Help me with choosing a fuzz!

[Zeppelinfan8790]

I decided that although funds in my bank account are starting to run low, I NEED a fuzz pedal. My favorite fuzz tone is Hendrix's Band of Gypsies era tone, which would lead me to the Fulltone 70. I've heard both good and bad things about it, such as it is can pick up radio stations and might not work as well with humbuckers. The radio station thing might be a problem since my wah used to pic those up...Along with Hendrix I'd be playing some Cream and early Zep on this, however my amp can get somewhat close to those tones w/o the fuzz if necessary.

Out of all the clips I've heard, I think I like the 70 and the Soulbender more than the 69.

Keep in mind that I live no where near a dealer for anyone with good gear, so I can't try this stuff out.

And I would like to keep it below 140 used. I'm selling a Morley wah and a Dod chorus to help offset the costs a bit.

Thanks,
Chris

 

[mrid]

Re: Help me with choosing a fuzz!

I really liked the Soulbender.

 

[That90'sGuy]

Re: Help me with choosing a fuzz!

If you want a fuzz that does the Jimi thang, look no further than a Analogman NKT-45 Sun Face or a Pro Analog Mk II.

 

[Zeppelinfan8790]

Re: Help me with choosing a fuzz!

Can Soulbenders do the Jimi tone at all? And Chris, where can I find soundclips of the ones you posted?

Anyone else have a suggestion???

Thanks,
Chris

 

[B2D]

Re: Help me with choosing a fuzz!

I prefer the '69 because they're smoother but '70s are cool too... have not tried a soulbender.

Also check out a Prescription Electronics Experience Fuzz pedal.

 

[TheLizardKing]

Re: Help me with choosing a fuzz!

whats a good amp for the jimi sound under 500$?

 

[That90'sGuy]

Re: Help me with choosing a fuzz!

I can't find any sound clips however here are some reviews:

NKT Sun Face: http://www.harmony-central.com/Effects/Data/Analog_Man/NKT_Sun_Face-01.html

The Pro Analog Mk II is supposedly the current closest clone to the original Tonebender that vintage greats like Gilmour and Hendrix have used.

Here's the review for that: http://www.harmony-central.com/Effects/Data/Pro_Analog/MK_II-01.html

 

[Curly]

Re: Help me with choosing a fuzz!

I like early Jeff Beck fuzz ala Soulbender ....
here's my fuzz page:
Fuzz Box

for the Jimi tone, I'd say Fulltone '69 or '70 ... also look into the Roger Mayer Axis fuzz

 

[Zeppelinfan8790]

Re: Help me with choosing a fuzz!

The Sun Face sounds nice, but it's barely out of my price range unfortunately. The Pro Analog MkII I'd be leary about buying unless I could hear it first, which I havent yet. I didn't care for the Pres. Elec. Experience pedal too much...

This might be a dumb question but since the Soulbender and 69 both have the Germanium transistors, would I be able to get some Jimi tones from the Soulbender w/a strat and some Cream/Zep tones from the 69 w/ a paul or 335? I realise that they are different so it wouldnt be exactly the same but would it be similar?

Chris

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Help me with choosing a fuzz!

Curly's right!!! Look into ANY Roger Mayer fuzz...

-Classis Fuzz...Germanium version of Jimi's early modified fuzz boxes
-Axis Fuzz...Used on "Axis Bold as Love" early fuzz at it's best.
-Moongoose Fuzz...Sustain at low volume with US Stadium rock sound
-Spitfire Fuzz...Modern hard rock distortion with SRV tones
-Stone Fuzz...Ultra low end for metal and grunge heads.

These are ALL killer, I went on a 6 month Fuzz hunt! I got an Axis fuzz...and I love it, the classic was also very good.

Cost me 125 new...I see them for less that 90.00 used.

I really can't say enough good things about it

 

[Zeppelinfan8790]

Re: Help me with choosing a fuzz!

I checked out that Axis fuzz and found clips online....and I must say it seems pretty good. Plus the fact that it is orange and orange is my favorite color does not hurt one bit. I'll have to keep that one in mind...

Where did you get yours for 125? I'm only seeing them from 150 upwards...


Chris

 

[rhmcfarland]

Re: Help me with choosing a fuzz!

welcome to the world of finnicky fuzz...

The Soulbender won't do Hendrix quite to the degree you might want it to. The Soulbender is fat & smooth, and is modelled after the Solasound MK III. This is great for the Cream and early Led Zep tones.

The '70 is a silicon fuzz, and its got more gain and cut. It really needs to be matched up with a good tube amp, something like a Marhsall Plexi, Fender Bassman or Vox AC 30.

The '69 isn't as gainy as the Soulbender, but its a great fuzz, and I love how it cleans up. Its very responsive to player input, and very dynamic. Its germanium and warmer sounding than the '70.

I tried a ProAnalog MK II and sent it back because of a loud, bright hissssssssssssssss. Too loud for me, though it did have some interesting tonal characteristics.

Greg V (from Bogner Amplification) recently put a MP3 of the Sunface over on TDPRI. Its very similar to the Fulltone '69, maybe a little more gooey, but very close overall.

 

[kmcguitars]

Re: Help me with choosing a fuzz!

I never found a fuzz pedal I liked? I had a Diaz fuzzface and a dallas aribrighter. I found them a little over the top for my taste. Kinda muddy.
But I discovered the EH LPB-1. It's more a booster than a fuzz device.
This little Device SLAMS! the front end of your amp with Signal. It
gives you that Jimi Hendrix live at the winterland tone. On that album
Jimi is pushing his Marshsal's so hard you can all most hear them
croaking. But his tone was amazing !!

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Help me with choosing a fuzz!

Ibought mine several years ago at Manny's Music in downtown NYC!!! God I love that place. There is one on EBAY right now...buy it now for $100.00 I belive. I have several fuzz, overdrive, distortion, etc boxes...that is my fav fuzz...I've used it with Les Pauls, Strats, Teles...sounds good with them all. I also liked that it was Orange! It's built like a tank, and barreries last FOREVER!!!

 

[Zeppelinfan8790]

Re: Help me with choosing a fuzz!

Well so far, I think I've come to the conclusion that I'm gonna have to buy 2 pedals. One for the Jimi stuff, and a Soulbender for the Cream/Zep stuff. The 69 sounds like the 'safest' way to go, but I'm afraid that it would not have enough gain for my tastes. I'm goin for a later live tone, but one of my favorite studio tones is Voodoo Child (Slight Return). The fact that the 70 can get radio signals scares me because I have experienced that problem before. So that brings it to the Roger Mayer Axis fuzz. I like all the clips I've heard of it, and it is not supposed to get radio signals. I was reading the ToneTalk page on RM's site and when someone experienced radio problems with their Axis, an employee had them send it to the factory and fixed it up! Doesn't sound like too bad of a deal to me...

I might be buying the one on ebay in a couple days.

Thanks for all the help,

Chris

 

[Rich_T]

Re: Help me with choosing a fuzz!

check out the z vex fuzz factory. wierd thing, hand built and painted, funny lookin, but there is nothin it doesnt do.

 

[Curly]

Re: Help me with choosing a fuzz!

one of my favorite studio tones is Voodoo Child (Slight Return)

Chris

I thought that sounded pretty clean!

I'll have to listen again ... I thought that was his strat through a Twin tone

 

[Zeppelinfan8790]

Re: Help me with choosing a fuzz!

I thought that sounded pretty clean!

I'll have to listen again ... I thought that was his strat through a Twin tone

It does have some cleaner parts in the song but a lot of it is fuzz.

 

[mrfjones]

Re: Help me with choosing a fuzz!

check out the z vex fuzz factory. wierd thing, hand built and painted, funny lookin, but there is nothin it doesnt do.

i agree, there is nothing that little box won't do. I don't know what i played before i got one. Okay so i played a lot cleaner before.