It is finally here - Oxfuzz Bass (Now with Clips)

bassboysam · #1 02-03-2011, 02:48 PM

I ordered this from Ken a couple of weeks ago and it arrived this afternoon. I asked for a white enclosure instead of the standard blueish purple sparkle and Ken was kind enough to do it.

Plugged it in through my YBA-3 and yorkville 115. Initial thoughts are this is a very nice fuzz pedal. It is probably the most subtle fuzz I have ever tried. It never really gets too over the top and it can go from a clean mild OD to a warm natural fuzz. Simple controls. Volume, blend and fuzz. With the blend fully counterclockwise it is essentially a clean boost. It is fairly transparent and there is no noticeable mid scoop or bass cut. It really keeps the tone of your bass intact.

I still have to give it a try at a rehearsal but this might be the subtle fuzz I have been looking for. I believe this could even be used as an always on kind of thing.

Word of caution, I dont believe this pedal will work well with an SS head. It begs for a tube amp to push.

There is also an internal trimpot that controls the amount of fuzz available when turning up the fuzz knob. At the extreme lowest setting you get almost zero distortion or fuzz. It is useful to set the bias based on the output of your bass. High output basses can push the pedal into an unpleasant sounding electronic distortion so the trimpot can help dial it down to give you the maximum useful range of the fuzz knob.

Ken was great to deal with. Quick communication, quick build time and shipping.

Clips to follow.

RCCollins · #2 02-03-2011, 02:50 PM

that's a fuzzface variant, no? any idea if it's sil, germ or hybrid?

bassboysam · #3 02-03-2011, 02:53 PM

It is a silicon fuzz. I don't believe it is based on the fuzzface. Ken does build a guitar based fuzz that comes in your preference of silicon or germanium.

gnasher1993 · #4 02-03-2011, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassboysam

It is a silicon fuzz. I don't believe it is based on the fuzzface. Ken does build a guitar based fuzz that comes in your preference of silicon or germanium.

I'm pretty certain it is based on the fuzz face.

jetofuj · #5 02-03-2011, 04:00 PM

I had one of the very first few. It's a fuzz face with low gain silicon transistors to emulate germanium transistors. I didn't really care about this pedal. I want to try OxFuzz II though.

bassboysam · #6 02-03-2011, 04:41 PM

Recorded some clips. P-Bass, YBA-3, Radial JDI speaker level into Sony Soundforge, no processing what so ever. The amp was set "flat" tone was on full on the bass, SS roundwound strings.

The first is just a few settings on the pedal. The last bit is with the pedal bypassed.

http://soundcloud.com/the_brow/oxfuzzb

For this clip I took a recording we did at a rehearsal and replaced the bass track with a new track using the Ox Fuzz. The pedal is on through out the whole song. I have the bass a little louder in the mix but I don't think I would have trouble cutting through in a live environment.

http://soundcloud.com/the_brow/starships-holodecks-and

RCCollins · #7 02-03-2011, 05:18 PM

wow it really does sound low gain for a fuzz. almost like a really saturated OD. I like it

bassboysam · #8 02-03-2011, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RCCollins

wow it really does sound low gain for a fuzz. almost like a really saturated OD. I like it

That's what I have been looking for. I saw some clips on youtube and knew I had to try it. Something that can add some nice fur without being too synthy or gated but not really distortion. To my amateur ears it almost sounds like and old recording console being pushed, especially on a lower fuzz setting.

Akito · #9 02-03-2011, 11:06 PM

Nice clip, I really like it! Fits in the mix without being too crazy.

bassboysam · #10 02-05-2011, 06:16 AM

Rehearsed with it last night. This will definitely stay on my board. It was better than expected. Really versatile for a fuzz. It also sounded great as a mild OD. I'll get some clips up, we can hear how it sounds mic'd through a vintage SVT stack.

bassboysam · #11 02-05-2011, 12:08 PM

New clip from yesterday. A little jam we have been working on.

Lakland Skyline Bob Glaub (Labella flat wound strings) > OxFuzz > Mojo Hand Cream Pie > Vintage SVT > 8x10

Recorded with an SM57 into a TASCAM 4 Track tape recorder then transferred to Sony Soundforge. No other processing.

http://soundcloud.com/the_brow/benni...triangle-blues

dannybuoy · #12 02-05-2011, 12:25 PM

Nice sound - I'm digging your band too!