TWA's monster Wahxidizer beefs up the Superfuzz format with added Parametric EQ and Envelope Controls

I’m already a huge fan of the Univox Super Fuzz sound and have several of that variety in my extensive fuzz collection. While this one from Totally Wycked Audio is really rather special.

It’s actually 3 pedals in one - the Super Fuzz at its core - via Combustion (Fuzz / Gain), and Substrate (Level) controls - and the original’s Mode toggle switch is rendered by the left-hand footswitch - which allows you to flip between Full Fat and Scooped EQ Output Modes.

You then have the Parametric EQ which doesn’t do much if the Electron Transfer Reaction mini control is in its neutral middle position - that smaller knob is actually the active Cut / Boost control for the Parametric EQ - where the top-left Atom Transfer Reagent is the Frequency Focus / Selector. So you scan that from Low to High Frequencies and Cut or Boost that selection with the smaller ETR knob as appropriate. I personally would have arranged the topology slightly differently - with the small ± ETR control under the ATR Frequency selector - more logical and ergonomic for me. While I can understand that underlying circuit logic choices may have made that impossible or impractical.

Then finally we have the Envelope Follower element which you switch On or Off at the far right side of the 2nd row. Then you go back to the beginning of that row to set the degree of Threshold Sensitivity - High or Low for when the Envelope Engages - which you can then fine tune with the ± Redox Potential mini knob, and then set the Mean Burning Time dial for your Envelope attack & release speed - with fully CCW being fastest, and fully CW the slowest.

Each of those 3 core sections / elements can be engaged / activated independently - the Envelope Follower is on a slider switch, and as mentioned the ETR mini button needs to be off-centre for the Parametric EQ to kick in. It’s called the Wahxidizer for a reason - as if you get the right Frequency Focus, and crank the ETR mini-knob appropriately you get degrees of that cocked-wah tonality. Which can be fun on occasion - while I tended to use the Parametric EQ more conventionally and conservatively / sparingly for my sessions.

Interestingly the design of the pedal was sparked off by the bass sound on Beastie Boy’s 1992 classic ’Gratitude’.

Controls - FUZZ } Combustion (Fuzz Gain), Substrate (Output Level), Acceptor / Donor Footswitch : Fat / Scooped Output, Wahx On/Off - Bypass Footswitch, PARAMETRIC EQ } Atom Transfer Reagent (Frequency Focus / EQ), Electron Transfer Reaction ± (Frequency Cut/Boost), ENVELOPE FOLLOWER } Accelerant (Envelope) : Off / On, Threshold Sensitivity : High / Low, Redux Potential (Sensitivity Refine), Mean Burning Time (Envelope Speed) : Fast > Slow. 

The core Fuzz has a glorious texture to it - and I really love it at full strength - with Combustion and Substrate Maxed out.

I actually like both the Full Fat and Scooped Modes on the left footswitch - and playing with just those 3 Fuzz controls is already pretty perfect!. You can then use the Atom Transfer Reagent and Electron Transfer Reaction Parametric EQ to fine-tune the output further - where I got a great core tone with the ATR @ 3 o’c, and the ETR at 2 o’c. When boosting frequencies in the right hemisphere of the ATR control - you will get a cocked-wah sound if you go much above 2-3 o’c with the ETR control. The EQ is really effective and impactful and takes your Superfuzz to places it normally doesn’t / cannot travel.

And then we have the Blooming and Sustaining wonder of the Envelope Follower - which I found I could control really well with my Guitar Volume Knob - drop that back a bit and Envelope becomes less sensitive. I found myself mostly on the Low Mode, with Redox Potential mostly parked in the middle and a fast attack.

Using all those 3 elements together delivers the most incredible dynamics for this style of fuzz - and it’s fantastic how much you can control and shape it with those added features. Or you can just disable those and go totally wild with the minimum core Fuzz settings.

A truly smart and great sounding fuzz - all these additions really make it better and give you a much broader pallet. If you only have one Superfuzz in your collection then this is a fantastic one to have - I’m not aware of anything else quite like it. And while I have a number of amazing Superfuzzes - like the Loe Sounds one for instance - that doesn’t get into the extended range delivered here.

For me the TWA SH9 is a more specialist device and somewhat dependent on the gear / rig you use, while I’ve been really wowed by TWA’s flagship fuzzes - the Krytical Mass hot-rodded Brassmaster, and this WX-01 Wahxidizer hot-rodded Superfuzz. Props to TWA too for the Wahx On/Off Karate Kid reference!

The Wahxidizer is really good value at $249 - available from Totally Wycked Audio, and the Godlyke Webstore.