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Fuzz recommendation

jtharp

jtharp

May 25, 2008
169
168
Berkeley, CA
#1
Hi, I play funk/rock/jazz and have always used a pretty clean tone until now. I'm considering buying a fuzz pedal, to add some subtle distortion where applicable, but nothing even close to doomy. Does anyone have a good recommendation for a fuzz that would sound good with the above genres when only cranked to about 20%?

I've been considering the dark arts pharaoh, so any thoughts on that would be appreciated as well.

Thanks!
 
#2
You probably want a good Overdrive not a fuzz. A fuzz tends to be at the harsh and heavier side of distortion. A isn't subtle...an overdrive can be. Most over drives can do fuzz at the heavier settings. My choices would be a OCDv3, blueberry or Wampler Euphoria. If you want something more versatile and cheaper, a Joyo American sound.
 
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#3
jtharp said:
Hi, I play funk/rock/jazz and have always used a pretty clean tone until now. I'm considering buying a fuzz pedal, to add some subtle distortion where applicable, but nothing even close to doomy. Does anyone have a good recommendation for a fuzz that would sound good with the above genres when only cranked to about 20%?

I've been considering the dark arts pharaoh, so any thoughts on that would be appreciated as well.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

I think the TAFM run at low gain sounds incredible. It is such a versatile fuzz, it should be able to fit into virtually any genre you want it to.
 
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#4
GMC said:
You probably want a good Overdrive not a fuzz. A fuzz tends to be at the harsh and heavier side of distortion. A isn't subtle...an overdrive can be. Most over drives can do fuzz at the heavier settings. My choices would be a OCDv3, blueberry or Wampler Euphoria. If you want something more versatile and cheaper, a Joyo American sound.
Click to expand...

The reason I've been leaning towards fuzz is the versatility of tones that some models have. I also run a tc amp which has the tube tone overdrive emulator in it, though it isn't great. I had considered an overdrivy preamp di, but decided on a sadowsky and fuzz pedal instead for more versatility
 
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#6
jtharp said:
I'm considering buying a fuzz pedal, to add some subtle distortion where applicable, but nothing even close to doomy. Does anyone have a good recommendation for a fuzz that would sound good with the above genres when only cranked to about 20%? Thanks!
Click to expand...

I don't think you understand what an Overdrive or a Fuzz is. A good over drive will do exactly what you have asked...and that is what you are realy asking for. Subtle, where applicable...but not doomy. Fuzz IS doomy...

Having a bundled overdrive model on your amp is NOT what you are looking for. You need a GOOD overdrive, usually made with an analogue circuit. Although the Source Audio OFD is about the only digital pedal which breaks that mold.

In your thinking replace the word "fuzz" with dirt....and accept that there are three types of dirt...overdrive, fuzz and distortion. Each one does different things...what your needs have asked for is a good overdrive...you won't get that sound from a fuzz. A fuzz does different things and is mostly an ex-stream type of distortion, a "fuzzy" noise, mostly in the "doomy" end of the scale.
 
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#11
If you do decide on a fuzz..

..Aguilar Fuzzistor and MXR Bass Fuzz Deluxe are fantastic at adding just a bit of fizz on top. Both have clean blends which is very important to get what you're looking for. That way you can dial in as little as you want. I'll add the Fuzzistor has probably the biggest bottom end of any pedal I've ever used!
 
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#13
+1 Overdrive
+1 Blend
I love my Gemini Drive and SFT clone. You may even like a TS9B
I had a pickle pie, fantastic face melter, wasn't thrilled with its subtle efforts. It just couldn't ditch that chainsaw fuzz tone. That blend circuit is perfect though!
 
#14
GMC said:
I don't think you understand what an Overdrive or a Fuzz is. A good over drive will do exactly what you have asked...and that is what you are realy asking for. Subtle, where applicable...but not doomy. Fuzz IS doomy...

Having a bundled overdrive model on your amp is NOT what you are looking for. You need a GOOD overdrive, usually made with an analogue circuit. Although the Source Audio OFD is about the only digital pedal which breaks that mold.

In your thinking replace the word "fuzz" with dirt....and accept that there are three types of dirt...overdrive, fuzz and distortion. Each one does different things...what your needs have asked for is a good overdrive...you won't get that sound from a fuzz. A fuzz does different things and is mostly an ex-stream type of distortion, a "fuzzy" noise, mostly in the "doomy" end of the scale.
Click to expand...

I run low gain fuzz as an OD all the time. In fact, one of my favourite overdrive tones is a TAFM run at low gain. Conversely, I sometimes use my Mini (an OD pedal) at high gain/low bias to get a fuzzy tone. There was also a recent thread around here with people talking about how much they enjoy using the Wren & Cuff TFR at low gain as an OD. Again, it sounds great. I should add that a nice feature of the TAFM (and another reason why I recommend it) is that you can run it at lower gain for some smooth OD tones, and then when you kick on the gate switch, the gain gets maxed out to give you a classic "fuzz" effect. In other words, you've got 2 pedals in one.

I've got multiple fuzz pedals on my board at all times, and I wouldn't consider any of them to make sounds that resemble doomy-ness at all. I could probably get into a doomy range by doing some stacking of them though.

I will agree that there are many better sounds available out there than the TC's amp emulation, but by no means should "fuzz" pedals be ruled out.

If in the end the OP decides to not go with a fuzz pedal (which IMO he should do), there are umpteen great OD pedals out there, like the Fairfield Barbershop, or the ss/bs Mini...everyone will have their own favourite flavour to mention and suggest I'm sure.
 
#16
Wren & Cuff Tall Font Russian. I got mine with a clean blend (can be requested). I run it at lower gain settings frequently, and I get a very nice "overdrive" effect out of it by keeping the tone knob rolled back and the gain down. No harsh doom here. It can get nasty, if that is what you want. Honestly, I'm not sure I'd get the clean blend if I were to buy it again. It is nice, but I don't use it all the time, nor "need" it.
 
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