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Fuzz for a psych/stoner solo project

bassweedwizard

bassweedwizard

Jun 14, 2025
52
51
#1
i have a lot more free time, now that it’s summer, so i want to try to start a solo project
i was wondering what fuzz should i get (should work on both bass and guitar)? my budget is around $150 used
my favorite tones are stoner metal/rock like kyuss, bongzilla, and fuzz, as well as ty segall’s heavier stuff like on manipulator
ive been looking at stuff like the fuzz war and the octave clang but i’m open to other ideas
i’m also hoping to try to get into playing shoegaze stuff but still mainly psych/stoner stuff

note: my rig already has a bass big muff and a SF3000
 
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#3
There seems to be a never ending constantly evolving universe of dirt pedals, a new one every day it seems. I have a bunch on the shelves here but most often turn to Source Audio when looking to something specific or fresh, you can often find a used Aftershock in you budget.

+1 for the Fuzzrocious line the Li'l Fella packs a whallop.
 
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#4
This is the golden age of doom and stoner, the selection is so vast it's impossible to list everything or give a definitive answer.

Perhaps to start, you could look at manufacturers who specialize in heavy genres : Does it Doom, Dirt Monger Instruments, Magic Pedals/Dunwich, Fuzzlord, Idiot Box, Damnation Audio, Cosmic Terror, Earthquaquer... There are dozens more.
Focusing on pedals geared towards low tunings or bass will give you a starting point.
Another approach is to decide what type you prefer: Muff, Fuzzface, Superfuzz, Tonebender, Octave Fuzz... and see what each manufacturer offers in those categories.
You mentioned Bongzilla: Magic Pedal has a signature model; it's a bit pricey, but it's actually the "Magick Fuzz" (non-signature version) that you can find cheaper ($150 on Reverb right now).

Some cool bass and guitar reviewers

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Fuzzed Drones

Hey, how’s it going? My name is Zach. I do straight-to-the-point pedal, amp, and guitar demos. That are catered towards the doom, metal, and post-rock community.
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Rawwwburrrt's Reviews

Share your videos with friends, family, and the world
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On Bass

Gear demos on bass.
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Theo And His Pedals

Hi I'm Theo. I play bass, often poorly. I love effects and started this channel as a way to document what I've owned. On this channel we look at bass effects pedals, Bass VI, pedal combinations and getting specific tones. Go check out my other channel where I focus on using effects designed...
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SOUNDFARE

Pedals - Gear - Heavy Riffs Tips are much appreciated paypal.me/soundfare All tips will be 100% used for contentcreation on this channel
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#6
I second the DOD Carcosa, it's a really good fuzz pedal and can do a lot of different tones, once you wrap your head around the controls (I found them a bit confusing at first). But just to throw another pedal in the mix, I recently got a MXR Brown Acid and that is now my favorite. Hondo Felder's demo sold it to me and it went straight to the pedalboard:
 
#8
Might be able to find a Damnation Spite Box for $150-ish used if you want to get the octave thing. The Behringer SF300 is a well liked octave fuzz that’s dirt cheap. Not sure how durable it is but $30 gets you into Electric Wizard hyper fuzz territory.

I haven’t tried the Carcosa, but it’s been a popular TB option for a while.
 
#9
bassweedwizard said:
i have a lot more free time, now that it’s summer, so i want to try to start a solo project
i was wondering what fuzz should i get (should work on both bass and guitar)? my budget is around $150 used
my favorite tones are stoner metal/rock like kyuss, bongzilla, and fuzz, as well as ty segall’s heavier stuff like on manipulator
ive been looking at stuff like the fuzz war and the octave clang but i’m open to other ideas
i’m also hoping to try to get into playing shoegaze stuff but still mainly psych/stoner stuff

note: my rig already has a bass big muff and a SF3000
Click to expand...
Ive been really happy with the Big Muff Pi 2 bass pedal, though I admit that I really wanted the Giza DVA from Does it Doom. The price difference was just too much to justify. Out of left field, the Big Muff Op Amp pedal (the Billy Corgan special) sounds great if you aren't trying to retain the bass frequencies. Some of my bass parts are really guitar parts because there are two basses in the band, so loosing the low frequencies isn't an issue for me.
 
#10
I'd go Black Arts Toneworks, but that may stretch your budget. Their Priestess and Pharaoh fuzzes are my favorites, and work equally well on bass or guitar. I also like CMC Effects' Bubble Font, but his Reverb shop has been down lately. Those are phenomenal on bass and guitar, and about $100 new.

If you already have a bass Big Muff, that covers your bass stoner/doom needs pretty well, honestly. I'd focus on guitar. The Doom Hammer by Way Huge has massive amounts of gain and can get HM-2ish tones too. May not be great for bass needs, though. I like that on guitar paired with the Russian Pickle on bass.
 
#11
bassbrad said:
There seems to be a never ending constantly evolving universe of dirt pedals, a new one every day it seems. I have a bunch on the shelves here but most often turn to Source Audio when looking to something specific or fresh, you can often find a used Aftershock in you budget.

+1 for the Fuzzrocious line the Li'l Fella packs a whallop.
Click to expand...
I'll second the Aftershock, it can do just about anything and you get 6 presets to fill if you need different sounds or different levels of fuzz.
 
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#12
Forgot to mention RCO Pedals on Reverb. Never know what he'll have, but you can request stuff. He makes clones (sometimes upgraded) of rare or hard to get stuff, many of them boutique. Various fuzzes and other dirt are usually in stock. Excellent prices and top notch quality. I've had a few and they are wonderful.
 
#13
If you want a really over the top fuzz with octave you might give the EHX Lizard King or Lizard Queen a try. IMO you are either going to love it or hate it. Nate Navarro does a demo on Youtube, but (as usual with Nate's demos) your experience may vary.
 
#14
All great suggestions and a tough decision, everyone has a personal taste in how fuzz should sound. The above mentioned Pharaoh is awesome on bass. A smaller brand, but the Recovery Effects "Pearl" stays thick and can get very fuzzy and not too expensive. I think there is actually one in our Classifieds right now.
 
#15
A note on the Pharaoh - "flat" is tone at minimum and highs cranked. It's also relatively tame and uncolored for a fuzz. It's exactly as described - your tone, but fuzzy. Don't expect crazy highs, or a ton of extra lows added. It's absolutely an amazing fuzz, but if you want something wild, it may not be your pick.
 
#16
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bassweedwizard said:
bongzilla
Click to expand...
Double the budget but definitely a sonic contender. Linking it here just in case. There’s a used one on Reverb but not at any serious discount.
www.magicpedals.com

Bongzilla Signature Edition Magick Fuzz | Magic Pedals

*PREORDER WILL SHIP IN 4-6 WEEKS*Signature Bongzilla Edition of our infamous Magick Fuzz! Produced many of the heavy tones that can be heard on the new Weedsconsin LP and Nectar Collector 7''. This is a collaboration between with the mighty Bongzilla and warriors of metal and beer - Wake...
www.magicpedals.com www.magicpedals.com
 
#17
This has worked for me.
 

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#19
BassicJazzy said:
If you want a really over the top fuzz with octave you might give the EHX Lizard King or Lizard Queen a try. IMO you are either going to love it or hate it. Nate Navarro does a demo on Youtube, but (as usual with Nate's demos) your experience may vary.
Click to expand...
Nate kills it with the LQ! Helluva player, hadda watch a couple with him, thanks for the tip! Looking to set up a bass pedalboard (small; maybe the LQ, a boost and my Wine Cellar. All you need for a bar band gig. Will report back. Thx again for the idea!
 

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