fuzz
An extreme distortion effect that produces a thick, buzzy, almost synthesiser-like guitar tone.
In Depth
Fuzz was the first widely used guitar distortion effect, emerging in the early 1960s. It works by severely clipping the signal into a near-square wave, creating a dense, harmonically saturated tone quite different from overdrive or standard distortion. The Maestro Fuzz-Tone, Electro-Harmonix Big Muff, and Dallas Arbiter Fuzz Face are legendary fuzz pedals. Fuzz is central to psychedelic rock, stoner metal, and garage rock.
The fuzz effect went mainstream after the Maestro Fuzz-Tone was used on the Rolling Stones' Satisfaction (1965), causing the pedal to sell out worldwide within weeks.