A Silicon fuzz pedal with switchable octave-up inspired by the Ibanez Standard Fuzz circuit and sporting a JFET Preamp stage and a quartet of (new) high-gain Toshiba transistors, the SolidGoldFX 76 Mk II updates a versatile circuit that had an important role in raising the profile of the Montreal-based company.
The new version adds a Color knob that makes the pedal even more flexible, consisting in a low-pass filter that can tame the fizzy highs delivering warmer tones when necessary, and integrating the original Texture knob whose range of action is in the mid frequencies.
What makes this pedal a true jack of many trades, though, is the toggle switch that turns the octave on or off, allowing, in conjunction with its tone-sculpting capabilities, to approximate if not downright replicate a variety of vintage fuzz sounds.
The new version also adds Soft-touch relay true bypass switching and top-mounted jacks.
Check out also the 76 Plus, released in 2019, which adds a filter to the circuit.
Here are the first video of the SolidGold 76 MkII, which made our list of the best Super Fuzz clones and evolutions.
SolidGoldFX 76 Fuzz Mk II, Builder’s Notes
While the Western world was preoccupied with smooth and soulful Fuzz Faces and Muffs, the Orient was bubbling up with gnarly mystical fuzzes, heavily imparted with earthshaking Godzilla DNA. This very distinct era in fuzz history gave us many treasures that have been rightfully crowned fuzz legends: the Univox Super Fuzz, Ibanez Standard Fuzz, Ace Tone Fuzz Master, Shin-Ei Companion and several others.
Just like its predecessor, the SolidGoldFX 76 MKII offers up a comprehensive guided tour to the best that the Standard Fuzz and its ilk has to offer without any of the drawbacks. On face value, the improved 76 MKII gives you a multi-voiced fuzz unit that offers loads of octave-up snarl and clang, at the same time as ruthlessly pummeling your amp with hair and fangs.
Main Features:
- Silicon Octave Fuzz pedal
- Inspired by the Ibanez Standard Fuzz circuit – for maximum fuzz awesomeness
- Uses a JFET Preamp stage and a quartet of high-gain Toshiba transistors (new)
- Octave bypass switch – intended to tame the wild
- Dual independent Texture and Color tone stacks for precision audio sculpting
- Color control sweeps a low pass filter on the output to tame highs and woolly up the tone
- Texture control sweeps the mid-range for many flavours of Fuzz
- Soft-touch relay true bypass switching and top-mounted jacks
- Made in Montreal, Canada
- Powered by 9V DC PSU (centre -, 2,1 mm, 10 mA current draw)
Armed with a JFET input and built around a specific set of Toshiba transistors, the 76 MKII’s dual Texture and Color tone controls allow you to precisely sculpt your fuzz while the octave switch allows you to dial back the octaves and overtones for a smoother finish.
All of this translates to a surprisingly varied and delicious fuzz feast, with everything from stabby robotic clangs, synthetic soaring leads, absolutely crushing doom chords as well as more warm and enveloping drives just a single stomp away.
Topped off with silent, soft touch true bypass switching and top jacks, the 76 MKII is everything you need if you’re looking for a musical yet powerful fuzz capable of leveling Tokyo! Here’s to the new Standard Fuzz.
KNOBS:
Level: Allows you to boost or cut your volume level.
Fuzz: Turning Fuzz up ranges from a little crunch to more gain than you could ever want.
Texture: This control adjusts the mid frequency – from a deep scoop to a mid-range grind.
Color: This controls a mild Low Pass Filter on the output of the fuzz to round off some highs and further sculpt the tone. Turn it CCW for darker tones an CW for brighter ones.
Octave Switch: Toggle this switch down for octaves and overtones or up for more conventional fuzz tones.
AUXILIARY:
Input: Instrument or other pedal goes here.
Output: Amplifier or other pedal goes here.
True bypass footswitch: Turns the effect on and off.
POWER:
The 76 MKII uses a negative ground, 9-18VDC power supply with a 2.1mm barrel plug and negative center. Current draw is less than 10mA.
IMPORTANT: use of improper power supply will void warranty.
DIMENSIONS:
4.77″ x 2.6 x 1.39″ (121.1 x 66 x 35.3mm)
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This is MK I:
This is how the first version of the pedal was introduced by the builder.
The 76 is designed to pay homage to the classic mid 70’s Japanese octave up fuzz pedals such as the Ibanez Standard Fuzz & Univox Super Fuzz. The 76 is by no means a polite or refined pedal; it is a chaotically musical, nasty, take-no-prisoners fuzz, loaded with overtones and octave up clang. In addition to standard fuzz and level controls the 76 also features a Texture knob to control mid frequencies, color toggle to tailor treble content, a global Bright/Dark dipswitch, and a final dipswitch for clipping selection. If you are looking for an inspiring, less than conventional fuzz that will spawn endless riffs, look no further that the 76!
Here’s the video of MK I with wonderful playing by Mike Hermans.
