There’s always room for one more fuzz, especially when it’s this affordable.
Pros
+
Good amount of sustain.
+
Well-voiced fuzz.
+
Decent value.
+
Compact.
Cons
-
A tone knob would have made it more versatile.
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Most of us probably associated Ashdown Engineering with bass gear but its six-strong Pro-FX range of effects pedals has a trio for guitar, comprising a the Pro-FX Two-Band Boost, Pro-FX Retro Drive and the Pro-FX Vintage Fuzz.
The pedals were designed by Ashdown’s Dave Green, the man responsible for the Dr Green effects range and each have robust metal casings with four small rubber feet and feature a lit Ashdown logo when active. The front-facing connections facilitate close side-by-side pedalboard placement.
(Image credit: Future / Phil Barker)
Does the world need another two-knob pedal offering vintage fuzz? The folk at Ashdown seem to think so and, as each fuzz can have its own particular flavour, they may just be right.
This one has a range that runs from light drive to full-on fuzz, with plenty of extra welly available from the Output knob to give you a boost wherever you set the Fuzz level.
A Tone knob would’ve added a touch more versatility, but the general voicing seems to be pitched about right, delivering a plentiful amount of top-end to cut through without being overbearing, plus with the right degree of low-end roll off to stop things getting muddy.
This is a fuzz pedal with a sandpapery edge to it, but there’s plenty of squidgy sustain under your fingers as you dig in to play single-note leads, and it will respond to careful use of your volume knob if you want to dial it back.
Trevor Curwen has played guitar for several decades – he's also mimed it on the UK's Top of the Pops. Much of his working life, though, has been spent behind the mixing desk, during which time he has built up a solid collection of the guitars, amps and pedals needed to cover just about any studio session. He writes pedal reviews for Guitarist and has contributed to Total Guitar, MusicRadar and Future Music among others.
