Do I need an Algal Bloom?
Moderator: FuzzHugger
-
- committed
- Posts: 108
- Joined: Fri Dec 11, 2009 7:05 pm
- Location: The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Do I need an Algal Bloom?
Pretty much every part of me says yes, but I'm sure there's plenty of people here who can turn that vague urge into a properly justified purchase. I've just got an Arc Flash Oscillator which has replaced my Disaster Fuzz as a trebly fuzz/noise-making pedal whilst doing a nice sideline in just-breaking-up tones too (seriously, how many pedals can you say do all that?) but my main rhythm sound is still at fault. I'm using a Big Muff at the moment and it just doesn't cut through in a band setting, mainly just leaving me wading in sonic mud. Our sound is sort of noisy indie/post-punk. If you can possibly imagine something as ridiculous as a cross between The Jam and My Bloody Valentine with bits of Mogwai and The National thrown in, that's us.
So yeah, what I'm looking for is a big, fat, thick shoegazey distortion sound that crucially will cut through a mix of another guitar, bass and drums, and preferably one where full barre chords don't lose too much definition. If it helps I use a Telecaster and an Eastwood Mandocaster (honest!) as my main weapons in the band. So, can anyone confirm my suspicions - do I need an Algal Bloom?
So yeah, what I'm looking for is a big, fat, thick shoegazey distortion sound that crucially will cut through a mix of another guitar, bass and drums, and preferably one where full barre chords don't lose too much definition. If it helps I use a Telecaster and an Eastwood Mandocaster (honest!) as my main weapons in the band. So, can anyone confirm my suspicions - do I need an Algal Bloom?
Fane - folk music from the furthest reaches
- theactionindex
- IAMILFFAMOUS
- Posts: 3650
- Joined: Mon Jul 12, 2010 4:06 am
- Location: Massachusetts
Re: Do I need an Algal Bloom?
Yes, you need an Algal Bloom.
I'm currently using it as my main distortion(ish) sound and it definitely doesn't get lost in the mix at practice, and holds up super well with complex chords as far as clarity is concerned. It's super versatile as far as the gain range is concerned as well, going from lighter fuzzy overdrive sounds all the way through to pretty damn heavy fuzz toanz. I was honestly kind of skeptical before I bought one just because it seemed to be super hyped up and I didn't want to be let down, but it definitely lives up to the hype.
Hope that helps!
I'm currently using it as my main distortion(ish) sound and it definitely doesn't get lost in the mix at practice, and holds up super well with complex chords as far as clarity is concerned. It's super versatile as far as the gain range is concerned as well, going from lighter fuzzy overdrive sounds all the way through to pretty damn heavy fuzz toanz. I was honestly kind of skeptical before I bought one just because it seemed to be super hyped up and I didn't want to be let down, but it definitely lives up to the hype.
Hope that helps!

- magiclawnchair
- FUZZHEROSAURUS
- Posts: 8015
- Joined: Wed Sep 09, 2009 6:11 pm
- Location: Palatine IL
- Contact:
Re: Do I need an Algal Bloom?
the real question you should be asking us is do you need TWO/THREE/FOUR algal blooms... 
ask tigerbass. i brought my other one to his house the other weekend and, well ask him...

ask tigerbass. i brought my other one to his house the other weekend and, well ask him...


"You sir, broke my speakers." - Jero
"I'll be the short-haired dummy headbanging like I've still got my old metal hair over in the corner." - jrmy
"And if you're going to sell something why not come and chat for a while...

"GO BLACKHAWKS!!!!!" - ST

http://soundcloud.com/magiclawnchair
http://www.youtube.com/user/MagicLawnChair
http://www.myspace.com/owlcambridge
shop http://fuzzhugger.com/fhfx.html today!

-
- IAMILF
- Posts: 2788
- Joined: Tue Mar 29, 2011 11:10 am
Re: Do I need an Algal Bloom?
magiclawnchair wrote:the real question you should be asking us is do you need TWO/THREE/FOUR algal blooms...![]()
- misc1600
- committed
- Posts: 436
- Joined: Fri Feb 11, 2011 9:00 am
- Location: Here
Re: Do I need an Algal Bloom?
Yes you do. There is one in B/ST 

Classy ILF PEPS: Caesar, benjuro, Blindtofaith, the_necropolitan, Cody_Pole, bob the r0bot, Chaosmic, tigerbass, Kbithecrowing, Psyre, Stanimal, Skip, Ilikewater, StopReferencing, StupidDream88, ZZZZZ
-
- committed
- Posts: 108
- Joined: Fri Dec 11, 2009 7:05 pm
- Location: The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Re: Do I need an Algal Bloom?
Thanks for the help guys, it turns out I do need an Algal Bloom!
misc1600, if you've still got it when I've scraped enough pennies together earlier next year you've got a deal - would you be willing to send it to the UK?
misc1600, if you've still got it when I've scraped enough pennies together earlier next year you've got a deal - would you be willing to send it to the UK?
Fane - folk music from the furthest reaches
- misc1600
- committed
- Posts: 436
- Joined: Fri Feb 11, 2011 9:00 am
- Location: Here
Re: Do I need an Algal Bloom?
_r_ wrote:Thanks for the help guys, it turns out I do need an Algal Bloom!
misc1600, if you've still got it when I've scraped enough pennies together earlier next year you've got a deal - would you be willing to send it to the UK?
Will see.
Classy ILF PEPS: Caesar, benjuro, Blindtofaith, the_necropolitan, Cody_Pole, bob the r0bot, Chaosmic, tigerbass, Kbithecrowing, Psyre, Stanimal, Skip, Ilikewater, StopReferencing, StupidDream88, ZZZZZ
- Bellyheart
- IAMILFFAMOUS
- Posts: 5791
- Joined: Mon Nov 10, 2008 11:23 pm
- Location: Richmond, Va
- Contact:
- jb2106
- committed
- Posts: 255
- Joined: Thu Aug 18, 2011 6:32 pm
- Location: France
Re: Do I need an Algal Bloom?
I use a FuzzHugger Huger for this kind of sound (playing some kinda MBV/JAMC influenced-rock) and I've had great results ! 

-
- interested
- Posts: 14
- Joined: Mon Nov 28, 2011 7:52 pm
Re: Do I need an Algal Bloom?
I just got mine in today from Tom (thanks!) and I can say that yes, you need one, regardless of what you play.
Wish I picked a better name...
'74 Guild Starfire IV -> 3Leaf Audio GR2 -> Wampler Ego Compressor -> Blackout Effectors Whetstone -> Algal Bloom/Scarab Deluxe/MXR Classic 108 -> Super Chili Picoso -> Dirty Little Secret Mk. I -> Malekko Ekko 616 -> Vox AC15C1
'74 Guild Starfire IV -> 3Leaf Audio GR2 -> Wampler Ego Compressor -> Blackout Effectors Whetstone -> Algal Bloom/Scarab Deluxe/MXR Classic 108 -> Super Chili Picoso -> Dirty Little Secret Mk. I -> Malekko Ekko 616 -> Vox AC15C1
- Bellyheart
- IAMILFFAMOUS
- Posts: 5791
- Joined: Mon Nov 10, 2008 11:23 pm
- Location: Richmond, Va
- Contact:
Re: Do I need an Algal Bloom?
i just got one in yesterday that I bought for my friend(how many people buy fuzzes for their buddies) and he's stoked, as I am as well. I played it and don't wanna pass it up, but I shall.
-
- IAMILF
- Posts: 2950
- Joined: Mon Oct 31, 2011 12:26 pm
Re: Do I need an Algal Bloom?
I'm eagerly awaiting the arrival of mine (from a fellow ILFer)