Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum

Forum Ringside => Guitars, Amps and Effects => Topic started by: Twinfan on December 08, 2009, 01:55:40 PM

Title: Fuzzy boosters? Talk to me...
Post by: Twinfan on December 08, 2009, 01:55:40 PM
I'm on the lookout for a new pedal - something fuzzy, that has a good level of boost available too.  It'll be used into a crunchy amp for lead parts, and I'm after something that has a thick-ish fuzz tone but isn't too ill defined (unlike a fuzz face, which just gives a wall of "bleurgh").  Something I can tailor to be reasonably sharp but thick sounding would be good.

Any ideas?
Title: Re: Fuzzy boosters? Talk to me...
Post by: shobet on December 08, 2009, 02:03:04 PM
I'm on the lookout for a new pedal - something fuzzy, that has a good level of boost available too.  It'll be used into a crunchy amp for lead parts, and I'm after something that has a thick-ish fuzz tone but isn't too ill defined (unlike a fuzz face, which just gives a wall of "bleurgh").  Something I can tailor to be reasonably sharp but thick sounding would be good.

Any ideas?

I think one of my Skreddy's may be what you're looking for. You'll be trying one next week! ;)
Title: Re: Fuzzy boosters? Talk to me...
Post by: Twinfan on December 08, 2009, 03:01:15 PM
Yep, looking forward to that  :)

You ever seen this before?

http://www.subdecay.com/product.php?id=8

(http://philcadence.com/images/subdecay_f-bomb.jpg)
Title: Re: Fuzzy boosters? Talk to me...
Post by: shobet on December 08, 2009, 03:04:15 PM
I think vintage and rare stock them, but I've never tried one. It does have a picture of a bomb on it so I'm sold!
Title: Re: Fuzzy boosters? Talk to me...
Post by: Mr. Air on December 08, 2009, 03:08:42 PM
Maybe a Mad Professor Fire Red Fuzz could be your answers?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaUfuqw_8rA
Title: Re: Fuzzy boosters? Talk to me...
Post by: Supernaught on December 08, 2009, 03:51:54 PM
I highly rate my EH Big Muff, but give the ZVex Fuzzfactory a listen:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVceBkgsDME&feature=related
Title: Re: Fuzzy boosters? Talk to me...
Post by: gwEm on December 08, 2009, 04:33:53 PM
Definitely check out a Crowther 'Hot Cake' you can set it completely transparent or dial in a drive which is fuzzy in a cool hifi way. Thick indeed. I think it might be up your street. Its fuzzy, but its not a fuzz
Title: Re: Fuzzy boosters? Talk to me...
Post by: Denim n Leather on December 08, 2009, 05:40:19 PM
Burford Electronics' Suzz will rock in that application. This is a quick clip I made with one. Pickup is a VH II.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsFbddQACMU
Title: Re: Fuzzy boosters? Talk to me...
Post by: tomjackson on December 08, 2009, 08:18:03 PM
Some ideas....

T Rex Mudhoney
Way Huge effects
Foxx tone machine
Pro Co Rat
Title: Re: Fuzzy boosters? Talk to me...
Post by: Twinfan on December 08, 2009, 11:45:05 PM
Cheers guys - some food for thought there....
Title: Re: Fuzzy boosters? Talk to me...
Post by: Philly Q on December 09, 2009, 12:02:34 AM
I've never tried one, but I always thought the Voodoo Lab Superfuzz sounded interesting - a bit more tweakable than most fuzzes.


(Voodoo Lab gear never gets mentioned on here, apart from their power supplies.  Have they got a bad reputation I don't know about, or are they just not boo-teeky enough for you tonehounds?  :wink: )
Title: Re: Fuzzy boosters? Talk to me...
Post by: HTH AMPS on December 09, 2009, 12:19:16 AM
I really think that a Fuzz Face will sort you out, but maybe not a stock one.  The Fulltone 69 is a nice Fuzz Face variant that allows you to dial out all that nasty, farty bottom end. 

My own Big Beard pedal takes my own variations on a FF and gives you the option of that farty bass, or a much tighter response via the tone control.  I'll have to put up a demo of that pedal, its a really cool one if you're into fuzzes.

Title: Re: Fuzzy boosters? Talk to me...
Post by: HTH AMPS on December 09, 2009, 12:25:28 AM
check this out too, all the fuzzy nastyness you could ever want...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcPUWMCu0zM
Title: Re: Fuzzy boosters? Talk to me...
Post by: HTH AMPS on December 09, 2009, 12:27:17 AM
or this one by Stuart Castledine here in the UK...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kkyrtiv_Qxc
Title: Re: Fuzzy boosters? Talk to me...
Post by: LazyNinja on December 09, 2009, 12:49:56 AM
(http://proguitarshop.com/store/images/195_01.jpg)

Love mine. Amazing how much difference that mids knob makes. Really works in a band setting. Full on, it makes your solos sound like it's about to explode.



Or if you want a super versatile fuzz check this out:

(http://www.tonefactor.com/prodimages/twosome-close-nobgrnd.jpg)

Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrSaz_i7fE8 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrSaz_i7fE8)

Might seem a little pricey but each half sell for £150 and the pedal is actually more than the two put together (some controls on the left are normally internal).
Title: Re: Fuzzy boosters? Talk to me...
Post by: Oli on December 09, 2009, 10:09:43 AM
ProCo RAT, i'd say. Really easy to mod to tweak something if you don't like it. I love mine, always features on my pedalboards :)
Title: Re: Fuzzy boosters? Talk to me...
Post by: hunter on December 09, 2009, 12:22:09 PM


I was just wondering, have you tried using the BB preamp with low gain and high volume for this purpose?
Title: Re: Fuzzy boosters? Talk to me...
Post by: Twinfan on December 09, 2009, 12:32:36 PM
I have, but it's a classic overdrive boost.  I'm after the character of a fuzz.

Having tried my home built fuzz at rehearsal last night in my new band, I've realised I need a twin-stomp pedal.  Fuzz on one side, booster on the other, and something where both can be used at the same time.

That changes the scope a bit.  The Analgman Sun Lion would be perfect, but it's unavailable.  Is there anything else like it?
Title: Re: Fuzzy boosters? Talk to me...
Post by: hunter on December 09, 2009, 12:35:53 PM
I have, but it's a classic overdrive boost.  I'm after the character of a fuzz.

Having tried my home built fuzz at rehearsal last night in my new band, I've realised I need a twin-stomp pedal.  Fuzz on one side, booster on the other, and something where both can be used at the same time.

That changes the scope a bit.  The Analgman Sun Lion would be perfect, but it's unavailable.  Is there anything else like it?

I see. I owned two fuzzes in my career, the Octane3 which is just awesome all out Octavia Fuzz, but rather bright. The other one was a fulltone Soulbender which was great as a darker and fatter fuzz type that was also great as a boost. Maybe if you can try one somewhere, give it a shot!
Title: Re: Fuzzy boosters? Talk to me...
Post by: Twinfan on December 09, 2009, 02:02:17 PM
Thanks Hunter - I'll do some research.....
Title: Re: Fuzzy boosters? Talk to me...
Post by: Doctor X on December 09, 2009, 03:46:27 PM
The Analogman Sun Lion is a Sun Face and Beano Boost in the same pedal, so not really suitable if you don't like fuzz faces.  However, if you did want one then you could just get the pedals independently and run one into the other as there would be no difference at all between doing that and having them in the same pedal enclosure.

Have you tried a silicon fuzz face?
Title: Re: Fuzzy boosters? Talk to me...
Post by: Twinfan on December 09, 2009, 03:50:49 PM
I haven't, but I've been thinking about trying one.....
Title: Re: Fuzzy boosters? Talk to me...
Post by: Doctor X on December 09, 2009, 03:58:12 PM
The MXR Classic 108 is well worth checking out.  It has a switchable buffer that takes a lot of the fuzz face "bleurgh" away.  There's a good demo on youtube but I can't get to it at work.
Title: Re: Fuzzy boosters? Talk to me...
Post by: Elliot on December 09, 2009, 04:39:11 PM
What about the Throbak Overdrive Boost - or the Fuzz Haze - I seem to remember you liked my one when you played it a year back.

http://gundrymedia.typepad.com/throbak_electronics/
Title: Re: Fuzzy boosters? Talk to me...
Post by: Mr. Air on December 10, 2009, 01:04:19 PM
Maybe a T-rex Dr. Swamp. It's not a fuzz pedal, but to me it has somewhat of a fuzzy sound and it's two identical pedals in one which I think will suit your needs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xwAgtpFuHI
Title: Re: Fuzzy boosters? Talk to me...
Post by: juansolo on December 12, 2009, 02:00:22 PM
A 2 in 1 jobbie is what I'd go for. For the boost side you're looking at an LPB or a SHO depending on how nasty you want it to become (SHO is nicer LPB is a bit dirtier). Fuzz side, personally I'd go for a Hot Silicon with low gain transistors. It's sort of somewhere between a Tonebender and a Muff. Doesn't have the scoop of a Muff (which becomes more of a distortion if you stop it doing that) and it's not as harsh as a FF (probably the transistors we use).

In fact, because it'd be interesting. If you like I'll build that, send it to you and if you like it, buy it, if not send it back. It's a thought. Though it might take me a while to get it all together being Christmas and all.
Title: Re: Fuzzy boosters? Talk to me...
Post by: Twinfan on December 12, 2009, 02:12:17 PM
You have a PM  ;)
Title: Re: Fuzzy boosters? Talk to me...
Post by: juansolo on December 13, 2009, 12:43:40 PM
Been playing with fuzz/boost combos. Some interesting conclusions. Mainly that the boost needs to come after the fuzz for a start. Makes the world of difference. My Favourite combo by far is the ROG 24/7 (CMOS muff-a-like) into the Sho. Really very versitile, but probably a bit too fuzzy/nasty for you. The Rangemaster works well after most fuzzez too. On the back of the Tonebender it's awesome, really fizzy and vintage-y-tastic. Gonna have a play with some different trannies in the Hot Silicon as the low gain ones (that make it sound more like a tonebender) are really quite noisy. The silicon works well with both the rangemaster and the Sho, in an ideal world you'd have both, but to choose one, for ease of installation, you'd go with the sho.
Title: Re: Fuzzy boosters? Talk to me...
Post by: _tom_ on December 13, 2009, 01:08:53 PM
Keeley Rat? It's more of a distortion with a fuzzy edge though, I guess!
Title: Re: Fuzzy boosters? Talk to me...
Post by: Twinfan on December 13, 2009, 01:13:23 PM
Been playing with fuzz/boost combos. Some interesting conclusions. Mainly that the boost needs to come after the fuzz for a start. Makes the world of difference. My Favourite combo by far is the ROG 24/7 (CMOS muff-a-like) into the Sho. Really very versitile, but probably a bit too fuzzy/nasty for you. The Rangemaster works well after most fuzzez too. On the back of the Tonebender it's awesome, really fizzy and vintage-y-tastic. Gonna have a play with some different trannies in the Hot Silicon as the low gain ones (that make it sound more like a tonebender) are really quite noisy. The silicon works well with both the rangemaster and the Sho, in an ideal world you'd have both, but to choose one, for ease of installation, you'd go with the sho.

Looking forward to hearing what you come up with  ;)
Title: Re: Fuzzy boosters? Talk to me...
Post by: sjwebb90 on December 13, 2009, 05:01:35 PM

Check out he Das Fuzz Ge it like a Fuzz face with a few tweaks http://www.bajatechcustom.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=63
Title: Re: Fuzzy boosters? Talk to me...
Post by: sgmypod on January 06, 2010, 04:43:52 PM
How did the build go any news
Title: Re: Fuzzy boosters? Talk to me...
Post by: Twinfan on January 06, 2010, 05:54:47 PM
It's in progress I believe....
Title: Re: Fuzzy boosters? Talk to me...
Post by: sgmypod on January 06, 2010, 06:19:32 PM
cool interested to see/hear this one