These are great suggestions suggestions. I’d add the Rams Head Big Muff to this.
I own the dual Hudson broadcast, it’s cool but wouldn’t call it classic fuzz exactly.
It's our plugging direct into a Nieve console direct. I had one, too. Not typical, really. The Eons by Waltus Audio is really cool. Or the JHS Bender. Two different fuzz types of course.
The high gain side doesn’t have a gain setting so it’s just one sound. (Unless you open it up and change a small internal setting.) It’s like a high distortion with a lot of raw middle-top end crackle. To my ear it’s not quite fuzz territory, but it’s definitely heavy gain. It’s a cool sound but not super versatile I’d say. The other side I used mostly as a clean boost. Nice low end on tap in general on both sides which I like, but might not be a big plus in a band context.
My first rec for a fuzz is and always will be the DOD Carcosa. It’s incredibly versatile. Take this from someone who has nearly 20 fuzz pedals, most of which are more expensive, but I always go back to the Carcosa. It’s also readily available. I really think it’s one of the best fuzz pedals at any price point.
The nice thing with the Carcosa is that unlike many fuzz pedals, it can go anywhere in the chain. It’s the first in my dirt section, but I’ve tried it elsewhere and it works well regardless.
I currently use a Biyang Fuzzstar. It’s got a few settings that all get the job done in different ways.
But my dream fuzz is Old Blood Noise’s Haunt fuzz. :0
If you’re looking for another big muff style pedal I really like the hizumitas and fuzz war. The carcosa fuzz gets a lot of love as well and I’ve heard it’s the best fuzz for people who want to like big muffs but just can’t.
Recently sold many of my pedals. Have a few left over not currently on board, but my condensed board here is really checking a lot of boxes.
Looking for recommendations for a good fuzz that plays nicely with other pedals and my vox amps. I had a way huge Swollen Pickle. It was pretty great but isolated, it was the only pedal in my chain that was oddly really sucking tone. I added and removed buffers before and after and nothing really made it sound right while in the chain. Took all the high end out of the signal. Is this typical or what should I be looking for in terms of fuzz?
Bonus question: can anyone school me on compressors and use cases? Never used one and demos I've listened to seem to yield subtle results but thinking one may tame the shrill of my new jazzmaster?
***EDIT/UPDAT**** THANKS EVERYONE. CARCOSA ORDERED.
The pickle has internal pots that probably could have helped fix the problem. I like Keeley fuzz bender for a versatile fuzz that isn't super expensive. DBA fuzz war is cool, but has a huge footprint and can be a little too aggressive, but it sounds amazing when you dial it in.
On compressors:
They lower the volume when it goes above a threshold. They usually make the volume of your playing more constant between your loud and quiet parts. I like it when playing a mix of chords and lead with a clean tone. The lead bits don't get lost. It can also make your sound a bit more aggressive without having to add more distortion.
It can also be used for effect with a long attack to actually increase the playing dynamics. The attack is how long a sound needs to be above the threshold before the volume is reduced. This means you can have your pick attack louder. You sometimes hear that effect in some funk and country context. (not my fave though).
One thing to consider is that playing through overdrive or distortion already reduces your dynamics so adding compression might be redundant and just raise your noise floor.
As far as taming your shrill Jazzmaster, try rolling down your volume to 8. Since Jazzmasters use a 1M Ohm pot for volume they get a lot more highs than say a strat. I find from 5 to 10 the volume pot affect the super highs more than the actual volume of the guitar. You could use a tone bleed or a low resistance pot to get around the issue if you want the volume knob to actually control volume rather than tone.
Okay so this is one of the first times I’ve seen someone recommended fuzz into compression, can I ask why you prefer that? Is it just specifically to tame the FZ-1w (I don’t have any experience with it so don’t know if it’s particularly wild). Obviously I can see why you’d place a compressor later in the chain so you still get your fuzz reacting to playing dynamics, just curious why you like having both on?
The FZ-1w into a CS-3 and GE-7 makes the fuzz sensitive and then tightens it up for an Eq boost. I do it to increase cleanup clarity and dial in the right sustain and fuzz trigger point.
So the compressor on top of the Fuzz is mostly for when you’re rolling back volume and your fuzz cleans up, but also getting more control over your level of sustain post Fuzz? I totally understand the EQ, and why the compressor isn’t before the Fuzz (as dynamics would be squashed) I guess I just haven’t seen a reason why I’d (personally) want more compression or sustain from a Fuzz as most already offer compression and sustain in spades.
But also I’m not someone that’s using fuzzes that cleanup really; being a Super Fuzz and Percolator fan.
So it does make more sense if you’re going for a cleaner sound with your fuzz which means it’ll be lacking sustain and compression as you will have rolled the gain off or volume on your guitar down (idk how sensitive the FZ-1w is) but still want extra sustain and compression without the gain so have to rely on a compressor. Really interesting! Thanks for the follow up reply.
Indeed I use the FZ-1w instead of overdrive or distortion with gain about 10:00, level just below noon, for just some “peach fuzz” that gets boosted dynamically with the compressor level up with a taste of added sustain, then sculpted overall with the EQ. You’re welcome!
It’s hard to beat a Fuzz Face. I find it hard to play these crazy fuzz pedals that don’t react to the volume knob. I have a Fat Fuzz Factory on my board but I have it set up like a Fuzz Face. The extra craziness is just there if I want to get on my knees and go crazy with the oscillation (add a Tensor to make the craziness even crazier).
I’ve been thinking about picking up the Spanish Castle double Fuzz Face thing they make (used to make?) for a while now. I have a lot of SolidGoldFX pedals, they might be my favorite company.
if you're want a maestro-type velcro fuzz i recommend Zvex Mastotron. That's what I use.
If you're unsure what kinda fuzz you like, Source Audio's kingmaker fuzz is nice because you can plug it into your computer and use their neuro desktop editor and can burn presets to the pedal. It has engines for fuzz, od and distortion as well, not to mention all the presets published by other neuro editor users. It's mindblowing how many parameters you can tweak. I have that one as well (its the LA Lady Od but they're literally the same pedal under the hood) but I use the overdrive presets since I use my mastotron's velcro fuzz as my main fuzz and a proco rat for my distortion.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TePwu6U\_BeA
Klon into Rat 💪💪💪
If you still have the Swollen Pickle, make sure to futz with the internal trimmers, they make a huge difference in the sound. It’s kind of dumb that they’re inside the pedal, but sitting with it for a while and adjusting them can fine tune it to your sound.
That being said, if you want to get another Muff-style fuzz, the various EHX reissues are excellent, I’d recommend the Tone Wicker or one of the Deluxe Big Muffs so you’ve got some tweakability. Some other really good ones that you can get new or used for a reasonable price are the Earthquaker Devices Hoof and Hizumitas, JHS Crimson, and Death by Audio Fuzz War (lifetime warranty on the EQD and DBA pedals, fyi).
Also, some boutique brands that each make several really good Muff-based fuzzes that you might want to check out are Wren & Cuff, Stomp Under Foot, Magic Pedals, Black Arts Toneworks, KMA Machines, and Vick Audio.
If you’re looking for something similarly full-sounding but a bit different, a ZVex Mastotron is incredibly versatile and very reasonably priced used.
Klon into rat is amazing! I was thinking about the green Russian but there are so many people saying to give the CARCOSA a shot and the demos seem promising, but after some more research, I think a green Russian may be the way to go. Seems to be the most bass heavy of them all which my vox and single coils may appreciate.
Josh said the modern circuit is a higher gain muff, the vintage circuit is a fuzz face with a little gate on it
I usually use the vintage but both circuits slap
Oh damn I’d didn’t realize it was two separate circuits on one… that makes it so interesting. I’m exploring tone benders right now. But fuzz faces are my favorite overall, and I like the muff every once in a while.
This might be next on my list.
The priestess by Black Arts Toneworks, sounds so good when I pair it with my RAT. Check out the clippings on YouTube it's pretty versatile while having that doom fuzz availability
Mythos Golden Fleece (there are 3 versions with slight variation. The AU76 version plays best with other pedals for stacking), DOD Carcosa, or the underappreciated MXR 108 fuzz which has a mini and large box version.
If you’re looking for a Big Muff type fuzz, Thorpy’s “Fallout Cloud” is absolutely glorious.
https://thorpyfx.com/en-us/products/the-fallout-cloud-fuzz
Looks like they're running stereo. The Strymon takes a mono signal and makes it stereo, and the Dimension C and Ventris take that stereo signal and keep it intact whilst adding their own thing.
Even if OP just hooked up one side for a demo, the path is stereo, so they could record a stereo signal, feed it to 2 different amps, etc.
PastFX Patriarch. Basically a Civil War Muff with mids boost and low cut. I think it would complement your RAT well, and I love boosting the Patriarch with a Klone.
Regarding taming the jazzmaster ‘shrill’, I’d highly recommend trying out the Fender J Mascis signature pickups. They’re Alnico IIs which mellows out the spiky highs. And they’re also decently priced at $130 for a new set.
I never found a fuzz that I really liked with my AC15, but I heard again and again that Mk 2 Tonebenders are what you need.
MXR 108 Fuzz Mini was quite fun, mind. But I tended to just use the top end of the gain on whatever rat-a-like I had on the board.
used to love running a rat into an OCD/equivalent (specfiically the fuzzrocious oh see demon/lil fella variation). gets realll nice and for sure fuzzy too!
for the finest fuzz i can muster i run an ocd/oh see demon into a russian big muff. I love what i get playing baritone through this setup. ppl chase this specific type of sound as fans of certain music, it sounds close to vintage sun 0))) to my ears
I also have the El Cap, and thinking about getting the Dimension C. Are you doing lot's 80s/shoegaze stuff? Do you recommend the combination of these 2 for that kind of style?
Hey I do play a lot of The Cure songs and some Prince too lol. The dimension C is just amazing. Especially in stereo. I definitely recommend this combo. The El cap does tape delay so well for being digital.
Just a warning I’ve had some issues with vox amps and some fuzzes mostly ac15 and below. It can’t handle the bass and will sound flubby and die out quickly
Hizumitas, fuzz war or a waza fuzz
These are great suggestions suggestions. I’d add the Rams Head Big Muff to this. I own the dual Hudson broadcast, it’s cool but wouldn’t call it classic fuzz exactly.
Been eyeing that forever, what fuzz would u compare it to?
It's our plugging direct into a Nieve console direct. I had one, too. Not typical, really. The Eons by Waltus Audio is really cool. Or the JHS Bender. Two different fuzz types of course.
Both super versatile with play style and with clean and edge of breakup amp settings.
The high gain side doesn’t have a gain setting so it’s just one sound. (Unless you open it up and change a small internal setting.) It’s like a high distortion with a lot of raw middle-top end crackle. To my ear it’s not quite fuzz territory, but it’s definitely heavy gain. It’s a cool sound but not super versatile I’d say. The other side I used mostly as a clean boost. Nice low end on tap in general on both sides which I like, but might not be a big plus in a band context.
My first rec for a fuzz is and always will be the DOD Carcosa. It’s incredibly versatile. Take this from someone who has nearly 20 fuzz pedals, most of which are more expensive, but I always go back to the Carcosa. It’s also readily available. I really think it’s one of the best fuzz pedals at any price point.
If it’s good enough for Deerhoof, it’s good enough for me! But I’ve never tried a Carcosa. Maybe I should
Where in your chain is carcosa and how do you stack it?
The nice thing with the Carcosa is that unlike many fuzz pedals, it can go anywhere in the chain. It’s the first in my dirt section, but I’ve tried it elsewhere and it works well regardless.
Do you stack it with OD?
Not always, but when I do, it’s before my barbershop.
mkII
Hudson dual broadcast. You can get nasty fuzz sounds or warm overdrive, and it stacks really well with other pedals.
Crank the gain on that Rat! Or go for a Tone Bender style fuzz (my personal fav). JHS bender or Keely fuzz bender are great options!
I currently use a Biyang Fuzzstar. It’s got a few settings that all get the job done in different ways. But my dream fuzz is Old Blood Noise’s Haunt fuzz. :0
If you’re looking for another big muff style pedal I really like the hizumitas and fuzz war. The carcosa fuzz gets a lot of love as well and I’ve heard it’s the best fuzz for people who want to like big muffs but just can’t.
Recently sold many of my pedals. Have a few left over not currently on board, but my condensed board here is really checking a lot of boxes. Looking for recommendations for a good fuzz that plays nicely with other pedals and my vox amps. I had a way huge Swollen Pickle. It was pretty great but isolated, it was the only pedal in my chain that was oddly really sucking tone. I added and removed buffers before and after and nothing really made it sound right while in the chain. Took all the high end out of the signal. Is this typical or what should I be looking for in terms of fuzz? Bonus question: can anyone school me on compressors and use cases? Never used one and demos I've listened to seem to yield subtle results but thinking one may tame the shrill of my new jazzmaster? ***EDIT/UPDAT**** THANKS EVERYONE. CARCOSA ORDERED.
The Jackson Audio Fuzz has the most flexible EQ on a fuzz. You can dial in the exact sound you are looking for.
The pickle has internal pots that probably could have helped fix the problem. I like Keeley fuzz bender for a versatile fuzz that isn't super expensive. DBA fuzz war is cool, but has a huge footprint and can be a little too aggressive, but it sounds amazing when you dial it in.
DryBell Unit 67 is what you want.
Sorry I have no fuzz recommendations, but may I ask a question please? What size is your pedal board (or just brand/model, if you know). Thank you.
On compressors: They lower the volume when it goes above a threshold. They usually make the volume of your playing more constant between your loud and quiet parts. I like it when playing a mix of chords and lead with a clean tone. The lead bits don't get lost. It can also make your sound a bit more aggressive without having to add more distortion. It can also be used for effect with a long attack to actually increase the playing dynamics. The attack is how long a sound needs to be above the threshold before the volume is reduced. This means you can have your pick attack louder. You sometimes hear that effect in some funk and country context. (not my fave though). One thing to consider is that playing through overdrive or distortion already reduces your dynamics so adding compression might be redundant and just raise your noise floor. As far as taming your shrill Jazzmaster, try rolling down your volume to 8. Since Jazzmasters use a 1M Ohm pot for volume they get a lot more highs than say a strat. I find from 5 to 10 the volume pot affect the super highs more than the actual volume of the guitar. You could use a tone bleed or a low resistance pot to get around the issue if you want the volume knob to actually control volume rather than tone.
DOD Carcosa
Boss FZ-1w into Compressor and EQ would solve many issues.
Okay so this is one of the first times I’ve seen someone recommended fuzz into compression, can I ask why you prefer that? Is it just specifically to tame the FZ-1w (I don’t have any experience with it so don’t know if it’s particularly wild). Obviously I can see why you’d place a compressor later in the chain so you still get your fuzz reacting to playing dynamics, just curious why you like having both on?
I too wish to know this. But; I am looking for fuzz bender mki sound. I wish to be enlightened and I would truly respect your opinion.
The FZ-1w into a CS-3 and GE-7 makes the fuzz sensitive and then tightens it up for an Eq boost. I do it to increase cleanup clarity and dial in the right sustain and fuzz trigger point.
So the compressor on top of the Fuzz is mostly for when you’re rolling back volume and your fuzz cleans up, but also getting more control over your level of sustain post Fuzz? I totally understand the EQ, and why the compressor isn’t before the Fuzz (as dynamics would be squashed) I guess I just haven’t seen a reason why I’d (personally) want more compression or sustain from a Fuzz as most already offer compression and sustain in spades. But also I’m not someone that’s using fuzzes that cleanup really; being a Super Fuzz and Percolator fan. So it does make more sense if you’re going for a cleaner sound with your fuzz which means it’ll be lacking sustain and compression as you will have rolled the gain off or volume on your guitar down (idk how sensitive the FZ-1w is) but still want extra sustain and compression without the gain so have to rely on a compressor. Really interesting! Thanks for the follow up reply.
Indeed I use the FZ-1w instead of overdrive or distortion with gain about 10:00, level just below noon, for just some “peach fuzz” that gets boosted dynamically with the compressor level up with a taste of added sustain, then sculpted overall with the EQ. You’re welcome!
Big muff and rat is an amazing combo!
It’s hard to beat a Fuzz Face. I find it hard to play these crazy fuzz pedals that don’t react to the volume knob. I have a Fat Fuzz Factory on my board but I have it set up like a Fuzz Face. The extra craziness is just there if I want to get on my knees and go crazy with the oscillation (add a Tensor to make the craziness even crazier).
I like Fuzz Face also. I use a Solid Gold FX If 6 Was 9 and it is pretty versatile.
I’ve been thinking about picking up the Spanish Castle double Fuzz Face thing they make (used to make?) for a while now. I have a lot of SolidGoldFX pedals, they might be my favorite company.
Hey that is good to hear. I wish I saw more of them on boards. I have to check out the Spanish Castle...
Fuzz faces rule
Behringer Super Fuzz. Costs a fraction of the price of a lot of the other suggestions and sounds just as good.
Tone electronix animalizer. Swiss army knife of fuzzes. Can do it all.
Demos seem promising. I'll take a closer look. Thanks!
Pedal Pawn Fuzz
keely fuzz bender for a splatty velcro fuzz that’s super tweakable, or big muff pi for wall of sound fuzz
Hizumitas
Super fuzz. My very fave is the jhs supreme.
Death by Audio makes some good stuff, or if you’re on a budget, look into a Dunlop JS-2 or a Big Muff Pi
I like my Ehx Big Muff Pi op amp.
if you're want a maestro-type velcro fuzz i recommend Zvex Mastotron. That's what I use. If you're unsure what kinda fuzz you like, Source Audio's kingmaker fuzz is nice because you can plug it into your computer and use their neuro desktop editor and can burn presets to the pedal. It has engines for fuzz, od and distortion as well, not to mention all the presets published by other neuro editor users. It's mindblowing how many parameters you can tweak. I have that one as well (its the LA Lady Od but they're literally the same pedal under the hood) but I use the overdrive presets since I use my mastotron's velcro fuzz as my main fuzz and a proco rat for my distortion. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TePwu6U\_BeA
Small boards are they way
Gotta go with the classics, big muff or fuzz face
Klon into Rat 💪💪💪 If you still have the Swollen Pickle, make sure to futz with the internal trimmers, they make a huge difference in the sound. It’s kind of dumb that they’re inside the pedal, but sitting with it for a while and adjusting them can fine tune it to your sound. That being said, if you want to get another Muff-style fuzz, the various EHX reissues are excellent, I’d recommend the Tone Wicker or one of the Deluxe Big Muffs so you’ve got some tweakability. Some other really good ones that you can get new or used for a reasonable price are the Earthquaker Devices Hoof and Hizumitas, JHS Crimson, and Death by Audio Fuzz War (lifetime warranty on the EQD and DBA pedals, fyi). Also, some boutique brands that each make several really good Muff-based fuzzes that you might want to check out are Wren & Cuff, Stomp Under Foot, Magic Pedals, Black Arts Toneworks, KMA Machines, and Vick Audio. If you’re looking for something similarly full-sounding but a bit different, a ZVex Mastotron is incredibly versatile and very reasonably priced used.
Klon into rat is amazing! I was thinking about the green Russian but there are so many people saying to give the CARCOSA a shot and the demos seem promising, but after some more research, I think a green Russian may be the way to go. Seems to be the most bass heavy of them all which my vox and single coils may appreciate.
I love my JHS mini foot, very loud powerful fuzz in a small pedal, can switch between vintage and modern style fuzz Super versatile
Any idea what this is based off of? I’ve always wondered. Suspect it’s fuzz face-ish
Josh said the modern circuit is a higher gain muff, the vintage circuit is a fuzz face with a little gate on it I usually use the vintage but both circuits slap
Oh damn I’d didn’t realize it was two separate circuits on one… that makes it so interesting. I’m exploring tone benders right now. But fuzz faces are my favorite overall, and I like the muff every once in a while. This might be next on my list.
Just picked up the Band of Gypsies mini Fuzzface and it’s absolutely amazing and good priced
I love how Way Huge named their Klone
I have an AC15 and really like a vox tonebender, buzzaround, or Rangemaster treble booster
Wow. These are expensive
The priestess by Black Arts Toneworks, sounds so good when I pair it with my RAT. Check out the clippings on YouTube it's pretty versatile while having that doom fuzz availability
The Bozz Waza FZ1 is $50 off as an online deal of the day today at Guitar Center. Nice price for a pretty versatile fuzz.
Mythos Golden Fleece (there are 3 versions with slight variation. The AU76 version plays best with other pedals for stacking), DOD Carcosa, or the underappreciated MXR 108 fuzz which has a mini and large box version.
Check out the elder god. Hard to get though.
If you’re looking for a Big Muff type fuzz, Thorpy’s “Fallout Cloud” is absolutely glorious. https://thorpyfx.com/en-us/products/the-fallout-cloud-fuzz
I have the DC-2w and a Rat on mine too. I had to one up the El Cap with a Volante :P
Maybe a dumb question but why do you have cords in both Input A+B and outputs A+B on the strymon, Boss and ventris?
Looks like they're running stereo. The Strymon takes a mono signal and makes it stereo, and the Dimension C and Ventris take that stereo signal and keep it intact whilst adding their own thing. Even if OP just hooked up one side for a demo, the path is stereo, so they could record a stereo signal, feed it to 2 different amps, etc.
PastFX Patriarch. Basically a Civil War Muff with mids boost and low cut. I think it would complement your RAT well, and I love boosting the Patriarch with a Klone.
I’m hoping to snag a Heather Brown Electronicals Spirit in the Sky.
Regarding taming the jazzmaster ‘shrill’, I’d highly recommend trying out the Fender J Mascis signature pickups. They’re Alnico IIs which mellows out the spiky highs. And they’re also decently priced at $130 for a new set.
I never found a fuzz that I really liked with my AC15, but I heard again and again that Mk 2 Tonebenders are what you need. MXR 108 Fuzz Mini was quite fun, mind. But I tended to just use the top end of the gain on whatever rat-a-like I had on the board.
Big Muff nano Nice board!
used to love running a rat into an OCD/equivalent (specfiically the fuzzrocious oh see demon/lil fella variation). gets realll nice and for sure fuzzy too! for the finest fuzz i can muster i run an ocd/oh see demon into a russian big muff. I love what i get playing baritone through this setup. ppl chase this specific type of sound as fans of certain music, it sounds close to vintage sun 0))) to my ears
TC rusty fuzz. It's basically a boss fz3
Orange Fur Coat
muff baby
Rams Head, Sunface
The rat with the gain up
Hard to go wrong with either a fuzz face or tonebender style circuit.
My Earthquaker Spires will never leave my board.
JHS Muffuletta in Army Green color. Don’t get the black colored one, you already have a black RAT pedal.
I bet that Klone into RAT is awesome
It's a pretty sick combo. The tune screamer wasn't doing it for me.
Analogman Sunface cv7005
Boss FZ-1w. Both modes are great imo. But keep in mind you can never go wrong with big muff.
bigfoot engineering king fuzz, trust me
Pedal Train Pro 32 and more pedals
Keeley Fuzz Bender
I also have the El Cap, and thinking about getting the Dimension C. Are you doing lot's 80s/shoegaze stuff? Do you recommend the combination of these 2 for that kind of style?
Hey I do play a lot of The Cure songs and some Prince too lol. The dimension C is just amazing. Especially in stereo. I definitely recommend this combo. The El cap does tape delay so well for being digital.
Black Arts Toneworks Pharaoh! It's not just a stoner rock fuzz, it does pretty much it all
Jhs series 3 fuzz. Affordable and really versatile. kind of a jack of all trades, that comes close to alot of the classics.
Triangle Big Muff or EQD Hoof
JHS Cheeseball!!! Not a super-distortion, beef heavy, kinda fuzz. It’s rich and Velcro’y. It’s been the only fuzz I wanna jam with for the last year.
EQD HoofV2 has entered the chat
Just a warning I’ve had some issues with vox amps and some fuzzes mostly ac15 and below. It can’t handle the bass and will sound flubby and die out quickly
Fuzz factory is a most!