Any tips for an inexpensive fuzz face style pedal for getting a good clean sound when rolled off?

[2after909]

Anybody found a good cheap fuzz face style pedal that gives you that sparkly clean sound when rolled off? I had an MJM ge fuzz face that did that really well, but gave it to a guitarist that I played with regularly. And I've got a cool custom made fuzz face style pedal, which sounds great as a fuzz, but which is way too hissy to use for a clean sound when I roll off my guitar volume. What I'm really after is that sparkly clean sound. What's a good way to get it for cheap? Thanks

 

[ackypoo]

Define cheap.

 

[Si G X]

If you can solder, build your own silicon sunface, it's only a handful of parts.

https://tagboardeffects.blogspot.com/2013/03/analogman-sunface-bc108.html

$20 or $30 including the case, knobs and whatever.

 

[Art VanDelay]

If you're looking for a fuzz face sound I would steer you towards a fuzz face. Sounds patronizingly obvious, but I would start there. No need to over complicate things.

 

[ClashCityTele]

Fuzz > clean? > what? > why?

 

[VintageSG]

Inexpensive and excellent : Rowin LEF-606 & Tom's Line G-Fuzz. The Rowin is perhaps the more flexible in use, the Tom's Line is an actual Germanium device, with all the joy and annoyance that Germanium can bring.

Both clean right up if you roll off, pick gently etc. Both can benefit from being the first pedal in the chain. Certainly ahead of any heavy compression.

The Behringer Ultra Fuzz is a plastic box of joy. They have their detractors, but some of their pedals are fine sounding, and how do you nerk a fuzz up anyway?

You realise you need more than one fuzz pedal, don't you?. You need valve, Silicon, Germanium and Op-Amp type. Think Pokemon and collect them all.

 

[bluesholyman]

Don't laugh - you could try a Seymour Duncan Lava Box. It is not quite fuzz face but can cop it good enough I think.

It will clean up with the volume rolled down.

You can find them for $40, sometimes less, pretty easily.

 

[4pickupguy]

Fuzz > clean? > what? > why?

I know right? But wait, a fuzz face style pedal with the volume rolled back is a very special thing. Its sparkly and full. Its the Hendrix clean sound. I am still settling into fuzz as I only have had my first fuzz pedal since late November, but the clean sound is extremely cool. The volume knob becomes this very dynamic "throttle" of gain. I can see having a fuzz face on most of the night. In fact, I am considering adding a Marshall 2-12 or 1-12 combo to my stable for the first time in my life. Amp up loud and running the sound from the guitar.



I got a Fulltone '69 because of this video. It cleans up really well and has a way to focus some mids for my anemic strat pickup combos. Love it.

 

[Andy_White_83]

I’d point you here if you haven’t seen it yet. Watch Mick’s intro and then skip to 19:55 where they talk about the exact thing you’re asking. He’s getting some crazy good clean sounds out of a Dunlop Jimi Hendrix fuzzface.

 

[Switchy]

Just choose one of the Big Muff flavors and call it good. Good and cheap.

 

[TIM5150]

Just choose one of the Big Muff flavors and call it good. Good and cheap.

I’ve been thinking about getting the green Russian one. Do these clean up pretty good when you roll the volume off ?

 

[tfarny]

I loved my MXR 108 Fuzz - it's under a hundred, sturdy, sounds like a fuzz face and not something else. I shouldn't a sold it to be honest.

 

[Deebs3]

The dunlop minis roll off nicely to clean around 8 on the dial, probably a good starting point.

 

[Bristlehound]

Caline CP-11 Puffer fuzz is said to be a silicon fuzz face clone... cheap and good. ~£28

 

[2after909]

Thanks for the tips.

That clean sound in the TPS video is so good!

I’ll try the MXR 108 mini and the JH-F1 for starters.

 

[Lies&Distortion]

The germanium FF Mini sounds great rolled off. But too much bass for my needs when full on. I also have the Band of Gypsies Mini FF and it doesn't clean up as nice. But it's a different circuit. And neither my WH Havalina or Lovepedal Fuzz 50 do not clean up as well as the Mini FF.

Silicon Fuzz Face style pedals should clean up the same with the guitar volume down. I don't have one.

 

[Si G X]

I’ve been thinking about getting the green Russian one. Do these clean up pretty good when you roll the volume off ?

Not like a fuzzface does that's for sure, a BM circuit is nothing like a fuzzface and sounds nothing like one either. It was a terrible recommendation for this thread, but it's a cool as hell sound nevertheless.

 

[jvin248]

.

Mini Muff clone ... $20. I got one this week and it works as advertised.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078RLM6K7/?tag=tdpri-20




.

 

[Art VanDelay]

Fuzz > clean? > what? > why?

I'm pretty sure the OP want to use a fuzz face for it's intended purpose....as a sustainer

 

[Art VanDelay]

Anybody found a good cheap fuzz face style pedal that gives you that sparkly clean sound when rolled off? I had an MJM ge fuzz face that did that really well, but gave it to a guitarist that I played with regularly. And I've got a cool custom made fuzz face style pedal, which sounds great as a fuzz, but which is way too hissy to use for a clean sound when I roll off my guitar volume. What I'm really after is that sparkly clean sound. What's a good way to get it for cheap? Thanks

I would also consider a Kinman treble bleed if you feel you're losing the sparkly clean highs when you roll off your volume...that's literally what they're made for.