).
As is the pattern for all of these fuzzes - we get two knobs and a 2-way toggle switch. Dwell is essentially the Volume, the Texture Switch is a re-bias of one of the Transistors and gives you more Open sounding in the Left position, and more Broken sounding to the Right - it essentially enhances / extends the key different aspects of the Drift control. And finally the Drift is supposed to replicate the Drift in fuzz component values / transistors over time / age and really acts as a combined Bias and Fuzz control.
There's plenty of range on the dials - and I don't feel I need to go much above half-way on the Dwell - while the Drift has several sweet spots on the dial from Spitty / Starved to Open, Searing and Sizzling, and Zingy! Generally I like to have the Texture switch in the Left hand position.
Obviously Custom Colours cost a little more, and I paid £345 for mine all told, while a standard lime green edition can be had for £295. Markus Reeves typically opens his order book for just a couple or so times each year - where you have a 24 hour span to get in your order. I ordered the Zo back on 9th of February, and it landed 4th of June.
As I ordered a custom colour edition I was fortunate to be in the first batch of 10 pedals made. Mine landed last Saturday and I've had the pleasure of deploying the pedal for the best part of a week now.
All 3 Reeves Fuzzes are very much among my favourites and I feel easily justified in owning the Trifecta! I look forward to seeing which fuzz variety Markus tackles next! I definitely like this 2 knobs + a switch topology - it's really elegant and works beautifully.
I truly feel privileged to own all three and would recommend them most heartily to any fuzz fan - you definitely need to have a Reeves Electro or 3 in your collection!
I will look to get a Leo Tweed Drive next time around - unless of course Markus has another fuzz up his sleeve by then!
How many of you are Reeves Electro fans?
Demos
