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Can anyone describe for me the similarities/differences betwixt these three circuits?

I heard some lead on a record that is allegedly Bosstone'd, kind of blew my mind. It was fucking gnarly. Like, gnarlier than a Superfuzz. What's the deal?

No clue, but posting here so I can be informed quickly when Devin answers.

Bosstone is kind of a gnarly yet controlled circuit but it's not overblown and sloppy by itself.
Kind of a rough distortion with a fuzz edge. Can have a lower octave growl to it.
Keep in mind that there are 5 different versions of the "bosstone". There is one main
version though, and that's the one represented in the online schematics.
That was the one made for the longest run... This circuit is dependent on the
gain of the transistors. The originals used under 200 hfe transistors.

Superfuzz is thicker with an upper octave growl which generates all those harmonics that
make it sound distinctive. The tone switch goes from high end bite to scooped mids which is
thick but not as cutting of a tone. Much more of a "fuzz".

Fuzzrite has a nasty bass shy hard fuzz sound that pans over to a lower gain course fuzz with less
sizzle. In the middle position it gets growly and semi octavish overtones. Not really a fat fuzz in any setting
by itself. Firmly placed in the 60 thin nasty fuzz camp.

All of these depend on the amp and how hard it's pushed...which will fill in some gaps and deficiencies in the
overall sound.

Hope that helps.

That's a huge help, John - thanks!

I have what I think is a pretty neat Superfuzz-variant - was trying to get some of those really nasty spitty leads I was hearing on Miles Davis' "Big Fun," wasn't working.

The Catalinbread Merkin had my attention (as it's probably louder than a typical Fuzzrite, and loud is good [or at least above unity]), but the demos make it sound like it's not quite as wild as I'd like it to be.

FWIW, I had a Malekko B:Assmaster for a while, couldn't ever really bond with it. I liked the thing, but it always had this...pinched? sound that I couldn't dial out. I wanted it wild and spitty rather than keening. The Merkin sounds kind of like the B:Assmaster to me, and I think I read somewhere that they (Brassmaster and Fuzzrite) sound somewhat similar...could be my imagination though.

Did Bosstones with higher gain trannies sound more fucked-up? I don't know if "controlled" is what I'm looking for.

The Merkin is fairly similar to the Fuzzrite in operation but has more body to
the sound and is more variable, louder as well.

Did Bosstones with higher gain trannies sound more fucked-up?

I don't think any of them had higher gain transistors but some of the versions
were wilder, yes. BUT if you put high gain transistors in the circuit it will get
wild for sure...out of control oscillation possibly but that's your issue to work out.

I'd build the Merkin as you have a better chance of hitting the sound you want.
It's got a lot more flexibility on tap.

Ah just build both. It's cost you a whopping $20 probably.

What was the mind blowing, fuzz laden record in question? Sounds cool haha

dev always says the ibanez standard fuzz is the nasty superfuzz sound that you want.

Ehhhhh y'all are gonna think this is lame. Just...try to contextualize.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRVvIovxPaA[/youtube]

I love this era Miles. No need to apologize for this. Some of the baddest records around. Where's the searing guitar part though? Wiki says McLaughlin was using a wah on this stuff mostly.

Naw mang that IS a killer fuzz track

John pretty much nailed it.

yeah that was kind of lame, like 6 minutes of horns and shaft guitars for 1½ minute of freaky lead that pans all over the room. But hey! Im drunk!

kosta wrote:Where's the searing guitar part though?

Starting at 6:41.

Hacken wrote:yeah that was kind of lame, like 6 minutes of horns and shaft guitars for 1½ minute of freaky lead that pans all over the room. But hey! Im drunk!

That description makes it sound not-at-all-lame.

It's just dated/unfashionable. Bob the Robot needs to come in here and call me a hipster thirty times.

Of the stuff I've had, I'd say a boosted Bosstone would get the closest to that. Maybe the right Fuzzrite. The Superfuzz variant that I have is more octave-y and less blister-y than that. That sounds badass whatever he's playing!

kosta wrote:Of the stuff I've had, I'd say a boosted Bosstone would get the closest to that. Maybe the right Fuzzrite. The Superfuzz variant that I have is more octave-y and less blister-y than that. That sounds badass whatever he's playing!

Blister-y is definitely what I'm looking for - emailing back and forth with Mr. Lyons about it. And I agree - pret-ty badass.

Wiki'd

John Lyons wrote:Bosstone is kind of a gnarly yet controlled circuit but it's not overblown and sloppy by itself.
Kind of a rough distortion with a fuzz edge. Can have a lower octave growl to it.
Keep in mind that there are 5 different versions of the "bosstone". There is one main
version though, and that's the one represented in the online schematics.
That was the one made for the longest run... This circuit is dependent on the
gain of the transistors. The originals used under 200 hfe transistors.

Superfuzz is thicker with an upper octave growl which generates all those harmonics that
make it sound distinctive. The tone switch goes from high end bite to scooped mids which is
thick but not as cutting of a tone. Much more of a "fuzz".

Fuzzrite has a nasty bass shy hard fuzz sound that pans over to a lower gain course fuzz with less
sizzle. In the middle position it gets growly and semi octavish overtones. Not really a fat fuzz in any setting
by itself. Firmly placed in the 60 thin nasty fuzz camp.

All of these depend on the amp and how hard it's pushed...which will fill in some gaps and deficiencies in the
overall sound.

Hope that helps.

StopReferencing wrote:

kosta wrote:Where's the searing guitar part though?

Bob the Robot needs to come in here and call me a hipster thirty times.

I gotta say from when I ast saw you, you had the beard down
But seriously it oks pretty boss