Doom on a Dime_ Temu Fuzz Pedal Review
Alright, let’s crack this thing open and see what kind of sorcery is packed inside this version.
What we’ve got here is a surface-mount layout—SMD components all the way.
It’s definitely not a Big Muff clone.
Think of it as a lo-fi cousin of the Tone Machine—less refined, more brutal, and perfect for garage psych or synth abuse.
Originally released in 1971, the Tone Machine was a fuzz with a gnarly octave-up mode. It was discontinued in the late '70s.
Just raw fuzz.
You won’t find vintage carbon comp resistors or big old caps here—it’s all modern SMD with 4 2N5172 transistors. But if it nails the tone, who cares?
Not only does this pedal mimic the fOXX Tone Machine’s layout, but it goes further—packing four 2N5172 transistors. That’s more gain, more bite, and potentially more fuzz.
(For a more vintage sound you can swap the transistor easily, and that’s one of the best ways to shape the character of the fuzz.)
About the 2N5172
Silicon NPN transistor, known for low noise and high gain.
Common in vintage fuzz circuits like the Big Muff.
Adds tight response and aggressive clipping—perfect for doom and sludge.
Gain Comparison: 2N3565 vs 2N5172
| Transistor | Typical Gain (hFE) | Noise Level | Tone Character | Common Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2N3565 | ~200–300 | Low | Smooth, vintage fuzz | Harmonic Percolator, DIY fuzzes |
| 2N5172 | ~400–500 | Very Low | High-gain, aggressive fuzz | Big Muff clones, modern fuzz builds |
What This Means for Fuzz
2N3565: Medium gain, great for vintage-style fuzz with a bit of texture. Can produce slight octave effects in older units.
2N5172: Higher gain, tighter response, and more saturation. Ideal for doom, sludge, and stacked fuzz tones.
I plugged in a standard guitar—no active pickups, no fancy mods—and dialed in some heavy tones. And you know what? This little fuzz box delivers.
The gain is hot, the fuzz is thick, and it’s more than capable of summoning doom-laden riffs and sludgy walls of sound. If you’re just dipping your toes into heavy fuzz territory, this is a surprisingly fun place to start.
With a mod, the story changes completely. It has more sustain, more gain, and the texture grows far more complex than the stock circuit.
But i can’t recommend any modifications that might risk damaging a pedal. What I can safely suggest is using a clean 9‑volt external battery to sound more stable and alive.
Dropping an EQ or a mid‑hump boost after it acts like a mastering stage: it tightens the lows, focuses the mids, and smooths the high‑end fizz without choking the pedal’s raw character. Instead of fighting the circuit with internal filtering that dulls the tone, you let the pedal roar at full strength and shape it externally with precision — a simple trick that transforms the sound from chaotic to commanding.
Spectral Profile
| Feature | Modded Fuzz | Woolly Mammoth |
|---|---|---|
| High Frequencies (4–10 kHz) | Strong harmonic peaks, bright and cutting | Rolled off, smoother, less aggressive |
| Midrange (500 Hz–2 kHz) | Focused, slightly scooped for clarity | Thick, dominant, warm and fuzzy |
| Low End (20–200 Hz) | Controlled, tight, not bloated | Massive, sub-heavy, rumbling |
| Noise Floor | Clean below −90 dB | Slightly noisier due to gating artifacts |
| Gate Behavior | Sustained, open, harmonic-rich | Hard gate, synth-like decay |
| Purpose | Lead lines, ambient textures, sonic slicing | Bass weight, synth fuzz, gated punch |
What about the hiss?
With a 9 volt battery (non alkaline is better) or a dedicated power supply the hiss disappears.
This pedal is very quiet.
Why the Hiss Disappears
Fuzz circuits amplify everything—including power noise.
Switching from a noisy supply to a battery removes ripple and interference. Non-alkaline batteries (like carbon-zinc or even rechargeable NiMH cells) can sometimes work better in fuzz circuits.
Especially noticeable in high-gain circuits or when stacking pedals.
Cutting Through the Mix
1. Boost the mids Most fuzz circuits (especially Foxx-style) scoop the mids hard. That sounds cool alone, but gets buried in a mix
Use a mid-boost pedal: Like an EQ or a Tube Screamer.
Mod the tone stack: Flatten or boost mids by adjusting the tone cap/resistor values.
Bypass the tone circuit: For raw, full-spectrum fuzz.
2. Tighten the low end Too much bass muddies the mix.
Use a mid-boost pedal: Like an EQ or a Tube Screamer.
Swap input/output caps: Smaller values = tighter bass.
Use a high-pass filter: Cut sub frequencies below ~100Hz.
3. Add a clean boost
Clean boost after fuzz: Adds volume and presence.
4. Layer with synth or octave Blending fuzz with a subtle synth pad or upper octave can help it pierce through ambient textures.
5. Mix tip If you're recording:
Pan the fuzz slightly off-center.
Add a touch of slapback delay or plate reverb to give it space.
Use parallel compression to keep dynamics but lift the body.
Final Thoughts
The Real Fuzz Journey
Fuzz isn’t just a sound—it’s a ritual. You start with a cheap pedal, maybe from Temu or a pawn shop, and you chase that first buzz. Then you crack it open, trace the circuit, swap a cap, maybe burn your fingers soldering.
You learn that tone isn’t in the price tag—it’s in the transistor, the power supply, the way it reacts to your hands.
Boutique pedals are beautiful, no doubt. They’re crafted visions of fuzz perfection. But the real journey? It’s building your own. It’s hearing your riffs through a circuit you made. It’s the hiss that disappears when you switch to a battery. It’s the moment you realize one transistor can sound more alive than a whole pedalboard.
If you want to taste the light, this pedal gives you a glimpse. But if you’re chasing the real adventure—the kind that rattles your soul and melts amps —then build your own.
That’s where the spirit of diy lives. In the solder burns, the weird wiring choices, the hand-picked transistors. That’s where fuzz stops being a sound and becomes a philosophy.
That’s fuzz.
Welcome to the real fuzz journey.
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