It becomes a problem when effects are used as a crutch for poor playing technique instead of a tool to color the sound. I hear a lot of newer players who haven't a clue of how to effectively use a wah or distortion pedal. No, you don't need a pile of effect or a $800 pedal board to sound good. I've seen people destroy the tone of really great amps and guitars with their pedals.

Yep, saw one on eBay that sold for $599 and looked like it had been well used. I'm leaning toward clones like the Wattson Classic Fuzz and the Black Cat Super Fuzz, but they're about $200 and I guess there is a lead time. Had heard the Guyatone TZ2 Fuzz was built on the Univox design, but it's been discontinued and as hard to find as the Univox . . . but it's much cheaper.

I wonder if I would be satisfied with a clone. I have very vivid memories of the sound that came out of my first real rig:

'71 Fender Mustang > Univox Super-Fuzz > crappy no-name wah pedal > Ovation Cat System amp.