I've been researching fuzz pedals online for about a week now. But I've come to realize...THERE ARE JUST TOO MANY OF THEM NOW!!! Essentially, I'm looking for a "versatile" fuzz...up to $200. It would mostly be used for lead/"synth" lines and just experimenting with. Some thing like the Fat Fuzz Factory, but maybe a little less involved/easier to use live. Thought I'd ask here and get some perspective from the community. Thanks in advance for the help!
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Versatile, (relatively) cheap fuzz?...
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Snare a 2nd hand Team Awesome Fuzz Machine. Easily under 2 hundy.
I've been thru waaaaaaaaaay too many fuzz pedals, and this is in my top5. It's a very flexible fuzz, it'll do sustain or gated fuzz, has a blend and can be tailored to any bass/guitar/keys you might wanna play, so long as you feed it a mono signal.
The Fat Fuzz Factory will suck out low end - and they're a very fickle pedal - YMMV, but I couldn't find many sounds I liked.
Put the TAFM on your list, consider others of course, but come back to this one.
I've been thru waaaaaaaaaay too many fuzz pedals, and this is in my top5. It's a very flexible fuzz, it'll do sustain or gated fuzz, has a blend and can be tailored to any bass/guitar/keys you might wanna play, so long as you feed it a mono signal.
The Fat Fuzz Factory will suck out low end - and they're a very fickle pedal - YMMV, but I couldn't find many sounds I liked.
Put the TAFM on your list, consider others of course, but come back to this one.
Versatile? Screams Team Awesome Fuzz Machine. Although not my absolute favorite fuzz, it's probably what you're looking for. Fav fuzz is the Stomp Under Foot Green Russian but it's a one trick pony. Just happens that that pony slays.
The TAFM is indeed fantastic and versatile sounding fuzz though I would definitely take a look at the SA Aftershock too. You can get some wonderfully sounding synthy fuzz sounds along with more traditional fuzzes as well. Also you have virtually unlimited sound shaping abilities plus the ability to have minimum of 6 different sounds. The price is really awesome too!
Zvex fuzz machine clones go for like 1/2 or 1/4th of your budget and are pretty damn versatile. They are best at doing more unconventional tones though but can do some more classic stuff with some tweaking. I got a clone off eBay for 50$ or so with a 3 way toggle switch to change the voicings, it switched caps or diodes or something I forget exactly. They can self oscillate in some settings too.
See if you can find a local pedalsmith to clone you something. I got a supersonic fuzz gun cloned for 85$ locally which is a great sounding and super versatile fuzz. The original dba pedals are 270$! This pedal is amazing in general but the gated and oscillating mode switch is very handy!
See if you can find a local pedalsmith to clone you something. I got a supersonic fuzz gun cloned for 85$ locally which is a great sounding and super versatile fuzz. The original dba pedals are 270$! This pedal is amazing in general but the gated and oscillating mode switch is very handy!
Some interesting screaming synth sounds coming from this guy. Check the video starting around the 1:55 mark. He's using Way Huge and MXR so they aren't pricey boxes.
DOD Carcosa is stunningly cheap and surprisingly versatile. $100 new, and there's often times a coupon code floating around for a little more off.
TAFM (this is one of the best out there), DOD Carcosa (cheap and good), Way Huge Russian Pickle (don't have it, but it looks like a good and afordable Muff).
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+1, at first i was not sure if "digital dirt" would rock, BUT it does.
Edit: @OP: and it is very versatile ...
Another option for FUZZ tone is using a distortion by boosting the lows and mids and finding the right balance between the two. One pedal I use that has many voices is the MXR M80 DI+. It's a DI and preamp, with a foot switch to color the tone clean, and a footswitch to add distortion. After messing with it, I found the distortion feature sounds more like fuzz tone rather than distortion depending on what pickups I use.
TAFM for sure!
Another suggestion: the Malekko Diabolik, it's about $150 new. Pretty versitile, and it'll rip through any mix. Does a good synthy sound, sounds amazing with a fretless.
Another suggestion: the Malekko Diabolik, it's about $150 new. Pretty versitile, and it'll rip through any mix. Does a good synthy sound, sounds amazing with a fretless.
I do like my Amptweaker Bass tight fuzz, but for synthy cheap, I guess my choice would be the Fuzzolo by zvex.
I'm not usually a suggester of the SA Aftershock, but my ear appreciated the fuzz sounds the most from that box. Certainly versatility in there. You get a few different fuzz engines, along with some fuzzy overdrives and distortions. They even have the market nearly cornered on the fold back sound, which can get pretty interesting.
TAFM would be on my list, like many others have stated.
TAFM would be on my list, like many others have stated.
Bass Big Muff nano. For me the simplest circuits are the best. It's not versatile though. It only does 2 things. But both of those are Big Muff sounds. So yeah.
- With the blend switch and high tone it will add a high fuzz above your bass... quite cool
- No blend, low tone, it just big muffs your whole bass sound... g'yeah.
High high high on the sustain knob for both.
- With the blend switch and high tone it will add a high fuzz above your bass... quite cool
- No blend, low tone, it just big muffs your whole bass sound... g'yeah.
High high high on the sustain knob for both.
