Recommend me a fuzz pedal

[Axl H]

Hey bros.

So, I am back on track with guitar. Havent played in a year or so, but the last two months have been filled with guitar and learning new stuff.

I am really digging Jimmy Page and Brian Robertsons sound nowadays, and I want a fuzz to get a sound similar to what Jimmy is using here:



I am using a ESP Eclipse with a set of SD 59's in neck and bridge. Basically a Les Paul with ebony fretboard, sounds great and quite balanced, with a bit of snap from the ebony fretboard.

I plug into a Line6 Pod 2.0. I will get an amp later, but for now this will have to do.

Denmark is quite limited, when it comes to fuzz, so I have a choice between the following:

Keeley Fuzz Head
Fulltone Soulbender
E.W.S Fuzzy Drive

Which one would be most suited for my needs?

Thanks

[Chris of Arabia]

Re: Recommend me a fuzz pedal

Carl Martin is in your vicinity too, isn't it?

[Axl H]

Re: Recommend me a fuzz pedal

Carl Martin is in your vicinity too, isn't it?

Of course. Niels is only a phone call away. But IIRC their Fuzz isnt really this kind of thing, is it? Or am I wrong?

Please tell me I am wrong, otherwise Niels will slap the s.h.i.t out of me.

[Chris of Arabia]

Re: Recommend me a fuzz pedal

All I can tell you is that 'The Fuzz' seems to be capable of quite a range from what I've seen on YT - I have no experience of them myself, or any other fuzz pedal for that matter. I was just a little surprised that it wasn't listed as an option near you, that's all.

[Andrew Lamprecht]

Re: Recommend me a fuzz pedal

it was a tonebender mk II used on that album.

[Reload in 5]

Re: Recommend me a fuzz pedal

Have you tried the fuzz models in the POD 2.0? Have you tried any of the 178 jimmy page tones on the POD 2.0 customtone page?

http://line6.com/customtone/search/

I wouldnt go buy a fuzz if I were you, I would save up for an amp (if that is what you eventually want) and just use the built in tones from the POD.

EDIT: nevermind, it looks like the 2.0 didnt have a fuzz. I am so used to the fact that the HD has like 6-7 different fuzz options, I thouhgt the 2.0 had at least 1. Still, try the custometone stuff, since after you get an amp you might not want the same fuzz (or any fuzz) as you might buy now.

[indie folk guy]

Re: Recommend me a fuzz pedal

try one of these

http://www.fulltone.com/products/soulbender

[Chris of Arabia]

Re: Recommend me a fuzz pedal

I decided to correct my lack of fuzziness and ordered one of these...



It's not all fuzz, but I love what it does here

[Chickenwings]

Re: Recommend me a fuzz pedal

isn that an overdrive?
I was gonna say get a bender for JP type tones.

[Lewguitar]

Re: Recommend me a fuzz pedal

I don't think a fuzz is what's needed or what's appropriate for Page's Led Zep tones on the first album. And he wasn't using humbuckers or a Les Paul.

Page supposedly used a small Supro amp, his Tele and skillful microphone placement & technique, including a microphone to pick up the ambiance of the room, to get his tones on the first album.

I've been able to get close enough with my Tele, a Boss DS-1 and a 5E3 Fender tweed Deluxe.

The Boss DS-1 isn't really a distortion pedal, IMO, as much as a boost. I don't use it much anymore but back when Satch and Vai were using them, so was I.

I don't know if Page used a boost or not. I'd guess that he did.

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Recommend me a fuzz pedal

Of the pedals you names a Soulbender is the best choice but understand a few things...

The Soulbender is a cross between a MK II and a MK III Tone Bender with some mods by Mike Fuller so it's still not a great choice.

What you want is a straight up MK II but good ones are hard tom come by and start at around 300usd these days.

There are some good ones to be had just be careful...there are far more bad ones out there than good and even more that are selling at stupid high prices claiming NOS trannys and using new trannys.

Personal fav MK II is my JMI MK II Tone Bender "reissue"...they are really great units, well made plus they look cool but even second hand they are 3 bills give or take...

You also need to know going in that using a humbucker to get that tone is just not going to work...I understand not wanting to buy a whole new rig to get that sound but you need a Tele, a MK II and a small old school tube amp

[indie folk guy]

Re: Recommend me a fuzz pedal

And just to clarify Page used a MkII tonebender, a Supro with a 6x9 speaker, and a tele on the recording.

So I was trying to give a suggestion within a reasonable price point. If money is no object I'd hunt down the above three items, but even with those you aren't JP so yeah it'll never be 100% spot on.

So seeing as how the most important piece of the equation falls in the fingers of the player I figured the Fulltone would be close enough to that tone to do it justice. IMHO the Fulltone is a more pleasing tone than the vintage Mk II and Mk III tonebenders I've played but that's subjective.

In all honesty I got the soul bender to do Jeff Beck, Trower, Hendrix, Page, and more. It's a great compliment to my VFE Custom Shop Fuzz Duo

[Chris of Arabia]

Re: Recommend me a fuzz pedal

isn that an overdrive?
I was gonna say get a bender for JP type tones.

Yeah it is, I'm just going off how they describe it as to whether it gets into fuzz territory when fully wound up. Like I said though, I'm something of a fuzz virgin, so we'll see how it goes.

[Chickenwings]

Re: Recommend me a fuzz pedal

cool. Hope it works out!

[Axl H]

Re: Recommend me a fuzz pedal

Thanks for the help everyone, but just to clarify one thing.

That BBC sessions clip is record, live, between 1969 and 1971 - he WAS using his Les Paul by this time according to all information I have been able to find, thats why I figured that sound was within reach.

Soulbender it is then, I guess. An original MkII is too expensive