Page 1 of 1
NPD: Basic Audio Zippy
Posted: Thu Nov 07, 2013 12:05 pm
by Snufkino
Might as well post this here too...
Been looking for a slightly more versatile version of the FY-2 companion fuzz, and I've definitely found it!...
Clearly based on the FY-2 circuit as the core sound is fundamentally the same, except that the Zippy is lacking ever-so-slightly in the all-encompassing "girth" department. But that allows room for the texture to bloom a little more clearly and so sounds a little more articulate and brassy without compromising on that body of the core fuzz tone that I keep going back to, so I'm very happy with it.
With those settings in the pic; the switch down, fuzz maxed, and 'body' toward the left, it sounds pretty much identical to the Fy-2. Same flavour, just a different brand. I guess by nature it'll cut through a mix a little better, especially with the switch in the brighter, (up) position. (I'm guessing). Setting the body clockwise past noon results in a more kind of clean low end coming through, but I'm not too keen on that sound. Not sure what use it has in live or recording context though.
Basically, an excellent fuzz pedal if you're looking for a nasty, early 60's fuzz tone that has thickness with a touch of cutting edge and clarity to it.
And while Pryemaxe Vintage seem to have something of a tarnished reputation here, I've got to say they've always been very helpful with me as an international customer.
Re: NPD: Basic Audio Zippy
Posted: Thu Nov 07, 2013 12:14 pm
by Chankgeez
Love the Zippy.
Re: NPD: Basic Audio Zippy
Posted: Thu Nov 07, 2013 4:23 pm
by blanket
one of my fave fuzzes to play - very inspriring
Re: NPD: Basic Audio Zippy
Posted: Thu Nov 07, 2013 4:28 pm
by goroth
Snufkino wrote:
And while Pryemaxe Vintage seem to have something of a tarnished reputation here, I've got to say they fucked over Teh Daltz.
Re: the NPD- great write up! I've loved every demo I've heard of this pedal. I really should stop not buying it.
Re: NPD: Basic Audio Zippy
Posted: Thu Nov 07, 2013 5:13 pm
by theactionindex
Chankgeez wrote:Love the Zippy.
Re: NPD: Basic Audio Zippy
Posted: Fri Nov 08, 2013 10:00 am
by Snufkino
goroth wrote:Snufkino wrote:
And while Pryemaxe Vintage seem to have something of a tarnished reputation here, I've got to say they fucked over Teh Daltz.
Re: the NPD- great write up! I've loved every demo I've heard of this pedal. I really should stop not buying it.
Oh dear, dare I ask what the whole "Teh Daltz" incident was/is?
Re: NPD: Basic Audio Zippy
Posted: Fri Nov 08, 2013 10:15 am
by Chankgeez
Yeah, Tom asked Prymaxe repeatedly to honor his MAP for FuzzHuggerFX and they ignored him and then tried to strong arm him into going along with their pricing.
That's it in a nutshell.
Re: NPD: Basic Audio Zippy
Posted: Fri Nov 08, 2013 10:24 am
by goroth
Re: NPD: Basic Audio Zippy
Posted: Fri Nov 08, 2013 10:39 am
by Snufkino
Well shit. I do think it's bad practice to always have the 15% voucher... I'm sure it used to be just a few times a year? However, in my experience as an international customer, I've got to say the postage is always fine. Got the Zippy in a well padded box. Plus they're willing to mark the value as being low, and so avoids extra cost for me. Having said that I know full-well that it negates insurance, etc so if things go wrong I'll just have to take it on the chin.
I'm pretty shocked by their snarky and petty response to Tom Dalton though... urgh. Shame they seem a bit shady.
Re: NPD: Basic Audio Zippy
Posted: Fri Nov 08, 2013 10:56 am
by Chankgeez
It is a shame. Especially because they started out on the right track even if they didn't stay on it for long and there're forum members here who're employed there or have been.
Re: NPD: Basic Audio Zippy
Posted: Fri Nov 08, 2013 11:17 am
by coldbrightsunlight
Nice write up, sounds like a great pedal. Re prymaxe I've had good international experience with them too I have to say, but from things I've heard from folks here recently and especially how they dealt with Tom I'm not sure I want to deal with them again...
Sorry your thread about pedals is getting derailed into bitching! Fuzz pedals! Fy2s sure are cool.
Re: NPD: Basic Audio Zippy
Posted: Fri Nov 08, 2013 12:22 pm
by Snufkino
Back to the fuzz...
Looks like my RM Voodoo Axe might be leaving the board!
Just spent some time with the Zippy on the other settings, and bizarrely, with the fuzz backed off, the body rolled up, and the switch in the up position it does an exceptional impression of the VA!
On it's cleanest setting, the VA adds as a slight amount of grit/fuzz that's quite dynamic, and even with delicate playing gives chords a touch of extra clarity. And so does the Zippy. Not quite as clean. With it's fuzz rolled all the way 'off' it matches the VA gain at about 8 o' clock, so there's very little in it, and it certainly doesn't feel like a compromise. In fact, when the fuzz "blooms" on the Zippy it gets a touch more of a Sitar/harmonic sound than the VA.
Alternately with the VA cranked, it's quite a wooly, warm but defined fuzz. And I can also get that tone with the Zippy too. No wonder I really liked the tone of the VA. Also weird that a Roger Mayer pedal would have a few components in common with an FY-2 style fuzz.
Can't believe the coincidence. I must have pleased the Fuzz Gods or something. Couldn't be happier. It's like my two favourite pedals in one.
Only thing now, is if (when) I take the VA off my board that's room for another pedal... urgh. Just when I thought I was done.
Re: NPD: Basic Audio Zippy
Posted: Fri Nov 08, 2013 2:01 pm
by blanket
Snufkino wrote:Back to the fuzz...
Looks like my RM Voodoo Axe might be leaving the board!
Just spent some time with the Zippy on the other settings, and bizarrely, with the fuzz backed off, the body rolled up, and the switch in the up position it does an exceptional impression of the VA!
On it's cleanest setting, the VA adds as a slight amount of grit/fuzz that's quite dynamic, and even with delicate playing gives chords a touch of extra clarity. And so does the Zippy. Not quite as clean. With it's fuzz rolled all the way 'off' it matches the VA gain at about 8 o' clock, so there's very little in it, and it certainly doesn't feel like a compromise. In fact, when the fuzz "blooms" on the Zippy it gets a touch more of a Sitar/harmonic sound than the VA.
Alternately with the VA cranked, it's quite a wooly, warm but defined fuzz. And I can also get that tone with the Zippy too. No wonder I really liked the tone of the VA. Also weird that a Roger Mayer pedal would have a few components in common with an FY-2 style fuzz.
Can't believe the coincidence. I must have pleased the Fuzz Gods or something. Couldn't be happier. It's like my two favourite pedals in one.
Only thing now, is if (when) I take the VA off my board that's room for another pedal... urgh. Just when I thought I was done.
Yep. That's more like how I run my Zippy: switch up, body full CW, fuzz around 8:30 (I'll crank it though for some awesome harmonic feedback). Good stuff!