The OCE Wrench Fuzz is a new pedal, now available for preorder, by an emerging Burbank, CA builder called Chris Evans (not the actor, but almost as good looking). The man’s goal is to build “pedals with personality” and, from the sound and the looks of it, the Wrench meets his intentions.
Sporting an industrial “3D” look with a tiny wrench embedded in the middle of the case (awesome idea!), the Wrench is an evolution of a 2021 2-transistor fuzz circuit, modded for lower noise and more modern build techniques.
The 2N2222A transistors give it an aggressive sound that shines with humbuckers without losing the cleanup quality expected with classic 2-transistor fuzzes.
For those who like their fuzzes “spittier,” an internal trim pot allows setting the effect’s bias, with a default at 4.5v.
The first review from Buddy Blues is extremely positive.
OCE Wrench FUZZ, Builder’s Notes
The Wrench Fuzz is the evolution of the original Hardware Fuzz run I did in early 2021. It’s a classic 2-transistor fuzz circuit, modded for lower noise and more modern build techniques.
To keep the lineage back to the original tagboard Hardware Fuzzes, the Wrench is still built with big honkin’ axial amp caps and big carbon film resistors. I chose 2N2222A transistors that give it a slightly aggressive sound that works well with humbuckers but still has the cleanup players expect with classic 2-transistor fuzz circuits.
Bias is set with an internal trim pot. I set the bias to the “correct” 4.5v and mark the trim pot. If you want to mess with the bias to make it spittier or more velcro you can go in and adjust with a small screwdriver but easily put it back to stock.
The enclosure is meant to look like an industrial tool: weathered, dented, and grimy from years of use. This is to reflect the idea behind the whole Hardware Series: classic circuits that are tweaked to become Tools of Tone.
All O.C.E. Pedals are built with lead-free solder and quality components.
