SUPERFUZZ pt.2: Guyatone PS-030 Fuzz Distortion

Guyatone PS-030  Fuzz Distortion



While the Guyatone PS-030 and Guyatone TZ2 share a common lineage and have certain qualities in common, there are significant differences too. The PS-030 - thanks mainly to its 'Filter' control - has many more tonal possibilities and uses.

There are three external controls*:
  • 'Depth' (gain)
  • 'Level'
  • 'Filter'

While the 'Depth'/gain and 'Level' controls are commonplace and require no explanation, the 'Filter' isn't as simple I first assumed: it isn't just a tone control and it doesn't really work exactly as expected. With the 'Filter' control fully clockwise, you have the base tone with the filter fully open. As you turn the 'Filter' control down, the treble frequencies initially start to roll off slightly, and there is a drop in volume (easily rectified with the 'Level' control - there's plenty of output on tap)... turning the 'Filter' down further reveals that the it is NOT merely a hi-cut filter, but it appears to shift the emphasis of your tone, restricting the frequency range and thereby thinning the sound and bringing out more of the gated fuzz quality - it also has a side effect of reducing overall gain/fuzz.

The PS-030 doesn't have masses of gain available, but then 'high gain' back in the early/mid 80s wasn't the same as it is now, so it's understandable that the relatively recent Guyatone TZ2 is more gainy... likewise the low end; while I don't think the PS-030 cuts any bass, it doesn't boom like the TZ2.


The Guyatone PS-030 is an authentically retro, vintage-sounding effect, with a wide range of tones waiting to be found inside.

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* There is a trimpot located on the circuit board (as was found in some Superfuzz models) to adjust the upper octave. I found that turning it down reduced the amount of upper octave - but not entirely eradicating it, while turning it up only seemed to increase the gated-ness of the fuzz: in the end, I chose to leave it at the factory-set position.



* * * Notes about the video * * *

Gear used:
  • Guitar - Epiphone Casino
  • Recording set-up - Award-Session JD10 as a preamp (DI'd) through a Palmer PDI-09. Recorded to Cubase on PC (via a MOTU audio interface) with no additional processing.

SUPERFUZZ pt.1: Guyatone TZ2 'The Fuzz'

Guyatone TZ2 'The Fuzz'


Guyatone - rather cheekily - describe the TZ2 as a multi-effect pedal. They say it is a distortion, octavia and ring modulator.

That's quite a claim for a pedal which on first inspection - with just two controls and one switch - appears to be a very simple effect; nothing more than a retro-but-aggressive-sounding fuzz - Guyatone make no secret of the fact that the TZ2 is based on the old Univox Superfuzz.

The octavia and kind-of-ring modulation effects are largely dependent on how, where and what you play on the guitar; the upper octave effect is most prominent when playing single notes above the 12th fret, the ring modulation effect comes to the fore when playing certain chords/intervals.

The TZ2 has a fairly wide gain range and can go from quite a low gain, dynamic distortion/fuzz to full throttle, pounding fuzz. It has a really beefy low-end; perhaps at times there is a little too much bass. There is a looseness and sloppiness but I don't mind too much - it suits the way I play guitar! There are no on-board tone controls, but the pedal responds very well to pickup changes and adjustments to your guitar's volume and tone.

Despite the simplicity of the pedal, it is possible to coax a wide range of sounds from it... including old-school fuzz (perfect for power chord riffs), clangorous noise and very synth-like, searing leads and single-note runs.

I really like it. The TZ2 may well be housed in a teeny-tiny, cute, orange casing that looks like a toy, but it has the heart of a raging monster inside!



* * * Notes about the video * * *

Gear used:
  • Guitar - Epiphone Casino
  • Recording set-up - Award-Session JD10 as a preamp (DI'd) through a Palmer PDI-09. Recorded to Cubase on PC (via a MOTU audio interface) with no additional processing.
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