Fuzz Face
Crest Audio's Fuzz Face revival is a fascinating chapter in the storied history of this iconic effect. In the mid-1980s, Dave Fox - later the founder of Foxrox Electronics - rediscovered a cache of original Fuzz Face parts while working at Crest Audio, the company that had acquired Dallas Arbiter's legacy. Convincing Crest to put the Fuzz Face back into production, Fox built around 2,000 units that bridged the gap between vintage Dallas Arbiter models and the later Dunlop reissues. These transitional Crest Fuzz Faces retained the classic round enclosure and control layout, with the familiar Volume and Fuzz knobs. But Fox updated the circuit, swapping in stable and consistent silicon BC109C transistors (and occasionally BC107s) instead of the temperamental germanium originals. The result was a smoother, more reliable fuzz tone that still captured the signature Fuzz Face aggression and sustain. While the sound may have been a touch more polished than true vintage units, the Crest Fuzz Faces developed a devoted following for their own unique character. Collectors prize the rare color variations, with a small run of about 250 blue units being the most sought-after. As the last Fuzz Faces produced before Dunlop acquired the rights, these transitional pedals occupy a special place in the lineage - a fascinating bridge between the past and the future of this legendary effect.