When to use distortion/fuzz, etc.

[deathness]

Use fuzz when you're alone and you'll never be lonely. Use fuzz at the party and you'll never stop having sex.

 

[Matt Dean]

I use fuzz, distortion or OD about 1/2 the time and compressorized clean about 1/2 the time... for me it really depends on the style of music and the specific song. I also use fuzz or distortion with filters and/or an octave pedal.

 

[JimmyM]

We do "Dance To The Music" in many of our shows, so I use that as one excuse for using fuzz. Definitely have to pick my moments with it. Mild overdrive is something I can use a lot more than fuzz but I still love fuzz.

 

[Hi-End Basses]

I think it depends on the music your band plays, and it's true that the other band members will give you immediate feedback, and they should. I'm in a band that plays dark metal, and I always have my overdrive pedal on. Distortion and fuzz is always a good option when you play the music we play. Conversely, I find no need for envelope filters, synthesizers, flangers. It's not my sound. That doesn't mean that I wouldn't pick one up if the song needed it.

 

[Hi-End Basses]

We do "Dance To The Music" in many of our shows, so I use that as one excuse for using fuzz. Definitely have to pick my moments with it. Mild overdrive is something I can use a lot more than fuzz but I still love fuzz.

Agreed. For me, in the order of consistency, it's OD always on, then distortion, and then fuzz depending on the song. Most of the time overdrive is sufficient dirt.

 

[Feral Feline]

What does the song call for? Constant fuzz throughout? Or Fuzz on the chorus only, fuzz on the verses only, fuzz on the middle 8 only, fuzz on the bass solo only, fuzz on the bass to try to drown out the guitar solo only, fuzz to drown out the singer only...


Use when needed and appropriate for as much as is needed and appropriate.

 

[oysteivi]

+1 for drowning out the guitar solo!

 

[Fondsdale]

Depends what you are playing. Metal and some Rock fuzz may be appropriate but for anything else I wouldn't use it.

If you play in a band with 1 guitarist you can turn it on for the guitar solo as it will fill out the sound.

 

[cnltb]

Hello everyone,

So I'm not a big effects guy. But my pedal (Digitech BP355) has plenty of great distortion/fuzz effects. However, I am not sure when it's appropriate to use such effects. Is it okay to play a whole song with it or only certain parts?

Depends on the specific song and on who is paying for you to play it.
Do they like it?
Do you like it?
Try it and see how it works.

 

[Crystalman85]

If you're looking for patch ideas for the digitech bp355, visit this thread.

Digitech bp355 patch ideas