• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

B:assmaster...anyone using one?

I'm intrugued by the B:assmaster reissue of the original Brassmaster fuzz/harmonic overtone box (as used by Chris Squire and Flea). Anyone using one in their board? ....and how??
I had one for quite a while and had the fortunate opportunity to try the silicon and germanium versions side by side. I ended up going with the silicon myself as it was a little bit more aggressive and gnarly. Ended up flipping it for something else because although I loved the pedal by itself but anytime I used it I got pretty lost on the mix with my band for whatever reason. Even with the clean blend.

Overall though it's a damn cool fuzz though
 
  • Like
Reactions: RodneyMac
I have the sil version. Love it!! Haven't had it that long but I'm really happy it's on my board. Really unique fuzz and worth having one. The Diabolik is a smaller version of the b:mass and am still thinking about swapping the two out. Time will tell. I also tried the VFE wood chipper which was cool too. But the b:ass is better IMO. Loud, mean, punchy, gated and vicious. I highly recommend it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: RodneyMac
Love my silicon one. Little big, but power is easy. I got mine with the expression input and use a Robot Factory LFO Mod Bot, so I can get a swirly fuzz sound with the clock of a switch. Got it from a great TB'er modded already so I don't know how much it is or the wait time from Malekko.

Even still, it's a great sound whenever you want heavy but not insane. Classic fuzz tone to my ears; what comes to mind when y oh think fuzz. Not a bad but. Plenty used for fair prices here.
 
I just ordered a GGG Brassmaster PCB and all the component to build it up. From what I've read, Malekko's first units were built on the same PCB, which had some errors which have since been fixed.

I'm hoping it will complement my Green Russian Big Muff nicely.
 
  • Like
Reactions: gregmon79
I had a silicon B:Assmaster and now have a Diabolik (the small-chassis version with a couple fewer controls). It's currently my only fuzz and keeps beating out others for the space. Mine's set pretty much near 9:00 on all three knobs (1/4 of the way up) and it's all the fuzz I need for pretty much anything I can think of to put fuzz on.
 
  • Like
Reactions: gregmon79
I've tried the Silicon, Germanium, and Double Germanium. I've stuck with the Silicon because of it's aggressiveness, bright midrange voice, and consistency. The Germaniums have an interesting character to them, but tend to be a little touchy. The magic of the B:Assmaster is how they sit in a mix, and also its gating capabilities. Its my go-to fuzz for most things and my #1 with hollowbodies.

 
I just ordered a GGG Brassmaster PCB and all the component to build it up. From what I've read, Malekko's first units were built on the same PCB, which had some errors which have since been fixed.

I'm hoping it will complement my Green Russian Big Muff nicely.

I have the BG EAND muff fuzz next to my B:Ass, and I love it! With the EAND, B:Ass, BLower Box, BG Bedlam drive and the a VIck white faces rat reissue clone (with a dont shred on me by Abominable on its way to replace the VIck), I have all the fuzz I need and the B:ass is the unique one that does indeed compliment all other dirt pedals on my board.
 
  • Like
Reactions: vegas532
I have the BG EAND muff fuzz next to my B:Ass, and I love it! With the EAND, B:Ass, BLower Box, BG Bedlam drive and the a VIck white faces rat reissue clone (with a dont shred on me by Abominable on its way to replace the VIck), I have all the fuzz I need and the B:ass is the unique one that does indeed compliment all other dirt pedals on my board.
Getting a little OT, but I've also it the stuff for a mini OD250 and ROG Ginger build on the way, so I'm going to be in stackable dirt heaven finally.
 
  • Like
Reactions: gregmon79
I had many B:Assmasters in the past, but I actually prefer GGG kit version. Both are very similar, but GGG is tiny bit brighter and open sounding. Here's the last one I've built :)

Invalid Link Removed

Nice. What size enclosure is that? I bought a cool enclosure from Small Bear, their Bare Box #2. Based on pics I've seen of it compared to a 1590BB, it'll be an excellent size, and will break the monotony of all the plain rectangles on my board.

Putting in a 8mm violet LED because, well, why not? If they would've had plastic, knurled-shaft pots, I totally would've used them for the sheer ridiculousness of a big box with teeny little knobs.
 
I had many B:Assmasters in the past, but I actually prefer GGG kit version. Both are very similar, but GGG is tiny bit brighter and open sounding. Here's the last one I've built :)

Invalid Link Removed


Man.. I tried to make one of these once and failed hard... I'll try again some day. Should not have tried to make that my second build. Lots of parts and off board wiring that my brain wasn't ready for at the time.
 
I also have one of the GGG kits, and it compares very well to my original Brassmaster in sound. Here's a photo of Chris Squire's BBM.

Bassically, Michael

CS BBM.jpg
 
The kit isn't really that hard to build, good luck! :) I used Hammond 1590P1 enclosure, but fitting the kit inside was a nightmare. I personally would recommend 1590J.

Or make it big :)
Invalid Link Removed

It just shouldn't have been my second attempt at a build. There's a lot of parts to pay attention to and I wasn't prepared to troubleshoot at the time. I plan on giving it another go now that I'm a bit better with building.
 

Latest posts