The EarthQuaker Devices Fuzz Master General is an EarthQuaker Devices fuzz pedal, currently around $179. Close alternatives include the Electro-Harmonix Percolator and the Tru-Fi Super Fuzz Version 2. It pairs well with the Fender Vibrolux 6G11 and the Magnatone 280.
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.
What stands out
“Best for psychedelic rock, classic rock, and experimental fuzz applications where the octave harmonic adds a singing, distinctive quality to sustained lead lines”
— from the community notes
“The Fuzz Master General features a three-way toggle switch for selecting between germanium diode clipping, silicon diode clipping, and alongside a variable tone-shaping Tone knob”
— from the listing
“Octave-influenced fuzz with three selectable clipping characters producing germanium warmth, silicon hardness, and raw open fuzz through a three-way toggle, all sharing the Super-Fuzz-derived upper-octave harmonic character”
— from the community notes
“The octave harmonic is most pronounced in the upper register and on single-note lines, where it adds character most distinctly”
— from the community notes
“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”
— from the listing
- octave
- harmonic
- diode
- clipping
- raw
- open
- singing
- silicon
Price updated Oct 23, 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. - Noise Rock
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag.
Amps that pair well with the EarthQuaker Devices Fuzz Master General
Fender Vibrolux 6G11
amplifier
21% 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)
Put Fender Vibrolux 6G11 in front and the fuzzy tone leans further toward modulated
Comes later in the signal chain
Magnatone 280
Magnatone
20% 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)
Magnatone 280 stacks modulated on top of the fuzzy already here
Comes later in the signal chain
Gibson Les Paul LP-1 Preamp
Gibson
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Gibson Les Paul LP-1 Preamp layers modulated onto an already fuzzy signal
Magnatone 510
Magnatone
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Magnatone 510 layers modulated onto an already fuzzy signal
Pedals that stack with the EarthQuaker Devices Fuzz Master General
Cordovox PH-8
Cordovox
22% 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)
Put Cordovox PH-8 after EarthQuaker Devices Fuzz Master General in the signal chain, clear of EarthQuaker Devices Fuzz Master General's own gain stage
Comes later in the signal chain
Z.Vex Super Hard On
Zvex
21% matchgain stackingStacks two gain stages for more saturation than either produces alone. (fuzzy → clean boost)
Z.Vex Super Hard On layers clean boost onto an already fuzzy signal
Comes earlier in the signal chain
Walrus Audio Ages
Walrus Audio
20% matchgain stackingStacks two gain stages for more saturation than either produces alone. (fuzzy → clean boost)
Put Walrus Audio Ages in front and the fuzzy tone leans further toward clean boost
Comes earlier in the signal chain
Ashdown Macchiato Compressor Guy Pratt Signature
Ashdown
15% matchshapes the dynamic responseShapes how the tone responds to picking dynamics rather than its frequency or gain. (dynamic → compressed)
Ashdown Macchiato Compressor Guy Pratt Signature's own compressed character is the real reason this is worth trying
Comes earlier in the signal chain
Walrus Audio Melee Wall of Noise Black
Walrus Audio
13% 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)
Run 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)
Comes later in the signal chain
Pigtronix Echolution
Pigtronix
13% 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 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 ambient voice doesn't muddy it — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Comes later in the signal chain
NuX Masamune Booster & Kompressor
Nux
tonal matchComes earlier in the signal chain
NuX Masamune Booster & Kompressor goes in front of EarthQuaker Devices Fuzz Master General in the chain
Subdecay Octave Theory Octave Modulator Synthesizer
Subdecay
tonal matchComes earlier in the signal chain
Subdecay Octave Theory Octave Modulator Synthesizer belongs in front of EarthQuaker Devices Fuzz Master General, since pitch tracking is cleanest before anything colours the note
Cheaper alternatives
Catalinbread Fuzzrite GE
Catalinbread
54% similaritySimilar voicing: germanium, octave
Dunlop JHMS2 Hendrix Shrine Series Octavio Fuzz
MXR
53% similarityShared character: one octave, singing, classic rock
Dunlop MXR Octavio Fuzz JD-M267
Dunlop
49% similarityShared character: one octave, circuit, lead
Dunlop JH-3S Jimi Hendrix Signature System Octave
Dunlop
48% similarityShared character: one octave, singing, fuzz
Tone City TC-T37 Mad Stone Classic Germanium Diode
Tone City
48% similaritySimilar voicing: germanium, bright
Vox VFZ-1
Vox
47% similarityShared character: raw, singing, fuzz
Boutique & premium upgrades
JAM Pedals Octaurus GRN
Jam Pedals
57% similarityShared character: one octave, alternative, response
Univox Super-Fuzz
Univox
53% similarityShared character: raw, one octave, singing
Benson Amps STÖRKN Fuzz
Benson Amps
51% similarityShared character: fuzz
Sola Sound Tone Bender MkII
Sola Sound
46% similarityShared character: fuzz, classic rock, lead
Benson Amps Germanium Fuzz
Benson Amps
93% similaritysimilar tone character
Suhr Thornicus Ian Thornly Signature Fuzz
Suhr
93% similaritysimilar tone character
Similar charactersee all similar tone character →
Electro-Harmonix Percolator
Electro-Harmonix
63% similarityShared character: raw, one octave, circuit
Tru-Fi Super Fuzz Version 2
Tru Fi
62% similarityShared character: one octave, fuzz, lead
Tru-Fi Super Fuzz PBF Compact Version
Tru Fi
60% similarityShared character: one octave, fuzz, lead
Source Audio Kingmaker
Source Audio
60% similarityShared character: one octave, fuzz
JHS Pedals JHS Lizard Queen
JHS Pedals
59% similarityShared character: one octave, circuit, lead
JHS Pedals JHS 1966 Italy Tone Bender
JHS Pedals
57% similarityShared character: raw, one octave, circuit
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 Electro-Harmonix Percolator, the Tru-Fi Super Fuzz Version 2, the Tru-Fi Super Fuzz PBF Compact Version. Budget picks: Catalinbread Fuzzrite GE, Dunlop JHMS2 Hendrix Shrine Series Octavio Fuzz, Dunlop MXR Octavio Fuzz JD-M267. Boutique upgrades: JAM Pedals Octaurus GRN, Univox Super-Fuzz, Benson Amps STÖRKN Fuzz.
What pairs well with the EarthQuaker Devices Fuzz Master General?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Fender Vibrolux 6G11, Magnatone 280, Gibson Les Paul LP-1 Preamp — Put Fender Vibrolux 6G11 in front and the fuzzy tone leans further toward modulated.
How much does the EarthQuaker Devices Fuzz Master General cost?+
Around $179 (live listing price, updated Oct 23, 2026).
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