Beer of the Bass Posted March 22, 2013 Share Posted March 22, 2013 I was listening to Soft Machine's second album the other day, and really enjoying the Fuzz sounds. It's got a more abrasive, raspier edge than I can get with a Big Muff, and it's not so mid-scooped. Does anyone know what he might have been using? We're talking late '60s England, so I guess there weren't that many choices around. Since the schematics for most things are available nowadays, I'd like to build myself a copy of whatever it was! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wud Posted March 22, 2013 Share Posted March 22, 2013 Possibly a Tone Bender ? There wern't too many options back then. Hope for Happiness ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oneandfive Posted March 22, 2013 Share Posted March 22, 2013 I'm pretty sure it was the Coloursound Tone Bender. A superb player. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beer of the Bass Posted March 22, 2013 Author Share Posted March 22, 2013 I've found a later interview where he mentions the Shaftesbury Duo Fuzz as a treasured old thing of his, but no indication of whether or not that was the Soft Machine fuzz. The plot thickens... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beer of the Bass Posted March 30, 2013 Author Share Posted March 30, 2013 (edited) Searching around this forum and a couple of others, I'm going with the idea that it was the Shaftesbury Duo Fuzz, which AFAIK is another incarnation of the Shin-Ei FY6 and Univox Super Fuzz. I googled Hugh Hopper and Shaftesbury together and came up with this interview where the man himself confirms it: [url="http://www.myspace.com/thesofts68/blog/233186822"]http://www.myspace.com/thesofts68/blog/233186822[/url] So I'm going to build a Super Fuzz clone and see if it gets me there. I'm using the PCB from Poodle's Pedal Parts and adding a blend circuit. If all goes well, I'll post some pictures in the DIY pedals thread. Edited March 30, 2013 by Beer of the Bass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyquipment Posted March 30, 2013 Share Posted March 30, 2013 i read this as 'hugh hefner is a soft machine..' ...thats me leaving. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beer of the Bass Posted April 13, 2013 Author Share Posted April 13, 2013 (edited) It's finished and working. It does absolutely nail the Soft Machine fuzz bass thing! It's got that real sandpapery edge that the Muff lacks. I find I prefer the mid-notched setting on bass - it's centred high enough at 1K that there are still some mids going on below that. The normal setting is very midrangey and focussed, though with a little less low end than the notched setting. It'll be fun trying it with the band. We've got a gig tonight, but I should probably try it at a rehearsal first... Edited April 13, 2013 by Beer of the Bass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosmo Valdemar Posted April 16, 2013 Share Posted April 16, 2013 [quote name='Beer of the Bass' timestamp='1365865138' post='2045371'] It's finished and working. It does absolutely nail the Soft Machine fuzz bass thing! It's got that real sandpapery edge that the Muff lacks. I find I prefer the mid-notched setting on bass - it's centred high enough at 1K that there are still some mids going on below that. The normal setting is very midrangey and focussed, though with a little less low end than the notched setting. It'll be fun trying it with the band. We've got a gig tonight, but I should probably try it at a rehearsal first... [/quote] Ooh! Make me one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beer of the Bass Posted April 17, 2013 Author Share Posted April 17, 2013 [quote name='Cosmo Valdemar' timestamp='1366140647' post='2048936'] Ooh! Make me one! [/quote] Not sure I'd want to offer that, being busy with various other things including sorting out my marriage next month. You could get a kit from www.pedalparts.co.uk though, I reckon the Superfuzz goodness is worth the effort! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retro Posted April 17, 2013 Share Posted April 17, 2013 Well done you. I was a great Softs fan when I was playing in bass in bands in the late 60's/ 70's. We use to make our own effects and even synths. I had a home made fuzz tone that did this job superbly. The pioneering spirit lives on! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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