Recommend me a fuzz pedal

Axl H

Axl H

Blowthebloodydoorsoffologist
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
 
Re: Recommend me a fuzz pedal

Chris of Arabia said:
Carl Martin is in your vicinity too, isn't it?
Click to expand...

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. ;) :D
 
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.
 
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.
 
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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
 
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.
 
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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
 
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
 
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Re: Recommend me a fuzz pedal

gibson175 said:
isn that an overdrive?
I was gonna say get a bender for JP type tones.
Click to expand...

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.
 
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 :(
 
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Re: Recommend me a fuzz pedal

Alright...I have ti say this before getting deeper into this topic at all.

No one really know what model Supro Jimmy used on LZI but there is no way to my ears it had a 6x9 speaker...amps that do have a VERY signature sound and it's a sound I do NOT hear on any Zep stuff.
 
Re: Recommend me a fuzz pedal

Moving on...I can't listen to the BB clip because it's been removed btu I do have some facts that might help...

There are 2 versions of Communication Breakdown on the BBC sessions.

The version from disc 1 was recorded live March 3rd 1969 the version from disc 2 was recorded live April 1st 1971

Jimmy bought his first burst Les Paul (the one he calls number 1) from Joe Walsh "mid April 1969

So, if you have the BBC disc the first Communication Break down is his almost w/o a doubt Tele and the second version would almost for sure be his Les Paul.

As for amps Jimmy used Solid State Rickenbacker amps a lot during that period.

Effects...Grey Vox wah (Pre Clyde), MK II Tone Bender and Echoplex.

By 1971 it was full on Les Paul and Marshall but by that time the MK II was completely gone form Jimmys set up...

Here is a 4 song clip from March 1969 (this had to be within 7-10 days of the first BBC session and I'd bet this is THE rig he used form that session.)...the fuzz can be herd to great effect in this clip.

 
Re: Recommend me a fuzz pedal

The clip I am talking about, is the 1971 version. I just thought he used a fuzz in the early days with the Les Paul as well.. Bugger.
 
Re: Recommend me a fuzz pedal

Nope...not much if at all.

The LP gave him more sustain and crunch over the Tele so he sort of ditched the fuzz however there was a time when he was using a funky old transistor driven booster made by Univox called the Uni-Drive...

I dunno if he was using it in 1971 or not but it might be worth digging into however a Les Paul into a Super Lead will get most of those early 70's Zep tones...
 
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