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Let's talk Fuzz

#41
I have a DigiTech GNX3000 and it has a Big Muff Pi emulation.
If a Big Muff Pi sounds anything like what this emulation sounds like, you should get a BMP.
Granted I am using the Ampeg Classic SVT amp model and the 8x10 SVT fridge cabinet model at the same time. Sounds cool.
 
#43
My fav saturation fuzz so far is the Wounded Paw Attack Goat, it has a blend and is my last-before-VTbass fuzz because it adds upper harmonics to anything, even other fuzzes. Beautifully tuned to cut through.
My fav synthy sounding fuzz is a DE Ruiner in a XoticBlender, about 40% Ruiner (because it's so massive & buzzy). This combo even seems to have a subtle portamento effect, very horn-like. Honorable mention to the MXR Blowtorch, an excellent synthy fuzz with blend and superior tone control, it came out years ago and was my 1st Great bass fuzz. It's only fault is needing 18 volts.
 
#44
I run into a TubeWorks RealTube (black) to start off my signal chain, at the end of the chain it goes into a tube compressor and then a TubeWorks BlueTube (blue) to resparkle the fuzz a little, and that goes into an SVT pre, and various tube power amps (depending on watts needed: 5, 60, 120, 240, 120/240 bi-amp).
 
#45
Like :D:

Devi Ever Ruiner
Tech21 XXLB
Earthbound Audio Supercollider
Aguilar Agro
ElectroniX MessDrive Hybrid+

Close, but no cigar :o:

Hao Rust Ride
BlackoutEffectors Musket
Devi Ever Hyperion

Dislike :mad::

Big Muff black russian
Devi Ever Aenima
Snarling Dogs Bootzilla wah (fuzz channel)
EHX Bass Microsynth (fuzz channel)

Undecided :confused::

ZVex Mastotron
ZVex Woolly Mammoth
 
#46
The only fuzz I currently own is the Iron Exther Oxide. It kicked the EHX Bass Big Muff not just off my board, but out of my house entirely. In fact, since I have become addicted to the Oxide's Brassmaster type sound, I am not sure I will ever buy another Muff type fuzz ever again.

Another fuzz pedal that I have been intrigued by is the Black Cat Bass Octave Fuzz, which is a fairly direct Brassmaster clone.

The Malekko B:Assmaster is another Brassmaster clone, and gets an honorable mention for having possibly the funniest combination of name and graphics ever put on a pedal. However, the combination of price and things I have read about issues have put me off that pedal for now.
 
#47
My favorite is the mxr blowtorch. Yes, its listed as a distorion / overdrive and sure it does that (with the blow torch button off) but is also capable of synth like buzzsaw fuzz tones. I wanted to be able to copy "time is running out" from muse and "starlight" and man does this pedal come super close if not there. With the blowtorch button off, it can be used as a clean boost, growling OD, to decently hard distortion. With the blow torch on, it turns into a compeletely different animal. Trip hip / dance synth is what I was shooting for and damn does it work well for it, able to get a good muff sound too. The blend and mirange eq switch makes this pedal so veristile. Its super quite and knobs glow i n the dark. Why no one mentions this that much ill never know.
 
#48
The fuzz pedals I use regularly across the whole range of my eight-string guitar, equipped with active EMG p'ups:

Blackout Effectors Musket v2
SolidGoldFX Formula 69
MI Audio G.I. Fuzz
Zvex Mastotron

When I'm specifically *not* looking for gated tones, or synth fuzz, the Formula 69 moves to the top of the list.
 
#49
It's always interesting to note Tbayers' passion for distortion in general and fuzz in particular. It's as if the intensity of the distortion ignites the passions and is a predictor of the number of participant to a thread!

Overdrive: hum, hum responses.
Distortion: enthusiasm.
Fuzz: passion.
 
#53
look here GrGa'Ls. i only want to hear words out of people's mouths that have EXPERIENCE with the subject ok?

...... look at...... words.... out of people's...... fingers?

whatever. YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN.

*glare*
*points two fingers at own eyes*
*points at Grygzy's*
*points back*

..... i'm WATCHING you........
 
#56
Jared Lash said:
Hey Douglas,

Sounds like you're looking to develop a Darkglass bass fuzz. Given the great sound and construction of the B3K I think that's a great idea.

One thing that is clear is that no fuzz is the end all, be all for anyone. I think the two routes to go are to do a fuzz that is incredibly versatile with a bunch of knobs or one that does one or two things really well. Both routes have their advantages and drawbacks.

The only pieces of advice I'd give are these:

  • Make it compatible with active basses. It's an easy addition to the circuit and opens the appeal up to a wider group of bassists. Os from Music Electronix/Ziebek did this with all his fuzzes using a transformer based on Jack Orman's ideas.
  • Don't base it on the Muff circuit. I really dig Big Muff Pi variants but there are already a ton of very good ones that can be used on bass.

And while versatility is always a good thing, I think you'd benefit from an idea of what kind of tone/music the fuzz would be best suited for. Do you want it to sound synthy? Big and doomy? Vintage? And so on. While I think Iron Ether did a fantastic job of combining functionality and range of tone with the Oxide I'm always wary of fuzz pedals that claim to do everything. Personally I'd rather have one that does one or two things really well.

Just my two cents.
Click to expand...

QFT

My favorite Fuzz is the EA Supercollider. While it's a one trick pony it does that trick really well and fills my need for a Muff Fuzz better than anything EHX has put on the market recently. I will also agree that the market is saturated with Muff clones and variants so if you intend to standout you gotta do something original (easier said than done).

The other two fuzzes I have I love but they are not without their quirks.

Dwarfcraft Devices; Shiva: I'm not sure if it's an input gain issue or a signal chain issue but pushing the volume past 9 o clock on this thing is way past unity. YMMV. It doesn't render the Fuzz unusable but I'm a little cautious with the thing.

Other than that the Shiva has crazy insano motorboating sputtering madness down pat.

OLC; Chunky Cheese (clone of the Lovetone Big Cheese): Great gated pinch tone,....leaks lowend like a civ. I have to keep this in a blend loop to regain my lowend. A lot of guys don't like clean blends with Fuzz (and Disto). On bass it's passable (for me),...on Guitar clean blends sound like crap.

For the Chunky Cheese,...I'd love to see it reworked to have the midbump setting and the gated setting and not loose lowend as badly,....either in the form of a clean blend or by modding the circuit.

I also have a Take Flight Pedals: Goose. While I haven't spent much time with it I could see it kicking the Chunky Cheese off my board.
 

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