ilovefuzz.com

After spending a month with a Lone Wolf Audio Iron Fist, it has became clear things aren't working out between us. I originally purchased the pedal after watching one of Mr. Excane's YouTube demos, and didn't realize he was using a newer Iron Fist version based on the Green Russian Muff. The one I'm now frustrated with (and selling) is an earlier version inspired by the Ram's Head Big Muff.

The primary, nagging issue has been a lack of midrange content in my signal when the pedal is engaged (which is even more apparent when I switch between fuzzes on my current board). The mids control on the pedal seems to be more of a contour than a level control and to only approach the point of being flat but not achieve or exceed it. I even removed the back plate to search for a midrange trim pot, and there was none to be found. Other than the glaring midrange deficit, it's a solid fuzz with plenty of punch and sustain. I just prefer my mids flat, slightly boosted, or to have some form of rapid toggle for full/scooped mids. Additionally, I'd rather not have to use an external EQ to achieve the desired midrange character.

My Fuzzhugger V2 Algal Bloom can provide some flat-mid muffy goodness, and will tide me over until funds become available to invest in something to replace the Iron Fist. I'm thinking I'd prefer either a Green Russian or, more likely, Ram's Head-style Muff for full-time muff duties, and have been eyeing the Vick Audio Violet Ram's Head clone and a few Green Russian clones with mid controls. I'm only familiar with Black Russian Muffs and am not well-versed in the Green variant, which I assume also has at least somewhat anemic mids in its stock format. What sorts of Ram's Head and Green Russian clones with full/adjustable mids would fellow ILFers recommend? I should have a decent budget once a few pedals sell, but would prefer to keep the cost under 150 USD if possible. Thanks in advance for your replies/suggestions.

Honestly the hoof is perfectly fine as a green muff with mids. It's based on the dude from the black keys muff. It works well enough for me, but I might get a supplementary crazier noise fuzz, as it's relatively tame

Magic Pedals Magick Fuzz is a Ram's Head with a mids knob and I am fond of it. I also like the Ram's Head I built to J Mascis standards but with a mids knob and LED clipping.

The Musket is green russian based I think, and it has a mids control, along with pre-gain and a focus knob to take away some of the muff's flabby nature.

The Hoof is great. Simple and voiced just right (for me, anyway)

vidret wrote:BAT LSTR and EQD Hoof sounds pretty spot on.

Yeah the LSTR does the sound you're talking about nicely I think, extra gain too if you want it.

http://www.cogeffects.co.uk/grand-tarkin-bass-fuzz.php

Not sure whether it's good both for bass and guitar though.

supercollider

The ARC Effects Big Green and Shepherd are based on green and Ram's Head Muffs, respectively, and both have three-way Mids switches. I'm partial to the Shepherd, I tried one out at a store and got lost for an hour or so playing it, comparing it to the Hoof, the SolidgoldFX muff, and the Blackout Musket, and overall preferred the Shep although the Musket is totally sick and you can't really go wrong. It might actually be more versatile in terms of Mids and overall tone-shaping capabilities but I just personally preferred the Shepherd.

I got my eye on that Shepherd. It looks nicely purple.

Thanks to all for the solid-looking suggestions thus far. My Reverb feed and watch list now have a few new entries.

When I was researching the EQD Hoof, some of the demos vids seemed to suggest it has a splatty quality. I wonder if some combination of finger-style playing, YouTube compression, and/or PC speaker frequency limitations may have been at play.

Does the mids control on the Earthbound Audio Supercollider boost the midrange? If so, it may be a contender, especially given how much I'm enjoying their Pale Mare fuzz.

I didn't realize ARC effects offered a Ram's Head variant. More research is definitely in order.

I bought a BAT LSTR after doing a/b comparisons with my bubble font green russian. Absolutely spot on and with that lovely mids knobs you can get a lot more variety of sounds. Hoof and Musket are also great choices. I've never played a super collider

Basic Audio Tri/Ram Muff has mids control and sounds really good. Almost too good/creamy for me, in fact, so I sold it. You might be able to find a used one for under 150.

Goose the green Muff with a tubescreamer. Seriously.

Cog Effects Tarkin/Grand Tarkin

Arc Effects Big Green (Pi)

Also, the SGFX Imperial is a muff with mids, just not sure what kind of muff. Tons of bottom end though, and great mids control.