fingerprint vs. shoegazer

[ifeellikeatourist]

Okay, so these may be two completely different fuzzes, but what it comes down to really is that if I decide that I really do need a fingerprint, then I'll most likely be selling my ShoeGazer to help fund the purchase. I love the SG, but from what I've read of peoples reveiws of the fingerprint, it sounds like a really unique and incredibly versatile fuzz. So while these pedals may not really be equivalent, should I do it? Would I miss my SG if I had a FP? Does anyone here prefer the SG sound, or can the two just not even be compared? I mainly like the TP side of the SG, so I could always just buy a TP for much cheaper, but it is kinda cool to step on that second stomp when you want to just have total fuzz overload...I just think that a FP might have more practical sounds for me, as I rarely actually uses the second stomp on the SG...

help?

[onyxrhino]

Well, I've owned both. In my opinion, the Fingerprint should be called "The Shoegazer", since it works much better for that style of music. That said, they are pretty much completely different pedals. The Fingerprint doesn't do crazy like the Shoegazer, it has octave glitchiness at higher settings, but it doesn't have anything like the SG's sustain or the really weird ambient growling, oscillating you can get with the SG. The Fingerprint just isn't a "crazy noise" type of pedal. That said, it works so much better as a general fuzz pedal, IMO. The fuzz sounds great with chords, and has little noise. I like it so much, that when I got the SG, I felt like the TP side (which I had heard so much about) was just hissy and weak by comparison. The fuzz "texture" just seemed bland compared to the Fingerprint. I did like the SG for Muff-ish sustain on single note passages, and, as I mentioned before, the Fingerprint doesn't have this kind of sustain. But, on single notes, it does have a great sound, really biting and harmonic.

So, my advice would be this - if you want a great all-around fuzz sound, then get the Fingerprint. If you want to do crazy stuff occasionally, then keep the SG as well, or find a cheaper option for your occasional guitar freak-out moments (the SM with Chaos looks like it could give you the wilder SG sounds for under $100).

[ifeellikeatourist]

yeah, I think there's going to have to be a fingerprint in my future...I think half of the reason I want it so bad is that the artwork is just so badass, but I do think that I may find myself using its tonez more than I do my shoegazer's. I have heard some other people complaining about it's lack of sustain, though, and that concerns me a little, because I really really like sustain, but everything else that I've heard about it has been so good, I feel like I really need to try it out if it's fuzz is as unique and different as everyone claims it is.

[hazelwould]

yeah, I think there's going to have to be a fingerprint in my future...I think half of the reason I want it so bad is that the artwork is just so badass, but I do think that I may find myself using its tonez more than I do my shoegazer's. I have heard some other people complaining about it's lack of sustain, though, and that concerns me a little, because I really really like sustain, but everything else that I've heard about it has been so good, I feel like I really need to try it out if it's fuzz is as unique and different as everyone claims it is.

I think a perfect combo would be the FP and an OD. But IDK.

I've been gassing for an FP for SOOOO long, but I've gotta prioritize as an amp comes first .

[ifeellikeatourist]

yeah, I've recently realized that OD's are awesome for pairing with fuzzes since they give you a little more than a boost, but not quite as much as stacking a second fuzz or distortion. I'm planning on getting a singing tree, so with the addition of that along with the 'print, perhaps my pedal board will finally be complete.

[hazelwould]

yeah, I've recently realized that OD's are awesome for pairing with fuzzes since they give you a little more than a boost, but not quite as much as stacking a second fuzz or distortion. I'm planning on getting a singing tree, so with the addition of that along with the 'print, perhaps my pedal board will finally be complete.

I think your quest may be complete if you had both of those! And maybe just a noise making fuzz like the WC. I don't know though. Maybe just put both pedals in a feedback loop and you could maybe do anything.

[1,2,3, Pull Out!]

yeah, I've recently realized that OD's are awesome for pairing with fuzzes since they give you a little more than a boost, but not quite as much as stacking a second fuzz or distortion. I'm planning on getting a singing tree, so with the addition of that along with the 'print, perhaps my pedal board will finally be complete.

Do it, Singing Tree works amazingly with fuzzes!