Swollen Pickle mkII vs. MXR Bass Fuzz Deluxe

[soontobedead]

Hey guys,

I'm playing on a really heavy, groovy stoner / doom band (Sleep, Ufommamut, Melvins, Kyuss and the such), so I'm on the search for a new fuzz pedal and I have run into these 2 choices. They're in my price range and seem pretty nice with good features on their own (I like the versatility of the Swollen Pickle and the wet/dry knobs on the MXR).

Which one do you like the most? Which tone do you enjoy more? Is the MXR capable of unleashing the massive gain and low end you get from the SP? Is the SP capable of equalling the definition of the MXR with the blend knob?

Any info would be awesome. Much thanks!

[vegas532]

That are both incredibly versatile pedals, but both have a completely different vibe. If you really want to bring "the wall of fuzz", it's hard to wrong with the SP. However, if you'll be doing anything at a quicker pace, the BFD is much better for that definition.

You can't go wrong with either one, it just really depends on what your basic fuzz need is going to be.

[blindrabbit]

I would think that the great guys over in the Stoner/Doom thread would be fantastic resources and provide many excellent suggestions for you on this topic. They know their fuzz like no others.

[Mattbass97]

I'd check out the ehx bass big muff deluxe, it's capable of huge fuzz and low end and even has a setting by ehx for stoner aha I have the bass fuzz deluxe and I can definitely say the ehx fuzz is way stronger and it's got all the bells and whistles you'd need

[G3Mitch]

Originally Posted by vegas532

That are both incredibly versatile pedals, but both have a completely different vibe. If you really want to bring "the wall of fuzz", it's hard to wrong with the SP. However, if you'll be doing anything at a quicker pace, the BFD is much better for that definition.

You can't go wrong with either one, it just really depends on what your basic fuzz need is going to be.

right on the money.

Swollen pickle has been my fuzz of choice for well over a year now. I use an Xotic X blender if i need the note definition and can switch that off for the 'all out fuzz' if i want. There are a ridiculous amount of different tones in that pedal, its almost annoying - took me about 6 months to find the sweet spot that worked for me. totally worth it.

[Nno Mar]

The Swollen pickle is a really nice fuzz and very versatile.

The MXR Bass Fuzz Deluxe is simply a weak pedal (IMO). The distorted sound is horrible. If you take out the dry signal the pedal simply loses all strenght..

[VeganThump]

I play in a similar type of band, I tried the bass fuzz deluxe and found it a little too mellow sounding for my liking, now I just use my Black Russian Muff. If I were you rhough, I'd check out the fuzzrocious grey stache though, it's a much loved, muff-like fuzz that really will only cost you a bit more than a BFD.

[soontobedead]

Very helpful, as always.

I'm thinking of the Swollen Pickle a bit more... I don't need to be too busy and the extra gain and low end will be useful to fill up sonic space (forgot to tell. It´s a power trio). If I need a cleaner tone with a bit of hair, I can always use the OD tones from the VT bass.

Thanks a lot, guys!

[xfredrikx]

Verellen Big Spider

[MICKUSS]

I love my Swollen Pickle. It's great for massive, slower, doomy parts. It gets a bit choppy if you're playing fast. That's why I bought a Green Rhino OD to go with it!

[mc_muench]

Originally Posted by blindrabbit

I would think that the great guys over in the Stoner/Doom thread would be great resources and provide many excellent suggestions for you on this topic.

Yes come on over!!!

Stoner/Doom Bassists Thread Pt. 44 Magnum.. the big boys.

Otherwise the Sanford and Sonny Bluebeard and/or Heavy Electronics El Oso is the standard S/D thread combo...even though I have neither.




Rev DOOM

[droo46]

Another vote for the Pickle. Much more aggressive than the MXR pedal.

[barroso]

To me both would be great pedals for Your needs.
I love Ufomammut!!

[TussinBot.]

go with the sp. for doom, muffs work. the bfd is a quality pedal though and suits my playing style better than any muffs have. that being said, i may have to pick another one up just to have around. definitely need to revisit the PPB which has been my favorite muff so far (SP variant with blend), maybe a musket as well which I havent tried.

[q5bass]

+1 for the Swollen Pickle.

[Laurent]

Over the two I prefer thw swollen pickle.
You have to play with the internal controls to get the most out of this pedal and since they interact with each other, that takes time. That being said unless you are looking for a plug and play pedal, the SP is amazing. Highly recommended.

And watch your speakers, the pedal is capable of so much gain and bass that it could put your drivers in trouble!

[PawleeP]

Originally Posted by Nno Mar

The Swollen pickle is a really nice fuzz and very versatile.

The MXR Bass Fuzz Deluxe is simply a weak pedal (IMO). The distorted sound is horrible. If you take out the dry signal the pedal simply loses all strenght..

wonder if anyone else feels same way about the MXR, sounds like it has nice features, but if fuzz isn't that good it may be a waste of time.. pp

[VeganThump]

I bought and quickly returned it. It's a very mellow fuzz IMO, I prefer a buzzsaw, muff type fuzz myself, YMMV though.

[HolmeBass]

SP is totally lardacious. I have not tried the MXR product. I have been real happy with a TAFM, which can develop quite a bit of gain and has a clean blend. Lots of tones in the TAFM.

[mouthmw]

SP sounds great but I found it very finicky with the volume in live use. Always either a bit too quiet or too loud. Also used it in a power trio band. It's very versatile but a lot of tones were very meh until you hit the sweet spot. Definitely sounds very stoner though. I literally shook the stage with it once - hard beast to control, too much hassle. I'm actually currently planning on getting the mxr bfd.