The Boss FZ-1w is a Boss fuzz pedal, currently around $165. Close alternatives include the Wampler Velvet Fuzz and the Cusack Music Screamer Fuzz V3. It pairs well with the Marshall JVM410H and the Mesa/Boogie Stiletto Deuce Stage II.
Boss FZ-1w
Boss · pedal
The Boss FZ-1W is a wholly original Waza Craft fuzz pedal and the first in the Waza Craft range not based on an existing Boss pedal model. Built with an all-analog silicon fuzz circuit in two modes, Vintage and Modern, the FZ-1W covers grinding, growling chord tones, burly buzzing fuzz, and brash to singing high-register lead sounds. Modern mode adds body and midrange presence, producing a result similar to a fuzz equivalent of the Boss SD-1 overdrive. Made in Japan as part of the premium Waza Craft series.
What stands out
“Modern mode adds body and midrange presence, producing a result similar to a fuzz equivalent of the Boss SD-1 overdrive”
— from the listing
“Used for classic rock, psych, blues-rock, and heavier alternative tones where a versatile silicon fuzz with mode switching covers multiple sonic characters”
— from the community notes
“Vintage mode is the more open and classically voiced option; Modern mode adds midrange body for a fuller, richer fuzz that sits better in a dense band mix”
— from the community notes
“All-analog silicon fuzz with Vintage and Modern modes spanning vintage open fuzz through a more midrange-forward modern voice, the first original Waza Craft design”
— from the community notes
“Built with an all-analog silicon fuzz circuit in two modes, Vintage and Modern, the FZ-1W covers grinding, growling chord tones, burly buzzing fuzz, and brash to singing high-register lead sounds”
— from the listing
- silicon fuzz
- vintage
- classic rock
- lead
- open
- chord tones
- fuzz
- dual mode versatility
Price updated Oct 24, 2026
Genres the Boss FZ-1w is commonly used in
Amps that pair well with the Boss FZ-1w
Marshall JVM410H
Marshall
20% matchgain stackingStacks two gain stages for more saturation than either produces alone. (mid-forward → high gain)
Run mid-forward into Marshall JVM410H for more high gain on top
Comes later in the signal chain
Mesa/Boogie Stiletto Deuce Stage II
Mesa Boogie
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Run mid-forward into Mesa/Boogie Stiletto Deuce Stage II for more high gain on top
Mesa/Boogie JP-2C John Petrucci Signature 60/100-Watt
Mesa Boogie
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Run mid-forward into Mesa/Boogie JP-2C John Petrucci Signature 60/100-Watt for more high gain on top
Hughes & Kettner Coreblade
Hughes & Kettner
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Put Hughes & Kettner Coreblade in front and the mid-forward tone leans further toward high gain
Friedman Small Box 50W EL34 Amp Head
Friedman
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Run mid-forward into Friedman Small Box 50W EL34 Amp Head for more high gain on top
Marshall Studio JCM900 SN20H
Marshall
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Put Marshall Studio JCM900 SN20H in front and the mid-forward tone leans further toward high gain
Friedman BE-Mini Head
Friedman
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Friedman BE-Mini Head layers high gain onto an already mid-forward signal
Hughes & Kettner Warp 7
Hughes & Kettner
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Hughes & Kettner Warp 7 layers high gain onto an already mid-forward signal
Pedals that stack with the Boss FZ-1w
Cusack Music Tap-A-Fuzz
Cusack Music
24% matchgain stackingStacks two gain stages for more saturation than either produces alone. (mid-forward → fuzzy)
Put Cusack Music Tap-A-Fuzz in front and the mid-forward tone leans further toward fuzzy
Zvex Fuzz Probe
Zvex
21% matchgain stackingStacks two gain stages for more saturation than either produces alone. (mid-forward → fuzzy)
Run mid-forward into Zvex Fuzz Probe for more fuzzy on top
Ashdown Studio Compressor
Ashdown
19% matchshapes the dynamic responseShapes how the tone responds to picking dynamics rather than its frequency or gain. (dynamic → compressed)
Ashdown Studio Compressor leans toward compressed, and that's a real, usable character to pair with
Comes earlier in the signal chain
Boss CE-1 Chorus Ensemble
pedal
15% matchsits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor. (fuzzy → modulated)
Keep Boss FZ-1w's silicon voice out front: Boss CE-1 Chorus Ensemble goes after Boss FZ-1w in the signal chain so its lush voice doesn't muddy it
Comes later in the signal chain
Electro-Harmonix Canyon
Electro-Harmonix
9% matchsits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor. (fuzzy → octave)
Put Electro-Harmonix Canyon after Boss FZ-1w in the signal chain, clear of Boss FZ-1w's own gain stage — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Comes later in the signal chain
Crazy Tube Circuits Echotopia
Crazy Tube Circuits
8% matchsits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor. (fuzzy → modulated)
Keep Boss FZ-1w's silicon voice out front: Crazy Tube Circuits Echotopia goes after Boss FZ-1w in the signal chain so its analog warmth voice doesn't muddy it — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Comes later in the signal chain
Death By Audio Destruction
Death By Audio
tonal matchRun mid-forward into Death By Audio Destruction for more fuzzy on top
Dr. Scientist Frazz Dazzler V2
Dr Scientist
tonal matchDr. Scientist Frazz Dazzler V2 stacks fuzzy on top of the mid-forward already here
Cheaper alternatives
Keeley Fuzz Bender
Keeley
55% similarityShared character: fuzz, classic rock, lead
Catalinbread Giygas 2k
Catalinbread
47% similarityShared character: one octave, mix, fuzz
JHS Pedals JHS 3 Series Fuzz
JHS Pedals
46% similarityShared character: alternative, classic rock
Electro-Harmonix 1973 Violet Ram's Head Big Muff Pi V2
Electro-Harmonix
46% similarityShared character: singing, fuzz, alternative
Boutique & premium upgrades
Roger Mayer Fuzz Box
pedal
54% similarityShared character: one octave, fuzz, vintage charm
Black Cat Pedals Super Fuzz
Black Cat Pedals
50% similarityShared character: one octave, fuzz, response
Univox Super-Fuzz
Univox
47% similarityShared character: raw, one octave, singing
smallsound/bigsound Team Awesome Fuzz Machine
smallsound/bigsound
45% similarityShared character: mix, fuzz, response
Spaceman Rumblefuzz II
Spaceman
44% similarityShared character: mix, fuzz, response
Rainger FX Razor Fuzz
Rainger Fx
44% similarityShared character: raw, fuzz, response
Similar character
Wampler Velvet Fuzz
Wampler
50% similarityShared character: singing, fuzz, alternative
Cusack Music Screamer Fuzz V3
Cusack Music
48% similarityShared character: mix, fuzz, vintage charm
Dunlop FFM6 Band of Gypsys Fuzz Face
Dunlop
46% similarityShared character: one octave, lead, overdrive
Jackson Audio Fuzz
Jackson Audio
45% similarityShared character: one octave, singing, fuzz
Zvex Fuzz Factory P025
Zvex
45% similarityShared character: fuzz, vintage charm, overdrive
EarthQuaker Devices Hoof Hybrid Fuzz
EarthQuaker Devices
43% similarityShared character: fuzz, vintage charm, classic rock
See all alternatives to the Boss FZ-1w (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the Boss FZ-1w?+
The closest matches in character are the Wampler Velvet Fuzz, the Cusack Music Screamer Fuzz V3, the Dunlop FFM6 Band of Gypsys Fuzz Face. Budget picks: Keeley Fuzz Bender, Catalinbread Giygas 2k, JHS Pedals JHS 3 Series Fuzz. Boutique upgrades: Roger Mayer Fuzz Box, Black Cat Pedals Super Fuzz, Univox Super-Fuzz.
What pairs well with the Boss FZ-1w?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Marshall JVM410H, Mesa/Boogie Stiletto Deuce Stage II, Mesa/Boogie JP-2C John Petrucci Signature 60/100-Watt — Run mid-forward into Marshall JVM410H for more high gain on top.
How much does the Boss FZ-1w cost?+
Around $165 (live listing price, updated Oct 24, 2026).