Some questions on effects

[Dan B]

Alright, I did search and while I did find some useful information I still have some questions. Basically, I am looking for a delay and a fuzz, and here's what I came up with:

FUZZ:
EHX Bass Big Muff - Perfect for my budget, and from what I have read it's highly regarded around here. It gets that fuzz tone (as it should; it's a fuzz) and from what I have heard it's a very useful pedal. Problem is that some might think it's not as versatile as it should be, and some of the controls are unintuitive.

EA Supercollider - I found this pedal searching Bassfuzz.com (awesome site, by the way!) and it has what the EHX doesn't have. The sound is great too; it gives that fuzz tone but it doesn't suck out the bass. Only problem is that it's a little too expensive and you can only get them directly from the builder, which might be a good thing for some, but it doesn't allow you to test them beforehand (the Daddy's near me has an EHX). Also, I heard the turnaround time (time you sent in the money + when you get the pedal) was a bit long.

DELAY:

Boss DD-3/DD-5 - I'm looking at these pedals because it has everything I like: digital, easy to use, and sturdy, and I think it has a tap tremolo setting. The price point is prohibitive though; then again, I can find one used.

EHX #1 Echo - Again, another EHX pedal. I heard a demo by ProGuitarShop on Youtube and it sounds good, although I don't know if it has the versatility of a Boss DD series. However, there is one used near me and its price looks tasty: $70.

I've seen some other pedals, such as the MXR Blowtorch, MXR El Grande, and Way Huge Swollen Pickle, plus I tried a Seymour Duncan SFX-04 (Twin Tube Mayhem). The Turbo RAT sounds good but I don't know if they suck out any low end, although I heard ProCo did make a bass RAT. In any case, which one of you guys recommend?

[gnasher1993]

It really depends on what sounds you want. There's several different varieties of fuzz and as for delay, it depends what features you want.

[Dan B]

I guess I am looking for a "universal" fuzz; basically when one thinks of the word "fuzz," what do they think of. The delay...I guess I am looking for something that also can be used in any situation. I would like Digital as Analog muffles the sound, and they tend to be more expensive.

[gnasher1993]

Originally Posted by Dan B

I guess I am looking for a "universal" fuzz; basically when one thinks of the word "fuzz," what do they think of.

When you think of the word fuzz what do you think of? As far as I'm concerned there are several different fuzz tones that I think of as 'universal'. What sort of sound are you looking for?

EDIT: Never heard a bassist wanting bright delays. I can understand your comment about the price though.

[Dan B]

Originally Posted by gnasher1993

When you think of the word fuzz what do you think of? As far as I'm concerned there are several different fuzz tones that I think of as 'universal'. What sort of sound are you looking for?

EDIT: Never heard a bassist wanting bright delays. I can understand your comment about the price though.

I'm looking for a fuzz that won't kill the bass; something similar to the Colorsound Tone Bender, but the price is just as face melting as the fuzz. I'll probably go with the Bass Big Muff, as they are readily available.

As for the delay, I'd like something that doesn't muffle the delayed notes altogether (I tried a Moogerfooger delay and that muffled the notes beyond recognition). I was thinking about getting a Boss DD, but I just want to know if there are any cheaper (or around the same price) alternatives that are just as good if not better.

Thanks for your time.

[gnasher1993]

I think you'd be pretty set with an Ibanez DE-7 and an EHX Bass Big Muff.

You can always upgrade at a later date.

[Dan B]

Originally Posted by gnasher1993

I think you'd be pretty set with an Ibanez DE-7 and an EHX Bass Big Muff.

You can always upgrade at a later date.

DE-7? I tried one once and I wasn't too enthused by it (kept dying/shorting on me when I was testing it) but I'll give it another shot.

Thanks again for the help!

[gnasher1993]

Originally Posted by Dan B

(kept dying/shorting on me when I was testing it)

Definitely worth trying a different one.

Others to look for:

Boss DD-3 (they come up for good prices in the classifieds)
EHX Memory Boy/Memory Toy
Digitech Digidelay

If you want more features, be prepared to pay alot more.

[rosstanium]

Good all-purpose fuzz that you can purchase for relatively cheap is the Way Huge Swollen Pickle. Guitar Center carries that line now...so it might be worth checking out...

[Captain Scrummy]

Originally Posted by rosstanium

Good all-purpose fuzz that you can purchase for relatively cheap is the Way Huge Swollen Pickle. Guitar Center carries that line now...so it might be worth checking out...

+1. I currently have the BBM on my board, and although I like it, I'm thinking I'll either swap it for a swollen pickle or supercollider, just can't decide on which one.

[leegreenman]

i really like my bass big muff. i've been noticing some reliability issues with ehx recently though. they're great about repairing stuff however.

[vegas532]

+1 on the Swollen Pickle. It's one of the greatest "bang for the Buck" buys out there.

[MagicMan_841]

My guitarist friend bought a #1 Echo and the blend knob radically affects the volume, making this pedal hardly useable. Look at the reviews on the web, it's something everyone points out.

[*insertcoolname]

For delay, definitely go with the boss. You can find em cheap (under $80). For fuzz, I'd recommend the Way Huge. I have the BBM and it is essentially one sound. Unfortunately, that sound gets lost in the band I play in. The Way Huge looks like it has more EQ options to help cut through.

[Dan B]

The Swollen Pickle is on the pricey side but it definitely sounds like it's worth the money. I'll try to find a used one; I have $200 for pedals, and BBM, being at $80 sounds like a better deal. That said, if people say the Swollen Pickle is more useful, I'll look at that.

Too bad the Supercollider isn't available through dealers, as that would be the pedal I would get.

[TheWoodShed]

Dan,

Even though this would not be my personal; first choice, I think the Bass Big Muff is your answer. It has a mix knob and a couple of different fuzz types that you can experiment with. It is an inexpensive first option, and then if you find out that this kind of fuzz is not what you want you will have little trouble selling it without losing too much money as it is still pretty sellable. It may just be exactly what you want though, and serve your purpose just fine.

After you get that, you can get your delay pedel. Use them and mess with them a while. Then if you feel so inclined move one if these are the effects style for you. I have a Supercollider on the way, but I didn't get there overnight. I have had over a dozen different muffs, and this wilo just be another one to A/B with my current champ.

All I am saying is just don't dive in head first if you can't afford it or if money is an issue. Beside, you never know: the less expensive option can always be the one that serves your purposes the best, and you may never have to "move up".

Good luck.

[TheWoodShed]

Originally Posted by Dan B

The Swollen Pickle is on the pricey side but it definitely sounds like it's worth the money. I'll try to find a used one; I have $200 for pedals, and BBM, being at $80 sounds like a better deal. That said, if people say the Swollen Pickle is more useful, I'll look at that.

A used BBM can be had for $65.00. A used Pickle for around $120.00 I think.

Originally Posted by Dan B

Too bad the Supercollider isn't available through dealers, as that would be the pedal I would get.

Remember the SC has no dry signal. Another possible option inthe SC price range is the Blackout Effectors Musket Fuzz.

[rosstanium]

I've seen used Pickle's for $99 on the bay...

[Dan B]

Originally Posted by TheWoodShed

Dan,

Even though this would not be my personal; first choice, I think the Bass Big Muff is your answer. It has a mix knob and a couple of different fuzz types that you can experiment with. It is an inexpensive first option, and then if you find out that this kind of fuzz is not what you want you will have little trouble selling it without losing too much money as it is still pretty sellable. It may just be exactly what you want though, and serve your purpose just fine.

After you get that, you can get your delay pedel. Use them and mess with them a while. Then if you feel so inclined move one if these are the effects style for you. I have a Supercollider on the way, but I didn't get there overnight. I have had over a dozen different muffs, and this wilo just be another one to A/B with my current champ.

All I am saying is just don't dive in head first if you can't afford it or if money is an issue. Beside, you never know: the less expensive option can always be the one that serves your purposes the best, and you may never have to "move up".

Good luck.

Thanks for the response.

Anyway, I'm leaning towards the BBM right now. Yes, it has less sounds than the Swollen Pickle, however, it's easier to find (new and used), and it's much cheaper. If I can find a SP at $120, I'll get that.

As for the delay, I'm probably going to get a Boss.

Again, thanks a lot guys. This is a real learning experience, and I appreciate it.

[Swift713]

Hardwire DL-8 has great features, great sound, decent price.
I just got a used BYOC Ram's Head Muff clone with a 4 way tone selector, standard, flat response, mid hump, and tone bypass. It's pretty flexible and holds the low end.
Buy used if you can.