Super Fuzz Unicord?

smo · #1 07-20-2008, 08:31 AM

Hi all,

I usually don't like to post eBay stuff (due to it driving prices up), but I'll bet there's not too many willing to drop that many wheelbarrows of cash for this one.......

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWA:IT&ih=017

Anyone ever tried one?
IS IT the greatest fuzz ever?

wdinc01 · #2 07-20-2008, 08:36 AM

For what it's worth, I've never heard that particular fuzz.

However, I'm convinced that this is the greatest fuzz in the word:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZViQ2H-5s4

As for auction, for price like that, I don't what condition it's in. I want a battery cover! And by Geddy, it better be carved out of mammoth tusk!

**grygrx** · #3 07-20-2008, 08:54 AM

1) The superfuzz is a great circuit. I'm not convinced that the modern variations aren't better though.

2) David Main @ D*A*M is building a buzzaround clone (fuzzaround I believe). It's supposed to be really good, but damn near impossible to get one. That said, not sure it would sound good on bass.

wdinc01 · #4 07-20-2008, 09:23 AM

Yeah the guy in the YouTube link posted pictures of the circuit board on an effects building forum. Those guys pretty much figure out all the schematics (although it seems like everyone has their own version of it). He actually managed to build a clone, which he posted another video of.

As I understand it, it's probably expensive to clone as it requires three germanium transistors. But if there were actually a bass version, or if I knew it sounded good on bass, it'd definitely be my first choice.

smo · #5 07-20-2008, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grygrx

1) The superfuzz is a great circuit. I'm not convinced that the modern variations aren't better though.

I've found this is the way with a lot of vintage stuff.
The main thing I've seen (so far) is that many of the 'vintage' stuff won't always handle a really hot active bass....

Some older gear attracts interest/hype, just by being old - yet some of it truly deserves the hype it receives. Thanks to the internet, hype travels far and wide!

Quote:

Originally Posted by grygrx

2) David Main @ D*A*M is building a buzzaround clone (fuzzaround I believe). It's supposed to be really good, but damn near impossible to get one.

Maybe try out your best "Angus Young" accent

Quote:

Originally Posted by wdinc01

But if there were actually a bass version, or if I knew it sounded good on bass, it'd definitely be my first choice.

That's what tends to hold me back on any pedal buy - no try/sound clip = no $$$.
Given the reach of the internet - I'm surprised that every manufacturer doesn't have lots of sound clip links on their pages.

smo · #6 07-20-2008, 10:26 AM

Well - I've just gone back to the original eBay site.
When I first saw the ad - The price was listed at $40,000.
But it sold for $400.

Hmmmmmmm..........

kevteop · #7 07-20-2008, 10:29 AM

I've never tried a Superfuzz. Always wanted to though, just because these guys liked it so much.

wdinc01 · #8 07-20-2008, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smo

That's what tends to hold me back on any pedal buy - no try/sound clip = no $$$.
Given the reach of the internet - I'm surprised that every manufacturer doesn't have lots of sound clip links on their pages.

Yeah no kidding. But manufacturers may not have the time or resources to be able to pull that off. And even still, they'll do their best to make their pedal sound good. Which is why I depend on YouTube and guys like Grygrx to give an overview of how something works and some of the different settings a pedal will have.

But then again, you can't please everybody. Some people want to know what it sounds like with X bass equipped with Y pick ups. I'm usually good with whatever demos I get because I assume it'll sound close with my bass going through it. I just have to worry about whether it can handle an active signal without getting screwy (and usually it can).

Really I think the biggest problem is that the idea that effects are only for guitar is still in a lot of people's minds. I see this quickly changing because MXR and EHX are both releasing more bass pedals, and you've got bands like Muse using effects. I'm not saying it wasn't there before, it's just that the market is getting bigger and more accessible. Hopefully we can get someone like ProGuitarShop to start doing reviews with bass on like every pedal you can imagine.

smo · #9 07-20-2008, 08:54 PM

Well said.

And yeah - Mudhoney are cool.

As to grygrx - cheers for the fuzz reviews, I'm really enjoying them so far.

markjazzbassist · #10 07-20-2008, 09:57 PM

i own one. and it's actually a Univox Superfuzz (i think you put unichord).

Best Fuzz, i don't know. I don't think there is a best fuzz out there. But it sure is cool sounding. The tone selector gives you 2 different sounds fuzzes (one more trebly and high, the other more middy to low sounding).

I've really loved playing with that thing, you can get some serious GNARLY tones out of it.

If you can find one in a vintage guitar store (usually carry vintage pedals too) and try it, you'll understand. it's kinda a hard pedal to explain.