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  #1  
Old 04-11-2010, 06:50 AM
DosiYanarchy's Avatar
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[SFX] Micro Fuzz - Review, pics and clip

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Hi all,

This pedal I have with me now is Micro Fuzz, handmade by Max at [SFX].

http://www.sfxsound.co.uk/mainpage.asp?page=micro_fuzz



Dont be fooled by the name, it IS A BASS FUZZ. I should know, as its based on my Colorsound Bass Fuzz, which in turn is essentially a Supa Tonebender tuned for bass.

I bought the Micro Fuzz as a backup to my [SFX] modded colorsound bass fuzz. The Micro Fuzz doesnt include the mod that I have on my colorsound.

I have compared the Micro Fuzz with the stock Colorsound and they sound pretty much IDENTICAL but here are the essential differences between the two pedals:

1. The Micro Fuzz has an LED, the Colorsound does not.

2. The Micro Fuzz takes a boss-style power supply. The colorsound only takes batteries.

3. The Micro Fuzz is actually Micro. The Colorsound is almost embarrasingly big, especially when you realise that it can all fit into something as small as the Micro Fuzz.

4. The Micro Fuzz feels alot more sturdy and according to Max @ [SFX] uses higher quality parts.

5. Macaris Musical Instruments - -who produce the current Colorsound/Sola Sound products - have just upped their price on the Bass Fuzz from £129 to £179. So with the [SFX] Micro Fuzz retailing at £105 including UK postage, you're looking at a high quality, hand made, bass specific fuzz at a low cost (costs less than the Colorsound Bass Fuzz, the Fender Sub-lime or a Green Sovtek Big muff will cost you).

If there are any more differences, I'm sure Max can enlighten me.



I have a clip which is essentially a mic'd 1x15 cab with a DI'd signal blended in. The clip essentially goes:

fuzz: Minimum - Tone: min, 12, max
Fuzz: 12 o'clock - Tone: minimum, 12, max
Fuzz: Max - Tone: Min, 12, Max.

I then play with my favorite setting:

Fuzz: Maxed -Tone: 3 o'clock

I'm playing my MIM Fender 70s RI bass (modded with a SD Basslines p-bass pickup at neck, and Basslines pickup at the Bridge) though my Markbass LMII set flat. This runs into my Zoot 1x15 bab, mic'd with a Shure SM57 into my Presonus Tube Pre into Pro Tools. DI signal taken out of the LMII straight to Pro Tools.

Clip


The Micro Fuzz is a fantastic, fat sounding bass fuzz that sounds quite synthy when the fuzz control is maxed. It is my go-to fuzz and has currently replaced my Colorsound (and will continue to do so on my small board).

The Micro Fuzz has not only made it onto my board as my general fuzz, but also as my synth fuzz (a position previously occupied by the MXR Bass Blowtorch and the Zvex Mastotron)

It has an inherently mid-scooped tone - this is part of the signature smooth and synthy sound of the pedal.
Despite this mid-scoop, the top end is quite aggressive and the lowend is positively UNHOLY. You've no doubt all taken a big muff, maxed the fuzz and minimized the tone to get that subby, fat, doomy tone. Well the Micro Fuzz is more so.

To put it in context: with a russian (green or black) Big Muff, I will keep the tone control below 12 o'clock to retain my lowend, usually 9 o'clock is my most common setting on the Tone Control.
With the Micro Fuzz, my favourite setting is with the Tone at 3 o'clock. Even with this high tone setting, I've still got hefty amounts of low end to keep my fundamental in with the band.

My colorsound has been modded to reduce the mid-scoop (I have three capacitors that I can choose from, or I can keep it stock). [SFX] can modify and build on request, so you could probably arrange something though the website, if you wished for a similar mod to the Micro Fuzz, but TBH I dont feel its essential.

This to me is my quintessential fuzz pedal, big, fat and smooth. If you like Tonebenders and Muffs, you should get on with the Micro Fuzz.

Disclaimer: I dont work for [SFX], I did not ask Max to build this pedal although I was happy for him to clone my Colorsound, but it compares more than favorably to my current favorite fuzz pedal, and as such I was happy to pay for it after trying it and I am keen to spead the love for the pedal and for [SFX], with who i've had a particularly pleasing transaction and has always been happy to answer my questions, even when they're not related to his products.
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Originally Posted by behndy View Post
"big and awkwardly powered". sounds like ALL EHX gear. or my junk.

Last edited by DosiYanarchy : 04-11-2010 at 08:08 AM.
  #2  
Old 04-11-2010, 07:41 AM
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Thanks for the review DosiYanarchy. Great clip!

There are a few things that might be worth mentioning. The bypass circuit is wired to minimize the noise when the pedal is in bypass. The LED is activated by a separate control circuit to minimize the switching noise.
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  #3  
Old 04-11-2010, 07:45 AM
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this might just replace my BBM
thanks for the great review!
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  #4  
Old 04-11-2010, 07:46 AM
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Very nice, especially the end of the clip! I like this pedal a lot!

Any pics of the inside? I'd love to see how Max fit all of this in there!
  #5  
Old 04-11-2010, 07:56 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rratajski View Post
(...)Any pics of the inside? I'd love to see how Max fit all of this in there!
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  #6  
Old 04-11-2010, 10:03 AM
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Very professional and quality parts.
  #7  
Old 04-11-2010, 10:25 AM
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Originally Posted by Silent Fly View Post
That's pretty smooth.
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  #8  
Old 04-11-2010, 11:17 AM
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Nicely done Max!
  #9  
Old 04-11-2010, 04:43 PM
rratajski's Avatar
Jack Grundle and Chad Choad

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Whoaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.
  #10  
Old 04-11-2010, 04:49 PM
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Max, you continue to impress!
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  #11  
Old 04-11-2010, 04:52 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Silent Fly View Post
I want one on board my bass. That's amazing!
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  #12  
Old 04-11-2010, 05:07 PM
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sounds pretty good. more gain available than I would likely use, but hey, that's a tonebender!
  #13  
Old 04-12-2010, 02:34 AM
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Thanks everybody for the positive comments about my work.

I didn't know there was an interest about what's inside pedals. On the Micro-Fuzz circuit there are a few components on the other side of the board that obviously are not visible.

The Micro-Boost is actually more complex. Unfortunately, I don't have any photo.
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Last edited by Silent Fly : 04-12-2010 at 03:59 AM.
  #14  
Old 04-12-2010, 03:20 AM
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That's awesome!
  #15  
Old 04-12-2010, 04:06 AM
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Jack Grundle and Chad Choad

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Quote:
Originally Posted by Silent Fly View Post
Thanks everybody for the positive comments about my work.

I didn't know there was an interest about what's inside pedals. On the Micro-Fuzz circuit there are a few components on the other side of the board that obviously are not visible.

The Micro-Boost is actually more complex. Unfortunately, I don't have any photo.
We love to see what diodes are being used, how it's laid out, components (values), etc etc etc!

How long did it take you to plan out the layout?
  #16  
Old 04-12-2010, 04:34 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rratajski View Post
(...) How long did it take you to plan out the layout?
Unfortunately, I am never entirely happy with what I do. Every time I think I finished I notice that something can be improved... so the answer is: lot of time.
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  #17  
Old 04-12-2010, 09:20 AM
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NICE WORK!!!!!
  #18  
Old 05-26-2010, 12:20 PM
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Bumping this from the depths of obscurity just to say I just got this pedal today and it's awesome. More low end than any muff based pedal I've owned (BBM, Supercollider, Musket v2) and has a nasal quality at high gain that sounds very Chris Wolstenholme, ideal for Starlight or even Time Is Running Out. Nice one Max!
  #19  
Old 05-26-2010, 01:17 PM
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Yeah, I hoped you'd like it Dan. I've still got my SFX modded Colorsound Tonebender, and if that was ever to break on me, I'd commision max to made me a modded Micro Fuzz. The Workmanship on all max's pedal is outstanding and I cant recommend him enough.
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"big and awkwardly powered". sounds like ALL EHX gear. or my junk.
  #20  
Old 05-27-2011, 05:59 PM
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Bit of a thread revive...

So I bought this pedal recently but I'm having major volume issues with it. As soon as I turn it on the volume just drops big time. Even with the volume turned up full on the pedal it's a hugely noticeable drop. Anyone else had this problem?
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