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Tall Font Russian vs. Grey Stache

PseudoSpaceman

PseudoSpaceman

Jul 5, 2009
337
147
#1
I'm currently on a quest for a fuzz pedal and I've narrowed it down to two. In the past I've bought and sold a Big Muff Pi and Swollen Pickle after being underwhelmed by them. I was completely turned of fuzz for about a year but I saw a band a few nights ago where the bass player used a sovtek muff. WOW! I'm completely hooked. However, the sovtek needs a few modern upgrades for my tastes.

So what would you choose (and why): Tall Font Russian or Grey Stache?
 
#2
Both are stellar pedals for sure. I also did not care for the Swollen Pickle, and the current EHX Big Muff's are pure crap. Very ironic, huh?

I personally use a Stomp Under Foot Civil War as it's about as close to the old Russian Muff's you can get in a modern build. But here's how I see the two you mentioned:

Tall Font Russian- Smooth, thick, tons of bottom end. Can get muddy.
Stache- More raunchy, more mids, not as much bottom. Clearer.

I love them both, actually...which is why I now have the SUF Civil War...it has the creamy bottom of the TFR but does get muddy, and it has the raunch, stank, and clarity of the Stache but with the creamy bottom.
 
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#5
If size doesn't matter, go for what sounds better to you. I'm very happy with my W&C TFR and it sounds fantastic in the mix, and I've been through quite a few fuzz pedals, nothing sounded this good. Big lows, fat fat raunchy but still smooth tone.
 
#7
bassmusic17 said:
The Eau Claire Thunder and Bumble fuzz would be great choices too.
Click to expand...

I have never used the Eau Claire, but I used the Bumble for a long time and the Stomp Under Foot has been the only Muff that I liked as well or better. The Bumble is smoother and creamier than any of them, but I kinda wanted that raunch of the SUF. The Bumble also probably has a bigger bottom end (the more drive you dial in, the more low end you get) than any of them, and it has a clean blend. Great pedal, sadly overlooked.
 
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#9
mmbongo said:
Tall Font Russian- Smooth, thick, tons of bottom end. Can get muddy.
Stache- More raunchy, more mids, not as much bottom. Clearer.
Click to expand...

I haven't played a TFR, so I can't compare to the two, but I just wanted to say that IMO the Stache has plenty of bottom for most uses. I'm obsessive about not losing low end through pedals, and I dig the Stache precisely because it has great midrange presence and clarity without sacrificing low end. Admittedly it is not the pedal if you want truly massive boosted low end though.
 
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#10
If I had to pick one that was able to sound more "modern", I think I would go with the stache. I had a TFR but got rid of it due to the fact it sounded too "old muffy" to me. Im not a big fan of muffs unless they have the ability to get clearer and less muddy and can cut in the mix. The TFR didnt do any of that for me and my setup. OTOH, Ive never used the stache so I can only repeat what Ive heard and read about it. Which is plenty. I have a TAFM on the way :) Ive heard this fuzz can get into muff territory and so many more. Crazy versatile.
 
#13
I like my Stache. Its definitely a great sounding muff clone. Just had the Tone Bypass mod done on it and I like it even better. To me almost sounds like it should sound like that stock. It has plenty of low end. I agree it doesn't have massive low end though. If you want that, something like a Swollen Pickle or a Heavy Machine might be better suited for you.

It definitely cuts through a mix better than most Muffs I have ever played. Not just because of the added mids knob either.
 
#14
I don't really care if the pedal has massive low end, just needs enough. I'm definitely more concerned about cutting through. So far the Grey Stache is ahead, which is alright with me since I can get one for about $145US on Reverb.
 
#19
The diodes are useful on guitar but on bass I much prefer no diodes. 2nd sustain setting isn't necessary unless you are in like the slowest doom band ever. Oscillation is fun if you like to make noise but not necessary. The gate could be useful depending on your situation but I find if I turn the sustain all the way down its silent enough for me.
 

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