Shin-ei Companion FY-2

The Shin-ei Companion FY-2 is a discontinued fuzz box which was made by the Shin-ei company in the 1970s in Japan. FY-2 pedals are considered a rarity, and can be occasionally found on eBay.

Different versions were made, most used silicon transistors. These had a Tone switch added which lowered the volume. The sound from these was the so-called classic chainsaw buzz.

An earlier version - ultra rare- used Germanium Transistors. These did not have the tone circuit and therefore had a very loud output. The circuit lent itself to a natural gating making the unit rather quiet, even when playing the noise floor is quite low. The sound from these is very rich, fluid and thick. Creating classic fuzz/buzz and brass tones. The fuzz control when increased did not change the volume to much, this makes it good for a clean / fuzzy adjustment via the guitar volume output.

Sound

The FY-2 is well known for its raw, distinctive, gated fuzz. There are two knobs on the pedal:

• "Volume" (controls overall level)
• "Fuzz" (tone)

FY-2 Users

Notable musicians who have used the FY-2 include:

• William Reid of The Jesus and Mary Chain famously used the FY-2 and a Shin-ei Companion Fuzz/Wah extensively on their 1985 debut album, Psychocandy.
• Colin Greenwood of Radiohead can be heard on "Exit Music (For a Film)" from OK Computer and "Myxomatosis" from Hail to the Thief.
• Graham Coxon
• Dan Auerbach
• Stephen Morris of Joy Division and New Order
• Ross Knight of Cosmic Psychos
• Nick Tyler of Driveblind
• Adrian Lendon of Red Riding Quartet
• Andrew Wilson of Die! Die! Die!
• Jon Wilson of Father One
• Christian Bland of The Black Angels
• Mick Destiny of The Demon Drink
• Ian Chestnutt of Percolator and Art Slug
• Lauren Andino of Sun Colony

This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.

External links

• A guide to the FY-2
• A Harmony-Central Page on the FY-2
• Discofreq's Effects Database entry for the FY-2, with modern clones and variations
• New Order interview- Melody Maker 1986