ilovefuzz.com

A bit more talk recently regarding octave up fuzzes... and just when I'm trying to find a really good one. Octave up is a really hit or miss effect... I know a lot of people don't really dig the sound, but I like how it's a kind of finicky effect that varies a lot from use to separate use. A phaser, for example, can be the same way... it can pop in and out and accent different notes that you're not sure it's going to accent (although phasing is more time based while octave up is more placement based).

I know my basic fuzzes and their various incarnations, and I've tried many of them... Big Muff, RAT, Fuzz Face, Tone Bender, etc. However, the Super Fuzz was always beyond any sort of immediate interest to me... until yesterday. Seems like a great fuzz that's not exactly designed to be an "octave up" pedal, but became that way through use. I dig the simplicity of it: two knobs and a mids switch.

Anyway, right, I use a '78 IC Muff for my main rhythm distortion, and that, for me, is THE rhythm distortion. However, it doesn't cut well during solos, as everyone knows. So I do some AB switching with my '85 RAT, and that seems to do fine. Then, for a little color, I do some Small Stoning on a few solos. But now I'd like to add an octave up element if possible... it just has to CUT, as it would only be used for solos. So I'd want to have the option of: 1. straight solo fuzz, 2. phased solo fuzz, 3. octave up solo fuzz.

The following pedals have bought my eye regarding the aforementioned criteria:

1. Fuzzhugger Phantom Arcade (piles of weird octave shit... but cutting enough for solos? Love you Tom!)
2. Creepy Fingers Harakiri (nearly exact Super Fuzz clone, but with a mids knob instead of switch)
3. Homebrew Electronics UFO (has level, fuzz, tone knobs, and a footswitchable octave up on; Tone Machine?)
4. SS/BS Super Puzzle (not quite sure about the final features of this, but it has a whooooooole lot of them)
5. BYOC Leeds Fuzz (exact Super Fuzz clone)
6. some sort of Foxx Tone Machine clone (preferably of higher quality than the Dano one... I think Creepy Fingers does one)
7. Malekko Omicron Fuzz (Super Fuzz clone)

The HBE UFO seems like it would be the best bet for a dedicated lead pedal... (level, tone, and fuzz knobs, switch for "'60s/Modern" fuzz/octave sound, bypass footswitch and octave up footswitch). Sounds simple yet fully featured without over doing it.

Anyone have any definite opinions ("definite opinions"?) on any of these being a great optional "lead" pedal? Any other suggestions (that aren't the Crystal Dagger)?

YER PAL,

C

Look into the Prescription Experience, kind of a Foxx TM/Octavia style pedal, but with a "Swell" footswitch/knob for backwards leads, which is kind of cool. Seen them for sub-$200 used a couple times.

Also, a mega cheap option would be the Guyatone TZ-2 fuzz, sounds like a Superfuzz, is small, and goes for about $20-30 used, and is actually a good pedal for 3 times that money. Plenty of volume on tap, which is my complaint with a lot of Foxx/Octavia/SF style pedals.

Honestly, the only one that doesn't sound assy to me is the Tone Machine. Super goddamned useable octave fuzz.

fender blenderrrrrrr

I havent tried it yet but I REALLY want to
http://fuzzhugger.com/pedal-upper.html

i got this because i can cuddle it at night. sounds pretty good too..

Tone Machine! Octave up on that thing is unbelievable!

greeny23 wrote:i got this because i can cuddle it at night. sounds pretty good too..

So where did you get that? Is it a re-issue? Anyone seen this:

http://www.foxxpedals.com/tone_machine.htm


Is that the real deal? Seems like more people would be jumping on it.

C

not a vintage one no, its a reissue i bought direct from Foxx a few months back.

greeny23 wrote:not a vintage one no, its a reissue i bought direct from Foxx a few months back.

So that's a real deal Foxx site, huh? I remember seeing it quite a while ago, but I wasn't sure if it was even up and running. Pretty easy to order and receive?

So it's what... level, fuzz, tone, and octave up switch? Can it be powered by 9-volt?

Thanks!

C

Spooky tooth is a really nice subtle octave up fuzz

Definitely the Tone Machine or a clone. I totally love my TM clone, it's just so badass.

I have heard great stuff about the Homebrew UFO, though.

Maybe look into a Gnometron?
The thing cuts earholes out.

CBA713 wrote:

greeny23 wrote:not a vintage one no, its a reissue i bought direct from Foxx a few months back.

So that's a real deal Foxx site, huh? I remember seeing it quite a while ago, but I wasn't sure if it was even up and running. Pretty easy to order and receive?

So it's what... level, fuzz, tone, and octave up switch? Can it be powered by 9-volt?

Thanks!

C

Yeah, its legit. Easy to work with, got it express shipped down to me here in Aust.

Yep, standard controls and octave switch. I added 9v power jack to mine, stock it only runs off battery.

i quite enjoy the superfuzz indeed