The Zvex Mastotron is a Zvex fuzz pedal, currently around $159. Close alternatives include the Dunlop Fuzz Face Mini Germanium and the Fuzz Face Dunlop Fuzz Face Distortion. It pairs well with the Fender Deluxe Reverb and the 1959 Fender Tweed Deluxe.
Zvex Mastotron
Zvex · pedal
The ZVex Mastotron is a silicon fuzz pedal from ZVex Effects of Minneapolis designed for use with low-impedance instruments like active pickups and bass, delivering thick, rich, harmonically complex fuzz with a distinctive pulse width control that shapes the character of the fuzz envelope.
What stands out
“The Mastotron delivers thick harmonically rich silicon fuzz optimized for active pickups and bass in ZVex's boutique format”
— from the reviews
“The ZVex Mastotron is a silicon fuzz pedal from ZVex Effects of Minneapolis designed for use with low-impedance instruments like active pickups and bass, delivering thick, rich, harmonically complex fuzz with a distinctive pulse width contr…”
— from the listing
“praised for thick harmonically rich silicon fuzz that works well with active pickups and bass”
— from the community notes
“Build quality is excellent”
— from the community notes
“Pulse width control creates unique tonal shaping”
— from the reviews
- silicon fuzz
- bass
- thick
- harmonically rich
- rich
- envelope
- impedance
- harmonically complex
Price updated Oct 24, 2026
Amps that pair well with the Zvex Mastotron
Fender Deluxe Reverb
Fender
15% matchFender Deluxe Reverb leans toward bright, and that's a real, usable character to pair with
Comes later in the signal chain
1959 Fender Tweed Deluxe
Fender
14% match1959 Fender Tweed Deluxe's own transparent character is the real reason this is worth trying
Comes later in the signal chain
Pedals that stack with the Zvex Mastotron
Benson Amps Stonk BOX
Benson Amps
9% matchBenson Amps Stonk BOX's germanium voice suits Zvex Mastotron's own silicon character
Electro-Harmonix Crayon
Electro-Harmonix
9% matchElectro-Harmonix Crayon's own bright character is the real reason this is worth trying
Comes earlier in the signal chain
Electro-Harmonix Small Stone
Electro-Harmonix
9% matchKeep Electro-Harmonix Small Stone after Zvex Mastotron in the signal chain, clear of Zvex Mastotron's own gain stage
Comes later in the signal chain
Ashdown Macchiato Compressor Guy Pratt Signature
Ashdown
7% matchAshdown Macchiato Compressor Guy Pratt Signature's own compressed character is the real reason this is worth trying
Comes earlier in the signal chain
Caroline Guitar Company Meteore
Caroline Guitar Company
6% matchKeep Caroline Guitar Company Meteore after Zvex Mastotron in the signal chain, clear of Zvex Mastotron's own gain stage — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Comes later in the signal chain
Dunlop - MXR Carbon Copy Deluxe Analog Delay
Dunlop
6% matchDunlop - MXR Carbon Copy Deluxe Analog Delay's analog warmth voice goes after Zvex Mastotron in the signal chain — it's not there to compete with Zvex Mastotron's own silicon character — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Comes later in the signal chain
Cheaper alternatives
Orange Fur Coat
Orange
57% similarityShared character: rich
Vox VFZ-1
Vox
52% similarityShared character: 8 impedance, thickness
Mooer MFZ1 Blue Faze
Mooer
50% similaritySimilar role and voicing
Boss FZ-3 Fuzz
pedal
49% similarityShared character: thickness
Fender Bassman Fuzz
Fender
49% similarityShared character: thickness
Catalinbread Elements Fuzz
Catalinbread
90% similaritysimilar tone character
Boutique & premium upgrades
Sola Sound Tone Bender MkII
Sola Sound
59% similarityShared character: 8 impedance, rich, thickness
ThorpyFX Fallout Cloud
ThorpyFX
53% similaritySimilar role and voicing
Wren and Cuff The Good One
Wren And Cuff
51% similarityShared character: rich
Carl Martin THE Fuzz
Carl Martin
90% similaritysimilar tone character
Tru-Fi Two Face
Tru Fi
89% similaritysimilar tone character
JAM Pedals Fuzz Phrase Si Silicon Fuzz
Jam Pedals
89% similaritysimilar tone character
Similar charactersee all similar tone character →
Dunlop Fuzz Face Mini Germanium
Dunlop
62% similarityShared character: 8 impedance, bass
Fuzz Face Dunlop Fuzz Face Distortion
Fuzz Face
58% similarityShared character: 8 impedance
SolidGoldFX If 6 Was 9 MKII
Solidgoldfx
56% similarityShared character: 8 impedance
Behringer Fuzz Bender
Behringer
53% similarityShared character: thickness
Behringer SF300 Super Fuzz
Behringer
52% similarityShared character: thickness, bass
Suhr Rufus Reloaded
Suhr
52% similarityShared character: bass
See all alternatives to the Zvex Mastotron (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the Zvex Mastotron?+
The closest matches in character are the Dunlop Fuzz Face Mini Germanium, the Fuzz Face Dunlop Fuzz Face Distortion, the SolidGoldFX If 6 Was 9 MKII. Budget picks: Orange Fur Coat, Vox VFZ-1, Mooer MFZ1 Blue Faze. Boutique upgrades: Sola Sound Tone Bender MkII, ThorpyFX Fallout Cloud, Wren and Cuff The Good One.
What pairs well with the Zvex Mastotron?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Fender Deluxe Reverb, 1959 Fender Tweed Deluxe, Benson Amps Stonk BOX — Fender Deluxe Reverb leans toward bright, and that's a real, usable character to pair with.
How much does the Zvex Mastotron cost?+
Around $159 (live listing price, updated Oct 24, 2026).