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Non-Muff fuzz!?

ZombiCrow

ZombiCrow

Jun 15, 2006
694
294
Davenport, IA
gentleedwardrecords.bandcamp.com
#1
Alright, so after a year of buying/selling/experimenting, I've decided that the Big Muff and it's offspring just aren't for me.
I've tried:
the Bluebeard
the BYOC Swollen Pickle
the black Russian
an old New York
and the new New York

And although I recognize that they sound great, and full and smooth and warm and sometimes nasty and chunky and crazy, they all still sound the same to me more than I want them to.

So, this is my request: Throw out your favorite non-Muff-based fuzzes. So far I'm sporting the B:Assmaster, the Woolly Mammoth, and an original Fender Blender. I'm interested in the MESSDrive, the Attack Goat... What other original designs are out there?

Feel free to throw this into whatever thread I'm sure I'm repeating!
 
#4
MysticBoo is assembling a MASTER FUZZ LIST in a thread somewhere abouts, so give that a look.

But my short answer is:

Dwarfcraft Devices The Great Destroyer. Ibanez Smash Box. DOD Bass Grunge, DOD Metal X, and fifty other DOD boxes that are slight variations on distortions and fuzzes that work more or less well with bass.
 
#5
haha, I know, that list was my idea :) You guys have way more experience than I do, though, so I couldn't possibly be held accountable for getting that thread moving!

I've checked out the Devi pedals, but I hear the same squelchy/harsh quality to all of them, and it's too hard on the ears. I might have missed the right sound clips though, too.

I spoke a little with the Dwarfcraft gentleman on MySpace, and he is very nice. I just wasn't completely sold on that one; I need to hear more clips...
 
#6
Swimming Bird said:
MysticBoo is assembling a MASTER FUZZ LIST in a thread somewhere abouts, so give that a look.
Click to expand...

It became part of the Wiki. Everyone should be adding to it, not just me. :p

My suggestion for an original, not-a-Muff-in-any-way fuzz is the MXR Blowtorch. I've never used anything that sounds like it. Maybe the Woolly Mammoth gets a little close (as others have claimed).

It kicks some serious butt, especially if you love mids. :D
 
#7
ZombiCrow said:
haha, I know, that list was my idea :) You guys have way more experience than I do, though, so I couldn't possibly be held accountable for getting that thread moving!

I've checked out the Devi pedals, but I hear the same squelchy/harsh quality to all of them, and it's too hard on the ears. I might have missed the right sound clips though, too.

I spoke a little with the Dwarfcraft gentleman on MySpace, and he is very nice. I just wasn't completely sold on that one; I need to hear more clips...
Click to expand...

If you think the Devi pedals are too harsh, then The Great Destroyer is definitely not for you; it seems even harsher. So by this comment, I take it that you're looking for a mellow, warm fuzz that isn't harsh or in-your-face? How about that Hendrix fuzz that someone reviewed a few weeks ago, or some other fuzz-face clone?
 
#8
Oh, I missed the follow-up post...

Hmm... not sure if the 'Torch would be a good idea. The B:Assmaster may be up your alley. Or the Prescription Electronics Depth Charge. The former is a clone of the Maestro Bass Brassmaster, and the latter is based on it (but not really a "clone", AFAIK).

There's also that MXR El Grande coming soon...
 
#9
Ummm the Tonebender is still a muff variant - it just uses less transistor stages (3 instead of four) low gain trannies and less clipping diodes (2 instead of four)

What do you not like about it in particular?


That being said - the Tonebender is the best fuzz type for bass (once modified) available.


No - I'm not kidding


seriously....


not a joke,



c'mon leave me alone


alright alright - so I love that little circuit


it's still the best :spit:
 
#12
I have both the Mammoth and the B:Assmaster, and I dig them like crazy. I was really thinking about the Attack Goat or MessDrive or MessDrive+, etc. I've just got a serious fuzz-bone for things original and not based on Muff/Face circuits. At the same time, I realize there are only so many ways to get fuzz and all that. I feel sort of ashamed for not feeling it for the muff peds anymore, but I need a more unique sound.
 
#16
TrevorOfDoom said:
apparently all there is to a Big Muff is a tonebender with an LPB on the end.

just what i heard.

right now i'm using a FuzzFace clone (from BYOC) and i just got through with their Tonebender clone, so now i have to decide which i like more.

short answer: BOTH!!
Click to expand...

ERRRRRRNT

Muff hass more clipping going on and higher gain trannies. Adding a LBP circuit to the tail end of the Tonebender (and I am talking about the 3 knob Colorsound Tonebender - the Vox Suppa Tonebender is basically a big muff) would not alter these CRUCIAL areas of the existing circuit.

I'd really need to compare whats going on in a Brassmaster and compare it to a muff. I'd be willing to bet the Mammoth is loosely based on a brassmaster. and then the fender blender looks like a fun one too!


Build I say Build!!!!
 

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