Who here has (played) a Zoom Ultra Fuzz?

[facelessfx]

...and wants to discuss what they like and dislike about it.

Me:
Likes: ALL
Dislikes: needs more knobs

Serious question though. What would you improve if you could tell Zoom if they do a V2?

[onyxrhino]

I love it. So much tighter and more controllable than a Fuzz Factory.

I really like all the wide range of sounds you can get from it. I like that it can be a very clean sort of fuzz, it can be gated, it can be big and wooly, it can sustain, it can oscillate. It really is a swiss army knife. And I like that it comes in such a solid box with easy battery access.

My one dislike is that I feel the oscillation capabilities could be wilder. As it is, they don't really overwhelm your playing and turn it into beautiful messy noise like something like a Dream Mangler or a Super Oscillo Fuzz.

[Gone Fission]

It's just useful. Lots of cool low gain fuzz textures, nasty thin vintage buzzy fuzzsounds, fat muffy sounds that work better for me than an actual muff, gating fun, and, I dunno, plenty crazy osco stuff for my needs. It's too useable and flexible to ditch. Sure other pedals will sound better, but if they sound better doing as many things instead of just one or two, that's a great fucking pedal.

[Inconuucl]

Sounds like an awesome tour fuzz for those of us that are paranoid to take their booteek foozes out for a spin.

[excane]

It's pretty awesome. I've had one sitting for over a year and still haven't gotten around to a demo yet.

Sounds monstrous, especially on bass.

[RitalinCupcake]

I've had one for 15 years or so, it was my first oscillating fuzz, love it. The oscillation so controllable, you can tune it very accurately. I like to set it so as a note dies out the oscillation comes swelling in. I wouldn't change a thing. If you want wilder oscillations just stack it into another oscillating fuzz.

[coldbrightsunlight]

Love it. Really versatile and the oscillation is brilliantly controllable. Has a cool switch too but i don't like the odd case shape.

[facelessfx]

I've had one for 15 years or so, it was my first oscillating fuzz, love it. The oscillation so controllable, you can tune it very accurately. I like to set it so as a note dies out the oscillation comes swelling in. I wouldn't change a thing. If you want wilder oscillations just stack it into another oscillating fuzz.

I know what you mean. That is cool. Signal overpowers the oscillations so they come in after the note dies away.

So nobody would suggest improvements? Is it perfect just the way it is?

[jrmy]

Knee-jerk ILF reaction: has anyone cloned one yet?

[Faldoe]

I have one on the way I got for a pretty good price because the shaft of one of the pots is broken. I'm gonna have to open it up to replace the pot. My guess is that the circuit is all SMD components which I'm not skilled, brave or patient enough to try and trace - since the caps can't be read via any markings on them, like through-hole components can. I'd have to cut the traces and measure each cap.

I'll still report back what I find when I open it up.

[facelessfx]

Knee-jerk ILF reaction: has anyone cloned one yet?

Yes. I have.

I have one on the way I got for a pretty good price because the shaft of one of the pots is broken. I'm gonna have to open it up to replace the pot. My guess is that the circuit is all SMD components which I'm not skilled, brave or patient enough to try and trace - since the caps can't be read via any markings on them, like through-hole components can. I'd have to cut the traces and measure each cap.

I'll still report back what I find when I open it up.

It is SMD yeah. It took me 3 half days before Christmas with a jeweller's loupe.

The reason I'm asking about improvements is because while I could just do a straight clone (and have done one for personal use), I'd rather not, since it's not cool. Zoom may want to reissue the thing in future. I know legally it's OK, but I don't like when people clone pedals that are either still in production, or if there's a possibility they may com back. Where's the fun in doing that? Come up with something new!

So, there are things I would change circuit-wise. Things that wouldn't alter the sound of it. I'd also like to tweak it a bit.

I've got it just about finished on the breadboard and like the changes I've made. It's now uses 10 op amps and has 7 controls I'd like to hear from users before I call it finished and start building.

[Faldoe]

Knee-jerk ILF reaction: has anyone cloned one yet?

Yes. I have.

I have one on the way I got for a pretty good price because the shaft of one of the pots is broken. I'm gonna have to open it up to replace the pot. My guess is that the circuit is all SMD components which I'm not skilled, brave or patient enough to try and trace - since the caps can't be read via any markings on them, like through-hole components can. I'd have to cut the traces and measure each cap.

I'll still report back what I find when I open it up.

It is SMD yeah. It took me 3 half days before Christmas with a jeweller's loupe.

The reason I'm asking about improvements is because while I could just do a straight clone (and have done one for personal use), I'd rather not, since it's not cool. Zoom may want to reissue the thing in future. I know legally it's OK, but I don't like when people clone pedals that are either still in production, or if there's a possibility they may com back. Where's the fun in doing that? Come up with something new!

So, there are things I would change circuit-wise. Things that wouldn't alter the sound of it. I'd also like to tweak it a bit.

I've got it just about finished on the breadboard and like the changes I've made. It's now uses 10 op amps and has 7 controls I'd like to hear from users before I call it finished and start building.

You mean you'd like forum member's opinions on the circuit? If so: Demos please

Sounds pretty sweet! I mentioned I have one on the way that has a broken pot. I believe it is the Tone control. Do you happen to know the pot value and manufacturer? Alpha? Maybe a 9 or 12mm pot with PCB mounts?

Thanks

[facelessfx]

Knee-jerk ILF reaction: has anyone cloned one yet?

Yes. I have.

I have one on the way I got for a pretty good price because the shaft of one of the pots is broken. I'm gonna have to open it up to replace the pot. My guess is that the circuit is all SMD components which I'm not skilled, brave or patient enough to try and trace - since the caps can't be read via any markings on them, like through-hole components can. I'd have to cut the traces and measure each cap.

I'll still report back what I find when I open it up.

It is SMD yeah. It took me 3 half days before Christmas with a jeweller's loupe.

The reason I'm asking about improvements is because while I could just do a straight clone (and have done one for personal use), I'd rather not, since it's not cool. Zoom may want to reissue the thing in future. I know legally it's OK, but I don't like when people clone pedals that are either still in production, or if there's a possibility they may com back. Where's the fun in doing that? Come up with something new!

So, there are things I would change circuit-wise. Things that wouldn't alter the sound of it. I'd also like to tweak it a bit.

I've got it just about finished on the breadboard and like the changes I've made. It's now uses 10 op amps and has 7 controls I'd like to hear from users before I call it finished and start building.

You mean you'd like forum member's opinions on the circuit? If so: Demos please

Sounds pretty sweet! I mentioned I have one on the way that has a broken pot. I believe it is the Tone control. Do you happen to know the pot value and manufacturer? Alpha? Maybe a 9 or 12mm pot with PCB mounts?

Thanks

When I've got something in a box I'll get someone to do a video. I'm not the greatest guitarist

The Tone control is a 9mm metal D-shaft. They're not board mounted. They have their own little pcb connected to the board via a header cable.

I'll try to post a photo in a minute

[facelessfx]

Clicky thumbs:

[facelessfx]

Embarrassing clip time. Bad recording. Bad guitarist not even trying to do any more than strum an E and twong open strings:

Just for an idea of its versatility and proof of concept

Yes that's really how I talk.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HfPtnjB4IA[/youtube]