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Fuzz that's warm, heavy, with definition and thump?

SumOne

SumOne

Oct 26, 2017
299
456
London, UK
#1
There are 100's of fuzz threads (I think I've read most of them while I'm 'working' from home) but perhaps someone can help my quest for my particular holy grail of a fuzz that's warm, harmonic and heavy sounding but also retains the 'thump' of the Bass - something that creates a wall of sound that punches you in the chest and slaps you in the face a bit but also gives you a warm hug!

I recently got a Barefoot Blueberry Queen Bee OD which I like so I'm also after something similar but more fuzzy and in your face. I'm not after anything sub & synthy (DOD meatbox), farty (wooly mammoth), high pitched (Rat), so I think it's a Muff I'm after.

I've owned EHX Big Muffs but felt they muffled (perhaps the clue's in the name?) the attack, individual notes fuzzed together in too much of a muffy mush, it lost the attack and thump defining each note. EQing after to increase the 'thump' didn't really work on the signal that had already fuzzed it away so I got a deluxe version to blend in clean tone but that kind of sounded like two instruments playing. So I got an Aftershock but mucking about for hours editing toneprints frustrated me and I never could get quite what I wanted, it felt a bit 'jack of all trades master of none' and like a programming job rather than learning the foibles of a soulful/living pedal so it didn't really float my boat.

I think I'm after something with a Green Russian fuzz tone that doesn't need a clean blend to retain the thump. I've narrowed it down to:
  • EHX Green Russian (cheapest, but perhaps too dark sounding with no mid control)
  • COG Tarkin (with mid level switches that probably help with the 'thump' and attack? Can't try one out- 6 week build time)
  • Way Huge Russian Pickle (similar features to EHX but double the cost)
  • Orange Fur Coat (perhaps a bit too bright, loses low end with octave up on (also- seems to need to be at front of pedal chain for fuzz tone rather than distortion but I have an envelope filter octaver already competing for the front spot)
  • Earthquaker Hoof (seems to tick all the boxes but most expensive)
Anyone else on a similar Fuzz quest that has an opinion on this? Perhaps I'm expecting something that fuzz doesn't do and I should stick with OD/Distortion or go back to where I started and a EHX Big Muff and do something different pre/post to give it more thump?
 
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#2
Not an ideal answer, but I've had some luck driving a low-gain muff with a treble-emphasized overdrive to bring out some clarity. I even followed up on this idea with building my own "half-muff" for the purpose; basically the first two stages of a green russian muff omitting the third clipping stage and tone stack. Less muffled but still warm and fuzzy and better allowing the overdrive tone to shine through.
 
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#3
jw23mind said:
Not an ideal answer, but I've had some luck driving a low-gain muff with a treble-emphasized overdrive to bring out some clarity. I even followed up on this idea with building my own "half-muff" for the purpose; basically the first two stages of a green russian muff omitting the third clipping stage and tone stack. Less muffled but still warm and fuzzy and better allowing the overdrive tone to shine through.
Click to expand...

Nice, want to become a pedal builder and sell me one?! I have been looking into pedal kits with the aim of one day moving on to build to my own specific taste. It's a while off (if ever!) before I get to that level of skill though. I think I what I want is a Green Russian with sweepable mids.

For the time being, I'm thinking I'll go the route of the EHX Green Russian and the money I save getting that rather than something like the Hoof will be more than enough to spend on something like an EQ pedal, or OD, or something like the Xotic RC booster if I need to boost certain frequencies before or after to help it cut through the mix....added bonus that the additional pedal can also be used to help add new tone options to my other pedals.
 
#4
A couple to add to your list.

I've tried A BUNCH of Muff based pedals, and these are a few of my favorites on bass:

Sanford & Sonny (or Robo) Blue Beard - Current Fave for ones that are obtainable
Fuzzrocious Grey Stache
Dunwich Wizard Fuzz

Broughton Pi and Calamity are freaking epic, but extremely difficult to get your hands on. If you see one of either, snatch it up. Arguably the best fit for what you are looking for.
 
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#5
gh0st42 said:
A couple to add to your list.

I've tried A BUNCH of Muff based pedals, and these are a few of my favorites on bass:

Sanford & Sonny (or Robo) Blue Beard - Current Fave for ones that are obtainable
Fuzzrocious Grey Stache
Dunwich Wizard Fuzz

Broughton Pi and Calamity are freaking epic, but extremely difficult to get your hands on. If you see one of either, snatch it up. Arguably the best fit for what you are looking for.
Click to expand...

Thanks, they all look good options, I'll keep my eye out but unfortunately they don't seem to have UK distributors so the cost creeps up to about 3x the price of an EHX Russian with postage + import tax, not sure I can justify that but hopefully someone in the UK will sell one 2nd hand at some point.
 
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#6
SumOne said:
Thanks, they all look good options, I'll keep my eye out but unfortunately they don't seem to have UK distributors so the cost creeps up to about 3x the price of an EHX Russian with postage + import tax, not sure I can justify that but hopefully someone in the UK will sell one 2nd hand at some point.
Click to expand...

Ahhh, yeah they are all pretty small boutique style builders. Import Tax makes it harder for sure.

That being said, any of those options are definitely worth 3x the price of a regular EHX muff IMHO. WAY better than the regular ones.
 
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#10
SumOne said:
There are 100's of fuzz threads (I think I've read most of them while I'm 'working' from home) but perhaps someone can help my quest for my particular holy grail of a fuzz that's warm, harmonic and heavy sounding but also retains the 'thump' of the Bass - something that creates a wall of sound that punches you in the chest and slaps you in the face a bit but also gives you a warm hug!

I recently got a Barefoot Blueberry Queen Bee OD which I like so I'm also after something similar but more fuzzy and in your face. I'm not after anything sub & synthy (DOD meatbox), farty (wooly mammoth), high pitched (Rat), so I think it's a Muff I'm after.

I've owned EHX Big Muffs but felt they muffled (perhaps the clue's in the name?) the attack, individual notes fuzzed together in too much of a muffy mush, it lost the attack and thump defining each note. EQing after to increase the 'thump' didn't really work on the signal that had already fuzzed it away so I got a deluxe version to blend in clean tone but that kind of sounded like two instruments playing. So I got an Aftershock but mucking about for hours editing toneprints frustrated me and I never could get quite what I wanted, it felt a bit 'jack of all trades master of none' and like a programming job rather than learning the foibles of a soulful/living pedal so it didn't really float my boat.

I think I'm after something with a Green Russian fuzz tone that doesn't need a clean blend to retain the thump. I've narrowed it down to:
  • EHX Green Russian (cheapest, but perhaps too dark sounding with no mid control)
  • COG Tarkin (with mid level switches that probably help with the 'thump' and attack? Can't try one out- 6 week build time)
  • Way Huge Russian Pickle (similar features to EHX but double the cost)
  • Orange Fur Coat (perhaps a bit too bright, loses low end with octave up on (also- seems to need to be at front of pedal chain for fuzz tone rather than distortion but I have an envelope filter octaver already competing for the front spot)
  • Earthquaker Hoof (seems to tick all the boxes but most expensive)
Anyone else on a similar Fuzz quest that has an opinion on this? Perhaps I'm expecting something that fuzz doesn't do and I should stick with OD/Distortion or go back to where I started and a EHX Big Muff and do something different pre/post to give it more thump?
Click to expand...

Hello. No Blueberry variant to date qualifies as fuzz, that I am aware. So not a fair fight there.

Although technically distortion and not fuzz, Fuzzrocious Rat King (currently called Cat King) should get into what you described. But you will have to work for it. As an aside, I find that many sound design tools worth their salt make you work for your target sound, and that often they pay out the best.

Another that should get you there, a true fuzz featuring one of the oldest sort of fuzz circuits, but with the addition of a master volume, is the Arcane Analog NKT213 Buzzaround Tribute. I have sung its praises here repeatedly and for good reason. You have to play a bass guitar with one to feel and hear the specialness. Brutally raw and deep. Lots of range, too, including much that most bassists won't have a use for; so again, you will have to work for it.
 
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#12
And I said:
A fuzz with a clean blend may do the trick. Big Muff Pi comes to mind. Doesn't have a mix knob but does have a setting that blends clean and distorted tones, and a dry out.
Click to expand...
What one really wants is a mix / blend knob that just mixes the low end and leaves the top end fully distorted. Otherwise it just sounds like a doubled up bass part in the mix. Source Audio do this a lot with their One Series pedals, they call it a "low retain knob". Works great on a filter, chorus, reverb etc. It's a pity that the circuitry isn't more common.
 
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#14
SumOne said:
There are 100's of fuzz threads (I think I've read most of them while I'm 'working' from home) but perhaps someone can help my quest for my particular holy grail of a fuzz that's warm, harmonic and heavy sounding but also retains the 'thump' of the Bass - something that creates a wall of sound that punches you in the chest and slaps you in the face a bit but also gives you a warm hug!

I recently got a Barefoot Blueberry Queen Bee OD which I like so I'm also after something similar but more fuzzy and in your face. I'm not after anything sub & synthy (DOD meatbox), farty (wooly mammoth), high pitched (Rat), so I think it's a Muff I'm after.

I've owned EHX Big Muffs but felt they muffled (perhaps the clue's in the name?) the attack, individual notes fuzzed together in too much of a muffy mush, it lost the attack and thump defining each note. EQing after to increase the 'thump' didn't really work on the signal that had already fuzzed it away so I got a deluxe version to blend in clean tone but that kind of sounded like two instruments playing. So I got an Aftershock but mucking about for hours editing toneprints frustrated me and I never could get quite what I wanted, it felt a bit 'jack of all trades master of none' and like a programming job rather than learning the foibles of a soulful/living pedal so it didn't really float my boat.

I think I'm after something with a Green Russian fuzz tone that doesn't need a clean blend to retain the thump. I've narrowed it down to:
  • EHX Green Russian (cheapest, but perhaps too dark sounding with no mid control)
  • COG Tarkin (with mid level switches that probably help with the 'thump' and attack? Can't try one out- 6 week build time)
  • Way Huge Russian Pickle (similar features to EHX but double the cost)
  • Orange Fur Coat (perhaps a bit too bright, loses low end with octave up on (also- seems to need to be at front of pedal chain for fuzz tone rather than distortion but I have an envelope filter octaver already competing for the front spot)
  • Earthquaker Hoof (seems to tick all the boxes but most expensive)
Anyone else on a similar Fuzz quest that has an opinion on this? Perhaps I'm expecting something that fuzz doesn't do and I should stick with OD/Distortion or go back to where I started and a EHX Big Muff and do something different pre/post to give it more thump?
Click to expand...

Have you considered a Brassmaster stlye pedal ?

I was in the same position as you 3 years ago (tried all sorts of muff circuit variants and as you, stated that a clean blend was not the right answer on a muff). This Brassmaster ended my search since !
I personally went with the Latent Lemon Audio rendition of this circuit but I believe Malekko still sell one and probably other pedal company or independent builders.
 
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#15
Valiesh said:
Have you considered a Brassmaster stlye pedal ?

I was in the same position as you 3 years ago (tried all sorts of muff circuit variants and as you, stated that a clean blend was not the right answer on a muff). This Brassmaster ended my search since !
I personally went with the Latent Lemon Audio rendition of this circuit but I believe Malekko still sell one and probably other pedal company or independent builders.
Click to expand...

Nice one. Latent Lemon Audio are still selling them- 'as used by Yob and Dead Witches' is a good selling point for me.
 
#17
dude HIERO FX.. the dude is from russia.. he compresses muffs.. superfuzzes.. and brassmasters.. into micro pedals.. pedal.. I have a super russian muff that very evil.. but I'm going to get the Brassmaster clone.. go on reverb to his page.. message him and give him an audiosample and description.. he'll give you a few suggestions.. his pedals are small.. and not bad on price.. 170.00 ruffly shipped..
 
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#19
SumOne said:
There are 100's of fuzz threads (I think I've read most of them while I'm 'working' from home) but perhaps someone can help my quest for my particular holy grail of a fuzz that's warm, harmonic and heavy sounding but also retains the 'thump' of the Bass - something that creates a wall of sound that punches you in the chest and slaps you in the face a bit but also gives you a warm hug!

I recently got a Barefoot Blueberry Queen Bee OD which I like so I'm also after something similar but more fuzzy and in your face. I'm not after anything sub & synthy (DOD meatbox), farty (wooly mammoth), high pitched (Rat), so I think it's a Muff I'm after.

I've owned EHX Big Muffs but felt they muffled (perhaps the clue's in the name?) the attack, individual notes fuzzed together in too much of a muffy mush, it lost the attack and thump defining each note. EQing after to increase the 'thump' didn't really work on the signal that had already fuzzed it away so I got a deluxe version to blend in clean tone but that kind of sounded like two instruments playing. So I got an Aftershock but mucking about for hours editing toneprints frustrated me and I never could get quite what I wanted, it felt a bit 'jack of all trades master of none' and like a programming job rather than learning the foibles of a soulful/living pedal so it didn't really float my boat.

I think I'm after something with a Green Russian fuzz tone that doesn't need a clean blend to retain the thump. I've narrowed it down to:
  • EHX Green Russian (cheapest, but perhaps too dark sounding with no mid control)
  • COG Tarkin (with mid level switches that probably help with the 'thump' and attack? Can't try one out- 6 week build time)
  • Way Huge Russian Pickle (similar features to EHX but double the cost)
  • Orange Fur Coat (perhaps a bit too bright, loses low end with octave up on (also- seems to need to be at front of pedal chain for fuzz tone rather than distortion but I have an envelope filter octaver already competing for the front spot)
  • Earthquaker Hoof (seems to tick all the boxes but most expensive)
Anyone else on a similar Fuzz quest that has an opinion on this? Perhaps I'm expecting something that fuzz doesn't do and I should stick with OD/Distortion or go back to where I started and a EHX Big Muff and do something different pre/post to give it more thump?
Click to expand...


EHX MicroSynth gets pretty close. Especially going through a tone hammer to shape it with its AGS circuit.

second half of this video
 
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