The Boss FZ-1w is a Boss fuzz pedal, currently around $173.29. Close alternatives include the Source Audio Soundblox Multiwave Distortion and the Roger Mayer Fuzz Box. It pairs well with the Friedman BE-Mini Head and the Hughes & Kettner Warp 7.
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.
- modern
- vintage
- open
- analog
- chord tones
- dual mode versatility
- classic rock
- lead
Price updated Aug 27, 2026
Genres the Boss FZ-1w is commonly used in
Amps that pair well with the Boss FZ-1w
Friedman BE-Mini Head
Friedman
tonal matchFriedman BE-Mini Head layers high gain onto an already mid-forward signal
Hughes & Kettner Warp 7
Hughes & Kettner
tonal matchHughes & Kettner Warp 7 layers high gain onto an already mid-forward signal
Synergy SL2 Module
Synergy
tonal matchSynergy SL2 Module layers high gain onto an already mid-forward signal
Hiwatt Hi-Gain 100W Head
Hiwatt
tonal matchHiwatt Hi-Gain 100W Head stacks high gain on top of the mid-forward already here
Hughes & Kettner Coreblade
Hughes & Kettner
tonal matchPut Hughes & Kettner Coreblade in front and the mid-forward tone leans further toward high gain
Friedman Phil X Signature
Friedman
tonal matchRun mid-forward into Friedman Phil X Signature for more high gain on top
EVH 000
Evh
tonal matchPut EVH 000 in front and the mid-forward tone leans further toward high gain
ENGL Marty Friedman Inferno E766
Engl
tonal matchENGL Marty Friedman Inferno E766 stacks high gain on top of the mid-forward already here
Pedals that stack with the Boss FZ-1w
Black Arts Toneworks LSTR Fuzz
Black Arts Toneworks
21% matchBlack Arts Toneworks LSTR Fuzz layers fuzzy onto an already mid-forward signal
Fjord Fuzz Berserk
Fjord Fuzz
21% matchPut Fjord Fuzz Berserk in front and the mid-forward tone leans further toward fuzzy
Fuzzrocious Cosmic Bull Shark
Fuzzrocious
13% matchKeep Fuzzrocious Cosmic Bull Shark after Boss FZ-1w in the signal chain, clear of Boss FZ-1w's own gain stage
Artec SE-NGT
Artec
10% matchRun the SE-NGT ahead of the FZ-1w to gate out hiss before the open, chord-tone fuzz reacts.
Red Witch Titan
Red Witch
7% matchRun Red Witch Titan 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)
EarthQuaker Devices Afterneath
EarthQuaker Devices
7% matchKeep Boss FZ-1w's dynamic voice out front: EarthQuaker Devices Afterneath goes after Boss FZ-1w in the signal chain so its ambient voice doesn't muddy it — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Cusack Music Carolina Reaper Overdrive Fuzz
Cusack Music
tonal matchCusack Music Carolina Reaper Overdrive Fuzz layers high gain onto an already mid-forward signal
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
Electro-Harmonix Spruce Goose
Electro-Harmonix
69% similarityShared character: singing, lead, mix
Boss OS-2 OverDrive/Distortion
Boss
66% similarityShared character: tone_control, mix, classic_rock
Boss DS-1 Distortion
Boss
66% similarityShared character: tone_control, lead, classic_rock
Keeley Fuzz Bender
Keeley
92% similaritysimilar tone character
TC Electronic MojoMojo Overdrive
TC Electronic
91% similaritysimilar tone character
DOD 250 Overdrive Preamp
Digitech
91% similaritysimilar tone character
Boutique & premium upgrades
AnalogMan Beano Boost
Analog Man
69% similarityShared character: raw, singing, lead
Friedman BE-OD Deluxe
Friedman
66% similarityShared character: mix, classic_rock, analog
Electronic Audio Experiments Limelight Dual Overdrive
Electronic Audio Experiments
92% similaritysimilar tone character
Empress Driv
Empress
91% similaritysimilar tone character
Similar charactersee all similar tone character →
Source Audio Soundblox Multiwave Distortion
pedal
67% similarityShared character: one_octave, vintage_charm, overdrive
Roger Mayer Fuzz Box
pedal
66% similarityShared character: one_octave, classic_rock, s_build_quality
MXR M104 Distortion+
MXR
66% similarityShared character: raw, vintage_charm, blues_players
Catalinbread Skewer
Catalinbread
92% similaritysimilar tone character
Carl Martin PlexiRanger
Carl Martin
92% similaritysimilar tone character
Friedman Small Box Overdrive
Friedman
92% similaritysimilar tone character
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 Source Audio Soundblox Multiwave Distortion, the Roger Mayer Fuzz Box, the MXR M104 Distortion+. Budget picks: Electro-Harmonix Spruce Goose, Boss OS-2 OverDrive/Distortion, Boss DS-1 Distortion. Boutique upgrades: AnalogMan Beano Boost, Friedman BE-OD Deluxe, Electronic Audio Experiments Limelight Dual Overdrive.
What pairs well with the Boss FZ-1w?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Friedman BE-Mini Head, Hughes & Kettner Warp 7, Synergy SL2 Module — Friedman BE-Mini Head layers high gain onto an already mid-forward signal.
How much does the Boss FZ-1w cost?+
Around $173.29 (live listing price, updated Aug 27, 2026).
Compare
- vs Catalinbread Skewer
- vs Carl Martin PlexiRanger
- vs Electronic Audio Experiments Limelight Dual Overdrive