One Fuzz to Rule Them All

[alexevansohio]

Hey everyone,

I've been lurking for a couple years, but this is my first post. I have a small but mighty pedalboard, but I really need a more intense fuzz/drive pedal than what I currently have. I've copied my signal chain below:

Heavily Modified 1959 Jazzmaster OR 1975 Gretsch Country Gentleman
into
Polytune Mini > Fairfield Accountant > SS/BS Mini > Fairfield Barbershop > [coming soon] Dr. Scientist Bitquest > OBNE Reflector > OBNE Black Fountain > Strymon El Capistan > Strymon Flint > TC Ditto Looper
into
1964 Gibson Skylark OR [coming soon] Otis Trudeau

I play mostly things that could fall under the umbrella of indie rock, I guess. I almost always have a decent amount of reverb on, and the Accountant Compressor and Barbershop Drive stay on most of the time. While the Mini totally gives me most of the gain sounds I need at my fingertips, I keep finding myself reaching for a heavier gain sound and not having anythig readily available. Space is quite limited on my board (but I can make room if need be), so I can't really afford to throw a Muff, a Rat, etc. etc. on there. Therefore I'm trying to find a maximum versatility fuzz.

So, big fuzzheads out there, if you could only have a single fuzz on your board, what would it be? Doesn't necessarily have to be a jack of all trades, but something that's not a one trick pony seems preferable.

Some options I've been considering: SS/BS Buzzz, Pelican Pelitaur, EQD Hoof / Hoof Reaper / etc.

Thanks all,

Alex

NOTE: This seems like material that would have been covered before, potentially a lot, but using the search function came up with no results (every word I was searching for was "too common" on the forum). I tried reading through the past 6-7 pages of forums and couldn't find a similar thread, so I decided to go ahead and post. If there's somewhere I ought to be looking where I'm not, please just let me know. As I said, I'm new around here. Cheers!

[Chankgeez]

Nice setup!

How much fuzz do you think that Skylark can handle (or is that part of the reason for the new amp)? How hard are you pushing it?

[01010111]

The pedal that serves this purpose for me is the Wolf Computer, and I'd definitely look at the Fat Fuzz Factory the DBA Apocalypse

[alexevansohio]

Nice setup!

How much fuzz do you think that Skylark can handle (or is that part of the reason for the new amp)? How hard are you pushing it?

Thanks, friend. The Skylark is a pretty gnarly amp all on its own. I'm certainly not looking to get crazy face-melting stuff or big doomy business from it (a 12w 1x10 combo definitely can't cop that tone easily), but using the Barbershop as a slight boost and the Mini as a nice medium gain drive, I'm wanting something a little more saturated and big sounding. The Otis should also give a little bit more muscle and low end with the 12" extension cab. I don't play much that requires super heavy drive all the time, but it's a nice option to have, particularly with how comparatively light I keep my other drives.

[alexevansohio]

The pedal that serves this purpose for me is the Wolf Computer, and I'd definitely look at the Fat Fuzz Factory the DBA Apocalypse

Oh cool! I actually was not looking at any of these. Very interesting. Cheers!

[ck3]

The Fuzzhugger Algal Bloom XS would be loads of fuzzy versatility in a compact package. I've also enjoyed various Maxon Fuzz Elements pedals that I've owned, which are MXR-sized. The Function (fx) Clusterfuzz is another fuzz-of-all-trades-type option with more Tonebendery inclinations. Other options to consider may be the DOD Carcosa and Yellowcake Furry Burrito. If you are looking for affordable options, the 3pdt Fuzz Machine and Regulus VIII fuzz are both decent.

[ognoy]

DBA Fuzz War. Maybe to big, but if you can use a soldering iron you could build a smaller clone.

[mulekicker]

I have a lot of fuzzes and a circuit I've been digging lately is the Emanating Fist Black Acid. It's basically a deluxe Meathead with bc109c transistors. They are ridiculously expensive so I diy'd mine. It sounds killer into the mini. With fuzz and drive dimed it's super burley but as you lower the drive knob it gets less thick and more clear sounding. What I love about it are the overdrive tones you get as you roll back on your guitar volume. If you know a builder or you can do it yourself, it's a simple build. Or, buy an Algal Bloom maybe.

[fcknoise]

I think Buzzz is a great fuzz for many sounds. That or the blunderbuss if you dont want the octave up and really nasally sounds

[frigid midget]

Bitchin set up you got there, welcome to the forum.

It's probably a personal thing, but since I don't care too much for muffs, nor overly glitchy buzzy finnicky fizzy pedals that have little use in more straight forward type of songs...I'd have to go with something like a clusterfuzz. It's more than just a slightly tricked out tonebender, impossible to get a bad sound of it. It helps if you're into velcro zippery types of tones, but it does a mean thick distortion thing too, and it can even be dialed in to sound like a genuine octave fuzz.

[Chankgeez]

… and Regulus VIII fuzz are both decent.

And speaking of Regulus VIII based circuits, the Basic Audio Fuzz Mutant might be an option. It's not super heavy though.

Ultimately…

It's probably a personal thing

Especially since having an always on compressor might add some difficulty to your selection process.

[01010111]

...having an always on compressor might add some difficulty to your selection process.

Somehow I missed this in the op. The fuzzes I listed are going to be super fickle when it comes to placement before/after buffers and compressors.

[digi2t]

Ghost Effects Warmjet V. Covers much of the ground between a Buzzaround and a Muff.

[Davin]

I'd suggest, with small speaker/wattage amps, you'll want something you have some control over the lows on. Too much and the amp will just start to fart out and get lost in the mix. I use a Fuzzhugger Algal Bloom into a small amp and can dial in a bunch of different and gnarly tones. I've also used a Rat and because of the tone filter it works really well. But if you slam a heavy low fuzz signal into the amps you're playing, you'll step on your fuzz and wonder where your guitar went to.

[SMS]

Hey everyone,

I've been lurking for a couple years, but this is my first post. I have a small but mighty pedalboard, but I really need a more intense fuzz/drive pedal than what I currently have. Some options I've been considering: SS/BS Buzzz, Pelican Pelitaur, EQD Hoof / Hoof Reaper / etc.

Any pedal by Earthbound Audio is the answer to your fuzz question.