TC Electronic Rusty Fuzz

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$24.00 to $116.50 Price Tier: Budget

4.0 (38)

1 Critic Review

6 Reviews

Find out who is using TC Electronic Rusty Fuzz

12 community setups

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Best Fuzz Pedals for Guitar

11 wishlisted

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Page last updated Jul 05, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 8 stores. Prices updated July 3, 2026.

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4.5 (19)

$31.90

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4.5 (24)

$31.90

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4.6 (116)

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5.0 (22)

$24.00 6 available Used

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4.0 (7)

$29.90

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$31.90

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4.5 (213)

$38.00

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£35.00

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Average Price: $43

Budget/Beginner

$60

$181+

Price Tier

In the Fuzz Effects Pedals category, TC Electronic Rusty Fuzz is priced in the Budget/Beginner range. This is great gear to get started with or for creators on a budget.

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 4 merchants for "TC Electronic Rusty Fuzz". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

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Unleash the roaring sonic beast within you with the TC Electronic Rusty Fuzz pedal. This powerhouse brings back the potent growl of the iconic '70s fuzzes, all without breaking your bank. With its straightforward three-knob design for Volume, Tone, and Fuzz, you can effortlessly shape your sound from a razor-sharp gated fuzz to a Hendrix-inspired velvety tone. The Rusty Fuzz, a part of TC Electronic's Smorgasbord of Tones series, comes in a resilient metal chassis and vintage-style graphic, ensuring your pedalboard doesn't just sound good, but looks the part too.

Key Features:

Emulates the classic '70s fuzz tones
Simple three-knob design for easy sound customization
Part of TC Electronic's Smorgasbord of Tones series
Sturdy metal chassis with vintage-style graphic
Offers a range of sounds from gated to "velcro" fuzz

Product specs

Pedal Type	Fuzz
Analog/Digital	Analog
Inputs	1 x 1/4"
Outputs	1 x 1/4"
Bypass Switching	True Bypass
EQ	Tone Control
Power Source	9V DC power supply (sold separately)
Batteries	1 x 9V
Power Usage	15mA
Height	2.3"
Width	2.9"
Depth	5.2"
Weight	1.1 lbs.

FAQs

What type of effect does the TC Electronic Rusty Fuzz pedal produce?: The TC Electronic Rusty Fuzz pedal produces a classic fuzz effect, known for its rich, saturated distortion that is ideal for rock and blues genres.
Is the TC Electronic Rusty Fuzz pedal analog or digital?: The TC Electronic Rusty Fuzz pedal is an analog pedal, which contributes to its warm and vintage fuzz sound.
Does the TC Electronic Rusty Fuzz pedal have true bypass switching?: Yes, the TC Electronic Rusty Fuzz pedal features true bypass switching, ensuring that your guitar signal remains uncolored when the pedal is not in use.
What power supply does the TC Electronic Rusty Fuzz pedal require?: The TC Electronic Rusty Fuzz pedal requires a 9V DC power supply, which is sold separately, or it can be powered by a 9V battery.
Can the TC Electronic Rusty Fuzz pedal be used with a bass guitar?: While primarily designed for electric guitars, the TC Electronic Rusty Fuzz pedal can also be used with a bass guitar to achieve a unique fuzz tone.

Videos

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Guitar Center

Tore Mogensen Demos The TC Electronic Rusty Fuzz

Guitar Center

TC Electronic Honey Pot Fuzz VS. Rusty Fuzz - Guitar Pedal Comparison

SRGuitar

Fuzz Face vs FZ-3 vs Rusty Fuzz

TC Electronic

TC Rusty Fuzz vs Vemuram Shanks

Andertons Music Co

How to sound like David Gilmour on a budget - TC Electronic Rusty Fuzz

gilmourish

The HIDDEN gem? TC Electronic Rusty Fuzz

Budget Pedal Chap

Pedals and Effects: Rusty Fuzz by TC Electronic

Pedals and Effects

JHS Smiley vs TC Electronic Rusty Fuzz - A silicon Fuzz Face comparison

We As A Company

TC Electronic Rusty Fuzz - Guitar Pedal Demo

SRGuitar

TC Electronic Rusty Fuzz Pedal | Gear4music demo

Gear4music Guitars

Reviews

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PROS

High-quality tone at an affordable price
Versatile with both velcro-y and warm sounds
Sturdy, bulletproof metal housing construction
Works well with other gain pedals
Ideal for live playing due to its volume and midrange
Great with clean amps and can be cleaned up using guitar volume knob
Provides unique tones not found in other fuzz pedals like the EHX Big Muff
Interesting glitchy sound when gain is cranked, suitable for psychedelic rock

CONS

Position of jacks and power supply inconvenient for some setups
Fuzz sound described as mushy with no bite by some users
Larger footprint than some competitors, might be an issue for crowded pedalboards
The switch operation can be odd; turns on after foot is lifted
May mute signal chain slightly when engaged

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about TC Electronic Rusty Fuzz.

Features and functionality

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The Rusty Fuzz needs to be first in the signal chain; its circuitry is designed to connect directly to guitar pickups for optimal performance.
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Adding a tone control and an extra transistor differentiates it from the classic Fuzz Face circuit, allowing for a variety of fuzz tones.
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Use cases and applications

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Works well with the Boss SD-1 for smoothing harsh tones and compensating for low-end loss; ideal for psych rock setups.
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Using the fuzz knob at max and controlling fuzz with guitar volume emulates an overdrive at low settings and a Hendrix-like tone when maxed.
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Works best with single coils and Marshall amps, especially on clean or light crunch channels, for a classic Fuzz Face sound.
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Achieving a '70s Gilmour-ish lead tone is possible by setting gain and volume at 3 O'Clock and keeping the tone below 12 O'Clock.
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The Rusty Fuzz provides a ripping velcro fuzz tone ideal for blues or blues-rock, especially reminiscent of Gary Clark Jr.'s sound.
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Notably potent on bass, the Rusty Fuzz can produce a growling tone, adding versatility beyond just guitar applications.
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User experience

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Fuzz into flanger creates a classic stoner rock sound reminiscent of bands like Monster Magnet and Kyuss.
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Some users dislike the large and heavy footprint of the pedal and have issues with the switches not functioning as expected.
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Comparisons

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Despite being a Fuzz Face clone, it doesn't clean up well with the guitar's volume control, unlike other fuzz pedals.
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Despite debates, it's confirmed as a Fuzz Face variant, not an FZ-3, although both share similar roots.
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Owners frequently compare the Rusty Fuzz with the Honey Pot, noting distinct circuit differences; Rusty Fuzz leans towards a darker, less shrill tone.
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Mods and upgrades

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Using less than 9V power can reduce the pedal's oomph, resembling Big Muff characteristics, which some users find desirable for dirt compression.
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Value and pricing

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Multiple users report being satisfied with the Rusty Fuzz at a price point of around $50, highlighting its affordability and performance.
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Critic Reviews

Quick Hit: TC Electronic Rusty Fuzz - Premier Guitar

premierguitar.com

The TC Electronic Rusty Fuzz delivers Fuzz Face-style tones at a wallet-friendly $59. It excels with humbuckers, offering impressive sustain and vibrant, vintage fuzz tones. The tone knob enhances versatility, especially for sharp, punky riffs. However, it can sound thin at lower gains and less favorable with single-coils. Despite these drawbacks, its affordability and close resemblance to classic silicon Fuzz Face sound make it a great deal for fuzz enthusiasts.

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4.0 out of 5

Based on 6 Reviews and 38 Ratings

5 star

4 star

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1 star

sonounexcapellone

326

over 6 years ago

smooth sounding, easy and fun to use, CHEAP!

I am not a fan nor a user of fuzz/muff pedals, because anything "eating" the attack of the guitar too much always sounds like a downgrade to my ears, never an upgrade... So take my opinion here like the one of an "outsider" : ) Anyway, with my band we have a couple of riffs that I'd put into the "stoner rock" kind, so I was looking for something more appropriate than a cranked OD to play those riffs without spending too much. Well this pedal just did the trick, and I guess it helped me reconsider my opinion about the fuzz family a little bit... I haven't tried many fuzz pedals before, but they were all different versions of the EHX big muff, which I think is kind of a standard. Well, especially compared to the recent opamp version I found this one definitely less "flat" sounding and more "polite", as long as you don't crank the fuzz knob at more than 12 o'clock. IMO the fuzz and the tone knobs are the secret of this pedal because you can use them all the way from one side to another to obtain completely different tones, while the big muff sounds more like a "give or take" choice to me.

dumpsterbassist

2252

over 7 years ago

[deleted]

From Gear Setup

southpaw_jinx

5 years ago over 5 years ago

The cause is that the footswitch does not engage when pressed it engages when released. It’s not faulty that’s how it works.

phi_gt

277

almost 5 years ago

SECRET BEHAVIOR!!!

I use it on my pedalboard with a Behringer Micro Mix to plug up to 4 guitars. But I've noticed that when I crank the gain on the mixer this fuzz starts to glitch and creates gaps in the sound of your guitar when you play hard enough. I really don't know why is that, but it really is an interesting sound for psychedelic rock or shoegaze and you should try it.

Preferred Settings + Usage:

Fuzz 3 o'clock / Tone 12 - 3 o'clock / Volume how much you need! And don't forget to previously add a cranked Micro Mix ;D

Roles:

Singer Guitarist Bassist

Genres:

Rock Blues Alternative rock

From Gear Setup

nickjamison

111

over 4 years ago

One of the best fuzz faces regardless of price.

Don't let "boutique" builders fool you. Fuzz pedals are some of the easiest and cheapest pedals to build and this pedal proves that.

Roles:

Singer Guitarist Composer

Genres:

Rock Pop Hip Hop

tonylemieux

623

over 5 years ago

A very fuzzy fuzz...

As the reviews say, it gets a little spitty, thick and woolly Velcro feel but not too thick, it’s not a muff, set at lower gain I really like it(I stack it with other drives)

Roles:

Singer Guitarist

Genres:

Rock Blues Soul blues