olliedf89

[quote name='hamfist' timestamp='1378399317' post='2199757'] That's not right. Along with it's other issues, I'd ask for a replacement. [/quote] I'm gonna email Guitar Guitar now and see what they say. It sounds great but it takes full volume to get to unity gain and even then it's not quite there, not drastic but I know once I play live it will be noticeable. The sound seems to keep changing as well. One minute the settings sound great the next time I come back to it I'll notice it's clipping a bit. Just my luck with fuzzeses!!

Thanks for the offers and ideas guys, I'm quite happy with my Mastotron now I've got it though, (retailer's inflicted issues aside) It's doing the job great. I'd love to be able to try these pedals out before hand but it's not always possible without firing off 100 squids!

I finally pulled the trigger on a Zvex Mastotron from GuitarGuitar UK, and I love the sound, but there is a massive volume drop! Also looks like Guitar Guitar have given me a store demo pedal as its got dust between the knobs, a dent in it and had the packaging opened on the inside! Not impressed!! I love the sound of it, lets just see if it cuts through live!

[quote name='mikhay77' timestamp='1377530438' post='2188516'] You cant go to far wrong with an old 70's mxr/ maxon made fuzz,manufactured in Japan with brand names of Grant,Coron,Memphis,storm,electra,locobox and others,all look and sound the same really.Great for bass,I have Grant distortion 15 but its definately a fuzz!,works well with both passive and active. Simple layout,just volume and drive,they get filthy too and dont loose bottom end. Snap em up as their coming collectible,think I paid 50 quid for mine a couple of years ago! [/quote] Ooh.. thanks I'll have a look around! Cheers Si, my list of pedals to check out seems to be ever-growing. And that's before I return to this thread, hah!

[quote name='paul_5' timestamp='1376935435' post='2181197'] certainly, it's a 9v OPAMP buffer (so it'll use the same supply as your board) and has an inout socket and an output socket. That's it really. Aside from lowering the output impedance so that active basses play better with older FX. I use one in front of my OC2 clone just because it seemed easier than trying to mod the OC2 board to accept a higher impedance input... [/quote] That sounds really useful. Can't say I definitely need one right now though, as things are just getting off the ground, but if they get more serious (and I manage to calm my pedal obsession and free some space) I'll absolutely be interested. Thanks man!

[quote name='iceonaboy' timestamp='1376925543' post='2180972'] I agree totally Si, I always wanted a distortion and hated fuzz. I had a Boss distortion pedal and it was rotten. Just a fuzzy sound. I went for an EBM distortion pedal and that was much more like it, but then after hearing about the Ashdown Lomenzo hyper drive, I thought , I will give this a go. The beauty of the Ashdown is that you can blend the clean signal with the distorted signal and you can alter your distortion to your preference. The sound is a nice overdrive rather than fuzz, which to me, is ideal [/quote] That Ashdown OD sounds wicked, I'm already aiming to get the Barber Half Gainer (when I get the dollar) to help add some basic grit to my sound. Aside from that the B3K looks to be one of my favourites (I wont lie, I've wanted an excuse to get one for ages hehe) [quote name='paul_5' timestamp='1376924712' post='2180950'] OR I could do you a little buffer to sit on your board to drop the impedance before your signal enters the fuzz... [/quote] ...ooh... enlighten me further? I'm not quite sure it's what I need right now, but it sounds like something I might want in the near future should things get a bit... busier!

[quote name='Sibob' timestamp='1376917103' post='2180770'] It's a grey, often debated topic, but there's a different between Fuzz & Distortion. All Fuzz is a type of Distortion, but not vice versa. I would argue that a B3K is an overdrive/distortion pedal as opposed to Fuzz, but it's often down to saturation. Really go crazy on gain and a lot of distortions start to sound like over-saturated fuzz, pull a fuzz pedal back to low gain, some nice low-overdrive sounds can be had. Again, it simply comes back to trying a load and seeing what you like, the B3K is a very popular pedal with active and passive players alike. Si [/quote] I know it's an OD but according to their website and a few reviews I've seen it can apparently pull off the fuzz thing quite well, so I thought it might be better. I don't realistically need a proper fuzzer if I don't have to, I can use other things in it's place so long as there's a bitta fuzz for me covers stuff. Maybe the B3K is the way forwarrrrd!

Wow, thanks for all the advice guys. Basically it seems that I'm gonna struggle to find a straight up fuzz that sits well with my active Ibanez ATK. I've got a few to look into though, however I have been looking into the Darkglass B3K, as I'm also after an OD but from what I've seen and heard of it, you can blag a half decent fuzzy tone, plus it works nicely with actives, which is good All the advice is great guys, even if it just helps me eliminate pedals and saves my bank account!!

[quote name='clauster' timestamp='1376251944' post='2171402'] Errm, not extensivley. But I do know two things that active electronics (and a lot of pedals) do. They provide a lower output impedance (which preserves the original signal better through cables) and provide a buffer. One or the other or both affect traditional fuzz. The mastotron has a knob you can adjust to compensate for this. I remember, a good few years back, one members quest for a "variable impedance buffer in a box" to achieve the same end. I think. [/quote] Ah now you've explained it within a context I understand a bit more. It's not the 'volume' of power but the 'pressure' of the power that is affecting the fuzz. The Mastotron's knob looks great (so to speak). I'm surprised more pedals don't have that option.. (at least internally) Thanks!

[quote name='clauster' timestamp='1376220947' post='2170860'] I think it's more an impedance matching issue than signal strength. Actives have much lower impedance. [/quote] Without sounding ignorant... could you briefly elaborate on that a bit?

...just had an idea... instead of matching my bass' original volume on my compressor, what if I turned the output volume right down low (and compensate for this on my amp vol), would that then quieten the signal enough for a fuzz to handle? Or am I talking out of my backside?

Thanks for all the help so far guys, much appreciated. Looks like I don't have many options! [quote name='Sibob' timestamp='1376156992' post='2170390'] You're using active basses so you'll struggle a little with Fuzz. I have a lot of suggestions for awesome Fuzz for passive basses, but active, I'd either have a chat with Tom at COG about a Grand Tarkin with with an Impedance control, or check out the Zvex Mastatron. Si [/quote] Just looking at the Zvex, it looks good especially as it has the input impedance knob to help soften things up. Thanks! Synthy and aggressive is fine by me! [quote name='Wooks79' timestamp='1376158034' post='2170405'] I have had a few Devi Ever pedals, and my fave for bass is by far the Ruiner. If you are ever up the North East, feel free to try any of my pedals out. [/quote] Yeah I'm liking Devi Ever more and more, you suggested the Ruiner to me previously I think. I'll look into their extensive catalogue and see what else comes to mind. And thanks for the offer!!

So I know this is a fairly well trodden path I'm heading down here with the 'help me find a fuzz' questions, but I'm still a bit stuck. I do, however, know what I'm looking for and have a few ideas, I just need opinions from people who have used the pedals or know more than me about them! I've bought a couple of Fuzzes thus far, EHX BBM, which I didn't get along with and the Swollen Pickle which didn't appreciate my bass's bass heavy high output. I use an Ibanez ATK 300 & 400 into a GK 700RB/210RBH and am more than happy with that as it is. I just need to narrow down my fuzz ideas before I click the trigger and buy one. Normally I would go and try the pedals out and let my ears and hands decide which is best, but unfortunately I can only find half decent demos or unsuitable demos of these pedals and nowhere near me stocks any of them. These are the ones I've favoured and have had suggested to me so far... Earthquaker Devices Hoof Fuzz COG Tarkin Wren & Cuff Pickle Pie B Devi Ever Shoe Gazer Can anyone tell me if they work well with hot signals from active basses? The Shoegazer & Pickle Pie are my favourites so far. Any other suggestions welcome as long as it does smooth quite well and (preferably) has a blend. And doesn't cost a million quid. Alright I exaggerated, more than about £160.