Death By Audio Fuzz War

Simple! No manual (only dissapointed by that because the other Death by Audio pedals come with really cool manuals, but as this is so simple I guess it's one of the reasons this pedal is cheaper). There's 2 external knobs - Volume & Tone/Shape. Volume does what it says (the "sweep" of the knob is a bit odd, but nowhere near unuseable) and the Tone knob changes the dynamics of the fuzz. If you turn it while playing - possible with the large knob - you can get a cool phased sound out of it. There's also an internal trim pot that adjusts the amount of fuzz. It's marked Clean-Drive-Fuzz, and again, that's as much info on that as needed.

One of the best sounding fuzzes I've used. I read around a bit before buying one and saw that earlier versions of this pedal suffered from volume issues, but that that problem had been sorted (I also read a great story that gave me a lot of confidence in DBA's customer support!). My Fuzz War has more than enough volume on hand. I'm playing various guitars into some boutique and mass produced pedals into a Music Man combo. It sounds best to me just after my OD and before tremolo. Unlike other fuzzes this doesn't get lost in the mix - those pesky cymbals no longer eat my solos! It works well with all my other pedals and being true bypass doesn't cause any tone loss when off.

Built into a solid box with PCB mounted on the hardware (couldn't help myself - HAD to peek inside!) this pedal seems very solid. All the parts are industry standard and backed up with a lifetime warranty. I have no problem gigging with this pedal without a backup.

I own a couple of DBA pedals, but have never had need to contact them as I've had no problems, therefore my score here is based on the warranty and Internet reading.

I have read of others experiences when dealing with the guys there and they seem very friendly and helpful. My Interstellar Overdriver's box states I could run it over with a truck and they would still fix it for free and the guy at the shop I bought this said this applies to the Fuzz War also (the box for the Fuzz War is plain white card - I'd guess to lower the cost again).

I've been looking for a fuzz that doesn't get lost in the mix or take over and muffle the other guitar in my band for ages and this is definitely it. I mainly play psych-space-rock stuff and this suits perfectly. It's very interactive with other pedals and the controls on guitar so there are sound options aplenty.

I would not hesitate to buy another in the event this was stolen.

As stated earlier, the fact it doesn't get lost in the mix or "eat" other sounds is what I love about this pedal. The phased sound when turning the tone knob is really interesting and I've been practicing turning the knob with my toe as I play for some cool results.

Overall, another great pedal from Death by Audio, and personally, the simple spray-stencilled graphics suit it perfectly.

Very easy to get a variety of sounds, using the "shape" control. Definitely not a linear change in tones!

Various geetars, into tube combos.
Surprisingly not very noisy for a pedal called FUZZ WAR!!!
There is a multitude of fuzz tones available simply by adjusting the "Shape" control and/or your guitar volume.
If the fuzz is too intense there is an internal trimpot that can be adjusted to create punchy, overdriven type tones.
Lots of mids can be made available...no getting lost in the band mix with this sucka!
Really a tight, punchy, defined, sorta fuzz...not wooly and loose (which is NOT a bad thing, just different).

Solid build and assembly...made to be stomped on!

Not applicable.

The FUZZ WAR is a great little pedal, and a different tonal direction from standard fare: germ, silicon, muff. A surprisingly articulate sounding fuzz! The graphics are lame, but the tones are great! The FUZZ WAR can definitely hang with my Earthquaker Devices Hoof, and provide a different spectrum.

Volume and Fuzz shape, what could be easier. If you want less fuzz just turn down your guitar volume. Don't crap your pants just 'cause there is no "fuzz knob" people. If its too much for you there is a trim pot inside you can tweak to put the fuzz at more acceptable levels. Plug in and destroy.

I play my Strat straight into this pedal with a couple of modulation pedals after into a Blues Jr.(small amps are a requirement in New York). The Fuzz War is as awesome as its name implies. I tested next to a few other boutique and big name fuzz pedals, and it was the clear winner. It has its own character. Not as screamy as some, not as "muffy" as some that shall remain nameless. Tremendous output to, which is always fun.

Solid metal enclosure, alpha pots, etc etc. I feel totally confident with this beast, no backup required for minimal gigging. If you tour, buy an extra. That is just common sense.

No idea, but I know where they live.

Big, destructive but totally useable and musical at the same time. Much more clarity in chords than other more "muffy" models. If you want to sound like someone, get a life. If you want to conquer new territory than this may be your weapon of choice.

simply

bad bad bad!!!!! no volume, harsh, bleeeeeeeaaaaaa!!!!!! ****

mid

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anonimous

Ease of use? Its got 2 knobs and a foot switch. One knob labeled output. the other knob seems to vary the cutoff freq of a filter along with changing the kind of distortion/fuzz. Hard to say. Like other DBA pedals I have tried you get a subtle sweep of change of 70% of the arc and a lot of drastic change in the other 30%. Maybe they should try paralleling some resistors on those pots to flatten out the curve. Maybe its intentional.

It sounds awesome. I went into a store in brooklyn called Main Drag Music. Its at 2nd and Wythe. I think its in the same building as DBA?
I tried all the DBA pedals they had and a couple others. I ended up coming down to the interstellar overdrive and this. The Fuzz War had less knobs, but was just more brutal sounding. It does this thing where it kind of squishes when you hit it hard. Like a tube amp! It says germanium transistors on the front. I guess germanium is the new hip thing in retro audio gear. (early transistors where germanium, now they are made out of hafnium or something).
The range of sounds goes from rumbling overdrive to fierce fuzz. Think a RAT box with the filter and distortion knobs melted together. this actually gets a more insane exploding sound than my double RAT.
I play a stingray and a magnum through the Fuzz War, DOD chorus, Boss flange, Mooger Fooger 101, Johnson delay, and others into my Mesa bass 400 or my Epihone valve jr.

ps. I rated it a 10 though honestly it should be a 1, not that its bad, but its a fuzz! the opposite of "pristine sound quality"!

I have only had it for a few weeks. seems solid. Apparently there is a lifetime warranty. I didnt know that. Mine is a one off or a custom or something. the store guy I bought it from said its a new pedal, he wanted to hear it. I told him he wont get a chance.
Checked the DBA website. no mention of it.
Came in a plain white box with fuzz war written in pen. The case graphics are spray stenciled on it. Seems built well. Knobs, switches, and jacks are all quality.

Havent had any contact with them. I think I will drop them a line to see what they have to say about it. Like what kind of PS? Can I swap out any components? Whats going on in there?

Sounds amazing. If I lost it I'd buy it again. I didnt think I neede a new fuzz box, but I guess I did!
wish it had more knobs and switches to play with like the other more expensive pedals. But then It was relatively cheap compared to the octave klang etc.