Cusack Screamer Fuzz .... is AMAZING!

[sanhozay]

What? What's in the same tonal ballpark? Those that have the Cusack SF, does the lack of a tone shaper effect the ability to dial in a tube screamer sound?

*I received one, check my thoughts below.

[wesc]

I had one for a month or two, but I wasn't too crazy about it. I always wanted to be able to turn up a tone knob on it, but it doesn't have one. The fuzz adds to the high end when turned up, but I just don't really like the tone of the fuzz. When it comes to fuzz, I like huge sounds like a Big Muff, and the fuzz on this is super thin sounding.

[Woozy]

Originally Posted by wesc

The fuzz adds to the high end when turned up, but I just don't really like the tone of the fuzz.

Yeah, me either... well, when the fuzz is really cranked.
I didn't notice the high-end (Plexi Clone/G12M), but it does add massive volume.

I've had it, a V2, for almost a year(?) and considered selling it for a plain Screamer.
But I can't.

It's still a killer OD.
The switch can add rasp from left to right.
I use just a hint of fuzz, smoothest switch setting (rightmost), and about noon on Screamer.

It's like your attack is still clean, but the sustain grows hair.
And if it had no fuzz, it would be too smooth for my application.
Never missed a tone knob.

Try one out, live with it for a while.

[sanhozay]

Well, I sold a lot of stuff to pay for my PA and the idea is to keep at it. But - having said that - I decided to try the Cusack Screamer Fuzz, since it's been on my radar for the past two years. I figured, WTF, life's way too short for the coulda, woulda, shoulda...

This pedal is going toe to toe with my MJM Phantom and I'm totally loving dialing in a little of that nasty fuzz to dirty up the tone. Even at the pure screamer side of the Screamer Fuzz the Phantom is smoother but the note articulation on the Cusack is downright stunning, yet it still has that spongy & warm TS808 tone. Because of the fantastic clarity and string definition I think it will cut through really well in a band; So, I'm really excited to try it out in that context, versus my bedroom. However, I have a pretty good ear for dirt pedals and usually can hear the overdrive well enough to decide if it'll be useful or not.

This pedal is sweeter sounding than the Phantom yet can get very strident and dirty with the mini-toggle and once the fuzz starts rolling in, the colors and grind on tap is wild! I have a Zen Drive on my board and that is a super warm & fat sounding pedal, so the Screamer Fuzz is a nicer contrast. I have always loved the MJM and the newest version is by far the best but from this moment on, at least until next week when I can really listen to the Screamer Fuzz, I'm thinking the new Cusack box will be on the board for awhile.

Nice work on this one from Cusack Music.

An expert layout on the pad & the color is totally sick!

[Dave]

Originally Posted by sanhozay

What's in the same tonal ballpark?

Proco Rat can sound similar.

[Woozy]

Cool! Glad to hear that you liked it.

It has such great string definition.
Even wound up, complex chords still translate.

The switch is subtle.
But it seems to get grittier from right-to-left.
I live in that smooth, Barry White, rightmost setting.

[sanhozay]

Like you, I had it dialed in pretty smooth but with about 9 o'clock of the fuzz rolled in. Used it the whole night only shutting it off to do very clean playing with some compression. Really notice the clarity and dynamics when playing with others. I like it!