Boss FZ-2From real comments

Verdict distilled from 51 mentions across 11 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment76%
PROS 76%
CONS 24%

Rank based on 51 mentions across 11 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want an extreme, speaker-shredding fuzz for doom, sludge, or heavy riffing
  • You value a high-quality boost/gain-boost mode alongside fuzz tones
  • You want a unique, hard-to-substitute pedal known for durability and resale value

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You're not willing to pay inflated secondary-market prices
  • You want a subtler, more controllable fuzz rather than an abrasive extreme tone
  • You'd rather save money with the nearly identical Behringer SF300 clone

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice
1Mid
Articulate soundGreat with extended-range guitarsStrong overall tone qualityPrice concerns
Articulate sound
Great with extended-range guitars
Strong overall tone quality
Price concerns
2Premium
Musical analog toneLong-term reliability and board loyaltySimple, intuitive controlsHigh price pointCheaper alternatives seen as comparableDistortion at high settings
Musical analog tone
Long-term reliability and board loyalty
Simple, intuitive controls
High price point
Cheaper alternatives seen as comparable
Distortion at high settings
3Premium
Touch-sensitive dynamicsLong-term favorite / durability of appealSweet, low-gain tone qualityHigh price versus clonesDeluxe loses some original characterLimited mid control
Touch-sensitive dynamics
Long-term favorite / durability of appeal
Sweet, low-gain tone quality
High price versus clones
Deluxe loses some original character
Limited mid control
Best value
4Mid
Exceptional versatilityNatural, amp-like tonePowerful 3-band EQDemo videos undersell the pedalNoticeable noise floorVolume drop when engaged
Exceptional versatility
Natural, amp-like tone
Powerful 3-band EQ
Demo videos undersell the pedal
Noticeable noise floor
Volume drop when engaged
5Premium
Exceptional reverb qualityHigh-quality warm pitch shiftingStrong aspirational appealHigh priceCheaper alternatives may sufficeEffect can feel like it plays for you
Exceptional reverb quality
High-quality warm pitch shifting
Strong aspirational appeal
High price
Cheaper alternatives may suffice
Effect can feel like it plays for you
6Premium
Authentic amp-like toneExcellent low-to-mid gain driveUnderrated favorite among ownersHigh price pointLimited gain-staging flexibilityNo built-in reverb
Authentic amp-like tone
Excellent low-to-mid gain drive
Underrated favorite among owners
High price point
Limited gain-staging flexibility
No built-in reverb
7Premium
Iconic, powerful kick drumWarmer, more alive analog characterCultural and historical influenceExtremely high collector priceAnalog noise and static requiring EQReliability concerns of aging hardware
Iconic, powerful kick drum
Warmer, more alive analog character
Cultural and historical influence
Extremely high collector price
Analog noise and static requiring EQ
Reliability concerns of aging hardware
8Premium
Inspiring and addictive to playWarm, fat analog toneStrong DAW/VST editor integrationHigh price for what it offersLimited versatility outside bass rangeNeeds effects/partner gear to shine
Inspiring and addictive to play
Warm, fat analog tone
Strong DAW/VST editor integration
High price for what it offers
Limited versatility outside bass range
Needs effects/partner gear to shine
9
Klon Centaur-style toneConvincing demo influenced purchaseExcellent clean boostNot suited for metal tones
Klon Centaur-style tone
Convincing demo influenced purchase
Excellent clean boost
Not suited for metal tones
10Mid
Transparent toneVersatile across genresWorks well across many guitar typesTwo-channel routing complexityDry signal bleed-throughInconsistent demo impressions
Transparent tone
Versatile across genres
Works well across many guitar types
Two-channel routing complexity
Dry signal bleed-through
Inconsistent demo impressions
You are here
31Premium
Boss FZ-2
Extreme, heavy fuzz toneExcellent boost/gain modeCollector value and demandCheaper clone performs nearly identicallyHigh secondary-market pricesHarsh or abrasive tone for some
Boss FZ-2
Extreme, heavy fuzz tone
Excellent boost/gain mode
Collector value and demand
Cheaper clone performs nearly identically
High secondary-market prices
Harsh or abrasive tone for some

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

An extreme, speaker-shredding fuzz built for heavy tones. Commenters repeatedly describe the FZ-2 as massive, insane, and speaker-shredding, with a 'controlled chaos' character that some call the best fuzz out there. It's closely tied to doom and sludge, with Electric Wizard named as a favorite band using it, and several owners say it chugs well with palm mutes and works great tuned down for heavy riffing.

The boost mode is a standout feature, not just an afterthought. Multiple owners value the gain boost or clean boost mode as much as the fuzz itself, using it in place of a tube screamer or as an always-on tone shaper before other drive pedals. Some say the boost alone justifies the price, comparing it favorably to standalone steel-housed boost pedals costing $200.

Prices have skyrocketed, dividing buyers between originals and clones. Originally sold for around $40-110 in the 90s, the FZ-2 now fetches $200-300 or more used, surprising many original owners who forgot they had one. Several commenters note the Behringer SF300 clone sounds nearly identical for a fraction of the cost, though others say the Boss has smoother controls and sturdier build quality worth the premium.

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