Squire’s go-to fuzz pedal since the early years is a Dallas-Arbiter Fuzz Face, the same style favored by Jimi Hendrix. He likely acquired a vintage late-60s Fuzz Face early on (or a faithful reissue), drawn by its thick, saturated sustain. This pedal was crucial for many of Squire’s lead tones – for instance, the iconic guitar solo on “I Am the Resurrection” was recorded using the Fuzz Face stacked with an overdrive.
By stacking the fuzz into an overdrive, Squire achieved a singing, violin-like sustain on that extended solo. Live, the Fuzz Face was used for searing lead moments and heavier riff sections. Notably, Squire’s early Fuzz Face is believed to be a silicon transistor model [1] (more stable and biting than the earlier germanium versions), which contributed to a bright, aggressive fuzz tone that cut through the mix. However, later on, he would also use modern Dunlop replicas. [2]
References
- Harmony Central, “John Squire’s Tone,” accessed March 3, 2025, https://www.harmonycentral.com/forums/topic/1540174-john-squires-tone/
- Reverb, “Stone Roses – John Squire Fuzz Face Pedal 2000,” accessed March 3, 2025, https://reverb.com/item/22089590-stone-roses-john-squire-fuzz-face-pedal-2000
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