I don't get fuzz pedals

I don't own one and don't know if I should. I play blues mostly and some classic rock, so basically low to medium gain. Occasionally I like to crank up into heavier duty Buddy Guy territory, which can be pretty high gain, at least for my style. Mostly, I play leads with a strat or tele with a neck bucker. Would a fuzz box work for my style? When I think fuzz, I think, well, fuzz - lots buzz and distortion, but maybe there's more to them sonically, especially with single notes.

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I love love love Germanium Fuzz's. They can go from "Fuzzy" to "Extremely Clean" with the turn of your guitar's knob. With every shade of Dist/Fuzz in between.

Would a fuzz box work for my style?

The only way to really know is to spend some time with one.

It's no different than experimenting with solidbody vs semi-hollow, PAF vs single coil, whammy bar vs hardtail, Marshall vs Vox vs Fender vs ____...

Or other types of effects. Some folks use wah, others have no need. Some insist on a compressor.

I personally have no need for chorus, ever. It's not a bad effect - it just kind of gets in the way of what I'm trying to do, if that makes sense.

Slide guitar comes to mind. Some folks dig it, others will never even have a desire to try it.

Being a fuzz user is almost like joining an institution. It's like guitarists who use dirt vs those who don't want anything sullying their tone.

There are a zillion ways to use fuzz. Some folks use it more like a light OD, just like some folks use an OD as a booster. There are obviously those who use or think of fuzz as a very extreme or bombastic effect, or associate it with only certain things, like 60's psychedelia, Jimi H, or Jimmy P, or...whatever.

Younger generations have now come up and fallen in love with the bombastic nature of the Big Muff, which I kind of consider a second generation fuzz, or something that can be more like a distortion than the typical gating/farting/cutting out effect of either a silicon or germanium fuzz design that preceded it.

It's easy to forget that with most fuzzes, guitarists imposed their own ideas on what they should do. There was no master plan from the companies who made them for the longest time. If Jimi et al would have used them in another way, things would have ended up much differently.

You mentioned playing blues - the tools of the trade or "standard rigs" of blues players obviously evolved around what the pioneers were doing. It has shaped the rig choices of subsequent blues guitarists in the hundreds of thousands. I could be wrong, but I don't think the first guitar and amp that a blues player would grab would be a Parker Fly and Bogner Ecstasy, but I could be wrong.

And I have to be honest. There's days that I love fuzz, and days I just can't stand it. I think it's because I have to use it for something appropriate (not a genre or cover band thing, but what I am literally playing), or it simply becomes non-music.

I'm an artist as well (when time permits), and often liken fuzz to painting with watercolors. There has to be a great deal of surrender and "non-conscious trust," or watercolors can drive a painter nuts. There's cold press paper that the pigment will sit on for awhile, but it's harder to get blended transitions. There's hot press paper that will grab the pigment immediately. But with either one, it still requires a sort of relaxed method, and a bit of real-time precision. but you can only be precise to a point. Fuzz can be like that oftentimes - it's not the kind of effect that you can completely dominate (IMO). And that means that it just isn't for everyone.

Get an old-school style fuzz face, Ge or Si, plug it in, turn down your guitar's volume a touch and sing a verse. Crank it back up and take a solo.

If that doesn't do it then fuzz isn't for you.

GP for the win!

i play blues too, and i got one a while back, and didn't like it, but now i'm wanting one. i've been listening to a lot of early clapton and now i'm wanting higher gain available. a DIY BSIAB2 will probably do it close enough for me though. http://www.generalguitargadgets.com/projects/17-distortion/105-bsiab-2?phpMyAdmin=78482479fd7e7fc3768044a841b3e85a

Silicon Fuzz Face sounds just about right for blues (not to mention a ton of other stuff). My personal favorite is the Tonebender though... gobs and gobs of furry sustain... mmm

Thanks for all the input, guys. Sounds like I need to try one. I didn't think it could clean so much as in Telefunken's video or otherwise work as a light od. Sounds like the right fuzz could be pretty versatile.

Thanks for all the input, guys. Sounds like I need to try one. I didn't think it could clean so much as in Telefunken's video or otherwise work as a light od. Sounds like the right fuzz could be pretty versatile.

Tell ya what mate, go buy a big muff. Not the little one or the tone wicker one. The actual big one.

Use NOTHING else for your drive sound for 4 days (or equivalent) unless you need a mid boost, then use something appropriate.

Post results.

:mrgreen:

Tell ya what mate, go buy a big muff. Not the little one or the tone wicker one. The actual big one.

Use NOTHING else for your drive sound for 4 days (or equivalent) unless you need a mid boost, then use something appropriate.

Post results.

:mrgreen:

This sounds like a solid plan to me.

I never was a huge fan of fuzz until '04. Bought a Cornish P-2 & fell in love with it. Had Pete build me a P-1 as well & could not imagine not having them. Awesome pedal for blues, rock.

Get an old-school style fuzz face, Ge or Si, plug it in, turn down your guitar's volume a touch and sing a verse. Crank it back up and take a solo.

If that doesn't do it then fuzz isn't for you.

+1

I dig the Muff, big time, but I'd stick with a Fuzz Face(or variant) if I were you. There is a real magic to learning how your volume knob works with a fuzz, and how you can go from light OD to straight up killer fuzz

Big Muff is great, but it doesn't do that

I dig the Muff, big time, but I'd stick with a Fuzz Face(or variant) if I were you. There is a real magic to learning how your volume knob works with a fuzz, and how you can go from light OD to straight up killer fuzz

Big Muff is great, but it doesn't do that

That's why I got rid of my three Big Muffs.

For real T!


People don't get it, it's magic

To the OP, I am just like you -- I just got a big Muff Pi Tone Wicker and am loving the lead tones. I had a Boss FZ-3 but didn't like it because it sounded too much like 80s punk to me. I have yet to try the Fuzz Face thing as others suggested; I guess it's in my future. The analogman fuzzes sound great to me, though I've only heard them online and they are too expensive to order one cold.

Already I see the point about playing with the volume knob and fuzz (albeit with the Muff) -- you can really dial in a sound if you are paying attention to the notches on your dial.

Anyway, my main point was -- right on with the heavy Buddy Guy stuff -- Sweet Tea is an awesome album for thick fuzz and crazy reverb. I love his tone on that album -- thick, unbridled and moody.

I have yet to try the Fuzz Face thing as others suggested; I guess it's in my future. The analogman fuzzes sound great to me, though I've only heard them online and they are too expensive to order one cold.

I suggest you try the MXR Classic 108 fuzz - lots of cool FF vibe for low bucks compared to the Dunlop sig series FF's, or obviously stuff like the analogman fuzz pedals.

The Classic 108 has a lot of goodies from the more expensive Dunlop fuzzes implemented in it, so it's no wonder that it has such a strong positive appeal. The only thing you'd have to "take a chance with," is the fact that it's silicon, and that seems to hang some folks up.

While I don't need another fuzz, I'm seriously thinking about grabbing a Classic 108 myself, simply because the design is so well thought out. The daggone thing even has a buffer mode switch in it. While I couldn't imagine ever using it, the more important thing is that it is evidence of smart and flexible design. I can't believe that it's possible to get a kickass FF for just a little over a hundred beans. Sorry for what sounds like a plug, but the C108 just seems like a good'un if you don't have hundreds to throw at a Sunface or similar.

I suggest you try the MXR Classic 108 fuzz - lots of cool FF vibe for low bucks compared to the Dunlop sig series FF's, or obviously stuff like the analogman fuzz pedals.

The Classic 108 has a lot of goodies from the more expensive Dunlop fuzzes implemented in it, so it's no wonder that it has such a strong positive appeal. The only thing you'd have to "take a chance with," is the fact that it's silicon, and that seems to hang some folks up.

While I don't need another fuzz, I'm seriously thinking about grabbing a Classic 108 myself, simply because the design is so well thought out. The daggone thing even has a buffer mode switch in it. While I couldn't imagine ever using it, the more important thing is that it is evidence of smart and flexible design. I can't believe that it's possible to get a kickass FF for just a little over a hundred beans. Sorry for what sounds like a plug, but the C108 just seems like a good'un if you don't have hundreds to throw at a Sunface or similar.

You're so right! I was out hunting for a compressor and an MXR 108 happened to come home with me. It's a great pedal that gets a lot of those classic tones. It's not as dynamic as the Earthquaker Devices Dream Crusher (I highly recommend that one to the OP) but it has some amazing tones. I find the buffer switch brings back some treble to the tone; I haven't tried it next to a wah yet (that's my next move) but the 108's a great value for the $$$.

I plan on using it to terrorize my church choir this Sunday. :twisted:

Beans?



I think you mean bones!:lol:



(beans is cool too)

I just discovered them this year when they put out their new alum, Brothers. Search Youtube for them on Letterman to hear some good quality live stuff. My favorites are Stack Shot Billy, Gold on the Ceiling, and Lonely Boy. The new stuff is not quite as fuzz heavy as their earlier releases.








I don't own one and don't know if I should. I play blues mostly and some classic rock, so basically low to medium gain. Occasionally I like to crank up into heavier duty Buddy Guy territory, which can be pretty high gain, at least for my style. Mostly, I play leads with a strat or tele with a neck bucker. Would a fuzz box work for my style? When I think fuzz, I think, well, fuzz - lots buzz and distortion, but maybe there's more to them sonically, especially with single notes.

I just discovered them this year when they put out their new alum, Brothers. Search Youtube for them on Letterman to hear some good quality live stuff. My favorites are Stack Shot Billy, Gold on the Ceiling, and Lonely Boy. The new stuff is not quite as fuzz heavy as their earlier releases.



Rubber Factory is the best. Thickfreakness has alot of good fuzz in it too.

I mainly play blues, too, and the only fuzz pedal I use these days is a Bues OD. I've had plenty of other distortions, but if blues is your thing then a blues pedal could be what you want.

An OD isn't a fuzz.

That's why I got rid of my three Big Muffs.

You'll be back. I did the Muff purge as well. I have two again - LOL.

I just discovered them this year when they put out their new alum, Brothers. Search Youtube for them on Letterman to hear some good quality live stuff. My favorites are Stack Shot Billy, Gold on the Ceiling, and Lonely Boy. The new stuff is not quite as fuzz heavy as their earlier releases.

THIS!!! xeleventybillion....The Black Keys use fuzz for their blues-based brand of rocknroll. I wasn't a big fan of fuzz until I heard these guys. Now I own all their albums, and their fuzz tone is sublime.

I didn't buy a boutique, expensive fuzz. Heckles, I picked up a Dano Cool Cat fuzz v.1 for $25. Best monies I've spent. It can do Black Sabbath, Zep, and Black Keys. I haven't tried Jimi H. though. Hmmm...might do that tonight.

To the OP, I am just like you -- I just got a big Muff Pi Tone Wicker and am loving the lead tones. I had a Boss FZ-3 but didn't like it because it sounded too much like 80s punk to me. I have yet to try the Fuzz Face thing as others suggested; I guess it's in my future. The analogman fuzzes sound great to me, though I've only heard them online and they are too expensive to order one cold.

Already I see the point about playing with the volume knob and fuzz (albeit with the Muff) -- you can really dial in a sound if you are paying attention to the notches on your dial.

Anyway, my main point was -- right on with the heavy Buddy Guy stuff -- Sweet Tea is an awesome album for thick fuzz and crazy reverb. I love his tone on that album -- thick, unbridled and moody.

This is the tone I was thinking about when I started wondering if a fuzz could get me there, or at least in the ballpark.

You'll be back. I did the Muff purge as well. I have two again - LOL.

I came back three times and determined that I prefer a Germamium Fuzz, they make the guitar's volume knob magical.

I prefer a Germamium Fuzz, they make the guitar's volume knob magical.

If you match the gains of the germanium transistors with same gain silicons, it will do the same thing (IMO). The bonus is that silicons have no leakage issues, aren't affected by temperature changes, are very common in NPN form (so no need to only use battery power because of a positive ground box), and other benefits (typically much less noise).

In some instances, a small cap may need to be connected between the base and collector leads of the 2nd transistor in a silicon FF with "the right gains," but that is all it really needs to get it to "finishing school."

I might get a big bag of cheap military surplus Russian germanium trannies, but I am done horsing around with that stuff.

The Trifecta is fairly versatile.

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I came back three times and determined that I prefer a Germamium Fuzz, they make the guitar's volume knob magical.

I can honestly say I don't much know the difference in the two, the only fuzzes I've had have been silicon. However, a friend of mine was using a Jetter Indigo last week, which I don't think is quite on the market yet. It is supposedly made to sound like a germanium fuzz and it was absolutely incredible. He gave me the owner's number and I was able to order one from him yesterday. He said it would be the very last one of the first batch. It should be built and shipped out on Saturday. There's a clip up over on TGP.

I came back three times and determined that I prefer a Germamium Fuzz, they make the guitar's volume knob magical.

Yep, I have an MXR 108 slicon and a DenTone Germ fuzzface, and the germanium does a couple things through the volume knob spectrum that the silicon can't. At one point it sounds like it is going through a low pass filter. for the extra $20 the Dentone costs, it is well worth it. The MXR 108 was my introduction to fuzzface, and really, it is excellent. The one I compare as a baseline for all other fuzzes.

- used one a long time ago on early Sabbath and pictures of mastik men

It took me a while to find a fuzz that I like, I have several and I settled on Blackout Effects Musket. You can't go wrong this pedal. I don't do the splat thing that some fuzz pedals do. Big Muff is a great pedal, but the Musket offers way more tone control plus the box is small enough for tight pedal boards. I use it for three songs at the gig, and will never take it off the pedal board. If a pedal doesn't get used much I'll get rid of it, but not the case with this little gem. If you can, you need to try before you buy! Getting the right fuzz pedal for me, was the hardest tone search out of all the pedals I've collected, so try out a bunch of em' The Muff might be your thing, or something else. Just my 2 cent

I suggest you try the MXR Classic 108 fuzz - lots of cool FF vibe for low bucks compared to the Dunlop sig series FF's, or obviously stuff like the analogman fuzz pedals.

The Classic 108 has a lot of goodies from the more expensive Dunlop fuzzes implemented in it, so it's no wonder that it has such a strong positive appeal. The only thing you'd have to "take a chance with," is the fact that it's silicon, and that seems to hang some folks up.

While I don't need another fuzz, I'm seriously thinking about grabbing a Classic 108 myself, simply because the design is so well thought out. The daggone thing even has a buffer mode switch in it. While I couldn't imagine ever using it, the more important thing is that it is evidence of smart and flexible design. I can't believe that it's possible to get a kickass FF for just a little over a hundred beans. Sorry for what sounds like a plug, but the C108 just seems like a good'un if you don't have hundreds to throw at a Sunface or similar.

So...UPDATE: a Classic 108 just came up on CL for $75 bucks so I grabbed it. You (and others) were so right. This is a fantastic pedal. More "fuzzy" than the Big Muff Pi Tone Wicker (which I still like) and it's got a chewiness that the muff doesn't have. It's more defined and I think quieter than the Muff. It's a keeper! Thanks for the heads up. Your knowledge == my satisfaction on a Thursday afternoon! :cool:

I wasn't a fuzz guy until I got my Analogman Sun Bender. I've always been a OD/Dist/Boost guy but the Sun Bender is definitely a usuable pedal for me. It's extremely volume knob responsive and can range from break-up tones to full on fuzz.

As far as germanium vs silicon, I MUCH prefer Germanium. It's smoother, creamier, etc and more old school type sound. I hate the sputtery/spitty and real raspy fuzzes (the new EJ Fuzz Face is a perfect example of the type of fuzz I hate) and really prefer a smooth creamy fuzz. I also don't care for the Pink Floyd Gilmour type sound and don't want that either. I've never liked EHX Big Muffs - I much prefer Ge Fuzz Faces and Tone Benders.

Never really tried fuzz pedals beside some Muff pedals.But i can say for sure i'm not a Muff guy...
Should try some "old school" fuzz pedals...
Any recommendations without spending a fortune?

I never thought of my self as a fuzz guy till I traded around for a Diamond Fireburst. This thing is absolutely a blast to play. It has a thick low end and endless drive. It's very early Clapton/Cream meets David Grissom. Not too fuzzy but just enough to give you the "blow your amp up" illusion. So fun.

Never really tried fuzz pedals beside some Muff pedals.But i can say for sure i'm not a Muff guy...
Should try some "old school" fuzz pedals...
Any recommendations without spending a fortune?

The old school fuzz pedals use germanium transistors and they're all fairly expensive gypsy. Tonebender clones can run you $200 or more. There are some kits builds out there if you DIY.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAVhAgTIP6g

This one may work for many non fuzz lovers. Cheap and very usefull.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAVhAgTIP6g

This one may work for many non fuzz lovers. Cheap and very usefull.

Shhh! keep that one a secret ;)
Great pedal!

I love Fuzz. Absolutely love it.
But I like to use it in a way that sounds like a very very dynamic drive, and not like a 'FUUUUZZZZZzzz!' (though .. sometimes .. :)
Lower gain Ge or Si Fuzz's will both do this.

maybe try a ram-head big muff - lower level of fuzz

You're so right! I was out hunting for a compressor and an MXR 108 happened to come home with me. It's a great pedal that gets a lot of those classic tones. It's not as dynamic as the Earthquaker Devices Dream Crusher (I highly recommend that one to the OP) but it has some amazing tones. I find the buffer switch brings back some treble to the tone; I haven't tried it next to a wah yet (that's my next move) but the 108's a great value for the $$$.

I plan on using it to terrorize my church choir this Sunday. :twisted:

Did you?

Double muff seems more overdrivey for me, not like a true fuzz

At the moment, I have three fuzzes. None of them are what you would consider traditional... MXR Blue Box, Fender Blender, and Mojo Hand One Ton Bee (Mosrite-type). When I want to use a fuzz, it is usually because Buck Owens or the Ventures flashed through my mind. Ha.

Ive been on a fuzz quest myself as well lately. I borrowed a MXR108 off a friend for a bit and quite liked it. Not enough to buy one though. There are some nice fuzzes out there, but I just can't seem to bring myself to pay 200$+ for any of the ones I really like. Not when there are like 30$ worth of parts in them. I'm gonna try my hand at building the Easy Face circuit at General Guitar Gadgets and just ordered all the parts last week. I don't know if anyone here has built one but I 'll let everyone know what I think about it when I get it together and working.

I find them..
Wildly individualistic, to say "I don't like fuzz" is like saying I don't like...water?
Guitar/PU/amp, sensitive, what is a magic combo with one rig is no go when one item is changed out.
Very sensitive to guitar volume and tone settings, if nothing else experiment with this..

+1 for the fireburst. This pedal is great and offers lots of tone controls to help you cut through. It's a little pricey but well worth it. I was torn between it and the fulltone '70 when i was searching for one and got the fulltone instead. Not saying I regret it, but the firebust is great and worth checking out

Double muff seems more overdrivey for me, not like a true fuzz

I get your point there.
I recall our resident stomp guru 11Gauge pointing out that is two 'tricked out' Fuzz Face derived circuits (I guess, based on original Muff Fuzz) cascading into each other.

It is a Fuzz. Two in fact.
Agreed, the result somehow sounds more of a fuzz-esque distortion / drive.

Recent 'fuzz convert' here...hadn't played thru one since I gave away my '70's Ibanez SuperFuzz around 1980.
After reading the posts about using the guitar volume pot to vary the effect, I grabbed a Dingotone GHF.
Wow! Where have I been? Very versatile, and unlike any dirt I currently have.
Thought for years that for my style I didn't need fuzz. I was wrong. But I've been wrong before, and will be again. And again.

Try that with a Rat
Fuzz-esque with all the control you want and as much OD or distortion you like

Get an old-school style fuzz face, Ge or Si, plug it in, turn down your guitar's volume a touch and sing a verse. Crank it back up and take a solo.

If that doesn't do it then fuzz isn't for you.
Personally I like the Basic audio or the wampler
Very clean and transparent fuzziness

Just get a copy of Lucinda Williams Live at Fillmore, and dig into Doug Pettibone using a Z Vex fuzz Factory, and you will love fuzz..................:-)

Just get a copy of Lucinda Williams Live at Fillmore, and dig into Doug Pettibone using a Z Vex fuzz Factory, and you will love fuzz..................:-)

just ordered a fuzz factory clone kit so i checked out doug and lucinda on youtube hope mine sounds half as good as that

Dinosaur Jr.

Enough said.