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Great Wall or Algal Bloom?
Posted: Wed Aug 12, 2009 1:51 am
by Somnus000
Hi, i'm debating whether I should get the Great Wall or Algal Bloom..I'm looking for something that is huge and dense but also be able to retain a reasonable amount of clarity (so nothing too muddy when strumming big chords) and openness. I own an ESP Eclipse (mahogany body) and use dual humbuckers (Dimarzio Tone Zone in bridge and Air Zone in neck).
Re: Great Wall or Algal Bloom?
Posted: Wed Aug 12, 2009 2:52 am
by laxlover_bill369
You can never go wrong with an bloom!!!
Re: Great Wall or Algal Bloom?
Posted: Wed Aug 12, 2009 10:19 pm
by Nychthemeron
I love the sound of the Algal Bloom, but the Great Wall is way more versatile. Both sound awesome with chords as the previews on fuzzhugger can show you.
Re: Great Wall or Algal Bloom?
Posted: Wed Aug 12, 2009 10:28 pm
by FuzzHugger
The Great Wall is definitely "huge and dense!"
Re: Great Wall or Algal Bloom?
Posted: Thu Aug 13, 2009 1:24 pm
by Somnus000
Nychthemeron wrote:I love the sound of the Algal Bloom, but the Great Wall is way more versatile. Both sound awesome with chords as the previews on fuzzhugger can show you.
Which pedal cuts through better in live situations? Can the Great Wall handle complex chords?
Re: Great Wall or Algal Bloom?
Posted: Thu Oct 01, 2009 8:51 am
by 1,2,3, Pull Out!
Somnus000 wrote:Nychthemeron wrote:I love the sound of the Algal Bloom, but the Great Wall is way more versatile. Both sound awesome with chords as the previews on fuzzhugger can show you.
Which pedal cuts through better in live situations? Can the Great Wall handle complex chords?
+1 I want to know this too.
Re: Great Wall or Algal Bloom?
Posted: Thu Oct 01, 2009 11:56 am
by Nychthemeron
1,2,3, Pull Out! wrote:Somnus000 wrote:Nychthemeron wrote:I love the sound of the Algal Bloom, but the Great Wall is way more versatile. Both sound awesome with chords as the previews on fuzzhugger can show you.
Which pedal cuts through better in live situations? Can the Great Wall handle complex chords?
+1 I want to know this too.
Hey Tom, do you think you could make a Great Wall vs. Algal Bloom vid? As much as I would love to do a demo, I don't own either pedal.
unless you want to send me some stuff...
Re: Great Wall or Algal Bloom?
Posted: Thu Oct 01, 2009 12:25 pm
by FuzzHugger
Nychthemeron wrote:Hey Tom, do you think you could make a Great Wall vs. Algal Bloom vid? As much as I would love to do a demo, I don't own either pedal.
unless you want to send me some stuff...
Okay, I'll re-put this on my to do list! There will be a video ASAP.
For the question about which cuts through best, I really hope some users respond (hint hint

) on this, cause there are a lot of people out there with both.
I think both should cut through as well as each other. Despite the GW's extra bass and denser clipping, it's still balanced all the way up.
The Algal Bloom
is known for its note separation and friendliness to complex chords, but I've had no trouble with chords on the Great Wall...it's harmonically rich and I think sounds good with chords (check the vids...and hopefully we'll get more responses from users!).

Re: Great Wall or Algal Bloom?
Posted: Thu Oct 01, 2009 1:00 pm
by Gunner Recall
The great wall is still on my to do list, but I don't think the AB would have any trouble "cutting".
It sounds great with my buckers (jb/jazz), and retains an amazing amount of clarity despite being a pretty thick fuzz. I'm sure the great wall gets denser/thicker, but I can't speak about first hand comparisons.
My new choke toggle and fancy labels on my AB (thanks Tom, yes the masking tape was pathetic)

Awesome customer service...Tom really stands by his products

Re: Great Wall or Algal Bloom?
Posted: Thu Oct 01, 2009 1:49 pm
by magiclawnchair
Re: Great Wall or Algal Bloom?
Posted: Thu Oct 01, 2009 3:20 pm
by less_cunning
Nychthemeron wrote:Hey Tom, do you think you could make a Great Wall vs. Algal Bloom vid? As much as I would love to do a demo, I don't own either pedal.
unless you want to send me some stuff...
me personally, i was waiting for Gearmandude to A/B the Great Wall vs the Algal Bloom.

Re: Great Wall or Algal Bloom?
Posted: Thu Oct 01, 2009 4:19 pm
by htsamurai
all I have is a modded ABSynth, so maybe im not really qualified to answer this since mines not the regular version and...well it's not even mentioned, but definitely gets my vote

Re: Great Wall or Algal Bloom?
Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2009 5:46 pm
by Heatmonger
I am trying to make the same decision.
I'm looking for a fuzz that will work well for both guitar and bass, and is versatile.
Does anyone have any clips of the Algal Bloom used with bass?

I love the way it sounds with chords.
Re: Great Wall or Algal Bloom?
Posted: Sat Oct 17, 2009 6:58 am
by Heatmonger
Also, is there a bass mod / bass toggle available on the Algal Bloom?

Re: Great Wall or Algal Bloom?
Posted: Sat Oct 17, 2009 1:14 pm
by metalmariachi
Also, is there a bass mod / bass toggle available on the Algal Bloom?

I was hoping to ask Tom for a super secret one off Bloom with extra bass switch myself.
The Wall works with both bass and guitar, my son in laws Strat sounds phenomenal through the one I got him.
MM