Chords with Fuzzes

[RaistMagus]

My Behringer SF 300 Fuzz (a copy of Boss's FZ-2) doesn't respond well to chords.

Playing single notes it sounds ok. Adding ocatves, perfect 5ths and perfect 4ths, it still sounds ok. But every other not-so-consonant note that is added to the chord makes the output pure sonic mud. I understand it's something to do with the frequencies of the notes, the base note along with its 2nd, 3rd and 4th harmonic notes sound ok but all else sound bad.

I had noticed a similar behavior on the Tomato Mutant Fuzz I used to have.

However, the Fuzz Faces in Amplitube software respond very well to chords, even with 7ths, 9ths etc. (I've never had the chance to play through a real Fuzz Face).

So, does the Boss FZ-2 deliver chords ok? Is something wrong with the Behringer copy? Do real-life Fuzz Faces deliver chords allright? Are there two 'families' of fuzzes, with different design and function principles, one that delivers chords and one that doesnt?

[artdecade]

If a fuzz does deliver chords, I would argue that its probably not a fuzz. They rarely work with chords (other than power "chords"). Its the nature of the beast.

[11 Gauge]

Originally Posted by artdecade

If a fuzz does deliver chords, I would argue that its probably not a fuzz. They rarely work with chords (other than power "chords"). Its the nature of the beast.

The more subtle fuzzes or more dynamic/reactive fuzzes can deliver chords IME, but a lot of that comes down to playing technique.

The more extreme fuzzes make it tougher.

I have built a few things that are variations of either low gain silicon Fuzz Faces, and they incorporate elements that are in something like the new Dunlop Eric Johnson sig FF. But the EJ sig FF is actually a higher gain silicon FF. It has an uncanny ability to keep stuff intact (both chords and single notes) if you modulate your playing to a certain extent. Actually, IMO, just straight up power chords are not really the most exciting thing with the EJ FF - it's "getting away" with the more fusion-y types of chords. The low notes will still intermodulate the higher ones, but it's possible to "squeeze" the emphasis of the higher notes w/o them getting lost in the sauce.

...I have fun just trying out how far I can push it with chord forms and not have it turn into a huge dissonant blur.

I also personally think that to get this to work, you really want to try one of two things (preferably both):

- try and get a fuzz that has a "pre-gain" control - it limits the signal on the input

- try using a guitar with underwound pickups, or lower output pickups

...I really suggest #2, at least for just conducting some tests, since the first is limited in which fuzzes have that feature

[artdecade]

Personally, a subtle fuzz is like a sports car designed for comfort rather than speed. Fuzz should be crazy and over-the-top.

[tele_pathic]

Like others have said, when I hit the fuzz, I ain't playing chords (power chords maybe) or ballads. I'm playing single note runs usually.

[fendrguitplayr]

Fuzzy wuzzy wasn't fuzzy was he?

Try a dual cascade type like the Blackstar HT.

[Enaitz]

The only fuzz I've heared to play usable chords have been my Little Big Muff.

[Just-Jim]

I felt that my Seymour Duncan Tweak Fuzz did chords well, but then again, I looked that this pedal as more of an overdrive pedal than a fuzz pedal.

[vjf1968]

The Yardbox actually does well with chords, as does the Voodoo Labs Superfuzz. It is all inthe way you set it.

[11 Gauge]

Originally Posted by artdecade

Personally, a subtle fuzz is like a sports car designed for comfort rather than speed. Fuzz should be crazy and over-the-top.

I think there can be a middle ground that will give you some more of the "musicability" versus squealing, gating, farting, apocalyptic sounds.

That's what I love about building a zillion variations of them - just the Fuzz Face, for example. It could be high gain transistors, nothing to mellow the highs, and the stock "too big" input cap. A real noisemaker.

...but if the gain of the transistors is reduced incrementally and a ratio between the two of them is thoughtfully employed, you can get a good balance of crazy vs musical, in the favor of crazy.

...if the voltage supplied to the transistors is tweaked beyond "normal values," and a small cap or two is used to bleed off some excessive treble, you can get a very good balance of crazy vs musical.

That is the cool thing about something like the Fuzz Face - so simple and tweakable for a thousand different variations. You only need to stick to extremes if you want to, and you can achieve something along the spectrum for your specific wants and needs.

...and that is just the FF circuit. Start augmenting it and the crazy to musical ratio can be tweaked even more.

[jkrischan]

I ve got a tone bender clone from mjm. I like it for coaxing pagey tone from my rig. It's pretty versatile and reacts well withe guitars volume knob, works good for Zepp chords, but is much better or leads, it will really snarl when paired with my bassman and 52 avri on bridge

[artdecade]

Originally Posted by 11 Gauge

I think there can be a middle ground that will give you some more of the "musicability" versus squealing, gating, farting, apocalyptic sounds.

You're talking to someone who's interest in fuzzes declines if its not a Mosrite, Shin-Ei, or Blue Box.