Frantone Lo Tone Classic Fuzz SOUNDCLIPS PART2 (w/ aggressive, yes, aggressive tones)

Mark Olson · #1 10-20-2008, 11:45 AM

Ok so this is one of my favorite pedals of all time in case you haven't heard me yak about it before, I've done previous threads with soundclips of it if you're curious, but in my past threads I don't feel I've effectively demonstrated just how aggressive this pedal can get, as far as I know there are people out there with the idea that the Lo Tone does not do aggressive or heavily distorted sounds, but I'll show that that really depends on how you play and what guitar you plug into it. Also, certain buffers in front of the pedal can help you get a more aggressive tone, like I've said before, but in these clips I am plugged STRAIGHT into the pedal with a PASSIVE bass, there are ABSOLUTELY NO BUFFERS helping me get these sounds it's all in your hands and your guitar.

So for these clips I'm using my SG Bass (I believe all my previous clips of this pedal were with a Jazz Bass) and I'm using ONLY the BRIDGE pickup. This is, yes, for a more guitar-like sound, as some people have started to notice, but do note how beefy the Lo Tone is with just the bridge pickup compared to other pedals (eg: some of my Fulltone OCD samples). I would use this pedal for leads and what I call "rhythm bass" sound (kind of a sometimes chordal style, like a rhythm guitar but an octave lower) so keep that goal in mind. And if you're concerned with a less lead-oriented and more typical bass oriented sound, check out some of my previous clips in previous threads about this pedal, though knowing me they still may not be of great use to you, haha.

Ok enough disclaimers. Here's some clips:

First a nasty, aggressive, spitty fuzz tone, rhythmy then lead-like, played with a pick:

http://media.putfile.com/LoToneSGFuzz2

Then for some rhythmy power chords, played by strumming with just my fingernails:

http://media.putfile.com/LoToneSGFuzzPower

One thing I like to do a lot is imitate Neil Young's nasty guitar sounds with my bass, so here I have the volume rolled back just a bit for a kinda fuzzy heavy distortion sound, rhythmy and lead styles back and forth, played with a pick:

http://media.putfile.com/LoToneSGNeil

Then I back off the volume a bit more to "clean" the pedal up for a lighter distortion sound. Rhythmy style, played with a pick:

http://media.putfile.com/LoToneSGDistortion

Now with Tremolo! Voodoo Lab Tremolo pedal after the Lo Tone, volume back up to full, nasty rhythmy style, played with a pick:

http://media.putfile.com/LoToneSGTrem

And again with Tremolo, this time with the volume rolled back for less of a fuzz and more of a distortion sound, played with a pick:

http://media.putfile.com/LoToneSGTrem2

So of course I love the way this pedal sounds, but I'm always looking for some input so PLEASE check these clips out and let me know what you think, what you think sounds good, what you think sounds ok, and what you think sounds outright offensive. I'd specifically like feedback on these tones:

http://media.putfile.com/LoToneSGNeil

Note that is SUPPOSED to be nasty and sh*tty sounding (like Neil Young, hey I like it), and

http://media.putfile.com/LoToneSGTrem

which I think sounds badass, so PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE let me know if you think it just sounds ugly or offensive. I already know my fiance is going to hate me for having her listen to these sounds (she hates my sloppy fuzz and Neil Young tones, as well as my Tremolo ones) but I want to know if that's just her or a chunk of music oriented people as well...

Akeris · #2 10-20-2008, 12:57 PM

I like it. A lot.

If the Supercollider doesn't stick, I know where I'll be headed next.

jetofuj · #3 10-20-2008, 04:05 PM

Nice

I wonder how it sounds with something more dynamic.

Deluge Of Sound · #4 10-20-2008, 05:31 PM

I'm assuming this is the Classic Fuzz for Bass?

Mark Olson · #5 10-20-2008, 08:54 PM

Quote:

I wonder how it sounds with something more dynamic.

If you'd like I could put a volume pedal in front of it and show how the pedal cleans up all in one clip, or I can play something more "dynamic" (if you could suggest a piece).

Quote:

I'm assuming this is the Classic Fuzz for Bass?

Yes, exactly.

PunkRocker33133 · #6 10-20-2008, 09:00 PM

All your soundclip threads, make me want an SG bass just for the bridge pickup. With that and an old tube amp my tone would be entirely βΘИΞКЯŲŜĦÏИĞ

Mark Olson · #7 10-21-2008, 09:19 AM

I'm glad you like the bridge pickup sounds. Clearly I really like the sound, but not everyone seems to dig it.

PunkRocker33133 · #8 10-21-2008, 02:41 PM

Do they make a full scale SG bass with a bridge pickup? Or eve a full scale SG bass? Preferably in white.

Mark Olson · #9 10-21-2008, 07:20 PM

http://bass-guitars.musiciansfriend....ELAID=31062293

Unfortunately it's not available in white, but that's a nice price. I'm tempted to pick one up and do some hot rod mods to it. If I could do a Kahler vibrato or something like that that would be awesome! Plus it looks as if it has a pickup selector, which would be super handy for switching between those thunderous rhythm sounds and the guitarlike lead sound of the bridge pickup.

So it seems like people think these clips sound ok, so is there anybody that thinks they suck? I'll be happy if I can get just one person to say they suck. Or if anybody else thinks they're good or just blah please say so, I mean, clearly I like these tones, but I'm curious what other people think. Please share, I won't be offended.

PunkRocker33133 · #10 10-21-2008, 08:30 PM

That would be amazing with a kahler, I think I'm gonna steal your idea. That distorted bridge pickup sound is exactly what I need for a ton of my bands new songs, and the black is good enough (though I'd rather white)

Mark Olson · #11 10-22-2008, 08:15 AM

Just so you know, the stock bridge setup could easily get in of installing a Kahler vibrato; I haven't really worked out the logistics of it to see if it's really possible, but it sure would be sweet.

jetofuj · #12 10-22-2008, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Olson

If you'd like I could put a volume pedal in front of it and show how the pedal cleans up all in one clip, or I can play something more "dynamic" (if you could suggest a piece).

I was only thinking of some simple but more bouncy riff.

Cheers, Kris

Mark Olson · #13 10-22-2008, 09:24 AM

Well I've got something that's more simple and bouncy I think if I get a chance I'll give it a go with the Lo Tone later and post a clip.

PunkRocker33133 · #14 10-22-2008, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Olson

Just so you know, the stock bridge setup could easily get in of installing a Kahler vibrato; I haven't really worked out the logistics of it to see if it's really possible, but it sure would be sweet.

I see what you mean, I have a Thunderbird and that's my biggest problem with it (besides the weight) is that bridge.

Mark Olson · #15 10-23-2008, 02:40 PM

http://media.putfile.com/LoToneSGBounce

That's what I think when you say more simple and bouncy.

jetofuj · #16 10-23-2008, 03:40 PM

Thanks for posting clip, I really appreciate it

I was thinking of something faster and it is more like a Black Sabbath stuff, but I really like it. I was going to buy B:Assmaster, but now I don't know if I won't pick Frantone fuzz

Akeris · #17 10-23-2008, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jetofuj

Thanks for posting clip, I really appreciate it

I was thinking of something faster and it is more like a Black Sabbath stuff, but I really like it. I was going to buy B:Assmaster, but now I don't know if I won't pick Frantone fuzz

I consider Sabbath like the opposite of bouncy...

jetofuj · #18 10-23-2008, 04:12 PM

Me too, but still I like it very much

Mark Olson · #19 10-24-2008, 02:01 PM

Ok, so I've got another soundclip, this time of some detuned fuzzy roaring sludge. This time I'm using both pickups on the SG Bass, but their respective volume controls are about at half each, which cleans up the pedal some, but as you can tell with that neck pickup in the mix there's still plenty of muddy sludgy roaring fuzz:

http://media.putfile.com/LoToneSGSludge

Deluge Of Sound · #20 10-24-2008, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Olson

Ok, so I've got another soundclip, this time of some detuned fuzzy roaring sludge. This time I'm using both pickups on the SG Bass, but their respective volume controls are about at half each, which cleans up the pedal some, but as you can tell with that neck pickup in the mix there's still plenty of muddy sludgy roaring fuzz:

http://media.putfile.com/LoToneSGSludge

Sir, you just sealed the deal for me. Too bad I've got a long list of bills before I can get another pedal...

And by sealed the deal, I mean you've given me yet another pedal to lust after.