Boss Fz-2 alternatives / all around crazy fuzzes ?

[shrubber]

So I'm thinking what my options are. I know that I can get a fz-2 relatively cheap but was wondering what current production fuzzes if any can do the fuzz II sound convincingly and preferably go even dirtier / crazier / more awesome? Let's say budget is of little concern for the sake of this exercise. Cheers for your input.

[phantasmagorovich]

So I'm thinking what my options are. I know that I can get a fz-2 relatively cheap but was wondering what current production fuzzes if any can do the fuzz II sound convincingly and preferably go even dirtier / crazier / more awesome? Let's say budget is of little concern for the sake of this exercise. Cheers for your input.

As far as I know, never having played one myself, the FZ-2 is based off a Superfuzz type circuit but tweaks it a little to get extra evil. There is a ton of options for other circuits that are based off the Superfuzz but none does exactly what the Boss does from all I hear.

For the sake of the discussion I would throw the Smallsound/Bigsound Buzzz into the pot. Based (albeit loosely) on the Superfuzz, and spiced up with a lot of extra options.

[backwardsvoyager]

The buzzz is comparable to the FZ-2. It sounds a bit smoother/more refined but the craziness is still there, and you have the options of switching the mid scoop or octave in or out which is useful, as well as that magical ss/bs bias control. It is a very very good pedal to have on a live board, compact with plenty of control. I'd say it gets just as dirty if not more but the FZ-2 has that chainsaw saturation going on that nothing else really cops from what i've tried. They are both absolutely great pedals, superfuzz is the only fuzz circuit I've tried that I really jive with, it's articulate for notes but destroys chords, cuts awesomely in a mix considering the scoop.

But honestly, even though there are so many boutique fuzzies out there now, none of them are necessarily more awesome than the FZ-2.
I would start with that and see if there's anything you find wanting out of it because it is a beast of a pedal. If you don't like it for fuzz you still have one of the loudest and most pristine gain boost pedals ever.

[Tristan]

An Ace Tone FM-2 or a clone thereof could also be interesting maybe (not the Earthquaker Devices Fuzz Master General though because it's probably not heavy or crazy enough).

[frigid midget]

So I'm thinking what my options are. I know that I can get a fz-2 relatively cheap but was wondering what current production fuzzes if any can do the fuzz II sound convincingly and preferably go even dirtier / crazier / more awesome? Let's say budget is of little concern for the sake of this exercise. Cheers for your input.

As far as I know, never having played one myself, the FZ-2 is based off a Superfuzz type circuit but tweaks it a little to get extra evil. There is a ton of options for other circuits that are based off the Superfuzz but none does exactly what the Boss does from all I hear.

For the sake of the discussion I would throw the Smallsound/Bigsound Buzzz into the pot. Based (albeit loosely) on the Superfuzz, and spiced up with a lot of extra options.

This, sorta. I tried a bunch of other superfuzz clones myself. I had a little money burning a hole in my pocket, and I figured if I love my FZ-2, I would LOVE a pricey boutique superfuzz type pedal. Turns out that there's a ton of decent superfuzz clones out there, that in most cases are closer to the original circuit than the FZ-2, but none of them sound as gnarly and agressive as the FZ-2. So though it's not at all the best replica out there, the FZ-2 is THE superfuzz for me. So if there's a good fz-2 clone out there that does the same basic thing but goes a little further in whetever way...I'd like to hear about it too

Never tried the SS/BS Buzzz. It takes up a little bit more board space, it costs a bit more too, but if a good deal pops up I might still try one eventualy.
One major thing that's keeping me from seriously considering the Buzzz at this point, is the lack of a semi decent demo clip. Just like with the other ss/bs demos, the recording quality makes everything sound like a DS-1 impo

[ALLisNOISE]

I'm fairly certain that the FZ-2 is based off of the venerable BeeBaa.
Black Cat and Black Arts Toneworks do some pretty killer versions of this particular circuit.
I'm not sure the exact differences between a SuperFuzz and a BeeBaa, but they sound similar.
Both are gnarly, heavy fuzzes with two distinct tone switches and nasty octaving.
For my SuperFuzz(standard fuzz) I've got a Verellen Big Spider.
For my BeeBaa, I have a WeeBuzz.
I can't recommend either enough for the fuzz tones you're looking for!

[Chankgeez]

Had the opportunity to try out a WeeBuzz. Don't know how crazy it really gets, but I was impressed with how versatile it is. Nice sounding fuzz.

[shrubber]

Cheers guys. I've had a Fz-2 on loan from a friend for the longest time and now he's decided he wants it back. I guess I'll just buy myself one then.

[frigid midget]

An Ace Tone FM-2 or a clone thereof could also be interesting maybe (not the Earthquaker Devices Fuzz Master General though because it's probably not heavy or crazy enough).

I creamed my pants when I saw they were making the Fuzz Master General again. In the usual EQD fashion, in a small and pretty enclosure, with top mount jacks

Maybe my expectations were too high though, cause I was a bit underwhelmed by the clip

I'll give it some time, maybe someone else can record some other stuff that'll convince me otherwhise, but for now I'll keep my eyes open for some other FM-2 clone. Sorry for derailing the thread btw.

[neonblack]

FMG might be more impressive on bass. I dunno. I really liked it, but I didn't have any expectations going in. I loved the clean ring mod tones.

[Uncle Grandfather]

An Ace Tone FM-2 or a clone thereof

Wren & Cuff make an excellent sounding FM-2 clone for the japanese market, Ace Octave Tone. it really comes close to nailing the sound of my vintage FM-2. Really gnarly.

[frigid midget]

An Ace Tone FM-2 or a clone thereof

Wren & Cuff make an excellent sounding FM-2 clone for the japanese market, Ace Octave Tone. it really comes close to nailing the sound of my vintage FM-2. Really gnarly.

"For the japanese market" What the fuck is that all about

[Uncle Grandfather]

An Ace Tone FM-2 or a clone thereof

Wren & Cuff make an excellent sounding FM-2 clone for the japanese market, Ace Octave Tone. it really comes close to nailing the sound of my vintage FM-2. Really gnarly.

"For the japanese market" What the fuck is that all about

i don't know why....but they have at least two pedals that they only sell in japan and they are both clones of vintage japanese pedals, the white elk sustainer and the fm-1. maybe they think there is only interest in japan? but regardless they pop up for sale on ebay is where i got them both.

[frigid midget]

I'm fairly certain that the FZ-2 is based off of the venerable BeeBaa.
Black Cat and Black Arts Toneworks do some pretty killer versions of this particular circuit.
I'm not sure the exact differences between a SuperFuzz and a BeeBaa, but they sound similar.
Both are gnarly, heavy fuzzes with two distinct tone switches and nasty octaving.
For my SuperFuzz(standard fuzz) I've got a Verellen Big Spider.
For my BeeBaa, I have a WeeBuzz.
I can't recommend either enough for the fuzz tones you're looking for!

I've been looking into Beebaa clones myself. In case anyone's interested, I know that besided those two you mensioned, there's also the Acid Age electronics Pale Mare, and the Maxon Fire. I still think the FZ-2 would be damn hard to beat though, especially for the money.

[dub]

The FZ-2 is closer tonally to the superfuzz than the beebaa. It just shares the 2 tones and a boost layout, although I have heard that the beebaa circuit is very similar to the superfuzz anyway, just without the octave part of the circuit? Maybe a builder can chime in.

I'm always looking for a decent SF to stick on my board. Really curious about the Maxon AEther, since I think the parametric EQ would be a great addition to getting the pedal to work with any rig.
Nothing really beats my ancient Univox Superfuzz, it's as nasty as the FZ-2, but without that almost industrial edge the boss has. I think the octave is less pronounced maybe it doesn't go as crazy when you stray from root and fifth notes and even handles a bit of palm muting (not enough for metal obviously, but a pleasing enough thunk). I guess the caps have just strayed over time in a particularly lucky manner. I couldn't really conjure the magic from the SuperPuzzle I used to have.

Maybe the Creepy Fingers Harikari (based off the "standard fuzz" SF variant)? Brad playing in Fu Manchu, I think he knows his superfuzzies.

Another circuit I'm curious about is the Kay Fuzztone, which is a SF with four gain stages instead of six.