Best Fuzz for Active bass

[ukedealer]

Fuzz pedals all have a baked in sound so it's hard to recommend one and be confident that you'll like it. The Z.Vex Mastotron is my current favorite and is pretty affordable. I also have an Iron Ether "Oxide" and a 3Leaf "You're Doom" that are also good with active basses.

Yup, Mastotron and IE Oxide are my two weapons of choice, the Oxide is a versatile beast.
I've just started using the Brassmaster side a lot, it's raised a few eyebrows and shook a few rumps.

 

[theunknowndude]

Really digging the COG tarkin sounds. Plus it's in an adorable little 1590A enclosure. Seems like a pretty versatile pedal. Anyone have an opinion on the little tarkin versus the grand tarkin?

More versatility in the grand tarkin
And the mini can't fit a clean blend... I asked tom himself... if I was in the market for something fuzz specific I'd grab the grand tarkin as I love blend and with top mounted jacks it wouldn't be too big an enclosure

 

[96Brigadier]

I picked up my Rogue One (Grand Tarkin circuit) from the post office this afternoon and just spent an hour messing around with it. It is awesome with my Bongo (and my other basses). Definitely plays nice with active basses.

 

[Driven Crane]

I have Bongo. No problem with any of fuzzes i have had (a lot).

 

[Max Blasto]

I use nothing but active Rocoes and Spectors. The Source Audio Aftershock has worked better than anything I've tried, with honorable mention to just about any good Big Muff clone (NOT an EHX in other words). So Grey Stache, Stomp Under Foot, Muffuletta, Box of War, Tall Font Russian...etc. Had them all. All were fantastic. But now have the Aftershock.

+1 on the Aftershock.

 

[robbroncs]

+1 on the grey stache. I use it with my active jazz bass. it's brilliant. i just picked up the muffaletta after hearing almost daily praise here. haven't tried it yet on bass. but the array of choices are staggering.

 

[knumbskull]

Brassmaster circuits tend to play nice with actives due to the blend.

agreed, I was going to recommend the Malekko B:Assmaster, though it is a bit on the expensive side.

 

[vegas532]

agreed, I was going to recommend the Malekko B:Assmaster, though it is a bit on the expensive side.

There's always the Diabolik for a cheaper option.

 

[NoxNoctus]

Aftershock does swimmingly with my Warwick Thumb

 

[BassBrass]

Regardless of preference for fizzy or grindy or low end synthy growling fuzz tones, the problem with some fuzzes is what some people have called "sag", where the signal seems to get bunched up at some point (or the sound particles get stuck going through a too-small tube) and too much sag was the sign of a guitar friendly fuzz, not bass. I mostly play an active Lakland and of the pedals mentioned so far that For Me have too much sag are the Oxide and the Sasori. Keepers are TAFM, Buzzz, Mini, Caracosa, Black Arts Pharaoh, Pickle, Arc Flash, the old Blowtorch, Attack Goat, some W. Mammoth clones, (wish I still had a) Mastrotron (which has variable input) are fuzzy pedals I've used that let it all through.

 

[lz4005]

Just like active vs passive basses, I've had fuzz pedals that work very differently with single coils vs humbuckers on guitar.
What is it about fuzz circuit design that makes this happen?

 

[NSJB]

If you're looking for a more vintage sounding overdrive/fuzz; I'm really enjoying the Pike amplification Vulcan XL I recently got. I use it with my bass that's got EMGs in it and I like it better with that active bass than my jazz.

 

[K-man]

I play a Bongo. Know your dillema. The preamp is like hitting any overdrive or fuzz with an always on boost pedal. I am too lazy to cut the EQ. I am using the Your Doom and Wren and Cuff Pickle pie. Both have a clean blend which I like to balance the sound. If you looking for wooly fuzz the pickle pie or a tall font (with blend) may be worth checking out.

 

[Driven Crane]

All of this works perfect with my Bongo.

 

[Veldar]

I remember when I got my MM Bongo, a lot of pedals were sold that day...

This thread is great so far, I'm have to try out the SA pedal.

 

[eyeballkid]

After decades chasing good stoner fuzz like you describe my keepers are the Musket, Sublime, and Damnation audio mbd 1.
The TFR and Bluebeard are next, but a little more roaring than smooth wooly vintage on active bass.

 

[BassAndReeds]

Give the Vick Audio Black Russian a listen. Has a mid boost/cut/flat switch to help in a mix. Works great with my Lakland 55-02.

 

[LeoTender]

If this thread is already too old to dig up I apologise.

Anyways, does anyone know if the Earthquaker Devices Dirt Transmitter and Spires get along with active basses?

 

[JimmyM]

Why wouldn't a fuzz pedal get along with an active bass? Too much signal? They do have knobs for that sort of thing

 

[BassAndReeds]

Why wouldn't a fuzz pedal get along with an active bass? Too much signal? They do have knobs for that sort of thing

Speaking of EQing. I will say, I do prefer my OD and Fuzz with my pickups blended to the neck, and/or the highs rolled off. FWIW.