Phoenix Custom Electronics SuperNova Fuzz

Despite the large number of knobs on its top side, the SuperNova is as easy to use, if not more so, than any other fuzz I've played. Getting good (REALLY good) fuzztones out of it is a cinch; getting great sounds takes some tweaking. I particularly have to hand it to Alex's thoughful addition of the "Resistance" knob (marked with an Ohm/omega symbol on the pedal) in this category: you can finally place it after a wah without worry-- just start off fully clockwise and work back until your wah sounds good. Simple, yet exactly what every fuzz needs. The instruction sheet is clear and detailed, and even though you could probably figure out how all those knobs work without it, it really does give a great run-through of what to expect, as some of them are a bit unusual (but it a good way as I will elaborate below). This being said, I'll agree with the previous reviewer's 8 simply because it is a fuzz and you've got to know what you're doing with it.

Once again, I tip my hat to the previous review. Maybe that's why there's only been one: the reviwer really summed up this one's sonic signature accurately yet artfully (which, come to think of it, might be the only appropriate way to describe it...). While I agree with all of the previous post's overall findings, I did want to chime in and introduce some new points: first, the above-mentioned "resistance" knob. I don't know how anyone ever built a fuzz without it. Makes it so much more compatable with other pedals, and also offers a unique way to shape the tone. You can use it like a traditional fuzz in front of a wah and still get more of a defined bottom end by playing with it. Same thing with the "range" knob-- this is what a tone knob really ought to do for a fuzz; it gradually blends out an input capacitor as you increase it, making the tone clearer and brighter, but never harsh.

Gobs and gobs of volume boost are also on tap, although I've found the level to depend upon the way other knobs are set. Yes, the knobs are very interactive, but you're never going to encounter outrightly nasty squeaks and squeals (ala the ZVex FuzzFactory) from the SuperNova alone (although it probably is every bit as radical as the FF, it is radical in an entirely different way). Discortant dying battery buzz is a real possibility, and so is smooth, creamy fuzzy OD.

Smooth and singing, yes, but crazy "infinite sustain" doesn't come to this one under its own power. Like many an actual vintage Fuzz Face, the crazy, prolonged sustain comes out best through an amp with some breakup going on (or stacked into another dirt box). But it does come, and when it does, there's nothing like it. Refined, warm, alive, organic... adjectives fail. Then knock the volume knob back a bit and let those crunchy, classic rhythm licks come out. "Cleanup" with the volume knob is not the too-clean, often harsh bite of a germanium fuzz. It retains a little dirt around the edges until 3 or 4 on a strat, although it's also very responsive to pick attack, so I've found anywhere from 3-7 to be perfectly usable for clean in most situations.

At this point, I realize I've been describing it with the fuzz knob cranked all the way up the whole time.

Simple, sturdy, silicon. A recipe for reliability!

I haven't had the need or opportunity to deal with Phoenix, but they issue lifetime warrenties and I've heard naught but praise from those who have had contact.

I've had a very unusual year. Without getting into my own biography, let's just say that this is currently the only dirt pedal I own-- and not entirely by choice. In other words, from experience I can honestly say that were I to be left with only one dirt pedal, this would be it. It covers just about everything else... I'd be willing to bet that hotter pickups would push it into sustainland through a clean amp, too, so I'm not discounting its potential by the other limitations of my setup. When things sort out, I intend to get an OD for just that purpose (don't like hot pickups), but until that time I'm surprisingly happy with this little white fuzz. I will say that mine is more of a solid white with black graphics and does not have the apparently, er, "Saruman"-like paint job of the last review. That seems to be another cool thing about Phoenix Custom Electronics in general: their pedals seem to vary quite a bit. Mine is solid white, but four of the knobs are very small and black, and the Fuzz knob is nice bright, shiny aluminum.

I can't help but rave about this thing, although maybe its the super bright white LED hypnotizing me....

Really easy, but the impedance, bias and fuzz knobs seem to work interactively. After 5 or 10 minutes of goofing around, you'll have covered a huge range of severely cool (and very useable) fuzztones. Ohhhh and it's pretty too with it's subtle sparkles and smart looking controls and enclosure.

Okay, I got this a few days ago and quickly logged about 15 hours on it over the weekend, including a few with my band. Absolutely fantastic. With the SuperNova, Alex Anest has designed a circuit that is wildly versatile, but never feels like it's reaching to cover too many tones... it never sounds like "a decent approximation of a Fuzzrite" or "it has an almost Tonebender timbre." True, some classic tones (well, not the Fuzzrite maybe) might pop up depending on how you tweak the pedal, but it's never going to sound like a recreation. The description of this pedal states that it's based off of the Fuzz Face circuit, but it does things quite a bit differently. That's a great place to start. The SuperNova does have an Arbiter-esque ring to it on many different settings, but it's so much more versatile. By blending the bias, fuzz and impedance you can conjure up a massive range of recognizable Fuzz Face tones, and that's only the beginning. Honestly, the first thing I thought when I started to goof around with this unit was that it was very appropriately named... this pedal has an other-worldly quality to it. It's so thick and warm... more so than many other apparently "great" fuzztones. It's like the hugest sounding Fuzz Face known to man with better clarity and definition. Not like a Big Muff really, though the gain can get pretty gnarly like some of the Muffs I've played through. The silicon transistors are purposely selected for lower gain ratings, but they still put out a good bit more gain than your average germaniums... but with the lower gain ratings and the circuit Alex has wrapped around them, they sound awfully close to germanium. All the warmth and none of the reliability issues. More rude, a little more dangerous sounding. Bitchin'. Really, this pedal is an honest to goodness fantastic fuzz. It can be smooth and singing or jagged and raspy... like the sonic equivalent of a perfect breath of air or a struggle for one last gasp. Really, it's that cool.

This thing is ridiculously well built. Powder-coated and tough enough to withstand a nuclear fallout... ya, I feel confident with this pedal. Even if it was to break, Alex Anest stands by his work 100%... he'll repair it no matter what... if it went loopy (haha, fat chance) or if you used it as an ashtray... well, the ashtray type situation would cost you, but even then, he'd still repair it.

Okay, this company is where it's at. Totally helpful, polite, and genuinely interested in your quest for tone. I emailed back and forth with Alex for a week or so, and during that time, not once was he impolite or impatient. He's a king of a man, and a master of his craft. Do yourself a favor and get in touch with him... my guess is, whatever one of his units you decide to get, it'll be the last one you'll ever need.

I play a mix of lots of types of rock n' roll. Good rockin' spaced-out artsy stuff thats got its roots in things like Bowie, Floyd, and Yes... dosed with inspirations from groups like the Foo Fighters, Blue Rodeo, and Pearl Jam. Ya, the tones this pedal helps me produce definitely put out good vibes for these types of music. Seems like the thing to do these days is never give out 10's because "nothing is perfect." I'd have to disagree. The SuperNova is truly worthy of a perfect score. It does everything I throw at it exceptionally well... better than any other fuzz I've rocked through. It's fantastic, all in all, and every other fuzz pedal I've played seems a little less versatile and a lot more fake sounding since I plugged into the SuperNova.