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Fuzzrocious Club - *High Five!*
- Thread starter Plays_For_Dog
- Start date
- Status
rratajski
Commercial User
- Jul 1, 2008
- 6,121
- 2,671
- Disclosures
- Builder for FUZZROCIOUS PEDALS
My output jack was loose after I took it off the board last, so I just tightened it. Problem was that it tuned and the jack was grounding on one of the pots inside. I just turned it and retightened it. All good! I was freaking out for a second. A couple of my pedals, not just yours, have been falling to pieces lately. It's strange, I'm not ruff on them. Just simple things like loose jacks and screws. My rig my be so loud my pedals vibrate loose. 
Hey, everyone. Though I'm not a club joining type person, I wanted to share my newfound admiration for Fuzzrocious Pedals, and my appreciation for this work of Ryan and family.
Twenty minutes ago, I didn't know Fuzzrocious existed. Now I have a little Fuzzrocious collection, wonder how I lived without Dark Driving previously, and have big ideas about future Fuzzrocious products. Ha!
Recently, after Ryan kindly agreed to make me a custom OSD-into-DD pedal, I opted for flexibility instead and ordered a plain OSD.
While waiting for the OSD to arrive (it was quick), I stumbled on an early BDPG for sale and bought it. Days later, I bought a lovely used 3-knob DD. It turned out to be the first production DD with the treble mod, a mini-toggle switch near the jacks.
Here's some of what I wrote Ryan about my first impressions of the BDPG:
And my first impressions of the OSD:
I haven't yet written Ryan about my first experience of the DD. What I think is this:
Thank you, Ryan and family for these beautiful little instruments. They breathed new life into my ever-evolving bass guitar setup. For me, your pedals are both problem solvers and creative tools.
Best,
Snaxster
Twenty minutes ago, I didn't know Fuzzrocious existed. Now I have a little Fuzzrocious collection, wonder how I lived without Dark Driving previously, and have big ideas about future Fuzzrocious products. Ha!
Recently, after Ryan kindly agreed to make me a custom OSD-into-DD pedal, I opted for flexibility instead and ordered a plain OSD.
While waiting for the OSD to arrive (it was quick), I stumbled on an early BDPG for sale and bought it. Days later, I bought a lovely used 3-knob DD. It turned out to be the first production DD with the treble mod, a mini-toggle switch near the jacks.
Here's some of what I wrote Ryan about my first impressions of the BDPG:
“Today I got the BDPG. Man, that thing is the sh*t. 
No joke. FWIW, I've been in this for a long time (I'm kind of old), and I'm here to tell you that you're onto something special with the sonics and responsiveness of your pedals. Stay true to what got Fuzzrocious this far, and someday you will rule the world (part of it, anyway.)
...No pedal I happen to have heard sounds like the BDPG.”
No joke. FWIW, I've been in this for a long time (I'm kind of old), and I'm here to tell you that you're onto something special with the sonics and responsiveness of your pedals. Stay true to what got Fuzzrocious this far, and someday you will rule the world (part of it, anyway.)
...No pedal I happen to have heard sounds like the BDPG.”
And my first impressions of the OSD:
“At first blush, I like the OSD a lot... when I use it as an overdrive. It's not a fuzz, and the fizzy aspect of its range is my least favorite. What I like is mining the range of subtle, responsive overdrive, and turning up the volume to match: listening in, like close miking. When the amp is loud, the OSD through the BDPG sounds and feels completely alive. Really nice.”
It's not a fuzz, and the fizzy aspect of its range is my least favorite. What I like is mining the range of subtle, responsive overdrive, and turning up the volume to match: listening in, like close miking. When the amp is loud, the OSD through the BDPG sounds and feels completely alive. Really nice.”I haven't yet written Ryan about my first experience of the DD. What I think is this:
Dark Driving is one of the few most useful and musical-sounding bass guitar processors I ever played. (I started playing bass guitar in 1979, and synthesizers in about 1976.)
Though I never played the BJF pedals that DD invokes, I must believe they were special. Anyway, I think that DD is eminently excellent. I can't make an unmusical sound with it.
So far, I have played only an active bass through the DD. I'm afraid to play my 1969 Precision through it, since that might make me cry... which could be undignified.
DD is very responsive to playing inputs and changes in instrument settings. It is extremely amp-like. Tube amp-like, specifically. (I collect vintage vacuum tubes and audio equipment.)
What I was surprised to discover is Dark Driving's tuning: it does not emphasize the lowest usable bass guitar frequencies. So it is more like a small tube amp; or like a big one driving a small cabinet. Though not as bright, by far, in this sense DD is more V4B driving a B-15 cabinet than silver or black face SVT stack... and with the treble rolled off.
I was struck by this after having some days with the BDPG first. Initially, I decided to use two BDPGs in an 'amp switcher' arrangement. When the used DD became available, I added it to the setup: channel 1 to BDPG with a bright and deep setting, channel 2 to DD with a dark and slightly driven setting.
Switching channels, I heard that the DD couldn't even present the low frequencies the BDPG did naturally. It was a totally different "bass" sound. A small cabinet driven hard by a big, moody vintage tube amp vs. a big, tough 1970s solid state bass amp stack.
So far, I love this channel switching approach. It's like switching between two awesome girlfriends who are okay with it.
(Not something I do in life, but it works for bass guitar.)
Lastly, there is DD driven by OSD. Oh, molasses. As if DD's own glowing, simmering, tamboura-like, gently roiling and dark harmonics were not enough; when OSD drives DD, the voice thickens, the harmonics glare, the midrange becomes more sonorous, and the mood becomes urgent. It's like a cello section. It's like sex.
I give Dark Driving my highest recommendation.
Though I never played the BJF pedals that DD invokes, I must believe they were special. Anyway, I think that DD is eminently excellent. I can't make an unmusical sound with it.
So far, I have played only an active bass through the DD. I'm afraid to play my 1969 Precision through it, since that might make me cry... which could be undignified.
DD is very responsive to playing inputs and changes in instrument settings. It is extremely amp-like. Tube amp-like, specifically. (I collect vintage vacuum tubes and audio equipment.)
What I was surprised to discover is Dark Driving's tuning: it does not emphasize the lowest usable bass guitar frequencies. So it is more like a small tube amp; or like a big one driving a small cabinet. Though not as bright, by far, in this sense DD is more V4B driving a B-15 cabinet than silver or black face SVT stack... and with the treble rolled off.
I was struck by this after having some days with the BDPG first. Initially, I decided to use two BDPGs in an 'amp switcher' arrangement. When the used DD became available, I added it to the setup: channel 1 to BDPG with a bright and deep setting, channel 2 to DD with a dark and slightly driven setting.
Switching channels, I heard that the DD couldn't even present the low frequencies the BDPG did naturally. It was a totally different "bass" sound. A small cabinet driven hard by a big, moody vintage tube amp vs. a big, tough 1970s solid state bass amp stack.
So far, I love this channel switching approach. It's like switching between two awesome girlfriends who are okay with it.
(Not something I do in life, but it works for bass guitar.)Lastly, there is DD driven by OSD. Oh, molasses. As if DD's own glowing, simmering, tamboura-like, gently roiling and dark harmonics were not enough; when OSD drives DD, the voice thickens, the harmonics glare, the midrange becomes more sonorous, and the mood becomes urgent. It's like a cello section. It's like sex.
I give Dark Driving my highest recommendation.
Thank you, Ryan and family for these beautiful little instruments. They breathed new life into my ever-evolving bass guitar setup. For me, your pedals are both problem solvers and creative tools.
Best,
Snaxster
My new Rat Tail came in this week and it's great! I love the size of new enclosure and that the power supply plug-in is at the top of the enclosure and not the side. It's also nice to have the diode toggle switch on the face of the enclosure. Great improvements, Ryan! My RT has germanium and silicone diodes and so far they sound great. I haven't had a chance to really lock in tone, but so far I'm really digging it. What kind of diodes are in your RT?
The Rat Tail helped me get several compliments on my tone tonight at our show. Thanks for creating it, Ryan.
And my first impressions of the OSD:At first blush, I like the OSD a lot... when I use it as an overdrive.
Today I remembered my other early impressions of the OSD, at least as I played it through the BDPG.
Here is what I wrote to a fellow TB-er, who regretted selling his DD. Our exchange hinged on his long search for a perfect overdrive pedal:
[What I didn't mention is] the OSD's loss of the lowest bass frequencies. As the BDPG trades midrange for expansive lows and clanging, articulate highs, the OSD trades low lows for everything else. That's its voice. What it does with the rest of the range is very musical, and it leaves my bass guitar sounding like itself.
The next day, I changed my tune a bit:
After playing the OSD for some hours today, I think I have to recant about it losing the lowest lows.
What's happening, rather, is that it is emphasizing upper mids; so at unity gain the lows seem rolled off. The lows are there, but if the whole output were raised to bring the lows to their clean level, other frequencies would be too loud.
Anecdotally, I tried using a vintage BOSS GE-7B Bass Equalizer to "correct" the "imbalance", de-emphasizing the upper mids and raising the lows. But this made the OSD sound lifeless. Its native spectral balance is what makes the OSD sound good.
That said, my intuition is the OSD would also sound good with clean signal blended in. I will try that tomorrow.
Though I decided against blending clean signal with the OSD, believing that would be beside the point, tonight I used the equalizer again.What's happening, rather, is that it is emphasizing upper mids; so at unity gain the lows seem rolled off. The lows are there, but if the whole output were raised to bring the lows to their clean level, other frequencies would be too loud.
Anecdotally, I tried using a vintage BOSS GE-7B Bass Equalizer to "correct" the "imbalance", de-emphasizing the upper mids and raising the lows. But this made the OSD sound lifeless. Its native spectral balance is what makes the OSD sound good.
That said, my intuition is the OSD would also sound good with clean signal blended in.
I will try that tomorrow.
This time I got it right: instead of trying to flatten the OSD's spectral balance, I raised the low frequencies and also compensated for that by raising the OSD's resonant peak. On my little graphic equalizer, this was a big boost at 62Hz, a slight bump at 125Hz, and a slight bump spanning 500Hz, 1kHz and 2kHz, with 1kHz as the peak.
In my opinion, now the OSD sounds like a full-range interpretation of my bass guitar, with the characteristic OSD voice and responsiveness intact. The difference is dramatic as the OSD drives either the BDPG or the DD. Far from sounding lifeless (as in my first try at EQ-ing it) now the OSD sounds bigger, and it still "sounds and feels completely alive."
This approach may not be to everyone's taste, but for me it's a complete success: it makes the OSD perfect for my playing.
Snaxster
P.S. - Soon I will upgrade the BOSS Bass Equalizer within an inch of its life. It should sound much better after the upgrade, so I'm glad I have such a good use for it now.
To bad
#132- Snaxster – BDPG, DD, OSD
Welcome to the family!
“Today I got the BDPG. Man, that thing is the sh*t.
Agreed.
Dude, you have to plug the P bass into it. Instant
for certain! I speak from experience... If you really want to weep, plug the P into the OSD 
MG!
To bad
#132- Snaxster BDPG, DD, OSD
Welcome to the family!
Ha! Well then I thank you, PFD. I'm glad to be here.
Dude, you have to plug the P bass into it. Instant
No doubt. I have been avoiding my P Bass since hard times may force its sale.
But I should play it through my Fuzzrocious pedals at least once, right?
Ha! Well then I thank you, PFD. I'm glad to be here.
No doubt. I have been avoiding my P Bass since hard times may force its sale.
You really should. I have played an SG bass, a Lakland J(Josborne) and my current Lakland Dunn P bass through the OSD. And the P bass just sounds incredible.Give my band a listen. Not sure if the type of music is your cup of tea, but give the second track(cannonball) a listen. Its my P bass through the OSD at the very beginning.
http://majolie.bandcamp.com/
Thanks, Frank. You sound good, man. You respect "the thickness" and the song. Solid.
"Post punk", eh? Yes, but I was feeling "power pop", too. I thought the recording was good, but I'd like to remix it. Do you know Navy Blues by Sloan? Listen to Money City Maniacs and imagine your track mixed similarly, sans the vocal doubling.When at the end, you all swing that little post-chorus section as a triplet groove: The Boys are Back in Town!! Kind of, right?
The chords, anyway; the implication is there. Phil Lynott and rock P Bass forever!Speaking of that section (and of Fuzzrocious, finally), you used the OSD in it throughout the song, I think. Yeah, it sounded strong. For now, my default OSD setting breaks up far less than yours does there, but I know the P Bass grind would be nice with it.
Keep up the good work, brother!
No doubt. I have been avoiding my P Bass since hard times may force its sale.
Sell your body before you sell your P bass!!!
Sell your body before you sell your P bass!!!
LOL! Maybe, but only if I don't have to meet the buyer.
Dude, this is the third vintage P Bass I ever owned. The previous one was a 1969, too! Years ago, I sold each of the others to friends. When I quit music making in 1996, I tried to give the other 1969 P to my friend at the time, but he wouldn't take it; so I charged him a few bucks.
Could I ever afford another if sell this one? Maybe not. But I had my turn, and the basses come and go. I have owned many good ones. Too many.
Anyway, now that I'm playing again (since 2008), I am happy to discover beautiful-sounding instruments that are new to me, like Fuzzrocious. And I'm happy with my newly acquired 18-year-old project bass, an active Sukop. That bass is no P, of course, but it's a total mofo: lots of soul, wicked ergonomics, 7.5 pounds light, and sounds fantastic. Heavy.
Is the OSD you used on that song the same one you sold me? That`s kinda cool!
By the way,those two songs are really good! Heavy but upbeat. Got my leg bouncing in my chair. Kinda reminds me of early Grade.
Yep, thats the OSD I used. I got one with the boost/gate after I sold you that one. But I don't use the boost at all. Cool to her that you like the songs. Funny, you mention Grade. I havent heard them in so long, but they are playing FEST down in Fl next week. My band is playin too, so I get to see a ton of bands for free, I seriously can't wait. Grade is def gonna be one of them. And I believe Propagahndhi is playin right after them. Its gonna be a hell of an evening,
Now for some demos. I figured that after all my talking, I better do some walking (and double thumbing and strumming.)
BDPG, DD, OSD demos
Info and disclaimers
Snaxster
BDPG, DD, OSD demos
Info and disclaimers
- bass: 1994 Sukop with new Audere Classic 4B preamp
- aids: Shubb capo on demo 2
- pedals: Empress Compressor (mild, 2:1, 30% dry), switcher, OSD into BOSS GE-7B, switcher, BDPG or DD, Tube Works 4001 DI with 1949 Ken-Rad 12AX7
- recorder: old M-Audio I/O, old Mac, Audacity to AIFF
- post: gain and normalization, then AIFF to mp3 320kbps, then SoundCloud
- disclaimer: It all sounded far better through the bass amp speaker; but I don't own a microphone, so I recorded direct.
Snaxster
Yay demos! They sound great. Thanks for sharing.- Status
