MXR Classic 108 Fuzz (Silicon Fuzz Face) SOUNDCLIPS

[Mark Olson]

Ok so I said I'd do some clips so here they are. I'm not floored by this pedal, I think it can definitely sound great, but it's not kicking my Prescription Electronics Experience pedal off my board.

Also I was excited about the buffer on this thing, but I think there's something wrong with mine, or was... at first the buffer light shut off every time I turned the pedal on, now it stays on though ??? Anyways, the buffer sounded great with my Jazz Bass plugged in, but when I at first had my SG Bass plugged in the buffer would cause squeeling feedback, even though I'm playing these clips pretty much at what I would consider bedroom volume. And for some reason it still sounds all muddy when I tried rolling the fuzz back. Oh well, this particular version of the Fuzz Face circuit cleans up really well with my volume control when the buffer is off, so it doesn't really matter to me. Also, my wah pedal has a buffer in it, so my wah and the Classic 108 Fuzz get along just fine.

Anyways, enough rambling, time for clips, first is with my SG Bass, Fuzz maxed on the pedal, Bridge pickup maxed on the bass, and a little bit of neck pickup in there just for a little more bottom (not the heaviest clip still though). This is a FINGERSTYLE clip for all you fingerstyle players:

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page...songID=7214124

And here's with just the Bridge pickup on the SG rolled back to clean up the fuzz just a bit (for clarity and chord definition):

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page...songID=7214117

Sorry, I just can't not play a little Jimi with a pedal like this. And here's some Jazz Bass clips, first with the Fuzz cranked and the buffer off:

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page...songID=7214104

And then with the buffer on:

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page...songID=7214111

And if those Jazz clips sound a little anemic, I'm pretty sure it's the bass, not the pedal. I'd guess the pedal sounds decently thick enough on it's own, though why I didn't do any clips that demonstrated the possible thickness well I don't know. Oh well. Check 'em out, let me know what you think of this pedal, like I said I'm not floored but I think it's a perfectly decent and usable fuzz, I suppose I'd even venture to say I think it's a decent deal for the money, a perfectly decent rendition of the Fuzz Face.

[Mark Olson]

I know most people on here probably aren't interested in Fuzz Face clones, but seriously check out these clips, after listening to them again I think they're pretty cool. Definitely check out the Jazz clips.

[RCCollins]

is the duncan tweak fuzz also a fuzz face clone at heart? i've always wanted to hear bass clips of that

[Mark Olson]

My brother actually had a Tweak Fuzz I think, I never got to try it on bass, but if I remember correctly he didn't think it would make a good bass pedal, though, he thinks pretty much all guitar pedals wouldn't be good bass pedals he is a bit of a guitard.

Actually now that I take a look at the tweak fuzz it may be a Fuzz Face clone with that tweak knob. They did compare it to 60's fuzz tones from pop festivals, which is obviously Jimi at Monterey, and Jimi would have been using a germanium Fuzz Face at that time. Didn't see a mention of a power jack on that thing so yeah, definitely a good chance it's a germanium Fuzz Face clone. That might translate to a little smoother tone than the Classic 108 Fuzz, but in the grand scheme of things it would probably be pretty similar.

This is hands down the most "Jimi" sounding Fuzz Face style pedal I've used, on guitar it can nail some Jimi (check out the Dunlop soundclip of the new Jimi Hendrix Fuzz Face, which is what the 108 Fuzz is but with some modern conveniences, they nailed Axis: Bold As Love).

[Ryan Mohr]

Soundclips sound bass, I love the sound of a fuzz face on bass. It puzzles me that no bassists besides on this forum besides you use them. A Big Muff has its place, for that scooped/compressed/immense gain/sustaining fuzz tone, but the fuzz face is much more appealing to me.

[Mark Olson]

Yeah, me too. The Muffs I've tried just don't respond when I dig in like I like a pedal to, and they're too scooped for me. I'll take a Fuzz Face over a Muff any day. Plus the Fuzz Face is still kind of cool for the Larry Graham style stuff, which I like to do every now and then with my Jazz Bass, where I don't really like Muffs for that.

And RCCollins, you might be interested in this, I'm pretty sure I remember reading an interview in Bassplayer with the bassists from Funkadelic and I'm sure at least one of them was using a Fuzz Face on his board, silicon if I remember correctly.

[rcubed]

I like the third clip. Down the road I plan on building some Fuzz Face circuits and see if I can get better lowend retention from them without killing the awesome fuzz. Maybe something with a blend if need be.

[Deluge Of Sound]

I dig the Fuzz Face. 'Twas the first dirt box I ever used.

But the Muff was much cheaper, and I still don't really have the cash to pony up for a Face, much as I'd like to.

[Mark Olson]

Yeah, the Fuzz Face circuit is a good one to tinker around with. I think you can solve any low end issues with bigger input/output caps, but a blend could be quite awesome too.

I believe Music Electronix was working on a Fuzz Face voiced for bass that was going to be called the FaceDrive. I do love the Fuzz Face circuit and one made for bass would be sweet, and judging by the other Electronix pedals very reasonably priced as well. Definitely something to watch for in the future if you like the Fuzz Face.

The MXR Classic 108 Fuzz is pretty reasonably priced at about $120, but if you can find one, the Dunlop Hendrix Classic Fuzz is another Fuzz Face clone that works great for bass and when they were in production they only cost about $80, I wouldn't expect to have to pay any more than that for a used one on eBay. I did promise to compare the Classic 108 Fuzz to the Dunlop Hendrix Fuzz, which I will do, but I'd really like some more time with the 108 Fuzz before I make any judgements.

[RCCollins]

Originally Posted by Mark Olson

I believe Music Electronix was working on a Fuzz Face voiced for bass that was going to be called the FaceDrive. I do love the Fuzz Face circuit and one made for bass would be sweet, and judging by the other Electronix pedals very reasonably priced as well. Definitely something to watch for in the future if you like the Fuzz Face.

I remember this too but I haven't heard anything about it. I believe it was projected to cost around $129 but thats the last I heard.... and I WANT it!!!

[rcubed]

Originally Posted by RCCollins

I remember this too but I haven't heard anything about it. I believe it was projected to cost around $129 but thats the last I heard.... and I WANT it!!!

He has clips on his website. They sound great too. But I'm more into building my own fuzz pedals these days. I'm too cheap to buy them.

[RCCollins]

Originally Posted by rcubed

He has clips on his website. They sound great too. But I'm more into building my own fuzz pedals these days. I'm too cheap to buy them.

wanna build me a couple?

[Mudfuzz]

Originally Posted by RCCollins

is the duncan tweak fuzz also a fuzz face clone at heart? i've always wanted to hear bass clips of that

I don't think it is. I know it is a cheap version on the Dirty Boy Afro Fuzz.

It sounds ok on bass, but there is a bit of low loss at high gains and the first two settings, really good at driving filters.

For a "sample" listen to Fuzzy Karma which is three tracks of P-bass ~ ebow ~ Tweek fuzz ~Roland Space echo.

[rcubed]

Originally Posted by RCCollins

wanna build me a couple?

Maybe. I need to get my act together. I might also have some extra/spare parts from some of projects. I usually try order double the parts I need. I might also have to see your Cream Pie so I can reverse engineer it and build a clone.

[RCCollins]

Originally Posted by rcubed

Maybe. I need to get my act together. I might also have some extra/spare parts from some of projects. I usually try order double the parts I need. I might also have to see your Cream Pie so I can reverse engineer it and build a clone.

uh oh

it is gone!

i am curious about your brassmaster clone

[rcubed]

Originally Posted by RCCollins

uh oh

it is gone!

i am curious about your brassmaster clone

Bummer. Didn't know you sold that. The Brassmaster clone will be done whenever I get around to ordering a closure and drilling it out. The circuit board is soldered up and ready to go. I went with my caps mods (larger caps in a few spots for more lowend). I'm looking forward to getting it on my board.

[RCCollins]

Originally Posted by rcubed

Bummer. Didn't know you sold that. The Brassmaster clone will be done whenever I get around to ordering a closure and drilling it out. The circuit board is soldered up and ready to go. I went with my caps mods (larger caps in a few spots for more lowend). I'm looking forward to getting it on my board.

it went fast

[rcubed]

Originally Posted by RCCollins

it went fast

I should have been paying attention. I'm definitely interested in buying one. I need to get in the habit of checking the classifieds more often.

[dubsymmetry]

is any of the following pedals based on a fuzz face? I´m asking because I know nothing of the classic designs (which is which) and would like to know if I played one or not.. thanks!

zvex woolly mammoth, fuzz factory, octane3, tech 21 xxl, zoom ultra fuzz uf-1

[Mark Olson]

From what I've heard the Wooly Mammoth and the Fuzz Factory are both very tweaked out Fuzz Face clones. The others, no, definitely not.