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I posted this on thegearpage.net and the guys there seemed to suggest either a high-gain Fuzz Face pedal or a Tonebender. Seeing as how much I loooove EQD I want to try their fuzz-face and tonebender style options, but I don't know what pedal is probably best for me. Anyone want to tune in? Here's what I posted at thegearpage.net:

"I'm looking for a fuzz that has a strong but not overly huge low end and has a treble aspect that makes it sound like you're ripping through your speakers. It also should be able to hang in a 5 piece band environment and not oscillate like crazy when I'm not playing. I have a Pharaoh that's great for that warmish huge low-end sound, but i want something more tight and tearing-up-your-rig-ish.

FYI: I'm playing an Elitist SG '61 reissue into a MetroAmp 50 watt Plexi Superlead clone.

Thanks!"

I haven't played a Dream Crusher, but from that description I think you would be quite happy with a Tone Reaper...or maybe even a Dirt Transmitter since you can adjust the tone and bias of it.

From your description, definitely the Tone Reaper.

theshaggyfox wrote:It also should be able to hang in a 5 piece band environment

Dream Crusher -- the Tone Reaper's a MkIII Tone Bender and can get a bit lost in a mix.
I had one of the frist run of Dream Crushers and it was awesome.
Another alternative? Try the Oxfuzz.

there is a point to be made about tone bender mkiii's getting lost in the mix, but i never really found that to be a problem with the tone reaper. jamie seemed to alleviate that problem quite nicely. the dream crusher absolutely destroys in the bottom end. thats it's bread and butter, and i would challenge you to find a better fuzz face-based pedal in that tonal range. that being said, i think i might agree with the recommendation of the dirt transmitter. it really can cover a lot of ground, including what you're looking for, and it's a truly spectacular pedal. but if you happen to be set on either the tone reaper or the dream crusher, then i would go tone reaper.

I too recommend the dirt transmitter, it fits right between the reaper and the crusher. I think the crusher might be too wooly and the reaper sounds kinda close to the metro (Marshall) tone. The transmitter also has considerably more output to push your amp with and the bias will bring out the torn speaker tonez nicely.

earthdevice wrote:I too recommend the dirt transmitter, it fits right between the reaper and the crusher. I think the crusher might be too wooly and the reaper sounds kinda close to the metro (Marshall) tone. The transmitter also has considerably more output to push your amp with and the bias will bring out the torn speaker tonez nicely.

Listen to the man. He knows what he's talking about.

I am going to agree with Jamie. The Dirt transmitter is my favorite fuzz in the line.

So I'm looking for one that sounds good at low volumes? Which one would work best for that?

Another vote for the Dirt Transmitter, with the runner up being the Reaper.

You probably can't go wrong with either though, honestly. The DT is capable of so many sounds, but I also sometimes enjoy the simplicity of the TR. For riff-based stuff, I like the DT better. When I kick the TR on for a solo though... man o man... watch out!

The other thing Jamie addressed with it was how well the Tone Reaper works with humbuckers when you dial in the MkI and MkII -ish sounds for 60s -style fuzz stuff. (I'm using mine with a 61 RI and a Traynor YGM-3, no problems in the band mix.) I don't have any first-hand experience with the Dream Crusher but my Dirt Transmitter just got here so it looks like I'll be comparing the two this weekend.

Looking forward to your comparison of the two.

To the OP, I think it depends on what you define as "ripping through your speakers."
As a fuzz, it has some of the characteristics of my Blender and it's something like a friend's RX Electronics Experience. The Dirt Transmitter has loads of bottom end even with the tone full clock-wise. Bias and Dirt are interactive so playing with the bias knob will definitely get you those sputtering "ant bugle" sounds as well as the dying battery stuff. There's definitely enough output there to push an already over-driven Marshall but I was playing a YGM-3 set clean. (note to misc1600 - the DT sounds great at low volumes)
Personally, I'm really happy with how well the DT works as an OD/Distortion. With the Bias past 2:00 and a little Dirt there's some incredible rhythm guitar sounds to be had. I still prefer the Tone Reaper for single-note leads but that's closer to my idea of ripped-speaker fuzz. YMMV. And, as Jamie himself points out, the TR might get lost with the Marshall; I bought the DT because my Chrysalis gets lost whenever I play through my Elk head.
For what it's worth, I did run the TR into the DT and, yeah, that was nice, too. I'll have to try reversing the order at some point to see what the TR does with the DT's signal...

after reading all this I am now depressed that I don't own a dirt transmitter.
Have a reaper and crusher and of the 2 I would have recomended the reaper, but It's hard to argue with the builder.