Supa Fuzz (1968)

A Vintage Marshall Pedal

The online marketplace has done wonders for second-hand pedal collectors to the point that, these days, it’s easier than ever to get hold of rare pedals like the FZ-1 and the VB-2. Today we’re taking a look at a pedal that, for many, still remains elusive, despite the wonders of modern technology.
Here at Tonepedia, we’re lucky enough to have captured the sound of this vintage Marshall pedal so we can all take a listen and decide for ourselves if the Supa Fuzz is really worth tracking down.

How Does The Supa Fuzz Sound?

The first thing you have to understand about the Marshall Supa Fuzz is that it really was one of the first pedals of its kind. In 1968, distortion was a relatively young effect and manufacturers were still experimenting with what exactly it could do. While many regard those early guitar sounds with an almost sacred reverence, when we remove the rose-tinted glasses, it becomes painfully transparent just how basic this effect is.
That’s not to say basic is bad. To this day, many of the best pedals being produced have a minimalist approach to design, and there certainly is something to be desired about the Supa Fuzz’s classic sound. That being said, there are other, far more affordable pedals out there that can produce pretty much the same sound while giving the guitarist an awful lot more control.
All in all, the Supa Fuzz isn’t a bad pedal for its time, but its modern value is largely as a collector’s item.

Just How Rare Is This Pedal?

There’s ‘rare’ and then there’s rare. You have your basic boutique pedals, and you have your discontinued classics, but few of these are ever going to cost you quite as much as the Marshall Supa Fuzz. At their current value, a second-hand Marshall Supa Fuzz will easily set you back upwards of $1500, and that’s if you can find one at all.
Suffice it to say that these pedals are hard to find and expensive to buy.

But still, you don’t have to track one down just to hear how it sounds. Have a listen for yourself here on Tonepedia, and see if you think this pedal is really worth the fuss.

Supa Fuzz (1968) technical specifications

Manufacturer Marshall
Year 1968
FX Fuzz
Type Pedal
Jacks mounted on Top
Bypass Buffered Bypass
Battery? Yes
Voltage 9
Polarity Center Negative
Circuit Analog
Tube equipped? No
Weight (in kg) 0.85
Based on famous model? Sola Sound Tonebender MK2 Professional
Width (in cm) 11
Height (in cm) 8
Depth (in cm) 22.7

Supa Fuzz (1968) reviews & comparison videos