The Best Fuzz Pedals For Under $200

From destroying speakers with ice picks to the earliest stompboxes, music makers since the late 1950s and early 1960s have always been obsessed with things that could add dirt to their sound. Following in the well-laid tracks of predecessors like Link Wray and The Sonics, the legacy continues on through the more-than-capable hands of the creators of the best fuzz pedals around today.

While the options for effects are nearly limitless, finding the best fuzz pedals for your sound is all about knowing what you want to achieve and your budget. For those looking for a boutique pedal under $200, Vintage King has brought together some of our favorite fuzzes whose hefty price tags are non-existent. Let your tone and wallet both remain heavy with these great pedal board additions!

Catalinbread Merkin
With a perfect amount of sweet in their fuzz, Catalinbread's Merkin hits on all of the necessary touchstones of the classic 1960s sound. From The Ventures' Walk Don't Run to The Stooges crushing "I Wanna Be Your Dog," the Merkin's fuzz covers a complete decade of tones from a slight crunch to hard hitting scuzz.

 

Earthquaker Devices Cloven Hoof Fuzz
Building off their popular Hoof pedal, EarthQuaker Devices Cloven Hoof keeps the original's clarity intact while amping up the range of tones offered. The fuzz sound can be controlled with more ease, given the larger difference between the perfectly clean tone and full-on fuzz insanity. If you've always loved your Hoof, but wanted something grittier and more expansive, this pedal is for you.

 

JHS Pedals Firefly Fuzz
Channeling the sonic predecessors of yesteryear like the Tonebender MKIII, the Firefly Fuzz from JHS Pedals brings seminal fuzz sounds with perfect touch sensitivity. By being packaged with a bias knob, JHS Pedals has ensured that players can dial in expansive settings of sounds from loud and powerful to more saturated tones.

 

Joe Gore Duh Remedial Fuzz
In a world where pedals can feature up to 10 knobs, Joe Gore felt the need to simplify his fuzzed out creation. The resulting pedal, the Duh Remedial Fuzz, offers a fuzz sound that has a lower gain and less scoop than your typical pedal. While you might think this works against your fuzzed out dreams, your playing will sound bigger and more emphasized in the mix.

 

Suhr Rufus
If your fuzz tendencies lean towards the early 1970s up through the grunge era, you will find the Rufus to be a worthy companion to discovering the perfect sound. Thanks to Suhr's three-band EQ design and two distinct user modes, Normal and Fat, dialing in your favorite fuzz settings is extremely easy.