Catalinbread Merkin Fuzz (video demo/review)

[Freethenoise]

Hey guys,

Demo/review I made of the fantastic Catalinbread Merkin fuzz.


Certainly in tune for the proper vintage fuzz sound.

Thanks guys,
-FTN

 

[JesterR]

Grats!

Great pedal and cool demo. Looks like this pedal, like many 60s-style fuzzes prefers single notes and sounds great on lower notes. I had Maestro Fuzztone Reissue, which gives me close type of sound, but had awful bypass and not enough volume. Maybe I should try this one.

 

[chippertheripper]

I hated it when noodling alone, but it REALLY shines with a band. Cuts through like mad, and buzzes like an angry swarm.

It does indeed prefer single notes.

 

[JesterR]

I hated it when noodling alone, but it REALLY shines with a band. Cuts through like mad, and buzzes like an angry swarm.

It does indeed prefer single notes.

That's why I prefer this kind of fuzzes. Sits great in the mix, but still sounds like a fuzz, not distortion.

 

[Freethenoise]

I hated it when noodling alone, but it REALLY shines with a band. Cuts through like mad, and buzzes like an angry swarm.

It does indeed prefer single notes.

Which is a pretty decent change for me, seeing as I'm used to Muffs which I feel are the opposite, sound great alone, but can get lost with a band.
I think the main reason I picked it up was because it doesn't sound like anything else I have, unlike the small pile of muff and fuzz faces I have in my rehearsal room...

 

[chippertheripper]

So track with the muff, shred live with the merkin. It's a winning combo.
I'd do the same.

 

[Freethenoise]

So track with the muff, shred live with the merkin. It's a winning combo.
I'd do the same.

Read my mind...

 

[ftgjr]

Cool demo. I love my Merkin. I am a bit of a fuzz addict and was looking for that nasty 60's buzz saw sound (sonics, davie Allan, spaghetti western) and the Merkin nailed it. I love it best with p-90's but can get a variety of sounds, using the guitars volume knob.

I had also bought a Mojohand One Ton Bee, which is similar. But kept the Merkin.

I have the pink one, which my 7 year old daughter likes and always ask me to play, I have no problem obliging her.

 

[JesterR]

I had also bought a Mojohand One Ton Bee, which is similar. But kept the Merkin.

So, you compared them side by side? Can you write a little review, because they looks like have pretty close concept, and I am interested why do you prefer Merkin.

 

[chippertheripper]

So, you compared them side by side? Can you write a little review, because they looks like have pretty close concept, and I am interested why do you prefer Merkin.

Here's my .02, as I had both for the "great fuzz off".
Supposedly they're both supposed to be fuzzrite clones...
Well, with everything wide open they do sound like that more buzzy style of fuzz, but they still are different flavors. The OTB needs to be run wide open to buzz like that, to include your guitar's volume, or else it starts cleaning up. (I didn't try boosting or OD before it). The merkin doesn't care what you hit if with, it makes it's merkin noise with whatever comes in.

I run my guitar at about 80% as a base so I can use it for drive dynamics, but I do NOT want my fuzz to clean up with the volume. When I step on it I want a wall of noise that I can increase/decrease the amplitude with my volume knob, not the drive itself (for fuzz only).
That's why I would've chosen the merkin over the OTB, in this case.
But if you're looking for the buzzy when wide open, and a little more like ff cleanup with the volume knob, the OTB is the better pedal for you.
That help?

 

[ftgjr]

So, you compared them side by side? Can you write a little review, because they looks like have pretty close concept, and I am interested why do you prefer Merkin.

I also agree with some of what the previous poster said. I just thought it was nastier sounding and more versatile. I wanted that trashy 60's buzz saw and the Merkin has it.

Here's my demo of a comparison.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=G90Mjpf6h9s

 

[Freethenoise]

I also agree with some of what the previous poster said. I just thought it was nastier sounding and more versatile. I wanted that trashy 60's buzz saw and the Merkin has it.

Here's my demo of a comparison.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=G90Mjpf6h9s

Very nice demo.
I'm yet to try the One Ton Bee, but I really would like to get into some of the Mojohand stuff.

 

[richey88]

I like it!! Here's my experience with the One Ton Bee: http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=11955142 Merk would probably stand oun a little better.

 

[Freethenoise]

I like it!! Here's my experience with the One Ton Bee: http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=11955142 Merk would probably stand oun a little better.

Holy balls, that sounds immense.
You gave me gas something chronic, very nice playing too!

Sounds like a killer little box.... Wonder how they sound stacked....

 

[andrenighthound]

Has anyone compare this pedal to the Devi Ever Vintage Fuzz Master?

Its got the same principal; very loud and very buzzy.

I had a merkin fuzz a couple of years ago and I have no idea why I sold it so I can't compare them right now.

 

[artdecade]

Merkins. One Ton Bees. Vintage Fuzz Masters.

Everyone is beating around the bush - just get a Mosrite (or a Mosrite clone).

Nice demo, by the way.

 

[Freethenoise]

Merkins. One Ton Bees. Vintage Fuzz Masters.

Everyone is beating around the bush - just get a Mosrite (or a Mosrite clone).

Nice demo, by the way.

Thank you kindly.

 

[JesterR]

Another question about OTB vs Merkin. I saw demo, and I want to know, is Merkin too bright? I am understand, that it's depends on taste, but on demo side-by-side looks like Merkin has some frequency (I do not know how describe it), which is stand up on any setting. Or is it just how camera picks it's sound?

 

[chippertheripper]

No, it's pretty bright (for lack of a better word) when playing alone. Which is why I didn't like it as a solo (alone) playing fuzz, but it sits in a mix really well for fuzzing, or ripping solos (guitar).

 

[JesterR]

No, it's pretty bright (for lack of a better word) when playing alone. Which is why I didn't like it as a solo (alone) playing fuzz, but it sits in a mix really well for fuzzing, or ripping solos (guitar).

Thanks! And the last question: How well this pedal works with overdriven amp, or into overdrive pedal for a little smoother variant of tone?