Marshall Supa Fuzz
1967 – 1972
Like how the first Marshall JTM was based on the Fender Bassman, the Marshall Supa Fuzz also has roots in another pedal entirely. In 1964 Gibson created one of the very first fuzz pedals - the Maestro Fuzz Tone. This in turn inspired Sola Sound to create the Tone Bender; essentially a British version that had more sustain than its American counterpart.
By 1966 the Tone Bender MKII was launched, featuring 3 transistors that produced a thick, saturated fuzz tone.
Marshall then reached out to Sola Sound to produce its own fuzz, The Supa Fuzz. This was heavily based on the Tone Bender MKII, but the circuit was modified to provide more bass response. The Supa Fuzz was released in 1967 for the princely sum of £12 and 15 shillings and would remain in production until approximately 1972.
Jimi Hendrix used a Marshall Supa Fuzz from 1967 before switching to a Dunlop Fuzz Face later in the decade. Online searches revealed a receipt from when Jimi first rented the pedal from Sound City in London’s West End. Pete Townshend, Iggy and the Stooges and Jeff Beck all followed suit and played using a Supa Fuzz. Nowadays the Marshall Supa Fuzz is heavily sought after and is widely recognised as one of the original fuzz sounds.