Recommend a fuzz pedal?

[creis2]

I'm looking to add fuzz to my board. It's hard to for me to research, because a lot of people out on forums are huge fuzz people. They like it loud and harsh, which is awesome, but not my style.

I run a simple setup, Vintage P > flats> OCD Overdrive at time> Vt Bass> Svt Head > sealed cab. I play with a pick.

I know I need to go to the store and "check some out", but I have no starting point.

I'm bad at explaining what I want, but I'll try.

I want some fuzz, very midrangey and organic sounding.

I hate comparing myself to pro bassists, but I'm often told my style is like Mike Mills from REM. Very simple and steady.

My style and tone is very similar to this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTziqYqtaRE

Can someone recommend something that will add some fuzz to my tone, but not take over. I just want to occasionally add a cherry on top.

I'm currently looking at a black russian big muff clone.

 

[mmbongo]

Sounds like you don't want a fuzz pedal, but rather a mild overdrive. Something like a Catalinbread SFT.

 

[q5bass]

A Way Huge Swollen Pickle can add a nice gentle fuzz or all out craziness. It's very tweakable. It does add a decent bit of bass to your tone, but you may be able to cut some out if you don't want it. Also, you can pick one up cheap in the TB classifieds. I've had one for about 6 months and I really like it.

 

[creis2]

Sounds like you don't want a fuzz pedal, but rather a mild overdrive. Something like a Catalinbread SFT.

Maybe you're right. Maybe the "sound" I'm looking for isn't fuzz at all, maybe a mild overdrive?

 

[creis2]

I listened to the sound samples of Catalinbread SFT, that's exactly what I'm looking for.

My OCD is a little extreme for me, it's good when we end a really fun crazy jam and make some noise, but I don't find it very usable.

 

[creis2]

I guess what I'm actually looking for is a mild overdrive, I just couldn't pin point what I wanted.

After hearing some good sound samples, I'm considering both:

Way Huge Electronics WHE201 Pork Loin

or

Catalinbread SFT

Has anyone played both of these? What can get me a good natural overdrive? I want some strong mid crunch, but as I mentioned, I'm a very mellow player. I use OD less than 5% of the time.

 

[jwr]

B7K! hah!

 

[mmbongo]

Pork loin or SFT are both great low gain overdrives. I actually used a pork loin for a long time before replacing it with an SFT. I love them both but a major factor in my choice was the small size of the SFT.

 

[Bassmike62]

Empress MultiDrive: tons of options, from light OD to all-out fuzz (not the craziest by TB standards though). 3 dirt flavors and 3-band EQ section make this thing one of the most versatile pedals around. If you set it right, this thing can cook you breakfast, take out the thrash and leave you smiling.

 

[Gammon]

Whatever you don't get an EHX Big Muff Pi and hope you can get good fuzz under $100. However, it does wonders on the middle fuzz, but spits mud into the lows.

 

[creis2]

I think I'm in between the Pork Loin and SFT. Those do everything pedals are great, but they kind of overwhelm me.

What's the major difference between the two?

They seem to have similar reviews, but I can probs get the pork Loin used for under 100$.

 

[giglawyer]

I would also add a Mad Professor Blueberry Overdrive to that list.

 

[mpdd]

here's what i use for my 90s rock bass tone, wooly mammoth clone into a vintage dr q to tame it a little

 

[SirMjac28]

I would also add a Mad Professor Blueberry Overdrive to that list.

+1 even most of the SFT clones are good.I even like the Tube Works Blue Tube pedal that can add a taste of warm hair on top of your clean tone and if you want more it can give you a nice grind. I would recommend a nice vintage Mullard,Telefunken or Tungsram 12ax7 tube to make this pedal really shine.

 

[Worshipbass12]

The porkloin is a great low gain overdrive main difference in the two is the sft is attack sensitive and can be run at 18v giving you more headroom and gain on tap ( which may be good for you since you use flats )

 

[creis2]

The porkloin is a great low gain overdrive main difference in the two is the sft is attack sensitive and can be run at 18v giving you more headroom and gain on tap ( which may be good for you since you use flats )

I read about the attack sensitive, what does that mean?

 

[creis2]

I think I'm going to go with the Pork Loin. I can get them inexpensive used, and the only difference seems to be very minor.

I always have some grunt on my tone, and that comes from my VT Bass. I just wanted something add a little more at times.

 

[vegas532]

Good call on the Pork Loin! It's great for adding a little "fur" to your sound...and can get quite dirty, too!

 

[Col200]

Sounds like you may have found an option, but if it's just some more OD you're looking for, have you tried playing around with the VTbass a bit? It can do some pretty hairy OD if you want that.

 

[gjbassist]

For a mild OD I would recommend the Digitech Bad Monkey Tube OD.
For a mild to medium fuzz I would look at the Fender Sublime.