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Your favourite gated fuzz...and why?

Which is your favourite gated fuzz, and why is this particular pedal your #1?
Thanks!
I’ve been using the Duality fuzz. I like mixing the two circuits together in different ways and using the blend in different amounts. If you turn the Duality knob all the way to the left and blend all the way up its all gated fuzz. But yeah you can basically mix the two fuzz circuits with the dry signal any way you want. The filter control is a big part of why I like the Duality. It’s kind of like an adjustable lpf. And it does a great job filtering out harsh unwanted frequencies that usually make active basses into fuzz sound like garbage. So it working well with active basses is another reason I like it.
 
The Deluxe EHX Muffs actually serve really great as gated muffs with the internal gate cranked up. Most people here love the bass one but the red Deluxe Muff is a real treat when gated but with the mid control blasting your signal away.
 
For gated fuzzes, I have a Brown Dog and a TAFM. Overall I definitely prefer the TAFM as my #1 fuzz. Its gate mode is preset to a decent usable state, though I need to tweak my bass' volume knob to dial it in. The Brown Dog gate on the other hand, is very nicely tweakable and may be the better choice if a specific gated sound is your goal. For me though, the TAFM punches through a loud mix better than the Dog.
 
Again, for this application I also really like the Lateral Sound Spore, since its Bias knob works as gate of sorts on both ends. On the lower end it starves the signal so it barely "farts" through, while on the other end it does a classic velcro-y gate (maybe not as hard and rippy as with a Mastotron/Wolly Mammoth or Fuzz Factory, but it definitely does the job).

The downside: It's not really well known and I think there's no demo of it around that really does it justice.
 
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When I had it, the Iron Ether Oxide was the one for me. I got some amazing gated sounds but I stupidly flipped it as I thought I could order a new one when I was ready...then Taylor discontinued it. So, if anyone has a newer Oxide (with the jacks on top) let me know...
 
When I had it, the Iron Ether Oxide was the one for me. I got some amazing gated sounds but I stupidly flipped it as I thought I could order a new one when I was ready...then Taylor discontinued it. So, if anyone has a newer Oxide (with the jacks on top) let me know...
Hi BaseHead. I own an old Oxide (not interested in selling it) the one with the sided jacks. I'm curious... is there a difference between the Old and New Oxide besides the position of the jacks? Thanks
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I like and use the Mountainking Electronics Frequency LSD. Why? Because it’s so over the top and harsh. You really know when you turn it on. It does slightly eat away the bottom bass, but it suits the purpose I have for it. Probably not everyone’s cup of tea.

I’ve been thinking of getting another gated fuzz, but everything seems so tame. The Duality is interesting, though. As is the Mountainking Magnetar.

The Source Audio Aftershock has an ok gated fuzz, I seem to recall. But that is not what it excels at.
 
I don't THINK there's a difference sound wise but @Taylor Livingston could answer that best....

No difference, same circuit and PCB. The very early Oxides (some of which had side jacks and some top jacks) had some component value differences that made some of them extra loud and/or have a bit more or less high end available on the tone control, but those values were standardized within the first year it was available.
 
Currently using an Empress Zoia with a fuzz and gate module. I don't love the digital fuzz, but it isn't bad (the Source Audit Aftershock was similar in some ways, and I liked their Fuzz circuit).

I like it because I can set the type of fuzz (3 or 4 different voices). I can set the gate sensitivity. I can add a cab sim and eq to it. I can HPF the incoming signal to keep the lows from being too big.

It isn't the best on the market, but it is useable and flexible.

I don't have any other gated fuzz pedals, so it has to be my favorite :)