Fuzz- I kinda don't get it. Your input appreciated.

[Jabulani Jonny]

Kind board members,
Last year I built the BYOC Large Beaver to Triangle era specs and I also implemented the clipping mods suggested by duhvoodooman about halfway down this post.  Basically I added two additional clipping options J201's and Red LEDs that can be selected instead of the 1N914's in the second clipping stage.

The Large Beaver includes a tone stack for the typical scooped mid, along with flat mid, mid boost and tone stack lift.  If I use this pedal I tend to go between mid boost or lift the tone stack completely, in conjunction with the Red LEDs for clippers.  Here's my build report that has a demo at the end:  http://www.madbeanpedals.com/forum/index.php?topic=9471.msg83027#msg83027

That being said, I don't use fuzz very often.  I tend to use overdrive(s) or the drive channel of my Guytron GT20 for crunch/distortion tones.  When I do use fuzz, I think I like the thick, woolly fuzz tone over the scooped tone.

That being said, I can't help to think that I'm missing something when it comes to fuzz.  I'm tempted to build a couple different fuzz circuits to see, but I don't know if I really would get anything "different" than what the Large Beaver provides.  I'm intrigued by the fact that they are typically low parts count so I could whip out a couple different sounding pedals without much hooha.  I have not tried an octave based fuzz, so maybe that's an option. 

So I guess that's the question...what am I missing?  Or maybe I'm just an overdrive guy and the Large Beaver fits the bill, giving me plenty of options whenever I do use it. 

Thoughts?  Thanks!     

[slimtriggers]

I don't like the Muff Pi fuzz variants, myself.  Also more of an overdrive guy. 

If you want to try another flavor of fuzz, though, I can whole-heartedly recommend the Madbean Cosmopolitan.     

[Cortexturizer]

This will be a fun thread

I was like you, a couple of years ago. Now, fuzz is all I can think of. When it comes to pedals of course. Reaching that fuzz texture that's juuuuuuust right.
There is so much variety when it comes to fuzz. It is so much more expressive and lively. The Muff is actually my least favorite of the bunch.
Fuzz makes me play in ways an overdrive never could.

If you don't like it, don't try to force yourself. If you get the bug - you're doomed, just like us.
Maybe it will come with time. Don't beat yourself over it, just enjoy what you like right now, and make great music. Cheers!

[GermanCdn]

Fuzz vs. overdrive is the same discussion as Les Paul vs. Strat.  It has its place, some people love em, some don't, some partake in both.

I've built a pile and I........don't get it either.  There are a couple I really like (the screwdriver variants, the Sholicon/Chilicon built to Juan's specs, the Fuzzy Muff), but the rest I could really go without.  That's not to say they aren't good/great, they're just not for me.

So, no, I don't think you're missing anything, it's just not your cup of tea.

[pickdropper]

I don't like the Muff Pi fuzz variants, myself.  Also more of an overdrive guy. 

If you want to try another flavor of fuzz, though, I can whole-heartedly recommend the Madbean Cosmopolitan.   

The Cosmo (aka Screwdriver) is a great circuit because it's flexible enough to sound like a fuzz, but it can be dialed back to be a bit more overdrivey.  It's one of my favorites.

[pietro_moog]

exactly. you don't have to overthink this. i have several fuzzes and several overdrives/distortions.
it really depends on you. i actually use fuzz a lot, for heavy stuff. doom, metal styles, desert rock, grunge..
i really like the big muff but, of course, you can't play light stuff where you want a lot of control on you attack and sustain.

[peAk]

Fuzz vs. overdrive is the same discussion as Les Paul vs. Strat.

I think we can all agree though that a Strat is superior.......(runs for cover).....

[flanagan0718]

Here we go!   I used to HATE fuzz, but then I was showed the ZVex Wooly Mammoth. This is by far my favorite. I'm not one for the BM (big muff) style fuzzes...they sound like BMs (bowel movements) to me. The Mammoth sounds like a beautiful disaster and i love it. The Fuzz Factory is cool but totally unusable in a live setting (I think). Overdrives are cool, not my cup of tea but can sound smooth and inviting.
As for LP vs Strat. Eh, What ever blows your skirt up I guess (not suggesting anyone here wears skirts). I personally play a SG but have a LP as well. Never been a Strat guy but I have learned to love the Tele over the past 4 years.

[Haberdasher]

the cosmopolitan is both a fuzz for people who don't like fuzz, and an overdrive for people who do like fuzz.  recommended.

[das234]

My fuzz experience:

I built the Bumblebee (Buzzaround) with some ge Transistors I got from Chromesphere.  I LOVE it and recommend it highly.

I attempted a Pepper Spray (Harmonic Percolator) but never got the pretty, harmonic rich sounds I was hoping for so it's resting in a cigar box.

I built a Sqweeker octave fuzz with my son.  This was more of a project to do together and didn't expect to be bowled over by it.  I wasn't.  It's ok.

I just finished my Five O'Clock Fuzz (Fuzz Face).  Great circuit to build.  It's a different sound than the Buzzaround and I'm still playing with it.  I'm sure it will have its place.

The Buzzaround is the one I step on when I just want some fuzzy fun.  Might be worth a shot.

[Jabulani Jonny]

Man, thanks for the thoughts and replies guys.  So there seems to be a thread in this...thread; the Cosmo.  Sounds like a great circuit to build up.  Looks like I'll be placing another order with Haber in the near future. 

[midwayfair]

Just some thoughts/rambling.

I play 95% clean or "edge of breakup."

The other 5% is almost entirely fuzz. I actually use a Fuzz Face as my main dirt, placed after a compressor, typically with the pregain and gain turned down 20%. It's not super dirty but it's still very touch sensitive and expansive sounding.

There are things fuzz does that simply isn't replicated by any sort of amp, overdrive, or distortion. Amp's can't hit square wave, and very few overdrives achieve the same kind of asymmetry and edge that comes from fuzzes because they're so busy trying to be or blend with amps.

Before I started playing around with fuzzes, I didn't even realize that many, many, many classic distortion sounds are created by fuzz, though not necessarily with the fuzz knob cranked and not necessarily in isolation. They pop up everywhere, even in types of music you wouldn't think would want them.

A lot of fuzz lovers will answer your question by saying that you simply haven't tried the right fuzz yet. Or maybe you're just not in a situation that requires it, or maybe you haven't paired it with the right gear. And sometimes fuzz simply doesn't fit the player.

I'd consider a muff more of a distortion circuit than a fuzz, but there's no real definition of any of this. The Muff is definitely attempting a level of sophistication and politeness that doesn't come to mind when I think "fuzz." It also doesn't have any of the textural dynamics that many vintage fuzzes have ... if you pick softer or turn down your volume into a muff you get ... just about the same thing. If you pick softer into a fuzz face, you get a clean bright note with some harmonic excitement.

I dunno. I think that fuzzes are easy enough to build that you owe it to yourself to see if the one you like is hiding in there. At the very least you should make a fuzz face. I don't recommend building or boxes any of the fuzzes on my "Things I Make" page, and if I were making a list of good fuzzes to build, it would probably include almost every one of them. Even two of the same circuit can sound different. That's sort of the appeal.

[pryde]

I dig vintage fuzz all of sorts (fuzz face, muff, tonebender,) but not so much the modern fuzz (i.e. Devi Ever gated-splatty stuff)

My overall favorite is still the classic fuzz face with a good set of germaniums like the OC140 (CV-7112 black glass). The key is volume control and picking dynamics on the guitar to find that sweet spot and there are wonderful, musical textures to behold. IMO the FF works best with singlecoils vs HB.

[Jabulani Jonny]

I'd consider a muff more of a distortion circuit than a fuzz, but there's no real definition of any of this. The Muff is definitely attempting a level of sophistication and politeness that doesn't come to mind when I think "fuzz." It also doesn't have any of the textural dynamics that many vintage fuzzes have ... if you pick softer or turn down your volume into a muff you get ... just about the same thing. If you pick softer into a fuzz face, you get a clean bright note with some harmonic excitement.

THIS!!  On my Large Beaver, I've turned the Sustain all the way down and I still get pretty much the same fuzz, with less sustain.  I just don't get the feel that I'm "playing" to the pedal.  It sounds like that may be inherent to that design.  Now you've piqued my interest. 

No slight to any of the other guys on this thread or forum, honestly; Jon I really value your input, because of the level of thought you've put into tone in general and I've gotten a ton out of your demo videos.  So thanks for that.   

[Cortexturizer]

Yeah, that's my main complaint with the Muff, along with being just a one trick pony that doesn't cut through the mix all that great.

On the other hand, the Fuzz Face is the best dirt pedal ever made. I suggest you do a 4 knob version, something like a Fulltone 69, which is basically a standard FF with pre-gain and mid-alike control, I am sure you'll love it. Playing with fuzzes actually has a lot to do with whether you are a solo guy or a rhythm guy, or whether you are using your guitar's knobs or not. A lot of the rhythm guys will be the first to dislike a fuzz, having been accustomed to the definition and transparency of a good IC based overdrive for example, and never having to reach for their guitar's controls...