Fuzz Pedals - Where to start?

[Agileguy_101]

Re: Fuzz Pedals - Where to start?

Not a fuzz

What are you talking about - the Big Muff?

[Chickenwings]

Re: Fuzz Pedals - Where to start?

http://www.hartmanelectronicstore.com/Germanium-Fuzz_c6.htm

good place to start....plenty of fuzz faces and variations. Hand built. Great stuff.

[tc]

Re: Fuzz Pedals - Where to start?

I'd say go with a used Hendrix or Bonamassa Fuzzface to try them out first. They won't set you back as much as most boutique pedals and they're real good. The enclosure and reversed i/o aren't for everyone though, specially if you're going for a compact pedalboard. I paid $75 (50 pounds) for mine, although I know it might be a bit harder to track a used one in the UK than in the US.

I bought the Hendrix as my first fuzz, and I just never had to progress since I was so happy with it. From that family I've since tried the Sunface (not sure of the trannies) and the MJM London (germanium) and while they did feel and sound better to me, the Hendrix is enough for now. Another option with some modern commodities is the MXR BC108, but for some reason the Hendrix just sounded better to me. Not sure if it was the perceived mojo or whatever though.

When it comes to other fuzz families like Tonebenders though, I'm a complete ignorant. Not a fan of the Big Muff Pi though. Some of the crazier Devi Ever contraptions are cool though and most remind me of a souped up Muff, but I'm not too keen on them overall.

[Chris of Arabia]

Re: Fuzz Pedals - Where to start?

Well I'll be shopping in Austin, TX next month, so it will be whatever I can find there to try out for now.

I have to say though, I'm amazed at how much interest has been generated on a thread about the humble fuzz. Truly heartwarming it is...

[tc]

Re: Fuzz Pedals - Where to start?

Fuzz is kinda like marmite. It's got a quirky flavor entirely it's own, it goes better over crunchy toast than regular bread (overdriven vs. clean amp...not always though), and it's a love it or hate it thing. Most people that love it, really do love it.

[Inkstained]

Re: Fuzz Pedals - Where to start?

I've been on a fuzz kick since Christmas, with an MXR Classic 108 fuzz. Love it, love how it fattens up single-coil sounds particularly (although it's also fun with humbuckers).

The Classic 108 is simply the guts of the Hendrix Fuzz Face in a pedalboard friendly shape, with a buffer, AC operation and a few other features. I'm aware of what Hendrix, Gilmour, Eric Johnson (and others) have done with 'Faces, but I'm not trying to emulate any of those guys. You can do your own thing. That's the beauty of a good fuzz.

[stevie_bees]

Re: Fuzz Pedals - Where to start?

I've come to the conclusion that full on fuzz is not my thing. I am toying with the idea of a Big Muff with Tone Wicker, that's probably about as nasty as I'm prepared to go.

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Fuzz Pedals - Where to start?

I'm saying the solo in that Zep track is not a fuzz...

[xxxplorer]

Re: Fuzz Pedals - Where to start?

I'm curious about the Joe Bonamassa fuzz myself. Joe uses humbuggies like I do so maybe it will gel with my Marshall rig and buckers

[ehdwuld]

Re: Fuzz Pedals - Where to start?

Get a SD TweakFuzz and do the volume mod
and no that clip aint a Fuzz

sounds like a buzzy chorus

[Rich_S]

Re: Fuzz Pedals - Where to start?

I hear a phaser on that solo, but not much fuzz.

Question for you Fuzz Face Fanatics (Christian in particular): how does the MXR 108 rate compared to the other FF's that go under the Dunlop name? Is it a fairly authentic Fuzz Face, with added modern convenience (i.e. the buffer). Or has it lost some of it vintage purity in the attempt to make it more user-friendly?

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Fuzz Pedals - Where to start?

I hear a phaser on that solo, but not much fuzz.

Question for you Fuzz Face Fanatics (Christian in particular): how does the MXR 108 rate compared to the other FF's that go under the Dunlop name? Is it a fairly authentic Fuzz Face, with added modern convenience (i.e. the buffer). Or has it lost some of it vintage purity in the attempt to make it more user-friendly?

The trannys in the BC108 and the blue Hendrix Fuzz are the same but the rest of the parts are different and the construction is different.

I've never A/Bed the 2 and to be honest I've never even tried the BC108 but I do own a blue Hendrix fuzz and it's just a killer pedal and at the price point it's mind blowing.