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Classification of Fuzzes.

#23
Snaxster said:
Hi DC. I am no fuzz expert. My recent focus has been overdrive and distortion. As a bassist I like fuzz, but I struggle with playing with it convincingly. Years ago (about 30 years ago!), I used Big Muff some. A few years ago I owned and liked a Devi Ever Shoe Gazer. That's about it. My current fuzz activity:

8. Tonebenders: Today I ordered a Jext Telez Dizzy Tone V4. The website says V4 is sold out, but earlier today they still had a few for sale on eBay and Reverb. I liked some of the sounds in the MrExcane demo video and went for it. The Dizzy Tone should get me closer to my Robert Fripp/Burns Buzzaround sonic roots.

2. Octafuzzes (+1): Last week I stumbled on the Rabbit Hole FX Link Removed. Though I have yet to buy one, I liked some of the sound demo with 5-string bass and their description of the pedal (“super fat growling synth fuzz, ripping upper-octave riff-inspiring thick fuzz and chaotic inter-modulating sonic destruction... all the while being highly sensitive to playing dynamics and remaining free of noise.”)

Addendum: You could add 9. Bit crushers.
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Thanks so much for the Rabbit Hole FX mention! I can't wait to get the Chaosmic Fuzz into the hands of my fellow bassists (and guitarists too)! The first run will be ready mid-September, fwiw.
 
#24
I don't know what family the Team Awesome Fuzz Machine fits into but it is a pretty unique sounding fuzz with some really fun options. It has a gated boost, but it isn't a super choked fuzz like some of the things Zvex makes. If you are interested in "different" fuzzes I would definitely put the TAFM in that category.
Dunwich Amps Wizard fuzz is supposed to have its own unique voice, but the web clips I've heard of it are mixed at best. I scored one from here last week so I can tell you for sure when I get it.
Abominable Electronics has a gnarly octave fuzz called the Toke Machine.
 
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#25
What about the one that started it all, the Maestro FuzzTone?
MkI Tone Bender
Mk 1.5 Tone Bender
Vox Tone Bender
Mk II Tone Bender
Mk III Tone Bender
Mk IV Tone Bender
Fuzzrite can be wicked on bass (the Fuzz in Jaco's Acoustic amp reminds me of a Fuzzrite). So can the Shin-Ei FY-2 (ask Radiohead).
 
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#26
OP, the Wren & Cuff Tall Font Russian is an amazing pedal that I use a ton, but I wouldn't classify it as a extremely dirty fuzz - it's very mellow and lends great tone shaping/gain but it honestly sounds more like a sweet OD on everything except the most intense settings.

For gated fuzzes, I'd definitely recommend the Dr. Scientist Frazz Dazzler (you can turn off the gated fuzz on this) and the CoPilot FX Orbit (also has oscillating fuzz, extremely synthy and great with an OC-2 in front of it).

I'm dying to try out the Sasori, but I don't anticipate using fuzz for much with my current project and my two fuzzes have me covered - Sasori would be sweet for nailing those Radiohead "All I Need"/"Exit Music" tones, I bet.
 
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#27
socialleper said:
I don't know what family the Team Awesome Fuzz Machine fits into but it is a pretty unique sounding fuzz with some really fun options. It has a gated boost, but it isn't a super choked fuzz like some of the things Zvex makes. If you are interested in "different" fuzzes I would definitely put the TAFM in that category.
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Fuzz Face.

BTW, when is MXR going to make a Bass Fuzz Face? I just want a simple FF that sounds good for bass and is in a 1590b size box. Had the TAFM, loved it, but too big and don't need gated fuzz.
 
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#29
I currently use Wren & Cuff Tri Pie 70 -based on the Triangle muff
And
Mojo Hand Colossus - based on Russian/Civil War muff

I really dig both

In the past I've had green and black Russian big muffs, bass big muff, mxr blow torch and fuzz factory.

Torch was fun but too much going on with it. Real muffs have their obvious short comings with getting lost in the mix.
Fuzz factory was garbage
 
#33
2. Octafuzzes (+1): Wounded Paw Battering Ram. v2.6 includes a foot switch to turn on/off the octave effect.

MI Audio Neo Fuzz, this is an original design so I don't know which classification it would fit in. But a very nice, creamy vintage fuzz. Pretty sure it's now out of production, though.

If you haven't already seen it, you might find this website useful BassFuzz.com
 

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