A High-Gain fOXX Tone Machine Clone?

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 new version.

It uses the same circuit found in many cheap mini fuzz pedals that cost around 20–30 euros, but it's even cheaper. (9€)

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.

fOXX Tone Machine Schematic

Originally released in 1971, the Tone Machine was a fuzz monster—thick, aggressive, and with a gnarly octave-up mode. It was discontinued in the late '70s.

No frills, no fancy enclosure, just raw fuzz.

 For under 10€, this is kind of insane.

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.

Let’s plug it in and see if it roars.

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. 

It’s not going to compete with a hand-crafted boutique fuzz that costs more. You won’t get the same  nuanced texture. But for what it is—a 10€ pedal from Temu—it holds its own.

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.

What about the hiss?

With a 9 volt battery or a dedicated power supply the hiss disappears. 

This pedal is very quiet. 

Why the Hiss Disappears

• Many 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.

• Mod the tone stack: Flatten or boost mids by adjusting the tone cap/resistor values.

• Bypass the tone circuit: For raw, full-spectrum fuzz.

• Use a mid-boost pedal: Like an EQ or a Tube Screamer.

2. Tighten the low end Too much bass muddies the mix.

• Swap input/output caps: Smaller values = tighter bass.

• Use a high-pass filter: Cut sub frequencies below ~100Hz.

3. Add a clean boost or buffer Push the fuzz harder or lift it post-fuzz.

• 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.

No coin forged this tale. No brand whispered in our ear. This is ink spilled from the soul— unshackled, unbought, unbroken. We speak with calloused hands and thundered hearts, for the tribe that walks through fire and calls it home. No coupons. No compromise. Only truth, riffed in distortion and screamed into the universe. This is for the metalheads.