The EarthQuaker Devices Fuzz Master General is an EarthQuaker Devices fuzz pedal, currently around $179. Close alternatives include the JHS Pedals JHS 1966 Italy Tone Bender and the EarthQuaker Devices Fuzz Master General V2. It pairs well with the Magnatone 280 and the Fender Vibrolux 6G11.
EarthQuaker Devices Fuzz Master General
EarthQuaker Devices · pedal
The EarthQuaker Devices Fuzz Master General is an octave fuzz pedal from EQD, based on the Ace Tone FM-2 Fuzz Master circuit, which shares heritage with the Super-Fuzz design. The Fuzz Master General features a three-way toggle switch for selecting between germanium diode clipping, silicon diode clipping, and no diode clipping, alongside a variable tone-shaping Tone knob. This diode switching system produces three distinctly different fuzz characters from a single enclosure: the softer compression of germanium, the harder response of silicon, and the most open, raw character with no clipping diodes. The upper-octave harmonic content of the Super-Fuzz-inspired circuit adds a distinctive, singing octave quality to sustained notes.
- octave
- clipping
- diode
- harmonic
- raw
- open
- silicon
- fuzz
Price updated Aug 27, 2026
Genres the EarthQuaker Devices Fuzz Master General is commonly used in
- Rock
- Experimental
- Alternative Rock
- Classic Rock
- Psychedelic Rock
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Blues Rock
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag.
Amps that pair well with the EarthQuaker Devices Fuzz Master General
Magnatone 280
Magnatone
21% matchMagnatone 280 stacks modulated on top of the fuzzy already here
Fender Vibrolux 6G11
amplifier
21% matchPut Fender Vibrolux 6G11 in front and the fuzzy tone leans further toward modulated
Gibson Les Paul LP-1 Preamp
Gibson
tonal matchGibson Les Paul LP-1 Preamp layers modulated onto an already fuzzy signal
Pedals that stack with the EarthQuaker Devices Fuzz Master General
Zvex Seek Trem
Zvex
23% matchRun Zvex Seek Trem after EarthQuaker Devices Fuzz Master General in the signal chain, clear of EarthQuaker Devices Fuzz Master General's own gain stage
Z.Vex Super Hard On
Zvex
20% matchZ.Vex Super Hard On layers clean boost onto an already fuzzy signal
Aguilar Octamizer (Bass Octaver)
Aguilar
19% matchAguilar Octamizer (Bass Octaver) stacks octave on top of the fuzzy already here
Strymon OB.1 Bass
Strymon
14% matchWhat Strymon OB.1 Bass brings here leans toward clean boost — that's worth building a pairing around
Pigtronix Echolution
Pigtronix
14% matchKeep EarthQuaker Devices Fuzz Master General's octave voice out front: Pigtronix Echolution goes after EarthQuaker Devices Fuzz Master General in the signal chain so its modulated voice doesn't muddy it — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Walrus Audio Melee Wall of Noise Black
Walrus Audio
13% matchRun Walrus Audio Melee Wall of Noise Black after EarthQuaker Devices Fuzz Master General in the signal chain, clear of EarthQuaker Devices Fuzz Master General's own gain stage — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
SolidGoldFX Oblivion
Solidgoldfx
tonal matchRun fuzzy into SolidGoldFX Oblivion for more octave on top
Caroline Guitar Company Parabola State Tremolo
Caroline Guitar Company
tonal matchRun fuzzy into Caroline Guitar Company Parabola State Tremolo for more clean boost on top
Cheaper alternatives
Tone City TC-T37 Mad Stone Classic Germanium Diode
Tone City
95% similaritysimilar tone character
TC Electronic Zeus Drive Overdrive
TC Electronic
94% similaritysimilar tone character
Pigtronix Disnortion Micro
Pigtronix
93% similaritysimilar tone character
Mythos Golden Fleece
Mythos
93% similaritysimilar tone character
Vox VFZ-1
Vox
93% similaritysimilar tone character
Boutique & premium upgrades
Similar charactersee all similar tone character →
JHS Pedals JHS 1966 Italy Tone Bender
JHS Pedals
68% similarityShared character: raw, one_octave, circuit
EarthQuaker Devices Fuzz Master General V2
EarthQuaker Devices
68% similarityShared character: s_flexibility, one_octave, compression
Tru-Fi Super Fuzz PBF Compact Version
Tru Fi
68% similarityShared character: one_octave, fuzz, boutique_stuff
Tru-Fi Super Fuzz Version 2
Tru Fi
68% similarityShared character: one_octave, fuzz
Fuzz Face Dunlop Fuzz Face Distortion
Fuzz Face
67% similarityShared character: fuzz, classic_rock, alternative
MXR CSP203
MXR
65% similarityShared character: raw, one_octave, fuzz
See all alternatives to the EarthQuaker Devices Fuzz Master General (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the EarthQuaker Devices Fuzz Master General?+
The closest matches in character are the JHS Pedals JHS 1966 Italy Tone Bender, the EarthQuaker Devices Fuzz Master General V2, the Tru-Fi Super Fuzz PBF Compact Version. Budget picks: Tone City TC-T37 Mad Stone Classic Germanium Diode, TC Electronic Zeus Drive Overdrive, Pigtronix Disnortion Micro. Boutique upgrades: Univox Super-Fuzz, Dallas Rangemaster Treble Booster, Klon Centaur.
What pairs well with the EarthQuaker Devices Fuzz Master General?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Magnatone 280, Fender Vibrolux 6G11, Gibson Les Paul LP-1 Preamp — Magnatone 280 stacks modulated on top of the fuzzy already here.
How much does the EarthQuaker Devices Fuzz Master General cost?+
Around $179 (live listing price, updated Aug 27, 2026).
Compare
- vs Tone City TC-T37 Mad Stone Classic Germanium Diode
- vs JAM Pedals Fuzz Phrase Si Silicon Fuzz
- vs JHS Pedals JHS Lizard Queen