Soul Bender vs. Fuzz Head

[Greenbacker]

Can somebody please explain the differences here between the Fulltone Soul-Bender (Tonebender) and the Keeley Fuzz Head (Fuzz Face-ish pedal).

I'm trying to decide which one would work best for me. Is the Bender more in a booster league whereas the Fuzz Head is more a straight germanium fuzz pedal? Which one is better and why? Are the earlier Soul-Benders better than the newer ones? (with the internal trim) Any opinions here would greatly help...

 

[otherone]

Soulbenders are more straight fuzz, a replica of the Tonebender MKIII. Fuzzheads are really more an overdrive pedal that can border on sounding fuzzy...Keeley just calls it a fuzzhead, but it's really an overdive pedal. They both are excellent pedals...depends on what sound you're looking for...I would say the Keeley fuzzhead is a more versatile pedal...it has more range to it, and it has a germanium/silicon switch for different sound...the Soulbender is a tonebender replica for that early Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck british fuzz.

 

[Greenbacker]

That's great. Thanks otherone! I have a fuzz head and found that it has that problem of getting lost in the mix when I switch it on. It has a nice bass content though... Should the Soulbender be better as a lead pedal in tis way? How do they compare in frequency range? I have a Les Paul Deluxe (mini humbuckers) whick I play 90% of the time but I have a Strat too.

 

[Mutley]

Greenbacker, if you're getting lost in the mix with your Fuzz Head you is it possible you have tweaked the internal gain too high (compressed the heck out of your signal) or too low (caused a volume drop)? The older Fuzz Heads with the solid red paint and black script have only one control inside the box (gain). The newer ones with the sort of candy apple red and white script have two adjustments inside, one for gain and the other tone I think. You might check those if you haven't already. I have the older model and in either silicon or germ it cuts like a friggin' chainsaw.

Ned

 

[jpagey]

My FH get's LOUD, with the volume turned up it can not be lost in any mix.

SB is a tone bender. FH a ge/si od/boost. 2 different pedals.

 

[Greenbacker]

Thanks guys! I am aware of the diffences in the pedals more or less phisically. I'm just asking about the sonic differences I guess. WHich on eis more agressive? Which is more full?

 

[otherone]

I agree, the fuzzhead is very loud and cuts through like a mother...if anything you would have issues with the soulbender cutting through, as this can be an inherent problem with fuzzes, but the soulbender has the tone control, so it helps with this problem. Both pedals are aggressive and full sounding, the soulbender is more of a spitty fuzz.

 

[4styx]

If you play the Les Paul most of the time you'd be better off with a Lovepedal BBB or one of the Dragons(Treble Boost,MKII and FF sounds).The Soulbender works pretty well with a Strat but was too much with the Les Paul,unless you want to play with the settings every time you switch guitars.

 

[Eskimo_Joe]

This kind of like trying to describe the difference between apple juice and orange juice. They are just different flavors and you should try both and decide for yourself if possible. If you take a chance on a used Soulbender, you won't lose much if any cash on it if you decide to sell. I've played both and agree that the Soulbender is much more of a fuzz than the Fuzz Head. I personally preferred the Soul Bender. You can tweak the fuzz to make it thin or fat (my description).

 

[JUSTJOB]

The FuzzHead is my favorite lead boost pedal, for me it cuts through the mix no matter what! I set the internal gain at a bit over halfway in mine. I use it for so many things that it really has become a staple in my sound.
I think there is room for both on a board if you want the Soul Bender and you could try boosting the Bender with the FuzzHead and I bet that would cut through and sound great!
As far as to which one is "better" well, tone is in the ear of the beholder being so subjective and all. We all have our own style and "better" for one man is noise to another. That is something only you and your audience can decide!
Best Regards!