Crescent Fuzz

The Crescent Fuzz is a classic smiley-style 2-transistor fuzz derivative with usability tweaks, inheriting all its charms and quirks alike. These batches of the Crescent Fuzz feature:

• Matched pair of NOS germanium or silicon transistors

• Allen Bradley (or comparable brand) mil-spec carbon composition resistors

• Philips and Mepco capacitors

• Bourns and Piher trimmers

• Alpha, Switchcraft, and CIC hardware

Each pedal is hand-crafted in Portland, OR in small batches and will vary slightly in appearance. I make sure all pedals from the same batch sound and perform as close to each other as possible.

General Electric 2N1303 Medium Gain Germanium

This batch uses new old stock GE 2N1303 transistors and produces well balanced medium gain fuzz sound at full with excellent sparkly cleanup when the volume on the guitar is rolled back. I consider this particular configuration as my standard germanium setup that I compare all my other models to.

Purchase Crescent Fuzz GE 2N1303 Germanium on Reverb

Texas Instruments 2N527 Medium Gain Germanium

This batch uses new old stock TI 2N527 gold lead transistors and produces medium gain fuzz sound at full with excellent sparkly cleanup when the volume on the guitar is rolled back. Compared to my standard 2N1303 model, 2N527 has a tiny bit more gain and a subtle emphasis in the upper mids, resulting in slightly more compressed and aggressive feel with bolder cleanup; although they sound very similar overall.

Purchase Crescent Fuzz TI 2N527 Germanium on Reverb

Hitachi 2SB77 Medium-Low Gain Germanium

This batch uses new old stock Hitachi 2SB77 transistors and produces medium-low gain fuzz sound at full with excellent sparkly cleanup when the volume on the guitar is rolled back. Compared to my standard 2N1303 model, 2SB77 has slightly lower gain and rounder/fatter/fartier sound. Cleanup is smoother and woodier.

Purchase Crescent Fuzz Hitachi 2SB77 Germanium on Reverb

Telefunken BC108C Medium-High Gain Silicon

This batch uses new old stock Telefunken BC108C transistors and produces classic medium high gain silicon fuzz sound at full with excellent sparkly cleanup when the volume on the guitar is rolled back.

Purchase Crescent Fuzz TFK BC108C Silicon on Reverb

Texas Instruments BC183 Medium Gain Silicon

This batch uses new old stock Texas Instruments BC183 transistors and produces smooth medium gain silicon fuzz sound at full with excellent sparkly cleanup when the volume on the guitar is rolled back.

Purchase Crescent Fuzz TI BC183 Silicon on Reverb