Which Fuzz Best For Boosting?
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Which Fuzz Best For Boosting?
I've got a tone that's just about "there", but needs a little boosting to get it where I want it. Am currently using a couple of different Ibby tube screamers for that purpose, but am not all that happy with the accompanying trade-off, namely that nasally sounding mid-hump. So was thinking perhaps a fuzz might be a better option. That said, I'm looking for something that has a moderate level of gain and a rather limited tone sweep. By that I mean I'm looking for something without either a super-flubby lowend or an equally undesirable icepick-in-the-ear high. Have tried an EH "Russian" fuzz before, but wasn't too impressed with the sweep of the tone knob. Can someone recommend me something, preferably under a $100?
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Re: Which Fuzz Best For Boosting?
BAT Pharaoh might do you right. Can probably be found for $100-ish if you buy used. In fact, most of the BAT Fuzzes will add the volume you desire. It's just about finding the tone you want to add into it.
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Re: Which Fuzz Best For Boosting?
Check out the Fix'd.
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Re: Which Fuzz Best For Boosting?
Seems like you may want to pick up a Rat and give that a shot 

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Re: Which Fuzz Best For Boosting?
Ya, the BAT stuff is where it's at. Anything loud should work, and all the BAT stuff is loud.
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Re: Which Fuzz Best For Boosting?
Oh my god, poor Fuzzbo.
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Re: Which Fuzz Best For Boosting?
Meh. Not too thrilled about BAT's prices, tbh.
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Re: Which Fuzz Best For Boosting?
Again, that's why I mentioned used. You can usually pick up a BAT Pharaoh for a great deal. Hell, you can get them on Guitar Center's used website for $100 here and there. I think you're going to struggle to find something good, well made, and versatile at that price point.Saturn999 wrote:Meh. Not too thrilled about BAT's prices, tbh.
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Re: Which Fuzz Best For Boosting?
Boss FZ-2? Tons of volume, raunchy fuzz tonez, and if you need a slightly eq'able massive clean boost this one has that too. Can usually be found for $100-$120, and they usually bid out sub $100 on the bay.
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Re: Which Fuzz Best For Boosting?
+1braaandooon wrote:Boss FZ-2? Tons of volume, raunchy fuzz tonez, and if you need a slightly eq'able massive clean boost this one has that too. Can usually be found for $100-$120, and they usually bid out sub $100 on the bay.
Blows away nearly all the other fuzz pedals I have/had in terms of boosting/cutting through, including more than a few fancy boutique ones. Very few fuzzes out there can both saturate and sputter like there's no tomorrow, without dissapearing as soon as a loud drum, loud bass and second come into the mix.
Similar yet totally different in a way: Boss ODB-3.
Don't take my word for it, ask Electric Wizard and King Buzzo

They sound best when they're nasty and far from subtle imo, but the ODB-3 has a blend control as well as the obvious gain control. Works really nice stacked with other dirt.
I'd stay away from rats personally. They give you a nice distortion, but the low end loss ruins it for me

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Re: Which Fuzz Best For Boosting?
I've listened to a lot of BAT vids, they sound great for what they are, but, like treble boosters, are way too over-priced, imo. Am going to keep looking though.odontophobia wrote:Again, that's why I mentioned used. You can usually pick up a BAT Pharaoh for a great deal. Hell, you can get them on Guitar Center's used website for $100 here and there. I think you're going to struggle to find something good, well made, and versatile at that price point.Saturn999 wrote:Meh. Not too thrilled about BAT's prices, tbh.
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Re: Which Fuzz Best For Boosting?
Have a Rat and all it wanted to do was fight the gain from my preamp!frigid midget wrote:+1braaandooon wrote:Boss FZ-2? Tons of volume, raunchy fuzz tonez, and if you need a slightly eq'able massive clean boost this one has that too. Can usually be found for $100-$120, and they usually bid out sub $100 on the bay.
Blows away nearly all the other fuzz pedals I have/had in terms of boosting/cutting through, including more than a few fancy boutique ones. Very few fuzzes out there can both saturate and sputter like there's no tomorrow, without dissapearing as soon as a loud drum, loud bass and second come into the mix.
Similar yet totally different in a way: Boss ODB-3.
Don't take my word for it, ask Electric Wizard and King Buzzo
They sound best when they're nasty and far from subtle imo, but the ODB-3 has a blend control as well as the obvious gain control. Works really nice stacked with other dirt.
I'd stay away from rats personally. They give you a nice distortion, but the low end loss ruins it for me

Will definitely be checking out the Boss pedals. Thanks.
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Re: Which Fuzz Best For Boosting?
@Saturn999 - Have you tried a Boss OD-3? It's similar in the amount of gain to a TS with a flatter EQ. The aforementioned ODB-3 and FZ-2 are great pedals too.
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Re: Which Fuzz Best For Boosting?
Actually, the more I listen to that pedal being demo'd the more I think it's just what I'm looking for.doominchains wrote:@Saturn999 - Have you tried a Boss OD-3? It's similar in the amount of gain to a TS with a flatter EQ. The aforementioned ODB-3 and FZ-2 are great pedals too.
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Re: Which Fuzz Best For Boosting?
dafucSaturn999 wrote:I've listened to a lot of BAT vids, they sound great for what they are, but, like treble boosters, are way too over-priced, imo. Am going to keep looking though.odontophobia wrote:Again, that's why I mentioned used. You can usually pick up a BAT Pharaoh for a great deal. Hell, you can get them on Guitar Center's used website for $100 here and there. I think you're going to struggle to find something good, well made, and versatile at that price point.Saturn999 wrote:Meh. Not too thrilled about BAT's prices, tbh.