For more ideas on how to use this great stomp box for guitar and bass,
check out the video clips on seymourduncan.com featuring Blues.
Because of the Tweak Fuzz’ incredible amount of gain and distortion, be
aware that extreme settings can result in uncontrollable feedback. And,
as always, musicians and audience members are best advised to use ear
protection when exposed to loud volume.
Specs
Gain range: 23dB to +50dB
Type of circuitry: Discrete, Class A, low-noise transistor
Power: DC 9 V battery, or regulated 9-12 V DC adapter
Current consumption: 2 milliamps
Dimensions: 4.62” wide x 5.10” deep x 2.2” tall
Weight: 2 lbs.
Chassis material: Heavy duty 1.6 mm steel
Designed and Distributed by: Seymour Duncan / Basslines
5427 Hollister Ave., Santa Barbara, CA 93111-2345 USA
tel: +805-964-9610 fax: +805-964-9749
http://www.seymourduncan.com
Designed in USA. Made in China. Printed in China. Boss is a registered trademark of Roland USA.
DOD is a registered trademark of DOD Electronics, Inc. Seymour Duncan is not affiliated with
these companies. © 2005
P/N: 501070-105 REV.A
Congratulations
on your purchase of the Seymour Duncan Tweak
Fuzz
™
, a most unique fuzz pedal that incorporates a six-position “Tweak”
switch to voice your fuzz tone the way you want it. You can start using your
Tweak Fuzz right away and you’ll immediately notice that the soft clipping
and natural compression make it extremely player-friendly. However, you
might want to first read through these instructions to gain valuable infor-
mation, which will enhance your enjoyment of this unique product.
Limited Warranty
Seymour Duncan offers the original purchaser a one-year limited warranty on
both labor and materials starting from the day this product is purchased from
an Authorized Seymour Duncan Dealer. We will repair or replace this product, at
our option, if it fails due to faulty workmanship or materials during this period.
Defective products should be returned to your USA dealer, international dis-
tributor, or sent direct to our factory postage prepaid along with dated proof of
purchase (e.g., original store receipt) and an RMA number clearly written on the
outside of the box. Please call our factory for issuance of an RMA number.
This warranty does not apply to damage to this product or an instrument
caused by misuse, mishandling, accident, abuse, alteration or faulty installation.
Product appearance and normal wear and tear (worn paint, scratches, etc.) are
not covered by this warranty. Seymour Duncan reserves the right to be the sole
arbiter as to the misuse or abuse of this product. Seymour Duncan assumes no
liability for any incidental or consequential damages, which may result from the
failure of this product. Any warranties implied in fact or by law are limited to the
duration of this express limited warranty.
“English Tea” Soloing Tone
• Provides a great midrange tone
that’s perfect for solos
• Super tight low end, which is great
for chord definition and extreme
rhythmic passages
• Great even harmonic response
• Natural soft clipping compression
makes it easy to play
• Fuzz distortion cleans up when
guitar volume is backed down
“Hipster AM Radio” Intro Tone
• Huge sonic variation makes this
setting ideal for cool intros and
verses
• Makes humbuckers sound like
single coils
• Amazing for chickin’ pickin’ as well
as other finger style playing
“Thick Brick” Heavy Tone
• Adds massive thickness to the
tone without losing articulation
• Dense compression flatters your
playing style
• Really makes the guitar stand out
For Tone That Sets You Apart
TM
TM
Controls
Tweak – This rotary switch engages one of six pre-set EQ resonances that
give an overall “flavor” to the Tweak Fuzz, rolling off the bottom end and
influencing the behavior of the Gain control. Some describe the extreme
settings of the Tweak control like the difference between the brightness of
a bridge pickup and the warmth of a neck pickup – with four in-between
settings. Each of the six frequencies was specifically chosen and voiced to
enhance rich, even harmonics and bring out the most flattering qualities of
your guitar or bass – yes, the Tweak Fuzz also sounds amazing with a bass.
Gain – This knob controls the amount of fuzz, also called square wave clip-
ping distortion. It can go from mildly distorted to all-out fuzz fury. The mild
settings are great for chords and funky rhythm strums. The all-out settings
work best with single note riffs and two-note power chords.
Volume – This knob sets the overall volume to the optimum level. Whether
you want to set it to match the bypassed signal or whether you want a big
boost when you engage your Tweak Fuzz: it’s your decision.
Footswitch – Use this to turn the Tweak Fuzz on or off. When the Tweak
Fuzz is on, the LED indicator is lit. When it’s off, the unit is true-bypassed,
effectively removing the circuit from your guitar’s signal chain. This allows
your guitar’s signal to pass through the Tweak Fuzz without affecting your
tone or gain.
Battery
To make your Tweak Fuzz work, you’ll need to insure that a fresh battery
is installed. If not, you’ll need to install one, or connect a regulated 9V DC
power supply – see below for details.
To replace the battery, simply:
a Make sure your Tweak Fuzz is not connected to a DC Power Supply
(see below).
b Remove the four screws on the underside of the box and disassemble
the chassis.
c Remove the old battery from the clip, if applicable.
d Install a fresh 9 volt alkaline battery, taking care to properly orient the “+”
and “-“ terminals (see Figure 1 for proper battery orientation).
e Reassemble the chassis and replace the screws.
When storing the Tweak Fuzz, or when it is not in use, make sure no cable
or plug is inserted into the “Input” jack, as this will shorten battery life. As
an alternative to a battery, you can use a regulated DC power supply (“wall
wart”) ranging from 9 – 12 volts, for example a Boss
®
# PSA-120T or DOD
®
#PS200R. These are available at electronics supply stores and most music
stores.
Basic Operation
The ¼” mono instrument cable that leaves your guitar’s jack or the effect
immediately before the Tweak Fuzz, plugs into the Tweak Fuzz’ jack marked
“Input.” The cable that exits from the “Output” jack on the Tweak Fuzz goes
to the next effect in the signal chain, or to the amplifier.
When first activating the Tweak Fuzz, start with the Volume and Gain
control knobs in the full counter-clockwise position. Then, start rotating
the knobs clockwise until the desired volume level and fuzz saturation
are achieved. The basic tone of Tweak Fuzz will be familiar to players who
remember the rich, lush, vintage fuzz tones used at the big ‘60s pop
festivals.
Next, rotate the Tweak setting until you find the EQ resonance that best
suits your tonal needs. Then, go back to the Gain control and see how it
interacts with each of the Tweak settings. Experiment with different Tweak
and Gain settings. Some of the coolest tones are achieved with a little
discovery.
The Tweak Fuzz was developed with the help of Blues Saraceno, who has
been using a hand-built version, designed by his father Alex, for some
years. We asked Blues to give us his favorite Tweak Fuzz settings -- the ones
he uses the most on stage and in the studio -- and here’s what he came
back with:
Figure 1
“Old School” Classic Fuzz Tone
• Ultra smooth vintage “classic”
fuzz sound
• Makes single coils super fat
• Works great on bass guitar too
