Fuzz Pedals

[Spitfire]

Hey guys..

im looking for a decent fuzz pedal that doesnt cost the world.. its just for a pedal board so i can take it around with me and just plugin whatever amp is there and just leave it on clean and not bother faffing about with it.

Ive been looking at the obvious fuzz face, but their seems to be a modded version by everyone and their uncle.

im looking for something similar to a pink floyd live at pompeii tone.. he used an old Dallas Arbiter Fuzz Face (BC108), so thats probably out of the question...

id use it in conjunction with my boss hm-2 for now for the distortions for now.

a few conditions on it, as i have enough buffers in my pedalboard i want this one to be truebypass.. i want it to be powered by a boss style power supply at 9v.. and i dont want it to be too big (another bad point of the fuzz face, its an awkuard shape)

any suggestions guys?? anything below £100 is a good suggestion.

Cheers.

[Twinfan]

Used ZVex Vexter series Fuzz Factory?

[Spitfire]

Used ZVex Vexter series Fuzz Factory?

ahh that is quite a good one, the vexter pedals have the DC in dont they?? any ideas bar ebay to look for one?

[Twinfan]

I'm pretty sure they have a DC in.  Not seen one for sale anywhere used though.

[Spitfire]

I'm pretty sure they have a DC in.  Not seen one for sale anywhere used though.

they arent a huge amount of money new i have just noticed.. £117 (i think it was) at dolphin..

anyone got any alternative suggestions.. preferably a little bit cheaper.

[Gary]

Here's one:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/zvex-vexter-fuzz-factory_W0QQitemZ260325145140QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Guitar_Accessories?hash=item260325145140&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1298%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

BIN - £95

[Spitfire]

Here's one:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/zvex-vexter-fuzz-factory_W0QQitemZ260325145140QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Guitar_Accessories?hash=item260325145140&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1298%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

BIN - £95

sweet.. i cant look while im at work.. hopefully it will be still there tonight when i get home... i may treat myself although i really shouldnt.

[Brow]

A used HBE UFO Fuzz/Octave may do what you're looking for.

It has a wide ranging tone control and also a switch for Vintage/Modern Fuzz sounds. It also has a separate on/off switch for Octave up, so that's an additional option should you ever need it.

I see them come up on Ebay for around £80 - £100

[badgermark]

I have a schematic for the fuzz face, looks a doddle to build. If i liked fuzz i'd give it a try.

[Spitfire]

I have a schematic for the fuzz face, looks a doddle to build. If i liked fuzz i'd give it a try.

yea they dont look hard at all.. good fuzz is all about the correct transistor selection aprantly...

very sensetive to them, acording to the internets.

[dave_mc]

yeah, guitar buyer had a "build your own fuzz" article a few issues back. I haven't built it yet. Or ordered the parts. :lol: though in my defence (for once), my procrastination is vaguely justified as i think my uncle already has all the parts, including the NOS transistors. :D

[Doctor X]

Have a look at these for the silicon fuzz face type thing: http://www.mjmguitarfx.com/mjm_london_fuzz2.html

[Underground_Player]

http://www.proguitarshop.com/index.php?resultpage=1&CategoryID=10

^ Loads of really good fuzz demos :)


Not including D*A*M stuff, to my ears the new-ish MXR Classic 108 sounds the 'best', and it's not even pricey at all. I haven't played loads of fuzzes, but having listened to all the soundclips on the site above, and all the Analogman (etc) clips, for some reason that MXR really stands out, even though it's just another Fuzzface type box. I sold a D*A*M Meathead Deluxe a few weeks ago (wish I hadn't!!) and this MXR will probably be what takes it's place.
While I'm here can I just say that I recently bought an MXR Carbon Copy delay, and I think it's just incredible value for money... seriously MXR must have a new design team or something because these two pedals seem to be on a different level from the stuff they were putting out a few years ago.

[Elliot]

Not hard to make at all - but getting the transistors tuned can be a bitch, especially if you are building a germanium one. 

I use the Throbak Fuzz Haze - which is a beaut of a basic germanium fuzz.  The pre-gain switch works a treat at bedroom levels.

If you get one, buy the cheapest 9V batteries you can, preferably the traditional zinc ones not the more modern alkaline as they help replicate the classic fuzz sound.

[Canadian Steve]

There's a handpainted Fuzz Factory on Ebay in perfect conditon!  :oops:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=250335713948&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT&ih=015