JIMI HENDRIX "FUZZ FACE" EFFECT PEDAL AND BLOWN SPEAKER
An outstanding pair of stage-used Hendrix accessories. Includes a circular blue steel "Fuzz Face" effects pedal, a "stompbox" designed to replicate the distorted "fuzz" produced by a blown-out amplifier, while giving the artist more detailed control over the sound. The unit features a raised center, tapering downward towards the edges, with input and output jacks at the top edge, and control knobs for volume and degree of fuzz. The unit is activated by a steel foot switch at lower center. The "Fuzz Face" has been manufactured by several companies up to the present day; this example bears a white label below the foot switch, indicating that it was manufactured by Dallas Music Industries, Ltd. The underside is labeled: "British Made". The effect produced by this pedal was especially beloved of Hendrix, who is known for his manipulation of guitar feedback and distortion, which greatly expanded the vocabulary of the electric guitar in rock music. The pedal was given to Graham Oliver, formerly the guitarist for the British heavy metal band "Saxon", in 1986 by Hendrix roadie John Downing, who worked with Hendrix from January 1969 through his seminal performance at Woodstock. The pedal was sold by Oliver through Sotheby's in 1997, and after one owner passed into the hands of Bob Russell, guitarist for the New Jersey-based bands "The Bangs" and "Stone Cold Fever". Our consignor acquired the pedal directly through their personal association with Russell. Present with the pedal is an article by Oliver for Univibes magazine, describing his acquisition of the piece, as well as an email exchange between Russell and Bonham's of London specialist Stephen Maycock, who researched and cataloged the pedal for Sotheby's prior to its 1997 sale. The pedal is in well-used condition, consistent with stage use, and is missing the rubber foot pad that would have originally surrounded the foot switch, else very good. Also present is a damaged speaker head, marked "Made in England", removed from a guitar cabinet during a Hendrix show in Pennsylvania and given to Russell by a Hendrix roadie, with his letter of provenance. Two pieces.