MXR Hybrid Fuzz Review

As you might suspect, MXR/Dunlop’s design vehicle for this experiment is the classic 2-knob Fuzz Face, an elegant device that went from germanium to silicon transistors in the late ’60s, and is archetypal in both guises. Why marry the two transistor types in one pedal? Well, the germanium transistors used in commercial fuzz pedals from the mid ’60s, made from this element, are beloved for a certain warmth, compression-like softness in the attack, and responsiveness to varied volume input. The downside—and this is very subjective—is that they can sound quite ragged when pushed hard. The silicon transistors that began to be used more commonly in the late ’60s and ’70s are known for their increased gain, greater aggression, cutting power, and a smoother, if buzzy, output.

There’s another upside to silicon transistors. They are far more consistent from unit to unit. Germanium transistors from the same manufactured batch could vary in values widely. As a consequence, vintage fuzz pedals of the same make can often sound quite different. Contemporary manufacturers using germanium transistors tend to select and match them carefully for their fuzz pedals to achieve more consistent results. MXR goes through the same process for the Hybrid Fuzz.