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So I'm looking at getting a new fuzz soon, but not really sure what to go for. I play post punk and noise rock and I'm looking for something that will cut through in a band setting. In case it matters I play a strat through Fender reverb type amps. Also I'm primarily a rhythm player, and I use lots of full or open chords that don't sound great through the EHX.

Currently the only fuzz I have is a EHX BMP so I don't want anything too similar to that. With that said I'm looking for a Muffy fuzz that will cut through. At the moment I'm looking at Black Arts Toneworks Pharaoh and LSTR (can't decide between the two), EQD Hoof (worried it might be too similar to my BM), Fuzzhugger Algal Bloom (not really a BM, but I love it's tone, love the way chords really shine through), any of the Wren and Cuff muff clones (I love the sound of all of them, kind of leaning towards the Tall Font Russian), and the Blackout Musket (wasn't overly impressed by the demos I've heard, but lots of people swear by it and it seems very tweakable).

Which do you think would be best for my needs? Any other suggestions? Price isn't really an issue, but below $200 would be nice.

Also I should mention that I can't try out any of these pedals where I live and I will have to order online from the US.

EAU CLAIRE THUNDER

Wait, I'm confused. You have a Muff already, so you don't want another Muff, but what's a good Muff? haha.

Get a Buzzaround! I have an EQD Sound Shank, and it's Muffy enough, without sounding like a Muff.

Smallsound/bigsound TAFM should do what you're looking for, big chords sound amazing through it, and it can cut through a mix well or be doomy if you want. It can sound pretty like a muff but really has it's own thing going. The Algal Bloom looks great too, though I've never tried one myself.

erik wrote:EAU CLAIRE THUNDER

I've considered it and I love all of aen's stuff, but it just seems a little too crazy for the stuff I wanna play.

Algal Bloom or AB Synth Not really muffy though I suppose, but I don't like muffs.

modernage wrote:Wait, I'm confused. You have a Muff already, so you don't want another Muff, but what's a good Muff? haha.

Get a Buzzaround! I have an EQD Sound Shank, and it's Muffy enough, without sounding like a Muff.

mmm Yeah that didn't make much sense. What I mean is that I'm looking for some kind of variation on the muff (more mids, more clarity), but not for a muff that's too similar to the EHX. If that makes sense.

Thanks for the suggestions everyone, I'll check them out.

Well, I just realized you mentioned wanting a muffish fuzz, so my suggestion may not have much merit, but if I were you, i'd look into a germanium fuzz since you already have a silicon fuzz. My first fuzz was a Big Muff, and recently i got a great deal on a Fuzz Factory, and the two complement each other nicely.


Or, if you want a cheap fix, pick up an EQ pedal. It's pretty amazing how much you can change your fuzz sound with one of these. I use a Boss GE-7 that i got used for $40

Buzzaround is always recommended as the Muff without the usual Muff problems -- which is to say that it has midrange presence and cuts through a band. Clips sound, to me, superior to a Muff but still disappointingly similar to a Muff. Just not my thing.

If you want better note definition for rhythm, I'd say look at Fuzz Face varients or somebariety of clean blend wrapped arroumd your favorite.

DBA Fuzz War has a much more versitile EQ than a typical muff and I think it cuts through just about anything.

I diyed a Buzzaround recently. It's a huge fuzz and chords sound pretty good with it which was surprising.

I'm a firm believer in the pharaoh, but it's not for everyone. Its extremely tweakable so since you all ready have a silicon BM you can put it in germanium mode (which is my personal fav) has as much gain as you'd ever want and more, the eq section is extremely tweakable and i use it for 4 to 5 note chords consistantly with great clarity, plus it loves having other fuzzes in front of it. The lstr is a straight up high gain balls to the wall muff, i love it to death but not what your looking for i don't think. Other than that i echo the Algal Bloom recommendations, i don't personally have one but a friend of mine does and it sounds fantastic for rythmn chords and can get raunchy if you so prefer.

check out the Creepy Fingers Doomidrive. I'm wishing I hadn't traded mine.

Repeater wrote:

erik wrote:EAU CLAIRE THUNDER

I've considered it and I love all of aen's stuff, but it just seems a little too crazy for the stuff I wanna play.

I've had someone play mine and say "this is perfect for classic rock" so it's fairly versatile. It's not all in your face, though it can be. Sounds real good on chords, too.
& I have one for sale in b/s/t...

My BAT Pharaoh is fairly dark sounding. It sounds huge, but I wouldn't describe it as cutting.

I've got a Stone Deaf FX PDF-1. I recommend it. It's not really a fuzz, but it stacks well. Throw another dirt pedal at it and it'll get you to where you're going. It's got a built in EQ, so it can cut through most anything. Great for rhythm or lead. It's a little more than you're looking to spend, but it's something to consider.