Synthy Fuzz Sound for Active Basses

[thesmallprint]

I've been looking for a while now for something that will give me a sound similar to the Woolly Mammoth but that will work on active basses. I thought I had found it with the Devi Ever Bass Fuzz but then read that it had the same problem.

From what I have read the best options would be either the Flying Tomato or the MXR Blowtorch. I don't really want to have to deal with the size and 18V requirements of the latter though. Any other suggestions or is the flying tomato my best bet?

I guess I am after the Muse Hysteria/Time is Running Out or Radiohead sound.

Any input would be appreciated!

[gnasher1993]

Guyatone TZ-2. Don't be put off by the low price tag, it is truly awesome!

[thesmallprint]

Originally Posted by gnasher1993

Guyatone TZ-2. Don't be put off by the low price tag, it is truly awesome!

Yeh I actually already have one of those, it sounds awesome but it is sooooo noisy! Is yours the same?

[takfar]

Chunk Systems Brown Dog can do both synthy and "sloppy".

I'd have bought the Blowtorch myself, if it wasn't for the freaky power requirements.

[thesmallprint]

The Brown Dog looks really cool but is also really expensive! I also have no need for the blend capabilities and am a bit scared at the lack of tonal controls.

What about the GI/Neo Fuzz from MI audio? (another Aussie company)

[gnasher1993]

Originally Posted by thesmallprint

Yeh I actually already have one of those, it sounds awesome but it is sooooo noisy! Is yours the same?

Yeah it is kinda noisy but I can cope with it to be honest

[Jateca]

Originally Posted by thesmallprint

The Brown Dog looks really cool but is also really expensive! I also have no need for the blend capabilities and am a bit scared at the lack of tonal controls.

What about the GI/Neo Fuzz from MI audio? (another Aussie company)

I'd advise against the brown dog if the sound you like comes from a mammoth. They're very different fuzzes and personally I don't care for the brown dog much.


I had the same problem as yourself and the solution has come from http://www.argerfx.com.

You can see photos of my pedal which is a capricorn plus that sounds very similar to a wooly mammoth (but not exactly the same) and comes with a pickup simulator circuit so that it works with active basses.

[TheMutt]

The OLC Chunky Cheese is another option. It's based off the Lovetone Big Cheese and has tone control as well as a gated mode. There's been a review posted on it recently. When it comes to my mind though, the Brown Dog nails Radiohead sounds dead on (The National Anthem!) without the need of a tone control.

[thesmallprint]

Originally Posted by gnasher1993

Yeah it is kinda noisy but I can cope with it to be honest

Yeh I may keep it anyway it's definitely got a wikid sound!

Originally Posted by Jateca

I'd advise against the brown dog if the sound you like comes from a mammoth. They're very different fuzzes and personally I don't care for the brown dog much.


I had the same problem as yourself and the solution has come from http://www.argerfx.com.

You can see photos of my pedal which is a capricorn plus that sounds very similar to a wooly mammoth (but not exactly the same) and comes with a pickup simulator circuit so that it works with active basses.

WOW! That sounds amazing! I am majorly GASing. Expensive though...

Originally Posted by TheMutt

The OLC Chunky Cheese is another option. It's based off the Lovetone Big Cheese and has tone control as well as a gated mode. There's been a review posted on it recently. When it comes to my mind though, the Brown Dog nails Radiohead sounds dead on (The National Anthem!) without the need of a tone control.

I really like the look of that (but I have very little electrical experience). Colin Greenwood uses it though!!!!

[Jateca]

Originally Posted by thesmallprint

WOW! That sounds amazing! I am majorly GASing. Expensive though...

Cheaper than a mammoth though, and come with a custom paint job included in the price.

[JMDT]

Originally Posted by thesmallprint

I've been looking for a while now for something that will give me a sound similar to the Woolly Mammoth but that will work on active basses. I thought I had found it with the Devi Ever Bass Fuzz but then read that it had the same problem.

From what I have read the best options would be either the Flying Tomato or the MXR Blowtorch. I don't really want to have to deal with the size and 18V requirements of the latter though. Any other suggestions or is the flying tomato my best bet?

I guess I am after the Muse Hysteria/Time is Running Out or Radiohead sound.

Any input would be appreciated!

One note here. The woolly mamoth will not give you the Hysteria sound if that is that is what you are looking for.

If you want a Muse Hysteria sound here is how chris got it. He had a blend of these three channels:

1. channel with Big Muff Pi
2. channel with Akai Deep Impact
3. clean channel

Now if you like the woolly mammoth sound, then that is a whole different story. If you want an active friendly synthy fuzz check out the Electronix Messdrive (now discontinued).

If you really want the mammoth sound, you won't be satisfied unless you bite the bullet and get the mammoth and a passive bass it will play with or a box to change the input impedance to the mammoth.

[chrisp2u]

Originally Posted by JMDT

...or a box to change the input impedance to the mammoth.

This works quite well for me...

http://www.bargeconcepts.com/glzbv.html

---
c

[JMDT]

Originally Posted by chrisp2u

This works quite well for me...

http://www.bargeconcepts.com/glzbv.html

---
c

I'll have to keep that in mind. I want a mammoth, but can't bring myself to spend that much yet.

(I did look up the schematic and source the parts and come to the conclusion that I could build one of these for ~$40. I've not tried pedal building yet, but seriously this schematic does not look that hard. It could be a fun first build. If I screw up several times its still cheaper than purchasing the thing new. Now finding the time. )

[TheMutt]

Originally Posted by thesmallprint

I really like the look of that (but I have very little electrical experience). Colin Greenwood uses it though!!!!

Woah you're right! He used it on a live performance of The National Anthem even. As far as electrical experience, you can buy it as a kit, or assembled.

[Valerus]

try out the zvex mastotron

[ScottB.]

B:assmaster

[iualum]

...Noise Box...

[thesmallprint]

Originally Posted by JMDT

One note here. The woolly mamoth will not give you the Hysteria sound if that is that is what you are looking for.

If you want a Muse Hysteria sound here is how chris got it. He had a blend of these three channels:

1. channel with Big Muff Pi
2. channel with Akai Deep Impact
3. clean channel

Now if you like the woolly mammoth sound, then that is a whole different story. If you want an active friendly synthy fuzz check out the Electronix Messdrive (now discontinued).

If you really want the mammoth sound, you won't be satisfied unless you bite the bullet and get the mammoth and a passive bass it will play with or a box to change the input impedance to the mammoth.

I am not looking exactly to recreate the Hysteria tone, but its the synthy overtone sound that I'm looking for (I could do it already though as I use a Boss LS2 to blend my Big Muff and TZ-2 already, I'm just looking for something that sounds a bit different than the TZ-2). I think he actually used a Roland synth to get that sound and live he plays over a backing track (otherwise it would be pretty messy with a fast line like that).

I'm not looking for something that replicates the Mammoth sound, but it would be a contender for the pedal I'm going to buy if it was active friendly (hopefully that makes sense).

[Bassist30]

You may want to try the Team_Awesome Fuzz Machine. I listen to it at first on Bassfuzz.com
To me its a great fuzz for active and non active basses. The price is nice at 185.00 but it compares to the higher priced ones. I like a few things about it. Has lots of different fuzz sounds. Has trim pots to adjust the sound as well as the usual front knobs. And you can blend your clean and dirty signal. The bottom end is impressive. You may also try the new pigtronixs one which the name i can't remember. You can look it up. I heard the clip and it sounded pretty good for 189.00. But again you may want to check into bassfuzz and hear the awesome fuzz machine. It may be something you like although you can adjust it more than what you will hear but he does a pretty good job with getting you the idea of what its all about.

[Grimoire]

Don't know the Hysteria tone at all, but the Prunes & Custard is a good synthy fuzz type of sound, albeit quite different to a lot of the other pedals mentioned here, and therefore probably not exactly what you are after. It works well with actives nonetheless.