Fjord Fuzz Thor: Silicon Transistor Gated Fuzz Circuit

image source: www.andertons.co.uk

The Thor Fuzz by Fjord Fuzz is a circuit characterized by instability and breadth of function. Although related in concept to the company’s Gjallarhorn model, its scope is broader, with certain elements recalling the Shift-Line Termofuzz.

Originally developed several years ago, the design was initially set aside due to its extreme character. Its release in 2025 reflects that nature: the unit is intentionally unconventional and nonconforming. It is positioned as a device that works best in unpredictable conditions, producing results that resist standardization. Drawing on the history of fuzz — from late-1960s innovations through grunge and into modern psychedelic rock — the Thor is intended as a continuation of that tradition, with emphasis on more aggressive and less familiar voicings.

At its foundation, the circuit resembles a three-transistor silicon Tone Bender MkII. From this base, the Thor generates a wide range of outcomes, including:

• Expansive, high-gain fuzz suited to extended solos, with strong projection and clarity in dense mixes

• Tightly gated responses with reinforced low-end energy, useful for parts requiring weight and presence

• Irregular, unstable textures with shifting harmonics, producing experimental and non-linear behaviour

• Mid-focused lead tones with a metallic or brass-like quality

• Large, traditional fuzz sounds consistent with the tone-bender family

Control layout is deliberately minimal. Only the volume knob is identified, and even this affects tonal balance as it is advanced. The remaining controls are unlabelled, their operation appearing to combine bias, filtering, and gain functions. Together they produce natural gating effects. The system is highly interactive, requiring precise adjustment; small movements result in significant shifts, ranging from sustained saturation to fragmented, percussive responses.

Although it can be placed in the category of gated fuzz, that description is incomplete. The Thor functions more accurately as a platform for extended sonic exploration. While it can be moderated by running into additional drive stages, its design is most compelling when operated without restraint.

Production is strictly limited to fifty units, making the Thor both a specialized tool for players and a collector’s item within the broader fuzz landscape.

The pedal is offered in Space Grey and Hendrix Red finishes, priced at approximately $199 via Fjord Fuzz.