WHo else prefer using distortion pedal for fuzz tones?

BrandonBass · #1 02-22-2011, 11:34 AM

I find that with most fuzz pedals, they seem to kill the original dynamics of my bass tone. Not that they sound bad, its just they just produces the pedal's sound and none of my original tone goes through.

I seem to have better luck with high-gained distortion pedals for over the top tones.

When do we draw the line between distortion and fuzz actually?

Jimbob Jones · #2 02-22-2011, 02:59 PM

Totally agree. I like to use fuzz for synthy sounds; essentially 'squarewaving' my signal, but for general grit, I prefer dist.

Side note: when with my band, I like to run with as little gain as possible, while still sounding distorted...it really helps you cut through IMO.

blastjv · #3 02-24-2011, 09:17 AM

I use my Aguilar Agro for this. I am not really a fuzz guy (though I just paid for a swollen pickle to try out).

-JV

Matt Dean · #4 02-24-2011, 09:21 AM

Don't judge all fuzzes based on your experience of the swollen pickle. IMO, there are many fuzzes that are much better sounding than the pickle (again, IMO/E).

blastjv · #5 02-24-2011, 09:33 AM

No, of course not, but thanks for the heads up. I have tried a few, and I tend (as the original poster seems to feel) to prefer extreme distortion to fuzz.

FWIW, I love everything I've heard with the Pickle Pie B, but since the WHSP used was less than half the price of the rare used PPB, I grabbed that to experiment with.

-JV

pejsaboy · #6 02-24-2011, 10:04 AM

I don't have a lot of effects experience yet, but I'm currently using a very modded DS-1 for my dirt needs. Generally it's set to just some mild grit, but I can easily get some pretty hairy fuzz by cranking it up. The only actual fuzz pedal I've ever tried was my guitarist's swollen pickle. I probably messed with it for 10 minutes (which isn't enough), but I didn't even get close to a sound I thought I could refine and work with.

At least based on the videos I've watched and listened to, I generally prefer the distortion pedals to the fuzz pedals. For me, the fuzz is usually too extreme, but I continue to listen to both types and keep a mental list of everything I'd like to try out someday.

kaputsport · #7 02-24-2011, 10:52 AM

I use all grit. Distortion, Fuzz, OD, square wave, synthy grit...

Anything that makes tone.

runmikeyrun · #8 02-24-2011, 12:32 PM

I also use a heavily modded Boss DS-1 for my sound. With the combination of a boss eq I get a cranked-vintage-SVT-about-to-blow sound.

For an outright amp about to blow up sound I'd recommend a green russian muff. I had one, it seriously sounded like my amp was about to fry at any second. Thick, huge, bassy, tons of low mids, and FUZZ. I'm warning you though, they are EXPENSIVE and the sound varies quite a bit from one unit to another.

Crystalman85 · #9 02-24-2011, 10:00 PM

I like using distortion on bass. personally I like my distortions smooth and heavy. considering that I play hard rock and heavy metal, distortion effects suits me well. I also like fizzy high-gained fuzzes and recently I got in to warm overdrive sounds. other than that, I like smooth and heavy distortions. I've recently bought a digitech bp355 and I was able to create the distortion effects that I like. I've also have recorded sound samples of the digitech bp355 on my soundclick website. here's the link to my soundclick website if anyone here is curious how the digitech bp355 sounds.

www.soundclick.com/crystalman85

feel free to check it out.

vegas532 · #10 02-24-2011, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blastjv

No, of course not, but thanks for the heads up. I have tried a few, and I tend (as the original poster seems to feel) to prefer extreme distortion to fuzz.

FWIW, I love everything I've heard with the Pickle Pie B, but since the WHSP used was less than half the price of the rare used PPB, I grabbed that to experiment with.

-JV

And please don't judge the Swollen Pickle by the "stock setting". This is the main reason that people who try it once don't like it. Crack her open and mess with the internal settings.

Mark Olson · #11 02-24-2011, 11:25 PM

Since I use a tube amp, I prefer just a clean boost to get my fuzz sound in tandem with cranking my amp. Sounds like this:

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page...songID=9963807

blastjv · #12 02-25-2011, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vegas532

And please don't judge the Swollen Pickle by the "stock setting". This is the main reason that people who try it once don't like it. Crack her open and mess with the internal settings.

Definitely. I'm a knob tweaker, and I have a Pork Loin, so I know about and use the internal pots, too.

I did try a Swollen Pickle at Sam Ash a while ago, and didn't love it, but didn't get to mess with the internal pots, and wasn't using any of my own gear, so I thought it was worth a try with my gear.

-JV

chanson · #13 02-25-2011, 01:16 PM

I generally prefer to use a distorted tone to a fuzz tone. And that for me is a cranked tube amp and a Fulltone OCD v3. Got a Marshall Guvnor clone kit coming too, that should be fun.

I agree and understand that every fuzz pedal is different, and don't get me wrong, I love my Bluebeard, but to me too much fuzz just gets murky and a little lost in the mix. While it fits sometimes, I prefer to use it as an effect, and not as my main tone, ya dig? When the going gets tough and it needs to get heavy real quick, I like to stomp out some fuzz, but to me fuzz generally doesn't have enough definition or clarity unless it's very slow and very heavy. Faster basslines get pretty muddy with fuzz as well, IMO of course.

ZubenElGenubi · #14 02-25-2011, 01:33 PM

I'm using an Ibanez Turbo Tubescreamer (TS9DX) in "Hot" mode and with the tone set to the midpoint (12 o'clock). This adds a layer of distortion that seems float over - and preserve - the bass tone better than the other modes.

Most of what my band is covering doesn't have use for a fuzz, but I'm pretty sure I'll get one in the near future, just haven't settled on one yet.

**grygrx** · #15 02-25-2011, 02:37 PM

I love me some pickle, but its not a pedal thats really even pretending to maintain dynamics and distinct personality of your equipment. Most fuzz pedals are trying to get over-the-top saturation, and if thats something you don't like... well, thats why you prefer distortion. I think Fuzz (in general) isn't a great full band mix effect and works better in intros, breakdowns, songs that focus around it, and non-traditional band arrangements. If you want a little dirt, and you still want to be heard as a distinct instrument in a full band... fuzz is usually NOT the way to go.