What fuzz should I consider next?

[tuj]

Yeah I've got the Omicron Malekko Fuzz, the 2-knob gray one in the small enclosure. It's pretty nice.

Can't wait to get the new fuzzes/pedals and let you guys know what I think.

Thanks for all the great suggestions!!

[Chankgeez]

ZVex Fuzzolo?

That's one of the ones I wanna try anyway.

[tuj]

Got to try the Timmy (not a fuzz of course) and the Devi 90 today. My current setup for my apartment is a MIJ Jag-stang into a '72 Champ. I've had LOTS of amps, and I always come back to the little Champ. Takes pedals well, records great, I love it. Anyway, on to the pedals.

Timmy - you know, they call this one a 'transparent' overdrive, and I know that's overused and I know the hype behind this pedal was pretty big a year or two ago, but I scored it for a good deal used and the thing really is transparent. Full CCW gain, full CCW treble and bass (cut style controls), volume at 12 and it sounds like it isn't even in the signal chain. Turn up the gain and the magic starts to happen. Break-up is very gradual, very light and progressive as you turn up the gain. I'm sure you guys have all heard the demos, but I really like it. I didn't have a light overdrive in my current setup that sounds as good as this one. It also really lets the amp shine through. Never did I think I was playing through a JCM or Boogie like some pedals. Mostly like this with the single coil neck PU but going to the bridge super distortion hum bucker gave it almost a Les Paul with bite sound. Kind of surprising.

Devi Ever 90 - This one was a little more surprising, and a true fuzz. Starting on low gain, it has a nice crunch with sputtering trails. Turn up the gain and it starts to do some interesting things, the bass get's wolly and the treble is sort of weird and hyped. I think I was expecting a little more 'in your face' distortion, and I really think this pedal could use a few more knobs to tweak the sound. But overall it's a cool tone. Didn't really shine with the hum bucker though, that feel flat in the treble department. What was really cool was running the 90 into the Malekko Omnicron fuzz; now that was a trip! I think the 90 is going to shine more as a pedal with other pedals.

[Chankgeez]

Devi Ever 90 - ... and I really think this pedal could use a few more knobs to tweak the sound...

Knowing Devi, that'd probably be the same exact circuit with a different name.

[xrleroyx]

http://www.fuzzhugger.com. Tom Dalton runs that and this forum. Send him an email or a personal message here. Cool cat, that Tom.

The fuzzprint there is pretty cool. Got mine in the secret satan.

Also, try different muff flavors. I've found that I'm not a huge fan of the Russian muffs, but the op-amps are what I really dig.

[tuj]

Also, try different muff flavors. I've found that I'm not a huge fan of the Russian muffs, but the op-amps are what I really dig.

guys, give me the scoop on the muff flavors. I heard once that the big difference between them was the PNP vs. NPN construction. I don't know enough about electronics to know how that really changes the sound, I do understand it is a discrete circuit, as opposed to the op-amp IC's you mention. Are there 3 kinds of muff pedals then? I have a double muff from EHX and quite honestly I think it sounds shit on any setting and is noisy as hell. Really not a fan of that one. I know there is the green Russian one as well.

have any of you guys ever built the 'insanity box'? It's an Aron Nelson circuit that I think first showed up in the late 90's. Here's the schematic and notes: http://www.diystompboxes.com/pedals/insanity.GIF

The insanity box looks interesting because it uses CMOS clipping. I seem to remember Craig Anderton doing something like that in one of his books as well. Anyone remember?

I know that Devi's reputation is a bit trash right now after the whole crowd sourcing gone wrong thing, but the Shoe Gazer really impresses me. The Torn's Peaker side is probably my favorite, but I'm learning to like the Soda Meiser side better and better. I have a Torn's Peaker that a guy built for me in Eurorack and I was honestly a bit surprised at how few components were on the board...

Then there's the whole silicon vs. germanium thing. That one I still don't understand; I mean, I'm not sure my ears are good enough to hear the difference, although I don't think I have actually played on a germanium box. I guess the Algal Bloom will cover that, no?

The one thing I guess I should have mentioned at the start is that probably 80% of the time, I play single coils, so I really like fuzz that has a bit of a noise gate effect to it. I really like how single coils sound even with distortion.

[Uncle Grandfather]

Also, try different muff flavors. I've found that I'm not a huge fan of the Russian muffs, but the op-amps are what I really dig.

guys, give me the scoop on the muff flavors.

check out http://www.kitrae.net/music/music_big_muff.html
About everything you could hope to know bout bigmuffs.

Then maybe checkout effectsdatabase.com and lookup the big muffs to see what clones are available.
http://www.effectsdatabase.com/model/eh/bigmuffpi

[frigid midget]

Also, try different muff flavors. I've found that I'm not a huge fan of the Russian muffs, but the op-amps are what I really dig.

guys, give me the scoop on the muff flavors. I heard once that the big difference between them was the PNP vs. NPN construction. I don't know enough about electronics to know how that really changes the sound, I do understand it is a discrete circuit, as opposed to the op-amp IC's you mention. Are there 3 kinds of muff pedals then? I have a double muff from EHX and quite honestly I think it sounds shit on any setting and is noisy as hell. Really not a fan of that one. I know there is the green Russian one as well.

have any of you guys ever built the 'insanity box'? It's an Aron Nelson circuit that I think first showed up in the late 90's. Here's the schematic and notes: http://www.diystompboxes.com/pedals/insanity.GIF

The insanity box looks interesting because it uses CMOS clipping. I seem to remember Craig Anderton doing something like that in one of his books as well. Anyone remember?

I know that Devi's reputation is a bit trash right now after the whole crowd sourcing gone wrong thing, but the Shoe Gazer really impresses me. The Torn's Peaker side is probably my favorite, but I'm learning to like the Soda Meiser side better and better. I have a Torn's Peaker that a guy built for me in Eurorack and I was honestly a bit surprised at how few components were on the board...

Then there's the whole silicon vs. germanium thing. That one I still don't understand; I mean, I'm not sure my ears are good enough to hear the difference, although I don't think I have actually played on a germanium box. I guess the Algal Bloom will cover that, no?

The one thing I guess I should have mentioned at the start is that probably 80% of the time, I play single coils, so I really like fuzz that has a bit of a noise gate effect to it. I really like how single coils sound even with distortion.

I also prefer op amp muffs over other ones. They all have their use, and even an opamp muff doesn't cut through a loud mix enouhg for me, but it still doesn't dissapear as easily as a triangle/rams head imo. Sovtek muffs sound like fuckign vacuum cleaners to me, never really understood the appeal, even though I know a lot of great bands/guitarists that seem to be able to use em to good effect

So that would really be my only advice when comparing different boutique/custom muff variations, cause the rest is a matter of personal preference and taste: Don't just trust what you hear when trying it out on your own, but try to listen how it holds its own in your band. Also, since you obviously don't have a dirt pedal chortage: Stacking is often what makes a good sounding big muff sound great.

[Gone Fission]

I know that Devi's reputation is a bit trash right now after the whole crowd sourcing gone wrong thing, but the Shoe Gazer really impresses me.

DEFX is now run by Dwarfcraft. Same designs, less drama.

[Chankgeez]

Same designs, less drama.

That should be their official motto.

[aens_wife]

Devi Ever 90 - ... and I really think this pedal could use a few more knobs to tweak the sound...

Knowing Devi, that'd probably be the same exact circuit with a different name.

Not anymore

If you have ideas and such, always feel free to send them our way, either here or via email. We might not be able to do it right away, but we can make some magic happen.

[Chankgeez]

Same designs, less drama.

[xrleroyx]

Same designs, less drama.

Top kek

[tuj]

ok so got the Algal Bloom today.

I'M IN LOVE.

Found my sweet spot with the gain all the way up, level at 3oclock, starve at noon, color all the way down, and bloom at noon. Thick crunchy chords with sputtery tails, just tonal bliss. Handles richer harmonic content just fine like minor 7ths or triads. Fuck. I don't know what to say about this pedal; it made me play until my fingers were in pain. I had to hear that tone. So good so deliciously fuzzy.

I think I know where most of the distortion for my next few tracks is going to come from!

[Eivind August]

Tom makes the coolest fuzz around. Glad you like it, dude.