Fuzz sounds SO different w/different amps (Fuzz Head content)

[ruger9]

I've had several fuzzes, and settled on the Keeley Fuzz Head. Gave me exactly what I was after... a thick, syrupy, on-the-edge-of-bombastic, mess.

...that's going into my Genz Benz Black Pearl 30, which is basically a Matchless/Bad Cat kind of thing.

I recently acquired a PRRI, and the FH into that amp sounds like a bright, nasally, metallic, buzzsaw... mess. Just completely unusable.

I realize pedals sound different thru different amps, but in this case it's like opposite ends of the spectrum. My ODs don't do this. Is this a fuzz-specific thing???

 

[Suproman]

I have built a lot of different fuzz circuits, and I have noticed the same thing. They sound different through different amps, more so than other types of pedals. That's why I always test them in a variety of amplifiers. I always have a hard time finding a good fuzz for Fender blackface and silverface circuits.

 

[ruger9]

From what I read, seems most people think Fuzz Face types (of which the Fuzz Head is one) go best with BF style amps...

Maybe I should give the new mini red FF, the EJFF, and the JBFF another try...

 

[bigmuff113]

Big Muffs sound ok going into BF/SF Fenders, but you might as well say goodbye to midrange

 

[11 Gauge]

From what I read, seems most people think Fuzz Face types (of which the Fuzz Head is one) go best with BF style amps...

Maybe I should give the new mini red FF, the EJFF, and the JBFF another try...

I primarily use BF/SF Fenders and find that depending on the recipe, a FF can either be hit or miss.

It also depends on how you are using your fuzz pedal of choice - light grind/medium grind/bombastic that can help you determine the recipe you want.

IMO, a FF needs an amp that's kind of pushing some air, too. With a clean amp like a PR, lower settings with a FF might have a sort of bright/farty/anemic sound.

I think the EJ sig FF sounds great thru BF/SF Fenders if you can open one up a bit. It uses medium to higher gain silicon transistors, but some of the component values are reduced to eliminate boominess, and the 2nd transistor is biased to a stupidly low 3.2VDC instead of the semi-standard 4.5VDC, and it really makes things thick and sustain'y.

The good news is that IMO, the PR has enough power for the push.

The EJ sig may not be the flavor that works for you, but I think it's at least a contender. Maybe you could pick up a MXR Classic 108 and check that out too - Dunlop/Tripps put some of the magic from the other FF's they've tweaked into that one. At around $100 new, you s/b able to grab a used one for less, just to check out how it does with the PR.

 

[Chiogtr4x]

Just my very recent experience (as in just a few days ago, and I still need to try this at a gig asap) but it looks like a Rat (GFS clone in my case) may have fixed a very similar fuzz-use situation to the OP's as I use Fender amps (SFDR and a BJ), very often at lower, 'non-pushed volume, for gigs.

I find that if I almost crank the Gain/Drive and Tone Controls (say 3:00 clock) of the "Rat", I can interface this just fine with a clean amp or an 'already ON' OD- and get a great sustaining fuzz tone, NOT dependant on amp volume-or on the volume Level control of the Rat. The difference being (between the Rat and say a Fuzz Face type) is that there is not the dynamic give (clean>dirty) of the guitar volume knob you get, say with a FF. However, it gives me the ability to get a rich fuzz at any volume I need.

Guitar>OD (ON or OFF)>Rat>amp (this order seems to work best tonally for me)

 

[Axis29]

Hmm, I love my Fuzz Head with my PRRI. But, I don't really use it for that over the top fuzz... Grunty grindy, gritty, breakup yes. But on the verge? No, for that I tend to lean towards my Plum Crazy Effects Fuzzy Lady. It has that bias knob that pushes the sputtery, spitty thing into the mix.

I use my Fuzz Head more like a really nasty overdrive... not out of control, but nastAy! And then i dial my guitar volume back and it's a sweet overdrive.

I love my Rat clone too. It gives me more of that heavy Marshall sound with my amps. I love it heavy. It's a great pedal for that!

I have a few blackface/silverface amps and a brownface amp. I don't have any reference for use of the FH with anything else. But I love my FH with all of the amps I own now!

 

[ruger9]

I use my Fuzz Head more like a really nasty overdrive... not out of control, but nastAy! And then i dial my guitar volume back and it's a sweet overdrive.

!

aah... I use mine for more of a very thick syrupy overdrive. It's still definitely a FUZZ, but more in the EJ camp, or Joe Bonamassa, Jeff Beck camp I guess. Not nasty, not thin, just thick, smooth, and saturated.

 

[Axis29]

aah... I use mine for more of a very thick syrupy overdrive. It's still definitely a FUZZ, but more in the EJ camp, or Joe Bonamassa, Jeff Beck camp I guess. Not nasty, not thin, just thick, smooth, and saturated.

Yup, exactly.

But I do it with my Fender amps...

 

[Johnyclash]

Yeah. I don't get it. My fuzz head doesn't sound thick and syrupy at all. More like an overdrive. Hasn't been on my board in years. I tried it with my ac15 recently and still disappointed. With fuzz internals (man I hate internal controls wtf?) turned up.

Any thoughts from the thick and syrupy guys? Would love to not have to sell this thing.


Oh yeah. And the germanium vs silicone does nothing in my opinion. Bummer.

 

[Silverface]

...that's going into my Genz Benz Black Pearl 30, which is basically a Matchless/Bad Cat kind of thing.

I recently acquired a PRRI, and the FH into that amp sounds like a bright, nasally, metallic, buzzsaw... mess. Just completely unusable.

The Genz Benz will naturally push a mid-heavier tone than that of a scooped-mid Fender. With the Fender you are hearing fuzzed-out highs, which are usually harsh and nasty sounding. Usually with fuzz the treble ends to be rolled back anyway - but with a Fender amp vs the GB even rolled-back treble won't sound as smooth.

 

[Axis29]

Yeah. I don't get it. My fuzz head doesn't sound thick and syrupy at all. More like an overdrive. Hasn't been on my board in years. I tried it with my ac15 recently and still disappointed. With fuzz internals (man I hate internal controls wtf?) turned up.

Any thoughts from the thick and syrupy guys? Would love to not have to sell this thing.


Oh yeah. And the germanium vs silicone does nothing in my opinion. Bummer.

The switch does nothing? That is strange. It should add/subtract a whole new gain stage.

I still love my FH, although it also hasn't been on my board in a while... Maybe I need to go fiddle with my board? I do know that it is very amp and guitar dependent. It can be crunchy, and not add much to some amps, thin out a certain guitar or just be the best thing since sliced bread with something else.


What amps and guitars are you using it with @Johnyclash?

 

[ruger9]

The Genz Benz will naturally push a mid-heavier tone than that of a scooped-mid Fender. With the Fender you are hearing fuzzed-out highs, which are usually harsh and nasty sounding. Usually with fuzz the treble ends to be rolled back anyway - but with a Fender amp vs the GB even rolled-back treble won't sound as smooth.

Actually, it's not Fender as a brand- just the PRRI. It is "famous" for not taking dirt/fuzz pedals well. My Supersonic 22 takes dirt/fuzz pedals much better.

 

[xjazzy]

When i first got a Fuzz Head and hated it and put it up for sale again.
Nobody grabbed it so I tryed again. When I turned a light OD after the fuzz it all made sense!
I still have the pedal in my board has a lead boost that I use with my koT.

 

[artdecade]

Vox amps are super finicky when it comes to fuzz pedals.

 

[Silverface]

Actually, it's not Fender as a brand- just the PRRI. It is "famous" for not taking dirt/fuzz pedals well

Then the amp wasn't set up properly. Any competent tech can voice it, change tubes, adjust the bias and such...plus possibly change the speaker...and it'll work just fine with dirt pedals. I've owned 4 of them and all handled light distortion to fuzz just fine.

A PR circuit is basically identical to other AB763 - based Fenders and works exactly the same way. Any Fender needs a bit of tweaking to take dirt pedals - a Supersonic isn't a typical Fender amp at all it's a higher-gain design.

 

[xjazzy]

Then the amp wasn't set up properly. Any competent tech can voice it, change tubes, adjust the bias and such...plus possibly change the speaker...and it'll work just fine with dirt pedals. I've owned 4 of them and all handled light distortion to fuzz just fine.

A PR circuit is basically identical to other AB763 - based Fenders and works exactly the same way. Any Fender needs a bit of tweaking to take dirt pedals - a Supersonic isn't a typical Fender amp at all it's a higher-gain design.

But after all that is it still a Princeton?

 

[Silverface]

But after all that is it still a Princeton?

Of course. Voicing an amp is an everyday thing. some just change tubes and/or speaker, plus the bias setting; others change values in the tone stack and/or negative feedback circuit.

It's all part of owning a tube amp - and understanding the capabilities.

 

[ruger9]

Then the amp wasn't set up properly. Any competent tech can voice it, change tubes, adjust the bias and such...plus possibly change the speaker...and it'll work just fine with dirt pedals. I've owned 4 of them and all handled light distortion to fuzz just fine.

A PR circuit is basically identical to other AB763 - based Fenders and works exactly the same way. Any Fender needs a bit of tweaking to take dirt pedals - a Supersonic isn't a typical Fender amp at all it's a higher-gain design.

Not going to argue with you. The PI has something to do with it. It's a fact that PR's are notorious for not taking dirt/fuzz pedals well. If you change the tubes, speaker, re-bias hot, and "re-voice it"... then it's not really a PR, is it? PR in name only, I guess.

 

[ruger9]

Of course. Voicing an amp is an everyday thing. some just change tubes and/or speaker, plus the bias setting; others change values in the tone stack and/or negative feedback circuit.

It's all part of owning a tube amp - and understanding the capabilities.

Tubes, yes. Speaker, maybe. Bias and especially REVOICING??? Not "everyday things" to 99% of the amp-owning populace.