[Fuzz] - I still haven't found mine. Need one with an ODish character. Old Muff Fuzz?

[DemoColorScheme]

Okay, so, I've always had this love/hate relationship with fuzz and I've been through stuff like:
- Little Big Muff
- DOD Flashback Fuzz (modded)
- Blackout Effectors Musket Fuzz V1 and V2
- Blackout Effectors Fix'd Fuzz V1

I haven't had loads of fuzz's, sadly, but I kinda do know what I want.
I don't really want the 'bloom' of the fuzz which kinda loses your attack on chords. I like it to be mild, not sputtery or velcro. I'm kinda looking for a fuzz with an ODish character but with the fuzz grind. A good example is the old Muff Fuzz (or the Little Muff (which is supposedly the same as the Muff Fuzz), not Little Big Muff):
JZYgYN0Vmz4
It has the woolliness to some extent but on the bridge pickup it's tight enough for rhythm and chords. Doesn't seem to sound scooped or too bassy.

I doubt I can find this one that easily though, so I'm open to suggestions as well!
Keep in mind: the Muff Fuzz isn't a Big Muff or even close. It's more of an OD with a fuzz character.

[fieldsroyal]

I love my Tonefactor Hellbilly for the fuzz/od tones - it's a great pedal. Dynamic and smooth - great with chords as well.

[Lolaviola]

There are about 10 components to that Muff Fuzz...Build Your Own?
http://www.generalguitargadgets.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=93&Itemid=26
Also found this great description, and a mod for the above project here:
http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=77456.0

Simple, but great, Muff Fuzz upgrade (http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/index.php?PHPSESSID=f0b34fa8413035bad45e22fffb016b 0b&topic=77456.msg635641#msg635641) « on: June 27, 2009, 02:43:40 PM »

JD Sleep has a project for an EHX Muff Fuzz clone: http://www.generalguitargadgets.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=93&Itemid=26 (http://www.generalguitargadgets.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=93&Itemid=26)

The stock discrete Muff Fuzz is essentially a 2-transistor circuit not that dissimilar from the Fuzz Face. The original used 2N5133 transistors - nothing special. The circuit JD shows employs 2N5088/5089. I had one in the old days, and didn't find it inspiring enough to survive disassembly. I still have most of the individual components sitting in drawers, and the little box itself, but felt no compunction to resurrect it.

Browsing through a binder of schematics the other day, I stumbled onto JD's drawing and thought "Hmm, there's no emitter cap to ground. I wonder if there is more gain on tap than I'm accustomed to?". So, I threw one together on perfboard, using JD's drawing and some "button-style" 2N5088s (hfe around 680-730), and decided to "improve" it. I wired up a 5k pot in series with a 10uf cap, and wired that up in parallel with the 2k7 resistor shown.

YOWZA! Big time woolly fuzz with lots of thick chewy bottom. http://diystompboxes.com/smfforum/Smileys/default/icon_biggrin.gif http://diystompboxes.com/smfforum/Smileys/default/grin.gif While the stock Muff Fuzz is sort of like a Fuzz Face, unlike a Fuzz Face, it has a pair of clipping diodes on the output to punch things up. So, not quite a Fuzz Face, and not quite a Big Muff with double clipping. Certainly goosing the gain of Q2 with the added cap, however, starts to bring it closer in tone to a Big Muff in terms of overall sustain. Sure sounds like a double clipper to me...

I noted two things to attend to. First, I found that when the pot was set to zero ohms, the circuit was not especially stable, so I wired up a 220R fixed resistor in series with the pot to set the maximum gain (i.e., minimum resistance between the emitter and cap). The other thing is that a 5k pot, while readily available, has a fair amount of its rotation doing absolutely diddley squat - the extra cap does nothing until the series resistance starts to drop below 2k7. Best to stick a 4k7 resistor in parallel with the pot to make it a sort of 2k5 pot and more of the pot range useful.

Feel free to experiment with different cap values, the same way that Dallas-Arbiter did (ground caps have been known to be various values from 33uf and less). Make sure the + end of the cap is at the emitter side, and the - side goes to ground.

I also stuck a SWTC on the end of it, just after the clipping diodes. Since it can get pretty hot with the added gain, the clipping can get sizzling, so some treble taming is useful here. I used a 470R fixed resistor, 10k tone pot, and 2700pf cap to ground. Does a nice job. I'm pondering whether to swap that for a FY-2 midscoop just to see if I can make it sound "bigger". I'll let you know when the experiment is done. For now, this is an ultra-simple mod that will bring a whole lot more utility and flexibility to what is arguably the simplest distortion EHX ever made.

[candletears7]

That Youtube ain't coming up for me, but maybe you should get a Red Llama clone. I recently picked up a Tonefactor Mule, excellent at more grindy Fuzz/Overdrive tones.
You could also just pick up a Fuzz Face clone, and wind your guitar's volume back, or get a low gain Fuzz Face.

[DemoColorScheme]

There are about 10 components to that Muff Fuzz...Build Your Own?
http://www.generalguitargadgets.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=93&Itemid=26
Also found this great description, and a mod for the above project here:
http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=77456.0
I have zero skills regarding building pedals whatsoever, but I could have someone do that. I did know it was an extremely simple circuit.

[jenkka]

T-Rex Mudhoney?

[DemoColorScheme]

T-Rex Mudhoney?
Meh, sounds a little too much like an OD. I do want a fuzzy character.

[lux_interior]

I've played with one of these that's in the video, but I don't really know if it is what you are looking for. Personally, I am at the complete opposite end - I've played and owned so many fuzzes that for the time being I am trying to break free from their addictive grasp and get back to ODs... although some of them can be gentle. You may want to look at the most recent thread for fuzzy ODs: http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=785824 It is a very good thread with lots of nice suggestions.

Muffs can be a good starting point, but their problem is that they take over your natural tone and don't react or sound like a good OD. I believe though that Skreddy (and other people) have changed these designs and built some very nice stompboxes that do what you ask. I always believed that Muffs, in spite of their well known gain levels, lack of transparency and problematic response to your playing and the position of the vol. knob, can be the foundation for an amazing OD tone, with some tweaks here and there.

[DemoColorScheme]

I've played with one of these that's in the video, but I don't really know if it is what you are looking for. Personally, I am at the complete opposite end - I've played and owned so many fuzzes that for the time being I am trying to break free from their addictive grasp and get back to ODs... although some of them can be gentle. You may want to look at the most recent thread for fuzzy ODs: http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=785824 It is a very good thread with lots of nice suggestions.

Muffs can be a good starting point, but their problem is that they take over your natural tone and don't react or sound like a good OD. I believe though that Skreddy (and other people) have changed these designs and built some very nice stompboxes that do what you ask. I always believed that Muffs, in spite of their well known gain levels, lack of transparency and problematic response to your playing and the position of the vol. knob, can be the foundation for an amazing OD tone, with some tweaks here and there.
Well, the thing about the Muff Fuzz is that it doesn't sound like a Big Muff, for instance. It's actually two LPB-1's - if I'm not mistaken. I'm not really looking for transparency. ;) It's not really meant for ambient or whatever per se, like you'd might expect. From what I hear on that vid, the Muff Fuzz is a really cool-sounding OD, with a grindy edge.

I'll have a look at that thread, though, thanks!

[JimmyR]

Not cheap, but the Gramps+ would probably fill your needs. I love mine!

[WarrenZ]

EWS makes a pedal called the Fuzzy Drive. It's more od than fuzz but might be exactly what you want.

[lonniedarko]

Michel, according to some the current EHX Double Muff is supposed to be two Muff Fuzz pedals in one. I haven't tried one nor heard one myself, but maybe it's worth checking out.

[marvelboy_04]

skreddy screwdriver? with the sharpness control you pretty much dial in exactly how tight you want it to be.

[DemoColorScheme]

Michel, according to some the current EHX Double Muff is supposed to be two Muff Fuzz pedals in one. I haven't tried one nor heard one myself, but maybe it's worth checking out.
Yeah, that I've heard as well, though I'm not exactly sure. I'm kinda skeptical. I've already found a Muff Fuzz though (really cheap), just waiting for the seller to reply.

[DemoColorScheme]

skreddy screwdriver? with the sharpness control you pretty much dial in exactly how tight you want it to be.
Perhaps, though Skreddy is more focused on adapted Big Muff variants, right?
Besides that, Skreddy is a pain to get in the Netherlands. There's a Pig Mine for sale right now around here, but it's even rare seeing that one.

[Amp360]

Everyone is going to flame me, but I have the Fulltone 69 and 70 and prefer my DOD Classic Fuzz - the old American made one.

Go on ebay and you can probably get one for less then $20.00

[Brettski]

If you have a tubescreamer type pedal of some sort (I suspect you have several like anyone else here with over 20 posts, myself included), try running it into your fuzz. I have a great Tonemachine type pedal that really takes on a different character when hit with a mild OD. It's great for leads and rhythm because you can get good palm muted power chord sounds.

Juss a thought. Sometimes you can screw around with what you have and get the sounds in your head.

Cheers.

[DemoColorScheme]

If you have a tubescreamer type pedal of some sort (I suspect you have several like anyone else here with over 20 posts, myself included), try running it into your fuzz. I have a great Tonemachine type pedal that really takes on a different character when hit with a mild OD. It's great for leads and rhythm because you can get good palm muted power chord sounds.

Juss a thought. Sometimes you can screw around with what you have and get the sounds in your head.

Cheers.
That's a good tip, really. But sadly, I only have a Nova Drive and DLS left in terms of OD. The Nova Drive's OD channel is a TS-type and is just fine, but it's after the Insert Send of my G-System (long story with beeping of the MIDI connection of the Nova Drive and the G-System), so I can't push anything with a TS since the Nova Drive is the last thing in the chain (before the time-based effects) - besides that, I have zero fuzz's right now. ;)

[wildschwein]

The EHX Double Muff is two Muff Fuzz circuits in one. You can choose to use one or two cascaded. It's the most od-like fuzz around. I love mine:
wAVhAgTIP6g

[Franklin]

What about an OD w/ fuzz character like a BMF Purple Nurple or a Cusack Screamer Fuzz?

[DemoColorScheme]

The EHX Double Muff is two Muff Fuzz circuits in one. You can choose to use one or two cascaded. It's the most od-like fuzz around. I love mine:
wAVhAgTIP6g
Have you compaired it to the original? I'm always skeptical of reissues and such.

[Brettski]

That's a good tip, really. But sadly, I only have a Nova Drive and DLS left in terms of OD. The Nova Drive's OD channel is a TS-type and is just fine, but it's after the Insert Send of my G-System (long story with beeping of the MIDI connection of the Nova Drive and the G-System), so I can't push anything with a TS since the Nova Drive is the last thing in the chain (before the time-based effects) - besides that, I have zero fuzz's right now. ;)
HAHA! MAN I've never WASTED so many keystrokes! Oh wells, I hope your fuzz chase turns out okay. What didn't you like about the Blackout effectors if you don't mind me asking?

[Franklin]

The EHX Double Muff is two Muff Fuzz circuits in one. You can choose to use one or two cascaded. It's the most od-like fuzz around. I love mine.

Good call, I like mine too. I wish I had room for it on my board!

[DemoColorScheme]

What about an OD w/ fuzz character like a BMF Purple Nurple or a Cusack Screamer Fuzz?
Perhaps. Can you direct me to clips/vids where this treat is best displayed?

[Franklin]

Have you compaired it to the original? I'm always skeptical of reissues and such.

It's not a trad Muff, it's a germainium transistor based fuzz I believe. On single mode the other vol pot (for the 2nd muff) becomes a filter in a way. A very cool OD!

[DemoColorScheme]

HAHA! MAN I've never WASTED so many keystrokes! Oh wells, I hope your fuzz chase turns out okay. What didn't you like about the Blackout effectors if you don't mind me asking?
Good question. I just couldn't get along with it. It's a typical Muff style fuzz, in my ears. It could do a lot, but not really that low gain, grumble, gritty OD, well, at least not with some twang left. It did the doomy/sludge kind of fuzz really well, which I thought was cool, but I could only use for 'fun times' while the Muff Fuzz has that ODish character (tight enough) with the added fuzz grit and sustain.

The character is just different. I do have to say that V2 was better than V1 and I really enjoyed it.

[wildschwein]

Have you compaired it to the original? I'm always skeptical of reissues and such.
Listen to the clip is all I can say there.

[DemoColorScheme]

It's not a trad Muff, it's a germainium transistor based fuzz I believe. On single mode the other vol pot (for the 2nd muff) becomes a filter in a way. A very cool OD!
Interesting. I should see if I can score that original Muff Fuzz and see if I can A/B it with the Double Muff somewhere. Just for fun.

[DemoColorScheme]

Listen to the clip is all I can say there.
I did and it sounds good, sure, but there's no way of comparing them unless someone here has played both or when I can A/B them.

[dorfmeister]

Coloursound Overdriver clone

Death by Audio Interstellar Overdriver

Diceworks Muff Diver

[Franklin]

Perhaps. Can you direct me to clips/vids where this treat is best displayed?

I don't have any links, but I own a PN. I use it for gritty fuzzish OD by dialing in the gain @ 1 and rolling back on the guitar vol a little. When I crank the volume I get a nice rhytmn crunch that doesn't mush out on chords.

[swla]

Voodoo Lav Super Fuzz?

It's kind of the fuzz for people not that into fuzz.

[chinstrap]

Diceworks Muff Diver Finale, with the ToneBender option and all the mod switches it will do exactly what you are describing. Unfortunately the builder is a flake and you may get jerked around ordering one. Look used-

[ROKY]

Everyone is going to flame me, but I have the Fulltone 69 and 70 and prefer my DOD Classic Fuzz - the old American made one.

Go on ebay and you can probably get one for less then $20.00

That is a good pedal. I've had one for 15 years and it's very tweakable if
you use your ears - I hesitated to mention it but was definitely thinking
about it !

[DemoColorScheme]

I think this is gonna be a rather huge dead end. Everyone has his or her own interpretation of an ODish Fuzz so the recommendations will be endless, and so will be the search. ;) I didn't really expect so many recommendations, but on the other hand it's logical, since everyone see the question differently.

Thanks anyways, guys. I'm gonna try out an old Muff Fuzz or a Double Muff since that's the initial example I came with, so I'm gonna try to go with my gut.

[dk_ace]

I've got a Double Muff, and judging from your comments I think you might like it a lot. It does a good fuzz/od with just one muff fuzz circuit on, and it has a really great throaty sound with two on. I haven't heard anything else like it really. I rarely use mine, but I keep it because it's so cool and I can't find anything else that does it exactly.

It's pretty responsive to the volume knob on your guitar and your picking dynamics. It can be sensitive about placement though. It sounds best first in the chain IMO.

Proguitarshop has a good youtube demo of it, or they used to.

D

[lux_interior]

@Demo: if you think that this looks like a bit of a suggestion chaos, you should try looking at the other thread I linked you to... :D

The Double Muff might indeed be something worth looking into without going into hundreds of obscure pedals that are difficult to find, and I like it a lot (plus it's a huge bargain) but when I was doing my research on it some years ago on past TGP threads I noticed that most people said it sounds best when placed right after the guitar's pickups. I wouldn't expect Muffs to behave that way (after all, they are not Fuzz Faces etc), and I haven't seen if this is true myself (I have only tried it in a shop) but give it a try.

Bear in mind though that fuzzes are the most gear-specific dirtboxes. Muffs and 70s fuzzy high gain monsters not so much, but all the others are like this. They are extremely dependent on the guitar used, the pickups, other pedals before or sometimes after them, the amp, the speaker, volume levels, even the touch that you use (especially that). They might sound like stepping on your grandma's throat on the hands of one player, and like angels singing on the hands of another. So don't be discouraged if you come across some "incompatibilities" with your gear...

[DemoColorScheme]

@Demo: if you think that this looks like a bit of a suggestion chaos, you should try looking at the other thread I linked you to... :D
haha, yeah, I noticed. It gave me a huge headache! lol

The Double Muff might indeed be something worth looking into without going into hundreds of obscure pedals that are difficult to find, and I like it a lot (plus it's a huge bargain) but when I was doing my research on it on past TGP threads I noticed that most people said it sounds best when placed right after the guitar's pickups. I wouldn't expect Muffs to behave that way (after all, they are not Fuzz Faces etc), and I haven't seen if this is true myself, but give it a try. Bear in mind though that fuzzes are the most gear-specific dirtboxes. They are extremely dependent on the guitar used, the pickups, other pedals before or sometimes after them, the amp, the speaker, volume levels, even the touch that you use (especially that). They might sound like stepping on your grandma's throat on the hands of one player, and like angels singing on the hands of another.
Yeah, I've read a bunch of reviews, same went for the Muff Fuzz. But that shouldn't be a problem. I can put it in my RJM Music Effects Gizmo and place the buffer (which can be externally placed wherever you want) right after the Muff Fuzz / Double Muff.

[devnulljp]

I haven't had loads of fuzz's, sadly, but I kinda do know what I want.
I don't really want the 'bloom' of the fuzz which kinda loses your attack on chords. I like it to be mild, not sputtery or velcro. I'm kinda looking for a fuzz with an ODish character but with the fuzz grind. A good example is the old Muff Fuzz (or the Little Muff (which is supposedly the same as the Muff Fuzz), not Little Big Muf):The most OD-ish fuzz I've played is the Sam Ash/Astrotone -- listen to Tommy Bolin and you'll get an idea of what it sounds like. It's mild, not sputtery at all, but with grind. I had an original and a jerms clone. Ronsound does a nice clone that's not expensive (had one of those too), Analogman's new Astro tone is based on it -- although I haven't played one I can't imagine it being anything shy of great though.

The old Little Muff Pi is more of a distortion, and from the sounds of what you're looking for might be a bit much. Although I had the FS36999 transistor version; I had an IC muff fuzz and it was a bit milder, but I'd still call it more distortion than overdrive.

That said, I have an older DAM Meat Head that was originally based around the muff fuzz, and it's a nice overdrivish fuzz, not the all out wall o doom the later Meatheads became.

[DemoColorScheme]

.
The old Little Muff Pi is more of a distortion, and from the sounds of what you're looking for might be a bit much. Although I had the FS36999 transistor version; I had an IC muff fuzz and it was a bit milder, but I'd still call it more distortion than overdrive.
Well, I know the Muff Fuzz is like a mixture of OD/Distortion/Fuzz, it's all vague with that thing - I just like how it sounds. Distortion, for me, is often smooth and often high gain, while OD and low-gain fuzz often retain the clarity and twang of the attack - and that the Muff Fuzz seems to do really nicely.

[dk_ace]

@Demo: if you think that this looks like a bit of a suggestion chaos, you should try looking at the other thread I linked you to... :D

The Double Muff might indeed be something worth looking into without going into hundreds of obscure pedals that are difficult to find, and I like it a lot (plus it's a huge bargain) but when I was doing my research on it some years ago on past TGP threads I noticed that most people said it sounds best when placed right after the guitar's pickups. I wouldn't expect Muffs to behave that way (after all, they are not Fuzz Faces etc), and I haven't seen if this is true myself (I have only tried it in a shop) but give it a try.

Bear in mind though that fuzzes are the most gear-specific dirtboxes. Muffs and 70s fuzzy high gain monsters not so much, but all the others are like this. They are extremely dependent on the guitar used, the pickups, other pedals before or sometimes after them, the amp, the speaker, volume levels, even the touch that you use (especially that). They might sound like stepping on your grandma's throat on the hands of one player, and like angels singing on the hands of another. So don't be discouraged if you come across some "incompatibilities" with your gear...

You wouldn't expect a big muff to be sensitive to placement, but the muff fuzz is not a big muff. I've had a double muff for several years now, and trust me the muff fuzz circuit is sensitive to where you put it.

To the op, I wouldn't do a bunch of handwringing over it, the double muff is cheap and easy to find. Pick one up and see if you like it. That's what I did, and years later I still use it.

D

[DemoColorScheme]

You wouldn't expect a big muff to be sensitive to placement, but the muff fuzz is not a big muff. I've had a double muff for several years now, and trust me the muff fuzz circuit is sensitive to where you put it.

To the op, I wouldn't do a bunch of handwringing over it, the double muff is cheap and easy to find. Pick one up and see if you like it. That's what I did, and years later I still use it.

D
Yeah, it's super cheap and I could probably pick it up 2nd hand for even cheaper!

[Steve73]

How about a Fulltone Catalyst? When I owned one it was a very fuzzy-sounding OD. Might be worth checking out.

[DemoColorScheme]

I've checked that one out, sometime, really thought it was awful, sorry.

[73171]

Keeley FuzzHead, very musical OD/Dist/Fuzz that definitely has a fuzzy character.


:agree

[lux_interior]

That said, I have an older DAM Meat Head that was originally based around the muff fuzz, and it's a nice overdrivish fuzz, not the all out wall o doom the later Meatheads became.

The very early Meatheads were indeed very close to the Muff (not the well known Muff but the one Michel is looking into). A while later they evolved into a tweaked silicon Fuzz Face design. If someone is lucky enough to find one of those, (a) he should buy a lottery ticket immediately, (b) use a good portion of that money to buy it... In my opinion, there are many options that are easier and cheaper to find!!

[DemoColorScheme]

The very early Meatheads were indeed very close to the Muff (not the well known Muff but the one Michel is looking into). A while later they evolved into a tweaked silicon Fuzz Face design. If someone is lucky enough to find one of those, (a) he should buy a lottery ticket immediately, (b) use a good portion of that money to buy it... In my opinion, there are many options that are easier and cheaper to find!!
Agreed, not looking for anything obscure or unnecessarily rare. ;)
I talked to the guy that does all my mods and repairs and he says the Double Muff is identical to the Muff Fuzz, so that's good news.
He also says the Muff Fuzz is very much a certain Fuzz Face-style pedal.

[Shiny_Beast]

How about the high gain one on the right
x1zZ-b7eatU

[DemoColorScheme]

How about the high gain one on the right
x1zZ-b7eatU
No thanks. Sounds like nothing I'm looking for. (yes, I know they're Fuzz Face clones, but I'm not looking for a strict Fuzz Face sound)
This is just a regular Fuzz Face sound to me.

[Shiny_Beast]

k, I'm not into all the muff and mk1 flavours (yet lol), but this guy is high on my personal hit list and speaks somewhat to what you are looking for.

tQHduav8MvY

[Windup 43]

EQD Tusk sounds pretty similar to that demo.

[Steve73]

I've checked that one out, sometime, really thought it was awful, sorry.

Yeah, I thought so too, the Catalyst sounded nice at home to me but it was unusable at gigs for me, it just got lost.

[Slackerprince]

Musket here, and happy.

S.

[Slackerprince]

k, I'm not into all the muff and mk1 flavours (yet lol), but this guy is high on my personal hit list and speaks somewhat to what you are looking for.

tQHduav8MvY

Why, why, why, did you have to post that video??/;)
Where's my credit card?

S.

[oxtone]

Another vote for the Skreddy Pig Mine, if you can find one...

[BTBAM]

I use the Skreddy Top Fuel with the Fuzz dialed back to sound more ODish


Here's a little blurb about the Pig Mine and Top Fuel:

And thanks GDking for articulating those ideas about the Pink Flesh / Top Fuel. I completely agree- the Top Fuel really sounds more like a high gain OD / Distortion pedal, and the Pink Flesh sounds like a great vintage Muff fuzz with an EQ in front of it to slightly tame the highs, tighten up the bass, and give it a flat EQ so it works in a band setting.

So if you don't like some Muff fuzz qualities - some mudding out on the low strings with high gain, fuzzy edge, wooly mids, fat lows, etc., then the Top Fuel will be a better choice for you. I feel the Pink Flesh is a little more 'authentic' sounding because it sounds less tricked out and more fuzzish. But, if you can't stand fuzzes, the PF won't be your friend... even though I'd consider it on the tame end of the fuzzchaos spectrum... closer to the Top Fuel and BJF PPF than the Zvex or E13 stuff for sure.


1FXu1wSd7Fg

[youngupstart]

0kqR0rr6STY

I almost don't miss that OR120 that got yanked from my van. Best video available and doesn't even begin to do it justice by the way.

[Shiny_Beast]

Why, why, why, did you have to post that video??/;)
Where's my credit card?

S.

lol, ya I know, I'm not a really a "dirt" guy, but I cant help wanting one of those.

[Ampegasaur]

Monsterpiece makes some great fuzzes at a great price. Really depends on your budget. DAM and Cornish really make the cream of the crop for what you want, but they cost some serious dollars.

[DemoColorScheme]

k, I'm not into all the muff and mk1 flavours (yet lol), but this guy is high on my personal hit list and speaks somewhat to what you are looking for.

tQHduav8MvY
Well, the Muff's we're talking about isn't a Muff at all. ;)
However, the Tone Reaper sounds pretty good, but I kinda miss the initial twang of the attack which kinda makes this more fuzz than OD, for me. However, I'll keep this in mind!

[DemoColorScheme]

Monsterpiece makes some great fuzzes at a great price. Really depends on your budget. DAM and Cornish really make the cream of the crop for what you want, but they cost some serious dollars.
Man, don't get Cornish on me. I've got plenty of high end gear, really, but I just won't use Cornish out of principle. Also, I've never seen a DAM pedal that I actually really liked.

[DemoColorScheme]

Musket here, and happy.

S.
Well, seeing as I've tried both, it isn't the style of Fuzz I'm looking for.

[DemoColorScheme]

Another vote for the Skreddy Pig Mine, if you can find one...
Like I said, there's one for sale up here, but I don't think it's my thing. It has that bloom-thing going on and muffles up the initial twang and attack.

I like twang / attack, then pops down to a lower signal and decays. It's the opposite of what I want from a high gain distortion. Basically a low-gain sound with plenty of punch.

[korchha]

I would suggest the Resonant Electronics Manifold Drive...

ApFnIydN2ds

lmyoZdgHVJQ

[DemoColorScheme]

Yeah, I saw this one a while back. It's not bad, but a little too sputtery for me, but that could be his settings.

[Joe Silence]

two versions of the Muff Fuzz were made that i'm aware of: one was transistor-based and the other used an opamp.

both used a pair of germanium diodes for clipping, so neither was anything like the Fuzz Face.

my favourite was the opamp version, which used a 4558.

[Joe Silence]

FWIW, the one shown in the youtube video in the original post is the opamp version.

[DemoColorScheme]

two versions of the Muff Fuzz were made that i'm aware of.

one was transistor-based and the other used an opamp.

both used a pair of germanium diodes for clipping, so neither was anything like the Fuzz Face.
That he said as well, yeah. I prefer the one posted in the vid, from what I can tell. There's the other version as well, which I've seen in a mediocre clip as well, but that sounded a little different.

[Joe Silence]

That he said as well, yeah. I prefer the one posted in the vid, from what I can tell. There's the other version as well, which I've seen in a mediocre clip as well, but that sounded a little different.


aye, the opamp version.

i really didn't care for the transistor version, it was both noisier and had a sort of congested sound.

[DemoColorScheme]

aye, the opamp version.

i really didn't care for the transistor version, it was both noisier and had a sort of congested sound.
Yeah, sounded like it, indeed. I've found the old opamp version, but the guy isn't responding, sadly.

[Godspeed64]

Fuzzhugger(fx) Algal Bloom. Good low gain tones, can get 'wooly' like what you want.
EWS Fuzzy Drive and SoulSonic FX FourBanger or Shizzle Deluxe comes to mind as well.

[WesKuhnley]

I would suggest the Resonant Electronics Manifold Drive...

ApFnIydN2ds

lmyoZdgHVJQ

Anyone that would like to try a Manifold (or Graviton for that matter) can email me to get on the tourbox list. We just ask that you're a TGP supporting member with 200+ posts first!

Cheers!

[Johny_gtr]

Look at Ronsound Fuzz - no hype but very good sounding fuzz, for ambient noise-generator too.

Try Blackout effectors fuzz (Musket) and Skreddy(Lunar, Mayo, Zero, PinkFlesh) - but theese couldn't helps you correctly.

[Godspeed64]

uOEMI4jMDc0
vWgwNhTWHKM
cQdpUaw3_fg

[edkoppel]

maybe try this:
http://www.rawbw.com/%7Eemiller/Euthymia/Pedals/ICBM/ICBM1sm.jpg

its based on the opamp version of the Big Muff, so at lower gain settings it should get you to the sound in that clip of the Muff Fuzz. I actually own the same version of the MF in your opening post and the clips of the ICBM sound pretty close to it.
:love:

http://www.rawbw.com/%7Eemiller/Euthymia/Pedals/ICBM/ICBMPaul1.mp3

http://www.rawbw.com/%7Eemiller/Euthymia/Pedals/ICBM/ICBMPaul2.mp3

http://www.rawbw.com/%7Eemiller/Euthymia/Pedals/ICBM/ICBMPaulead.mp3

[lux_interior]

The ICBM is a replica of the Big Muff v4 / v5. I have an actual one from '78 and having played both, I have to say it has absolutely nothing to do with the Muff or the sound that Michel is looking for...

[DemoColorScheme]

The ICBM is a replica of the Big Muff v4 / v5. I have an actual one from '78 and having played both, I have to say it has absolutely nothing to do with the Muff or the sound that Michel is looking for...
Indeed ..
I think people have a habit of just dumping their favorite fuzz in this thread. I've heard multiple examples now of fuzz's that are all based on Muff's because people think that when someone says Muff, it instantly means Big Muff. The Muff Fuzz is nothing like a Big Muff and I'm definitely not looking for that sound.

[guitar-rookie]

I'm not the best in my fuzz knowledge but this sounds good with chords, and has gotten good reviews over here:

http://www.himmelstrutz.com/gramps_plus.htm

[DemoColorScheme]

I'm not the best in my fuzz knowledge but this sounds good with chords, and has gotten good reviews over here:

http://www.himmelstrutz.com/gramps_plus.htm
No thanks.

[WesKuhnley]

Indeed ..
I think people have a habit of just dumping their favorite fuzz in this thread. I've heard multiple examples now of fuzz's that are all based on Muff's because people think that when someone says Muff, it instantly means Big Muff. The Muff Fuzz is nothing like a Big Muff and I'm definitely not looking for that sound.

Guilty.
But honestly, what should come to mind when someone says "Muff"?

[DemoColorScheme]

Guilty.
But honestly, what should come to mind when someone says "Muff"?
Well, if you would've watched the video that was in the OP, you could've heard that it sounds nothing like a Big Muff. ;)
But, anyways, I've edited the OP to note that the Muff Fuzz isn't a Big Muff or even close to it.

[Godspeed64]

Well.. Instead of looking for a fuzz with OD characteristics, why not look for an OD with fuzz characteristics.. I'm sure the line of thought will shift accordingly. And those who don't read the first post will churn out suggestions like Timmy ;)

[DemoColorScheme]

Well.. Instead of looking for a fuzz with OD characteristics, why not look for an OD with fuzz characteristics.. I'm sure the line of thought will shift accordingly. And those who don't read the first post will churn out suggestions like Timmy ;)
Well, doesn't matter how you call it, actually. The Muff Fuzz is still a fuzz, but with more of an ODish character. So, doesn't matter how I call it, really.

[edkoppel]

Well, if you would've watched the video that was in the OP, you could've heard that it sounds nothing like a Big Muff. ;)
But, anyways, I've edited the OP to note that the Muff Fuzz isn't a Big Muff or even close to it.
Actually it has quite a bit to do with a big muff.
and like i stated, at lower gain settings it will sound like that Muff Fuzz (which I actually own the same version of) in the OP video.
So although when you set the gain high on a big muff it sounds much more Fuzzy than the Muff Fuzz, but when you back off the gain or your guitar volume it sounds pretty damn similar.

just sayin'.
:D

[auratnik]

oCA2tiL22SI
HWA Fuzzwork Orange

[andybaylor]

Fulltone Catalyst. Stack em' if you need massive amounts of fuzz love.

[DemoColorScheme]

Fulltone Catalyst. Stack em' if you need massive amounts of fuzz love.
As said sometime earlier in this thread: I've heard that one and thought it was awful. Sorry.

[DemoColorScheme]

oCA2tiL22SI
HWA Fuzzwork Orange
This one sounds pretty nice!

[Toe]

Well, doesn't matter how you call it, actually. The Muff Fuzz is still a fuzz, but with more of an ODish character. So, doesn't matter how I call it, really.

Any news? Did you get the chance to try an Muff Fuzz in the meantime? :)

[DemoColorScheme]

Any news? Did you get the chance to try an Muff Fuzz in the meantime? :)
No, sadly not. I found one in the Netherlands, but the guy is kinda asking an insane amount for it, and I'm not really willing to pay that much for a fuzz without a footswitch and no gain and tone controls.

[topo morto]

If you have a tubescreamer type pedal of some sort try running it into your fuzz.






What about an OD w/ fuzz character like a BMF Purple Nurple or a Cusack Screamer Fuzz?



Perhaps. Can you direct me to clips/vids where this treat is best displayed?




Where did we get with the Cusack? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPZyYSB9Ruo)
It is a screamer and a fuzz combined - maybe it even is a screamer into a fuzz in one box.

The fuzz can be set to gated or not gated and in either case the attack is quite natural.

[DemoColorScheme]

Where did we get with the Cusack? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPZyYSB9Ruo)
It is a screamer and a fuzz combined - maybe it even is a screamer into a fuzz in one box.

The fuzz can be set to gated or not gated and in either case the attack is quite natural.
No, this doesn't really seem to do it for me. There's that fluffy bloom that kinda muffles the attack, especially on chords. I like it when it pops out, this just sounds rather muffled, like most fuzzes.

[topo morto]

No, this doesn't really seem to do it for me. There's that fluffy bloom that kinda muffles the attack, especially on chords. I like it when it pops out, this just sounds rather muffled, like most fuzzes.

I suppose almost anything that is called a 'fuzz' will have a flattening effect... I find I can get some of the attack back by using the fuzz into the dirty channel of the amp.

I'm wondering if you wouldn't be happier at the top end of the gain range of a conventional distortion? The T-Rex mudhoney was mentioned and while it can do some quite low gain sounds it's certainly fuzzy to my ears with the boost kicked in and gain turned up... even a modded DS1 I have can definitely get into fuzz territory...

[DemoColorScheme]

I suppose almost anything that is called a 'fuzz' will have a flattening effect...
Exactly. That's what makes this 'search' so hard. It's not that I'm really looking hard for it, but I just seem to like that little Muff Fuzz's character, but I'm afraid I'm gonna miss a tone knob on it.

[topo morto]

Exactly. That's what makes this 'search' so hard. It's not that I'm really looking hard for it, but I just seem to like that little Muff Fuzz's character, but I'm afraid I'm gonna miss a tone knob on it.

Sorry if you already said (I'm late to this thread) but did you try the Nano Muff yet? (http://www.ehx.com/products/muff-overdrive) - supposedly a "Reissue of the original 1969 Muff Fuzz". For the price, you could get a separate EQ too...

[Squigglefunk]

the muff fuzz is a great circuit. definitely simple but sounds wonderful.

It actually works really well without a gain or tone knob, reacts to the guitar volume well and is balanced tonally.

Of course if you built one or had one built you could add a tone or gain control but it does work fine in it's basic form.

I've built a few and really like em.

[DemoColorScheme]

Sorry if you already said (I'm late to this thread) but did you try the Nano Muff yet? (http://www.ehx.com/products/muff-overdrive) - supposedly a "Reissue of the original 1969 Muff Fuzz". For the price, you could get a separate EQ too...
Yeah, I've seen it, but I'm really skeptical of the Nano series ....
The Double Muff is two Muff Fuzz's in one enclosure and I've been looking for a secondhand one.

[DemoColorScheme]

the muff fuzz is a great circuit. definitely simple but sounds wonderful.

It actually works really well without a gain or tone knob, reacts to the guitar volume well and is balanced tonally.

Of course if you built one or had one built you could add a tone or gain control but it does work fine in it's basic form.

I've built a few and really like em.
Sounds good. I still would love to own the original, just because it's so cute and small, haha.

[Truxton Spangler]

The Electro-Harmonix Double Muff is the same circuit as the old Muff Overdrive

It has two of them in the same enclosure, if you set it to use just one of the sections you've got a Muff Overdrive

[Squigglefunk]

Yeah, I've seen it, but I'm really skeptical of the Nano series ....
The Double Muff is two Muff Fuzz's in one enclosure and I've been looking for a secondhand one.


not 100% sure but I think the double muff utilizes a IC chip, not exactly the same as the original. Not really making the transistor/IC argument but they might sound a little different.

and I hear ya on snagging one of the originals, it's sometimes just the best way to go.

[DemoColorScheme]

The Electro-Harmonix Double Muff is the same circuit as the old Muff Overdrive

It has two of them in the same enclosure, if you set it to use just one of the sections you've got a Muff Overdrive
It's mentioned two posts above yours and has been mentioned several times in this thread. ;)

[DemoColorScheme]

not 100% sure but I think the double muff utilizes a IC chip, not exactly the same as the original. Not really making the transistor/IC argument but they might sound a little different.

and I hear ya on snagging one of the originals, it's sometimes just the best way to go.
I see! I didn't know that. People seem to be dead-set on the fact that the old Muff Fuzz and the Double Muff fuzz circuits are identical.

[Squigglefunk]

I see! I didn't know that. People seem to be dead-set on the fact that the old Muff Fuzz and the Double Muff fuzz circuits are identical.

wel,, it might be the same, I guess I shouldn't perpetuate things if I'm not sure hehehe....

can't find a schematic for the double muff

[lux_interior]

If we are talking about this...

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_u1pghyaj8Y0/TNgBgt3H_YI/AAAAAAAABgo/RQIFkuKBMBU/s800/G.JPG

then from what I recall (having played both this and the Double Muff), they don't sound very similar. It's been a long time and don't quote me on this, but if I remember correctly I thought that the old Muff had a very special rough edge that the Double Muff was missing.

[Toe]

Yes, that's the (OP-amp) version we're talking about ...

[DemoColorScheme]

If we are talking about this...

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_u1pghyaj8Y0/TNgBgt3H_YI/AAAAAAAABgo/RQIFkuKBMBU/s800/G.JPG

then from what I recall (having played both this and the Double Muff), they don't sound very similar. It's been a long time and don't quote me on this, but if I remember correctly I thought that the old Muff had a very special rough edge that the Double Muff was missing.
I see! Then I'm not gonna bother with the Double Muff.

[lux_interior]

That's not to say the Double Muff can't get rough... It can... Plus, I am not an authority on this and I consider the Double Muff to be a great pedal! :) DV247 sells it for 40 euros and Thomann for 48... I must also note that the Double Muff I've tried was the current version and not the old one (I don't know if there is really a 70s one but apparently a guy is selling his on Ebay at the moment - can anyone tell us if this is a hoax? http://cgi.ebay.com/Electro-Harmonix-Double-Muff-Vintage-/180583998598?pt=Guitar_Accessories&hash=item2a0ba52486 (http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?campid=5336713463&toolid=10001&mpre=http%3A%2F%2Fcgi.ebay.com%2FElectro-Harmonix-Double-Muff-Vintage-%2F180583998598%3Fpt%3DGuitar_Accessories%26hash%3 Ditem2a0ba52486))

[DemoColorScheme]

I'd be interested in this as well!

[lux_interior]

Bump... does anyone know? Were there Double Muffs in the 70s, and is this one of them?

can anyone tell us if this is a hoax? http://cgi.ebay.com/Electro-Harmonix-Double-Muff-Vintage-/180583998598?pt=Guitar_Accessories&hash=item2a0ba52486 (http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?campid=5336713463&toolid=10001&mpre=http%3A%2F%2Frover.ebay.com%2Frover%2F1%2F711-53200-19255-0%2F1%3Fcampid%3D5336713463%26toolid%3D10001%26mpr e%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Frover.ebay.com%252Frover%25 2F1%252F711-53200-19255-0%252F1%253Fcampid%253D5336713463%2526toolid%253D1 0001%2526mpre%253Dhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fcgi.eba y.com%25252FElectro-Harmonix-Double-Muff-Vintage-%25252F180583998598%25253Fpt%25253DGuitar_Accessor ies%252526hash%25253Ditem2a0ba52486))

[Squigglefunk]

it's my uneducated guess but those knobs look like later knobs. the older pedals usually had the "davies" style with pointers... I think

http://www.kitrae.net/music/Davies_Molding_Big_Muff_Knob.jpg