On a fuzz quest...

Chicago Mike · Post by **Chicago Mike** » Fri Nov 21, 2008 11:45 pm

I've become addicted to listening to fuzz pedals on youtube and think I've inadvertently started a Fuzz Pedal Quest.

I don't have a fuzz now, but I use an old rat to dirty up my signal. Now I'm jones'n for a new fuzz.

Recently found the blackouteffect Musket and was pretty impressed.

Anyway, just wanted to get some suggestions of fuzz pedals you've all liked, owned, or play currently. I'm probably more into the fuzz face and muff based fuzz tones.

Sloan · Post by **Sloan** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 12:08 am

i leik boss fz-2

kim · Post by **kim** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 12:13 am

[youtube][/youtube]

<3

kim · Post by **kim** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 12:21 am

my foot

[youtube][/youtube]

Progrockabuse · Post by **Progrockabuse** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 12:23 am

what kinda fuzz you thinking of chicagomike?

proper nuts style? smoother? vintage? modern?

Baaan012 · Post by **Baaan012** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 2:52 am

Chicago Mike wrote:I've become addicted to listening to fuzz pedals on youtube

It's a ridiculous addiction that I cannot get rid of

Justin J · Post by **Justin J** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 3:06 am

big muff is a classic. the wooly mammoth is pretty cool too.

Will · Post by **Will** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 3:55 am

I'd think a USA Big Muff or a clone thereof would be a great place to start. Lots of variety, good control, reasonable price.

Fuzz Faces are very temperamental - they'll sound god-like with a particular amp once, and then terrible at another venue or volume level. The rolled-back-volume crunch sound is my favorite distortion, though.

Try a BMP and see how it works.

aen · Post by **aen** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 5:34 am

And then get some shortscaler to build you one.

Chicago Mike · Post by **Chicago Mike** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 7:08 am

That Ultimate Octave sounds pretty wicked with the octave switch on.

Yeah, I'm thinking I'm looking for that vintage but still full-on rock....but I've got to be somewhat careful with the low-end as my amp can get a little flabby/boomy sometimes when I start turning up loud. I have to re-eq the amp depending on the venue/volume level.

I was checking the Big Muff (had one a long time ago, but had a different amp back then and never used it) but liked both the Russian & US versions. I truly think I need an idiot proof fuzz to start out with...something I can control and explore.

From what I've pulled, the Russian Muff is "darker" and doesn't have an external power supply right?

Does anyone build muff clones on the board? I'd much rather spend my hard earned money here for sure if someone does that sort of thing...I saw in one post where Mike had a green muff clone, but I'm in the US.

aen · Post by **aen** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 7:12 am

Yeah mike does it, I'm releasing a muffish thing in January, but it's super pimped out,a nd probably way zanier than you need. Shipping one pedal isn't too expensive though, even 'cross the pond

I just got a fuzz face though, and it seems like a really good choice for a lot of situations. It has a great tone, and you can do the old "volume knob roll off for less gainy" type trick.

Chicago Mike · Post by **Chicago Mike** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 8:06 am

yeah, I been weeding though the "mikes pedals" post and the fuzz face demo on there sounds pretty great all around. I dig-it.

Post by **Mike** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 8:18 am

Hi Mike,

If you were interested it doesn't work out all that expensive even if you are in the US, I would be able to do a Green Big Muff for $120 (shortscalers get mates rates) and a Fuzzface with the Fuller mods for the same. The price includes P&P

I'm sure Aen's new pedal will be a Winner also

Cheers
M

Chicago Mike · Post by **Chicago Mike** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 8:31 am

Yeah, I've really been digging on the Fuzzface you built Benecol and the OCD for Stewart too....but I need a fuzz more than an OD at this point.

How is the Fuzzface that you build powered? Can it run off a boss daisy chain?

Post by **Mike** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 8:35 am

Unfortunately not, it is a "Genuine" FuzzFace in that it uses pnp Germanium Transistors and the classic circuit, so it is positive ground. This means that you can only run it on a battery or it's own power supply, if you daisy chain it with regular pedals it will ground out. However I did wire the DC jack so that you can use a regular boss style adaptor to power it (you won't need a reverse polarity adaptor) but you just can't daisy chain it. That said battery life should be very long and it has input jack switching to remove the battery from the circuit when you remove the input jack.

I could rework the circuit to use npn Silicion transistors and it would be daisy chainable then, but it wouldn't be a "real" FuzzFace, just a riff on the design, and it wouldn't sound the same, Si transistors are more aggressive than the Soft Clipping Germaniums.

Chicago Mike · Post by **Chicago Mike** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 8:46 am

Oh, that would be fine then if it could use it's own supply.

I think that Fuzzface will work out great...how does your operation work? Do I need to get on a waiting list?

aen · Post by **aen** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 8:58 am

You just need to send him a vial of your blood to be sure the unit gets enough Mojo.

benecol · Post by **benecol** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 9:14 am

It's a nice fuzz. Doubles up as a handy little overdrive too. It especially likes low output pickups.

Chicago Mike · Post by **Chicago Mike** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 9:33 am

Right on...I really dug the demo sounds that were up on the thread.

I run my amp pretty clean/loud and use a Mustang & Jaguar (with DiMarzio Pickups, Super Distortion & PAF).....I'm hoping to get some good creamy fuzz.

benecol · Post by **benecol** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 9:50 am

That'll be a lovely combination: while we're at it, Skip has got a little big muff up for sale or trades (I think) - you'll be covering most of the fuzz bases with two ace pedals that way.

On a fuzz quest...

On a fuzz quest...

Re: On a fuzz quest...