Good fuzz for a fuzz virgin?

[Purplexi]

It's pretty obvious, you're a Tonebender. I like to recommend the Colorsound TC Tonebender from Macari's UK, available from Musictoyz USA $250 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yt7wCy8BQvU

[Pizzaking]

Take a look a Stomp Under Foot. Matt has high quality pedals at fair prices.

[schwa]

I love fuzz and am still in the process of buying one of each.

I have 4 Fuzz Face variations (Ge and Si), octavia, a Fox Fuzz octave copy, and a big muff.

If I were going to recommend a first fuzz, I would recommend a Fix'd Fuzz or a Lunar Module. They're both Si, so are less finicky, and are very versatile.

Either would be a good place to start.

[guitarslinger21]

I'm glad I DIDN'T start with a Fuzzface. I would have become frustrated and given up.

I started my quest wanting to sound like GIlmour on the Pulse DVD. He used a Russian Big Muff.

This was a GREAT place to start. Easy transition. Lots of sound. Lots of gain.

Try Stomp Under Foot or Wren & Cuff.

[DraggAmps]

I think the Pharaoh is the best first (and last) fuzz ever! It will get you hooked and you'll buy tons of other fuzzes but the Pharaoh will be the only one that stays on your board while you continue to flip the others just to try more.

[guitarslinger21]

Originally Posted by DraggAmps

I think the Pharaoh is the best first (and last) fuzz ever! It will get you hooked and you'll buy tons of other fuzzes but the Pharaoh will be the only one that stays on your board while you continue to flip the others just to try more.

Unless, it turns out the OP is actually a Muff man.


The Pharaoh is nice, but it's not for me. I bought one out of curiosity, but it just sounds WAY too different from a Muff for my tastes.

[DraggAmps]

Originally Posted by guitarslinger21

Unless, it turns out the OP is actually a Muff man.


The Pharaoh is nice, but it's not for me. I bought one out of curiosity, but it just sounds WAY too different from a Muff for my tastes.

That's true. It's definitely an anti-muff Muff. Very much for me. I just like how it's so big, natural, uncompressed, and flat (EQ-wise). It's kind of like a Timmy of fuzz, to me. Kind of like hearing what your amp would sound like if it produced fuzz. That's why I think it's a good virgin's fuzz, because it so neutral and isn't glitchy or spitty with a more familiar feel, almost like an overdrive.

Maybe you'd like the LSTR, since it covers the regular muff sounds and the ground between there and the Pharaoh.

I also think the Basic Audio Scarab Deluxe is a good first fuzz since it can expose you to more glitchy fuzz sounds but also just sounds like a great fuzzy distortion, which will help getting your feet wet. Kind of like the more fuzzy territory beyond a Rat.

[sahhas]

wow, the fuzz search...it becomes an obsession....i almost want to say "don't go down this road!"

that said i currently have a swollen pickle (sort of big muffy i hear), a fuzz factory clone (called a fuzz machine), a goose fuzz....

i've been through:
4ms atoner (didn't understand it at the time)
zvex fuzz factary (ditto, wish i would have kept it)
boss hyper fuzz (1st fuzz i liked & understood)
seymour duncan tweak fuzz (too tame)
mxr blue box (interesting, synthy, needs an overdrive after to push the signal)
fillmore thunder fuzz (supposed to be like hendrix' BOG sound-liked it, sort of wish i wouldn't have sold it)
devi ever neverdrive-not for the faint at heart, not subtle. wow, crazy....another one i think i wish i would have kept....

there are so many out there....and i remember a yr ago i watched about a months worth of youtube vids on different fuzzes...it's crazy. happy hunting....

[guitarslinger21]

Originally Posted by DraggAmps

That's true. It's definitely an anti-muff Muff. Very much for me. I just like how it's so big, natural, uncompressed, and flat (EQ-wise). It's kind of like a Timmy of fuzz, to me. Kind of like hearing what your amp would sound like if it produced fuzz. That's why I think it's a good virgin's fuzz, because it so neutral and isn't glitchy or spitty with a more familiar feel, almost like an overdrive.

Maybe you'd like the LSTR, since it covers the regular muff sounds and the ground between there and the Pharaoh.

I also think the Basic Audio Scarab Deluxe is a good first fuzz since it can expose you to more glitchy fuzz sounds but also just sounds like a great fuzzy distortion, which will help getting your feet wet. Kind of like the more fuzzy territory beyond a Rat.

Actually, I've been wanting to try an LSTR, but I have too many new pedals right now.

BTW, the Fuzzhugger "Fuzz HUGER" is like a more control-intuitive, Muffy, fun to play Pharaoh, IMO. Check it out. I'm NEVER disappointed in good ole Fuzzhuggers, man. Killer pedals.

[TeeVee]

Originally Posted by Jeremy47

Monsterpiece.

Can't go wrong here, although a Fuzz virgin does deserve a Swollen Pickle

[Greiginoz]

I have a MXR Classiic 108 Fuzz and a Joe Bonamassa Fuzz Face, both are great and do very different things. The MXR is good into a clean amp and it's really it's 'Own' sound whereas the JB Fuzz I think is better with a dirty amp or OD pedals to help boost your overall tone/solo! I've seldomly used Muffs so my experiences are minimal and not enough to offer any input. Good luck on the Fuzz quest it's a great sound!

[H.P. Lovecraft]

Start with a Big Muff. Its raunchy, its loud, and its straight-up Fuzzy. Plus, it covers up a lot of mistakes and you don't have to worry about your guitar's volume and tone knobs either.

After that, and if you decided you like Fuzz, I would move on to a Fuzz Face or ToneBender. Get the hang of using your guitar in tandem with the pedal for amazing tones.

Then, on to the crazy ones. Fuzz Factory, SuperFuzzes, Mosrites, etc.

I should also add that the Way Huge Swollen Pickle MKII [with all of the trimpots, internal dials, etc.] covers a lot of ground for a first time Fuzz. It does the Muff tone and with some patient tweaking can also mimic a good Si Fuzz Face.

[teleclem]

I've been through a lot since I got started! It's definitely fun.

I'd say go with Pharaoh (to ease you in) or Lunar Module. the scarab seems right as well.

[Ben C.]

FuzzHugger FX Algal Bloom.
It can go from tame and OD-like, to splatty freakout. Warm and full to thin and buzzy. And unlike a Muff or Pharaoh it also cleans up to nice, sparkly clean tones. So, it retains a 'safety net' for you since it can still be very much like an OD, but when you want to explore the more radical side of things, it's capable of that as well.

[Marrrty]

I believe if you already have a good quality guitar and a good quality guitar you can't look past a good germ. Fuzz Face. The SunfaceNKT is IMO the best. If you aren't that sure I agree that a Big Muff is the way to go. Straight up raunchy fuzz. One trick pony, yes, but the trick is very tasty. However... if you don't plan on buying an old EHX Big Muff (like 80's) don't buy one at all, a Muff clone will do a better job. I would recommend the Hoof or even the Way Huge Swollen Pickle. Both are great Muffs.