anything sound like a Fender Sub-Lime that isn't so HUGE?

[pudgychef]

Like the tone I heard trying a Sub Lime pedal the other day - but they size of it is nuts (imho) anything similar without the girth?

thanks

[P-oddz]

Sub-Lime owner here. Love the tone. Yes, the pedal is ridiculously huge.

I guess I would have to say it depends on how much fuzz your are trying to dial in with the Sub-Lime. Surprisingly, at a lower fuzz setting with the Sub-Lime, I can get similar-ish tones out of my Pork Loin. But the Pork Loin doesn't get anywhere near as aggressive or clean as the Sub-Lime sounds.

Listening to a lot of fuzz pedal clips (admittedly I am no fuzz expert), I haven't really come across anything that seems as capable and vintage-esque to me. Every fuzz clip I hear by fuzz hounds on TalkBass, are either way too aggressive, too gatey, or too synthy for my tastes. I like the Sub-Lime because it sounds like old school rock and roll to me (makes me think of Sabbath for some reason). I have even had discussions with other fuzz enthusiasts here who say the Sub-Lime falls on the top of their list of favorite tones.

So it's unfortunate - the pedal sounds great but it's huge. Then again, I kind of enjoy it's ridiculousness these days.

Here's a video of a few others made by fellow TB'er, EyeballKid.

YouTube - ‪BASS FUZZ PEDALS DEMO. OX OXFUZZ FENDER SUBLIME MUSKET BLUEBEARD BASS BIG MUFF‬‏

[ZombieSpacebat]

I've never opened one up but you could have a look at the guts of one and look in to the possibility of getting the circuit re-housed into a smaller box perhaps?

[sillyfabe]

As someone who has tried quite a few fizzes (and own a few to bat) there is nothing that comes truly close to me hence why I own one. Here is what I own:

Wooly Mammoth clone
Boss FZ-2 Hyper Fuzz
Russian BM
Little BM
Way Huge Swollen Pickle
Fender Sub-Lime Bass Fuzz

Here's what I've tried:
Bogdan Polemaster
Gnomeratron VTF
Big Muff
Fuzzrocious Momster
MXR El Grande Bass Fuzz
Boss FZ-3 Fuzz
Bogdan Brassmaster

[pudgychef]

thanks guys - looks like my option is live with the bulk or forget that thick, compelling tone..... - I have gone through a process of trying to get my gig load to an absolute minimum and adding a hunk like that seems contrary to what I am trying to do...... but darn it sounds good yo!!

[behndy]

i've never plugged into one because i'm actually a bit offended by the size. but with such amazingly thick and versatile fuzzes out there as the IE Oxide, Wren & Cuff selections, SS/BS TAFM..... i can't see it doing anything i can't find out of a smaller box.

so, i'm talking a bit out of my ass never having played one, but i just don't believe.

BURN THE UNBELIEVER.

[P-oddz]

Originally Posted by behndy

i've never plugged into one because i'm actually a bit offended by the size. but with such amazingly thick and versatile fuzzes out there as the IE Oxide, Wren & Cuff selections, SS/BS TAFM..... i can't see it doing anything i can't find out of a smaller box.

so, i'm talking a bit out of my ass never having played one, but i just don't believe.

BURN THE UNBELIEVER.

YES!!!! BURN HIM!!!!

Just twisting giblets.

So yes, the size is ridiculous - but it does actually look pretty f'ing cool too. It's kind of like having a Lime Green Pinto strapped to your pedal board. And the big dial light on the top will definitely arouse some suspicion among colleagues (good or bad).

Self-admittedly I am no fuzz expert. And it would stand to reason that with all the fuzz options out there, something would be comparable. Truth is, at $125 (and probably able to get it cheaper elsewhere), it doesn't seem like there IS much available by comparison.

I've listened to a fair amount of clips of different fuzzes, and I have yet to find any that sounded as smooth to me as the Sub Lime does. Even checking out some clips of others you mentioned - only the Iron Ether seemed to be in its territory (on its brassy setting on the site), but for $40-50 more. Any of the other settings start to get into territories that don't appeal to me (completely subjective), and might not appeal to other pocket-fuzz (what I like to call it) seekers.

The Wren and Cuff stuff sounds good but can be pricey, and the various pedals seemed either too inherently bright, too buzz-saw-y, or too gated (depending on which pedal). The Phat Phuk sounds incredible, but that's a different story.

Pros of the Sub Lime that I haven't seemed to come across in anything else as well, are the ability to adjust the crossover frequency, and the brightness of the fuzz itself. Both of those can be adjusted before you even dial in HOW MUCH gain you want (which can also be adjusted on the fly with the dial wheel). All the meanwhile the signal sounds almost as if it has a blend on it (meaning my bass core is still maintained despite how much I dial on top). A lot of others seem to sit too much on top. Nothing sounds worse to me than a note with just fizz sitting above it.

That, teamed with it's price tag - only you can decide if it's worth having a giant green herpe on your board.

I choose yes.

[P-oddz]

To the OP:

Is this you guys?
YouTube - ‪thestoics's Channel‬‏

[behndy]

Originally Posted by P-oddz

....but it does actually look pretty f'ing cool too. It's kind of like having a Lime Green Pinto strapped to your pedal board.

you and i sir, have WILDY different definitions of "cool looking" . and my mawmz had a Pinto when we were kids. almost a weather beater version of this. no THANK YOU.

Originally Posted by P-oddz

The Phat Phuk sounds incredible, but that's a different story.

yeah, this is OT, but the Phat Phuck is easily the most confusin pedal i own. when i play with it alone at my house? meh. but when i click it on during busy passages at practice/shows? instant cutting through. in a very organic and good, not LOOKIT ME!!! way. love the thing. don't UNDERSTAND it. but love it.

.... LIST IF SUB LIME'S GOODIES.... That, teamed with it's price tag - only you can decide if it's worth having a giant green herpe on your board.

I choose yes. [/quote]

for sure. and i'm not knocking it at all. it seems super nice and ever time i read about it, people that have it love everything about it.... except it's size.

i just found the fuzz that i love as my main fuzz awhile ago (W&C Pickle Pie B), have an AMAZINGLY hard decision on the TAFM with a gate or Oxide as a second fuzz, and am super careful about board space since i don't want to go to anything bigger than a PT-2. so i don't even try things that take up 3 pedals worth of room. exceot the M9. but that replaces a delay, flanger, chorus and some silly stuff.

but if you have the room, by all means. it sounds like it's got a lot nice features.

lulz. i'm a SIZE QUEEN. i just go the opposite direction. smallah is bettah.

[mattfong]

I found a gut shot, you can probably rehouse it without too many issues...

[warwick.hoy]

Originally Posted by ZombieSpacebat

I've never opened one up but you could have a look at the guts of one and look in to the possibility of getting the circuit re-housed into a smaller box perhaps?

This

[behndy]

MattFongChu - hur hur hur! TRUE.

[pudgychef]

Originally Posted by P-oddz

To the OP:

Is this you guys?
YouTube - ‪thestoics's Channel‬‏

no - pretty cool though - I should update my profile..

[pudgychef]

Originally Posted by mattfong

I found a gut shot, you can probably rehouse it without too many issues...

[dannybuoy]

Bass Big Muff or Boss ODB-3 can get similar sounds. I sold my Sub-Lime though, sounded too tame for me.

[loendmaestro]

Yeah, I've bought more fuzz/distortion pedals than I care to admit....always on that quest. And the Sublime is a keeper. Great range, no real low end loss, & I use that toe operated gain wheel WAY more than I ever thought I would.

It's the one for me.

And P-oddz earlier post was right on. I just embrace the huge, ridiculous nature of the pedal!

[pudgychef]

Originally Posted by dannybuoy

Bass Big Muff or Boss ODB-3 can get similar sounds. I sold my Sub-Lime though, sounded too tame for me.

see I couldn't 'hear' the ODB-3 being in the same state let alone in the tonal neighborhood....always sounds like a frustrated guitar pedal to me. The SL (to my ears) has a depth or girth those two come lack.....

[P-oddz]

Originally Posted by pudgychef

no - pretty cool though - I should update my profile..

...or change your band name

[P-oddz]

Originally Posted by pudgychef

see I couldn't 'hear' the ODB-3 being in the same state let alone in the tonal neighborhood....always sounds like a frustrated guitar pedal to me. The SL (to my ears) has a depth or girth those two come lack.....

I think I'd have to agree fully with this statement.

[30hrz]

Try the Sonic VI Champion Fuzz or OX Fuzz.