Overdrive or fuzz?

[radiohead625]

ugh i dont know what sounds better... I love the sound of fuzzy guitar like the black keys, but i also love the sound of overdrive getting that real fuzz sound. How do people make their overdrive sound fuzzy? I play with a vox and im just not sure fuzz is gonna get along with it. What type of overdrive should i go after for a saturated fuzzy overdrive? Or should i just go fuzz?

[kevinhifi]

Both!

Vox can get pretty fuzzy when pushed, so maybe an OD with a decent amount of output will do it for you. If you want grittier fuzz with some high-end to it, then a fuzz into a clean setting on the amp will do it...could be too fizzy, though, depending on the model of Vox you have.

[Kind of Blued]

I'm also looking around for something like this as my base tone; basically a fuzzy overdrive, or a low-gain, touch sensetive fuzz.

Top contenders so far are the Skreddy Screwdriver (more of an OD), Throbak Stonebender (more of a fuzz), Cusack Screamer Fuzz V2 (fuzz and OD in one box).

[teleguido]

Fulltone '69 into the Normal channel of my AC30 is awesome.

[mjkk]

I good fuzz face will produce some excellent overdrive tones when you roll down the guitars volume knob. When used properly you have a good fuzz, good overdrive tones and then the cleans...

[Lolaviola]

Check out the Keeley Fuzz Head. It is a fuzz with some extra circuitry that lets it work like a regular pedal (i.e.: place it anywhere in your chain, or run it with a d/c daisy chain). It gets pretty fuzzy, reacts to your guitar volume, but it is not as fuzzy as a fuzzface. Think ZZ Top La Grange.

[Hugo Da Rosa]

The two that I've had good experiences with going into a Vox amp is a vintage Rat and Lovepedal 200lbs. The Rat is more of an overdrive/distortion that happens to be able to touch on fuzz. For me, it was just enough fuzz and even gives you the flexibility to use it as an overdrive or even a boost. The 200lbs is a straight up fuzz. The Fat control is what makes it workable going into a Vox amp. Fuzzes tend to sound really thin going into Vox type amps IMO and the Fat knob allows you to add more low end to even that out. It's also very touch sensitive so you can go almost totally clean if you pick light enough.

[loftyrocket]

two words

BEANO BOOST

[devnulljp]

Originally Posted by radiohead625

I play with a vox and im just not sure fuzz is gonna get along with it.

You're kidding? Vox amps were right there along with the birth of the fuzz. (there was this little band out of Liverpool in England that used them...)

here he is with a Wem Rush Pep Fuzz Box


Maestro FZ-1 into a Vox amp is pretty classic fuzztone.
Or a 2-trannie tone bender.
Hit it with a Creepy Fingers Sugar Boost too.
Try a Sam Ash/Astrotone type fuzz -- Ronsound and AM do nice clones -- for a fuzz that can kinda double as an OD.

[roquero]

Another vote for the Rat- if you're not getting a real fuzz, the Rat will get you in the ball park

[coot tone]

BMF Purple Nurple will also get you in the ballpark.

[MikeHenry]

Count me in the 'Both' camp.

[WarrenZ]

I think you will have more luck getting a fuzz to sound like an overdrive than you would having a overdrive sound like a fuzz. The Landmine distortion is very heavy distortion-wise (absolutely cannot produce a clean tone) but it has a distinct fuzz flavor with the over-the-top distortion.