Black Cat Bass Octave Fuzz / Pole Master Comparison (too)

CliftonBonney · #1 12-12-2009, 03:50 PM

The Black Cat Bass Octave Fuzz is a clone of the Maestro BrassMaster. It's a very nice pedal. I've uploaded some clips for your listening pleasure. A review to come. Enjoy.

Valerus · #2 12-12-2009, 04:14 PM

How much did you pay for yours?

4stringmangler · #3 12-12-2009, 04:57 PM

i had an original, it sounded a tad more fuzzy then the b:assmaster and not as much volume on tap. i might be getting it back, the only downside is that it was big a brick...

Valerus · #4 12-12-2009, 05:07 PM

the new enclosures look pretty small
http://www.blackcatpedals.com/pedal_...tave_fuzz.html

blendermassacre · #5 12-12-2009, 05:07 PM

Octave fuzz is the best idea ever, especially if you could separate the two.

nad · #6 12-12-2009, 05:11 PM

The new version is a bit smaller isn't it? I was going to get one of these but I ended up with an Attack Goat instead. Not the same thing, but I just wanted something similarly aggressive along with me B:Assmaster.

Great clips, cheers.

4stringmangler · #7 12-12-2009, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nad

The new version is a bit smaller isn't it? I was going to get one of these but I ended up with an Attack Goat instead. Not the same thing, but I just wanted something similarly aggressive along with me B:Assmaster.

Great clips, cheers.

is it just me or does the the attack goat cover the same sonic territory as the depth charge, which happens to be in the brassmaster family...

nad · #8 12-12-2009, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4stringmangler

is it just me or does the the attack goat cover the same sonic territory as the depth charge, which happens to be in the brassmaster family...

I've only played a Depth Charge for a few minutes, but indeed, they seem pretty close to me. That was contender #3 of my last fuzz purchase, and actually I went with the Goat because excane said they sounded nearly the same, and for $135 with no wait, well hey, the decision was already made before I started the hunt.

And yes, all of these are belong to The Brassmaster Family, aka Best. Fuzz. Ever. Anyone who disagrees has never used one in a loud rock mix. Or, they just enjoy different tones than I do, whatever.

4stringmangler · #9 12-12-2009, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nad

I've only played a Depth Charge for a few minutes, but indeed, they seem pretty close to me. That was contender #3 of my last fuzz purchase, and actually I went with the Goat because excane said they sounded nearly the same, and for $135 with no wait, well hey, the decision was already made before I started.

And yes, all of these are belong to The Brassmaster Family, aka Best. Fuzz. Ever. Anyone who disagrees has never used one in a loud rock mix. Or, they just enjoy different tones than I do, whatever.

that's the only reason why i didn't buy the attack goat, but i do have a hankerin' for a battering ram

nad · #10 12-12-2009, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4stringmangler

that's the only reason why i didn't buy the attack goat, but i do have a hankerin' for a battering ram

I really like the Goat, but I wish I would have kept the Ram. Not as aggressive on the fuzz side, but had a nice tone stack, and the distortion side is AMAZING.

Maybe I'll buy another some day and pretend it was all worth it to get the input/output jacks on their proper respective sides.

Valerus · #11 12-12-2009, 05:32 PM

The Battering Ram has a weak Overdrive sound but the stacked sound with the fuzz sounds wonderful. Especially with the octave up on.

blendermassacre · #12 12-12-2009, 05:40 PM

Will you compare the black cat to the pole master?

CliftonBonney · #13 12-12-2009, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valerus

How much did you pay for yours?

I got it from Analogman and paid $225.

Valerus · #14 12-12-2009, 05:53 PM

Right on.

CliftonBonney · #15 12-12-2009, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4stringmangler

i had an original, it sounded a tad more fuzzy then the b:assmaster and not as much volume on tap. i might be getting it back, the only downside is that it was big a brick...

I can't compare it to the B:assmaster as I don't have one yet. I want one though. I can compare it to the Pole Master. The gain on the Black Cat is definitely less than on the Pole Master.

The new version is a normal size. It's the exact same size as my Supercollider and EHX Clone Theory.

CliftonBonney · #16 12-12-2009, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nad

The new version is a bit smaller isn't it?

Yes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by nad

Great clips, cheers.

Thanks.

CliftonBonney · #17 12-12-2009, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blendermassacre

Will you compare the black cat to the pole master?

Certainly. The only problem is that the Black Cat clearly labels the switches as the "filter" and "harmonic." The Pole Master does not. It's tough to know if I can do the exact same settings. I'll try and post them up.

Chronicle · #18 12-12-2009, 06:51 PM

I've gotta get a Ram/Goat. :/

Smurf-o-Deth · #19 12-12-2009, 07:09 PM

I'm quite liking the Ram, so far. In messing with it, I find I'm using the OD side as at very low gain (still clean) as a boost with high roll-off and mid hump, which makes my wah happy, and then I can drop the octave fuzz on top, which retains surprising note clarity, even when chording.

CliftonBonney · #20 12-12-2009, 11:09 PM

I've added 5 clips comparing the Bogdan Pole Master to the Black Cat Bass Octave Fuzz. In each of the clips the Pole Master is the first pedal used then the Black Cat. Please execuse any timing issues. I didn't bother with a metronome.

I ran both pedals through a mixer with the EQ flat. The mixer out goes straight into my Zoom H2. The settings for each pedal were identical. The Bass Volume, Fuzz Volume, and Drive were all set at around 3:00.

The five clips are just different combinations of the switches. But, for each clip the switches are identical on the two pedals. So, it is a direct comparison. Enjoy.