UK-based boutique pedal makers Great Eastern FX Co. have announced the launch of their latest creation, the Focus Fuzz Deluxe. Based on the original, limited-edition Focus Fuzz pedal, the new addition to the company’s range not only fully resurrects the sought-after circuit, but adds an array of new features including extra Boost and Drive modes and a footswitchable octave-up effect.
The original Focus Fuzz proved to be a popular pedal, but was limited to a run of 250 pedals due to a limited availability of the required transistors. This time around the company say that have sourced enough components to make around 400 pedals, but have decided to pack in some additional functionality that expands on what was possible with the original design.
Alongside the original circuit, the Focus Fuzz Deluxe includes two additional modes that can be selected using a rotary switch, Boost: an almost-clean boost with some added grit when you ‘dig in’, and Drive. an organic, amp-like overdrive, that sounds very dynamic and uncompressed. In both cases, the pedal’s trademark Focus knob functions as a combined gain and tone-shaping control, adding more drive and presence as you turn it up.
A second footswitch then activates the Overtone effect, which blends a transistor-based, analogue octave-up circuit with some of the full-range signal. The effect can be used in all three of the pedal’s modes, and has been designed to deliver all the ‘flavour’ of a vintage octave pedal while retaining the signal’s bottom end and sustain, even at lower gain settings.
This has been such a fun pedal to develop and it is, I believe, a really inspiring pedal to play. Playing dynamics are really important to me, and each mode offers a different way to enhance the expression in your picking hand right across the gain spectrum. Kicking in the octave is just the icing on the cake, whether you want to emphasise those upper overtones, get gated and funky octave drive sounds or fully wig out with the fuzz!” - David Greeves, Founder, Great Eastern FX Company
Key Specs
- Dimensions: 140 x 90 x 55 mm
- Weight: 645g
- Power Requirements: 9V DC PSU (not included)
- Current Draw: ~10mA
Pricing & Availability
The Focus Fuzz Deluxe is available now, priced at £299 including VAT.
