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Fuzz pedals - Bang for Buck


Callumjord
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I am currently in the process of building an effective/cheap Bass pedal board and I am in need of a fuzz pedal to add some grit to my tone.

I am wondering if anyone could recommend a reasonably priced fuzz pedal?

I am currently looking at these two

[url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3-RAT-Tack-Guitar-Bass-Distortion-Effector-effect-Stomp-Box-Fuzz-Pedal-LED-/281762322272?hash=item419a57d760:g:y-cAAOSwHnFVu0Kx"]http://www.ebay.co.u...-cAAOSwHnFVu0Kx[/url]

[url="http://www.gak.co.uk/en/mooer-audio-thunderball-bass-overdrive/89137?gclid=Cj0KEQjwwIKxBRDKhOz7ytT30vkBEiQAT1NaPX6ze_c-dkMIFyFvUUzQ32Q0FA2IivX50yoCjjvnt_MaAiPG8P8HAQ"]http://www.gak.co.uk...nt_MaAiPG8P8HAQ[/url]

Does anybody have any experience with any of these pedals?

I like the options available on the Rat Tack, however I really like the size of the Mooer

Cheers

Edited by Callumjord
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I don't love my RAT clone. As mentioned above, it's a bit thin for my tastes. Still a pretty crazy distortion pedal though.

If you'll allow me to run with a hunch: if you want really want a pedal purely to "add some grit" to your tone, I would maybe first have a squizz at overdrives rather than pure fuzzes. When I started to get excited (addicted, some might say) about effects, I began with a Zvex Mastotron. It makes a bunch of great fuzzy/fizzy/sizzling noises, but it is definitely not what I was expecting, particularly in terms of where it sits in the mix.

Rather, it was overdrive pedals that gave the warmer/crunchier/grittier/edgier tone that I actually wanted. The EHX Bass Soul Food has had solid reviews on here recently for doing just that. But if you want super low budget, then the Joyo/Harley Benton pedals are great bang for your buck, and there are a bunch of threads on here/videos online that demonstrate them.

I have the Ultimate Overdrive (allegedly an OCD clone I think?), and it's lovely and warm and edgy. The Vintage Overdrive is well regarded (Tubescreamer clone?), as is the American Sound (a Fender amp sim?). Build quality is ok, considering what you pay. These are quite large though (bigger than a Boss, especially the American Sound) if that matters.

If I'm wrong about OD vs. fuzz however, then I'm sure others can also advise! The marmite ODB3 can make some pretty crazy noises (I used a friend's for a while), is inexpensive second hand, and has some even cheaper clones (I have a Chord one, as recommended by this forum, possibly even by [b]dudewheresmybass[/b]!).

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On a budget you'd be hard pressed to do better than a Boss ODB-3 and an EHX Bass Big Muff if it's fuzz you're after rather than light overdrive - for which I would steer you to a Hardwire CM-2, EHX Glove or Bass Soul Food.. the Joyo Pure Sky is also an option, supposed to be a Timmy clone with more bass!

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Thanks for the suggestions, I'll have a look into the ehx nano big muff. The dark glass would be an investment I would make later on once I get my full pedalboard sorted for my covers band (we do a range of covers from 60's through to modern songs) The fuzz pedal is mainly going to be running into a tech 21 vt deluxe.

Looking for something like this:

http://youtu.be/ZBKxMaWSKuU

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I tried a few cheapo Fuzzes and although some sounded passable, I decided just to go back to a fredrics effects fuzz... Think mine was 70 quid... With a blend.... Instant!y sounds better! I even used to think the fuzznon my multifx sounded decent until I a\b'd it with my new fuzz... Not much more money but miles better

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For me the ODB-3 is more of a distortion than an overdrive.
Even modded for lower gain it's still too much for an overdrive.
The other problem I have with it is blending in a dry signal sounds like two distinct signals, rather than one.
If you know what I mean.

Having said that, as a distortion pedal it's great.

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[quote name='Callumjord' timestamp='1444996389' post='2887975']
I am currently in the process of building an effective/cheap Bass pedal board and I am in need of a fuzz pedal to add some grit to my tone.

I am wondering if anyone could recommend a reasonably priced fuzz pedal?

I am currently looking at these two

[url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3-RAT-Tack-Guitar-Bass-Distortion-Effector-effect-Stomp-Box-Fuzz-Pedal-LED-/281762322272?hash=item419a57d760:g:y-cAAOSwHnFVu0Kx"]http://www.ebay.co.u...-cAAOSwHnFVu0Kx[/url]

[url="http://www.gak.co.uk/en/mooer-audio-thunderball-bass-overdrive/89137?gclid=Cj0KEQjwwIKxBRDKhOz7ytT30vkBEiQAT1NaPX6ze_c-dkMIFyFvUUzQ32Q0FA2IivX50yoCjjvnt_MaAiPG8P8HAQ"]http://www.gak.co.uk...nt_MaAiPG8P8HAQ[/url]

Does anybody have any experience with any of these pedals?

I like the options available on the Rat Tack, however I really like the size of the Mooer

Cheers
[/quote]

The Danelectro Cool Cat Fuzz is a good bet. If you can find a V1 pedal, it's an almost-exact clone of a Frantone Peach Fuzz and sounds very similar.

A nano muff would work well if muff-sounding fuzz is your thing (It's not mine, I always find it a bit clippy sounding and one dimensional)

I would steer clear of the Mooer personally.

As mentioned above, the EHX Bass Soul Food is excellent for just adding grit to your tone, but it's not a fuzz, more a transparent drive.

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I hadn't thought about the Danelectro,

Thinking about holding off a little later till I get the Sansamp then buying the Mooer, rattack and the danelectro then just see which ones work best with the rig.

[quote name='cameltoe' timestamp='1445286241' post='2890336']

I would steer clear of the Mooer personally.

[/quote]

Have you had bad experience with the mooers? I have heard nothing but great things about them, their demo on youtube sounded pretty good for the price.

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[quote name='dannybuoy' timestamp='1445001757' post='2888071']
On a budget you'd be hard pressed to do better than a Boss ODB-3 and an EHX Bass Big Muff if it's fuzz you're after rather than light overdrive - for which I would steer you to a Hardwire CM-2, EHX Glove or Bass Soul Food.. the Joyo Pure Sky is also an option, supposed to be a Timmy clone with more bass!
[/quote]
Would second the EHX Glove, 18V mode is great for a big valvey tone. The Hardwire CM-2 is a good shout too.

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[quote name='LayDownThaFunk' timestamp='1445343466' post='2890689']
Would second the EHX Glove, 18V mode is great for a big valvey tone. The Hardwire CM-2 is a good shout too.
[/quote]

I just found a Danelectro transparent overdrive that I bought a year ago, never really used it for guitar. might give it a spin with the rig and see how that goes

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