MJM Guitar Effects London Fuzz

2 knobs -- Fuzz and Level. Plus the volume control on your guitar which is pretty integral to using this thing. Very simple to use.

I have the germanium model. I use it with a 50s Tele (with Harmonic Design Vintage Plus pickups), a '65 Jaguar, and an Epi LP (with SD pickups) into a Deluxe Reverb RI.

This thing is amazing. Wonderful thick yet clear fuzz. With my Tele's HD bridge pickup (Fuzz around 4:00; guitar volume at that sweet spot you'll find through a little experimenting), it cuts and burns on the high end, rumbles and snarls on the mids and lows, and leaves you panting, wanting more. That it takes away the highs a bit is one reason why I think it sounds so good on the bridge pickup and on the bridge/neck position. Adjust your guitar tone to taste.

I also run it into my analogman 808 modded Boss SD-1 overdrive (a tubescreamer type) and it's a great combination. The analogman SD-1 is a great pedal but sometimes it needs some added edge and grit to go with its mid-heavy warmth. The London Fuzz does the trick. I set the Fuzz around 11:00 or 12:00, back off the guitar volume so that you can just hear the fuzz a bit on chords, then kick in the SD-1 and the result is fantastic.

Another thing: despite upgrading the pickups and tone capacitors on my Epi LP, overdriven and distorted (either with the SD-1 > DRRI, or on the dirty channel of my Marshall AVT50) it sounded harsh and brittle -- not at all what I expect from humbuckers. While this still remains a mystery to me, I'm not sweating it anymore because it loves the London Fuzz -- now I get the warm thick distortion tones I expect from humbuckers... go figure.

Seems really well built. I've only had it a couple months.

Michael is very responsive to my questions and he humors me when I spout off excitedly about my tone "discoveries."

Easy to use. Gain and Volume controls. Battery is accessed through the bottom plate, four screw job. LED light.

I am using the LF with a Strat and Gibson 330. These go through a Deluxe Reverb w/ Weber C12N. As far as effects go I change between variations including a Teese Picture wah, DM-2, DD-5, Maxon Phasetone, Vintage Rat and Time Machine Boost.

The LF has plenty of harmonics which is the trademark of a good fuzz IMO. The volume goes to a comfortable level whilst the gain goes from a nice, edgy crunch through to claustrophobic. Perhaps it isnt as usable throughout the whole range of sweep though.

The LED is positioned badly. Right next to the switch, this is obscured when i activate the pedal and has proved a nusance in live situations. The construction is solid with my only complaint being that the battery could be better housed. (Mine was "stickytaped" to the inside wall for the most part). The soldering is fisrt class and components top notch. Heavy guage wire, true bypass switch, NOS germanium transisters and Switchcraft jacks.

I will also say that there is a slight pop when engaging the effect. I was told by Michael that this may just be my particular amp. Annoying for a boutique pedal all the same since I have had to mod it to get rid of it.

The tone (which is the most important thing) is great and really sings once the sweet spot is found aallowing the individual notes of a chord or lead line shine through.

I think this pedal will prove realiable and yes, I would gig without a backup. That said, I do with all of my gear.

Michael is a helpful guy for someone I imagine to be quite busy. He actually customised mine to the old aesthetics because I prefered them to the new ones. Ivory chicken heads look better than black ones. We all know it.

I play jazz, blues, funk, surf and roots-rock. This stompbox gets most of its use in my more experimental jazz-rock leanings. There were other fuzz pedals i was considering but this is fine for now, as I only use fuzz in a limited capacity. I think this fuzz likes single-coils better than humbuckers IMO. Cuts through better.

Nothing more to say. Hope this helps you in your decision.

Easy as cake.
2 konbs. easy to get tone I want

It is MJM. What else can I think about??????????
ARE YOU TONE FREAK? Let me tell you, you will like it.
It is different than other fuzz pedal at all. sound so good.
I used Parker guitar classic. and set to
-
Keeley comp-Crybaby Wah-MT2-London Fuzz-Visual sound Route 66-DS1 MIJ-
Hot Cake-TC SCF-AD9- LINE6DL4- Twin Reverb

i turened both knobs at 12 clock. Believed me and turned the Bost drive at
drive-9 clock and level up. You will get what you want

Not sure. Not thing wrong.

Michael is a great guys. Very good person. I asked servel question.
He also replyed me in 1 day.

Simple. Volume. Fuzz. Battery clip is a little too tight.

I use this with my 61 Tremolux (a 2 6L6 fender) with the volume on the amp (normal channel) on 9 or 10. The o/t on the amp has been replaced with one from a Fender Pro from the same year, so it's not quite as crazy compressed as 9 or 10 would normally be. Still some highs in there. I use the pedal with old danelectros (super low output) wired all kooky, so usually when I hit the fuzz, the pickups are both on, out-of-phase, in parallel. So I'm hitting the pedal with a quiet, bright, knocky, midrangey signal. Sometimes I go from the guitar into the fuzz into a fulldrive 2 and then into the amp. Oddly enough, the 2 pedals sound awesome in series.

Speaking of awesome, this fuzz is amazing. Fantastic for infinite sustain without sounding all buzzy and boogie-y (nice adjective). Eats up the highs (in a really good way) and thickens/eats everything else up into a nice caramel/fondue tone. Fantastic. I don't use it much for chords and stuff because it really brings a lot of mids to the game, but that's not why I bought it. I bought it to try to achieve that wonderful snot-tone that Billy Gibbons gets on Arrested for Driving while Blind. I heard this tone once. It was a Jaguar (?) with the low-cut filter on into an original Fuzz Face into a blonde Bassman. Whooda thunk it?

Fantastic stuff. And quiet! A fuzz (vol & fuzz set to about 11:00, but that's actually a lot - this thing goes deep into garbage-disposal-ville if you're looking for that) into an OD into a cranked amp? A pretty hot amp. No feedback problems. Tried the same settings with a strat and things were squealing, but if you take the FD2 out of the mix, things are quiet and peachy.

I have no idea.

Backups are for Ted Nugent.

Haven't

I intend to play fake gutbucket, fake Gary US Bond songs, and fake Freddy King cops. The pedal is perfect for when I accidentally play fake Hendrix, fake Top, fake fusion, etc.

Here's the thing: This pedal does not sound like a shitty squarewave generator or like there's something wrong with your amp. It does not sound like all those terrible boss fuzzes, or the equally terrible fulltone 70 pedal (sorry, mike). It does sound like the screaming/singing, thick to the point of nearly coagulating, soaring lead tone that's sometimes hard to get with single coil pups. Ah, but once you do, you experience the joy of witnessing a tone so much more detailed than that of the hat they call Slash.

That's what you want to know when you're looking to buy a Fuzz. And whether it feeds back or is tempermental. It doesn't and isn't.
That's why you're reading this post. Problem solved. Go buy one and help this guy and his awesome new company to produce more awesome pedals.

Oh, and when you do, try (I know this sounds silly) shitty batteries instead of Alkaline ones. They sound better with it. Go figure.

It gets a 9 cuz it's just a fuzz. I mean, it doesn't come with a built-in luthier/driver/masseuse.

This is an update to my review dated 4/10/2002. Though I tried this pedal out in a store several times and decided not to buy it, one of the reasons behind my decsion not to purchase the MJM London Fuzz was that I already owned a half-dozen fuzzes at the time, including MJM's 2-knob Britbender pedal, so I felt I would be duplicating a type of sound that I already could achieve with my other fuzz pedals. I do like the MJM Britbender, and believe that it will become a collector's item many years from now.

Very easy to use. Theres just two knobs. One controls the volume and the other controls the amount of fuzz.

Sounds very smooth and warm. Thers alot of fuzz here and a decent amount of sustain. The pedal cleans up fairly well when you lower the volume on your guitar but only when the fuzz knob is set low. Its much easier to use than the Roger Mayer Classic Fuzz. I played through this pedal using a Gibson les paul Standard into a Bogner tube amp.

Dont know but looks well-made.

The maker of this pedal is a great guy and fun to talk to if you have any questions just e-mail him and he will explain everything.

I play blues rock. I have been playing for 20 years and own a 1970's Strat and a 1989 Gibson and a dozen boutique fuzz/distortion/overdrive pedals. I ended up NOT buying this pedal after playing through it two different days for a half an hour each time. I have the Mayer Axis Fuzz which is brighter sounding and that pedal suits me well enough. The purpose of this review is to give an objective opinion to this pedal as every other reviewer has given it all 10's in every category and thats just unrealistic.

The London Fuzz has two knobs: Level and Fuzz. Very simple!

The London Fuzz is the best Fuzz pedal I've ever heard! Just like all my MJM effects, they are made true to the circuit and sound right. This is the ultimate Germanium Fuzz Face clone and it nails all the classic tones from Hendrix to Clapton. I play Fender Strats and amps and this baby rocks! This Fuzz has an incredible amount of gain for a Germanium and it cleans up so incredible well. Think of "Like A Rolling Stone" by Hendrix at Monterey and many others! That tone is possible with this beauty. The tone is FAT, FAT, FAT and smooth, it is purely an amazing Fuzz Face clone. Even playing with a Strat, this baby has plenty of gain and when you roll off the guitars volume knob, it cleans up so well. Also, when you roll off just a bit, it sounds like a wonderful overdrive. If I really wanted to use the London as my only only overdrive live, it would work because there are so many great tones and gain stages avaiable just from the guitars volume knob!!! Wonderful!!! Michael knows Fuzz!!!

I can totally depend on this. It is very well made and the casing is strong with all great jacks, switch and chicken knobs...very cool. I've had this Fuzz for quite a while, been through many gigs and has no signs of quitting on me. Again, Michael stands behind all his products!

Michael is #1, hands down!!! He is a true gentlemen and is very kind and helpful. There is no one better in the business. He treats you like how you want to be treated. There is no words to say how great this man is. I feel like I've known him for years and years. He replies to all e-mails and is VERY courteous on the phone. No question is stupid, he makes you feel comfortable at all times. I wish there were more people in this world like Michael Micetic!!!!

I've been playing for 23 years. I play Blues and Hendrix. The London Fuzz is perfect for my style and all applications. This Fuzz is extremely versatile. I also have other fine MJM products like the Ulysses Wah, Sixties-Vibe and the Blues Devil. These effects are really all made to perfection with care and understanding of what the player expects for ultimate tones. If this was lost or stolen, I would be VERY upset. I would have to have Michael make me another one.

If you are wondering how this unit compares to the Fulltone '69, then read on. The '69 is more like a modified Fuzz Face, it is not exactly true to the originals like the London Fuzz. The '69 has "bias" and "contour" knobs along with an internal trimmer. That is alot of bells and whistles for something that doesn't even hold a candle to the London Fuzz!!! The London Fuzz has 2 knobs and those two knobs do much more than the '69 ever could!!!! The London Fuzz is an exact Fuzz Face clone and in most cases, even sounds better than the originals. The London Fuzz has far more gain than the '69 and cleans up with perfection. The London Fuzz is a no brainer if you seek a perfect Germanium powered Fuzz Face. Like all Michaels effects, it is true bypass and sounds right!!! You will never be dissapointed with this work of art!!

It is very easy to get a great sound. It only has two knobs, fuzz and level. No manual is needed. You can get the vintage "Fuzz Face" sound out of it on any settings.

My main gear is Eric Clapton Signature Strat. My signal chain goes from EC Strat, Crybaby, London Fuzz, Boss PH1R, Maxon AD80, and Fender Vibrolux Reverb. The sound quality is amazingly great. This it the best fuzz I have ever used.

I gig without any back up and I only bring this fuzz and a Strat to jam sessions. You can depend on it.

I want to give Michael a 100! He gave me the greatest customer support I have ever dealt with. He modified my London Fuzz without charging any money. He answered all of my stupid questions by email so quickly. It makes me feel like he is my close friend.

I play blues and sometimes jazz. I have been playing guitar for almost 10 years. I also own Fender Japan Strat and Mustang. Those gears sound great with the London Fuzz. I will definitely buy it again if it is lost or stolen. I highly recommend to those of you who like Hendrix, SRV, and early Clapton. You can get the sound. Thanks Michael for giving me the opportunity to own this pedal.

2 knobs; fuzz and level. With this bad girl that is all you need.

I have played this thing with small fender and vox combos and big stacks.
It sounded particularily awesome with a 50 watt HiWatt Head I was using one time.
Wicked sustain and very responsive to your guitars volume knob. I can't recomend this pedal enough.
I play Gibsons (Les Paul, 335, & Firebird) and this thing is awesome with them.
No hiss and true bypass... Giddy-up!

Totally Dependable. I would gig without backup.

If I could give Michael a 100 out of 10 I would. This guy is THEE PEDAL MAN!!!

I was a total pain to deal with and he was more than generous with his time.

Buy this Pedal!

The best fuzz, the best overdrive, period, end of story.

Too easy to get a good sound. Way easy! No manual, none required as there are only level and fuzz controls. Less is more for this pedal.

This pedal really rocks! Sounds juvenile, but true none the less. You can get a good sound at any setting. Its quite organic sounding--lots of character. A little noise at high levels, but not enough to be annoying. For my applications, I often run the Fuzz control at zero, which gives some biting crunch with fuzz overtones. I wind it higher for a juicier sound for some leads. The pedal nails the sixties and early seventies sound while also doing a decent job at grunge and the older SRV paint peeling leads.

Although I use a couple of different rigs, the LF is used in the following set up: Modded ESP strat clone with Dimarzio Virtual Vintage pickups and a Fishman strat replacement vibrato tail, into a Marshall "Ed" compressor, Budda Wah+, MJM Blues Devil, Guyatone Flip Tremolo, London Fuzz, Ernie Ball Volume, and AKAI Headrush into either a Rivera era Fender Concert, Graphic Orange OR80 combo or a Trace Velocette 12R.

Haven't had it long enough to really know. Built like a tank though.Can't see much going wrong with it.

Michael has been quite informative and professional about his transactions with me.

I've played for 20 years, have own more pedals and amps than I care to remember. I play many styles, from country (the good stuff, not the "new country" crap)to classic rock, to the ambient and heavily processed 80's guitar stuff, to R&B, funk, Motown, acid jazz and, of course, da blues. The London Fuzz, in spite of the fact that it is a fuzz pedal, has many applications due to its sonic body and range of sound. I won't talk about all the other fuzzes I've played except to mention that I've tested it against the Fultone 69, 70 and Soul Bender, and for my tastes the LF was an easy choice (subjective thing). If lost or stolen, I'd buy it again, and bug Michael for ivory chicken heads.
I own two of Michael's pedals now, the other being his Blues Devil. They're both long on character and organic sound and deliver marvelously, whether at minimalist settings or at full throttle.

Cheers,
Chronexus