Does anyone actually prefer a Fuzz Face over a Big Muff?

[s_mcsleazy]

so im building another fuzz face. this one is going to have bias controls for each transistor and sockets. will all the AC128's and the russian transistors that are basically ac128's, 2 of them are bound to not sound blooze lawyer...... right?

also anyone know how these circuits take to a starve control?

[MechaBulletBill]

voltage starve is a nice tweak to have with a FF, especially on a battery-free unit. i think i remember someone like eric johnson ( ) saying that they sound best at like 6-7v, but then those kinds of people probably insist on battery-only units.

[del]

also anyone know how these circuits take to a starve control?

Both bias control and voltage-starve are excellent additions to the fuzz face (and other fuzz) circuits.

[Pacafeliz]

Ok took it to rehearsal the other day to play it really loud, with the ole DiMarzio-loaded Guild = LOVE

I was surprised that I had to turn up the FF volume almost all the way, otherwise there was a huge volume drop. And yes, pushed with the old SD-1 it really ROARED.

Left it at the rehearsal space, gonna keep playing around with it. Yes it's not lush and creamy like a BM but it has its own sound, which is cool and original.

nice, was that SD1 before or after the FF?

Before

[sholkham]

^nice, I'll have to dig out my SD1 and try that, I've always done the conventional FF first in the chain thing

[jorri]

also anyone know how these circuits take to a starve control?

Both bias control and voltage-starve are excellent additions to the fuzz face (and other fuzz) circuits.

Yeh its great with bias control. I'd have to get a schematic out but my Meathead clone (which is a FF adaptation) I have a switch that is essentially "saw wave gated"

Another thing is you can borrow 'attack' from the meathead deluxe which is a simple bass cut capacitor on the input. Tames the 'wool' very well without affecting the overall output response too much.

[elektrovac]

Ok took it to rehearsal the other day to play it really loud, with the ole DiMarzio-loaded Guild = LOVE

I was surprised that I had to turn up the FF volume almost all the way, otherwise there was a huge volume drop. And yes, pushed with the old SD-1 it really ROARED.

Left it at the rehearsal space, gonna keep playing around with it. Yes it's not lush and creamy like a BM but it has its own sound, which is cool and original.

nice, was that SD1 before or after the FF?

Before

You do know, you're not supposed to put a buffered bypass pedal before a Fuzz Face (or Tonebender etc.), right?

[Kinx]

Fuzz Face pedals differ a great bit across various manufacturers and models, but the "regular ones" tend to sound a little brittle on their own. I really like the sound of Fuzz Face before EQ pedal with accented midrange and level boost - for example, I'm using this combination on this gig with my '72 JM and Mesa Mark I amp w/ Altec.

https://youtu.be/8YIVs7_Bv3k?t=1860

I'm using a very generic Dunlop Fuzz Face (MXR box) paired with a Boss GE-7. Works great with all kinds of pickups and guitars.

this is the same combination with my Flying V w/ Duncans

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1e3v1fQ2XpI

I actually prefer this combination to the stock EHX Big Muff, since the Muff doesn't have that much boost and the stock tone control doesn't really apply to my needs - it's always missing something

[spiffy chap]

prefer any fuzz over a Big Muff

Tone Benders mostly

[Pacafeliz]

You do know, you're not supposed to put a buffered bypass pedal before a Fuzz Face (or Tonebender etc.), right?

...or WHAT?!
(I like you but I WILL fight you!)

[MarkN]

I prefer a Fuzz Face! To me it's a question of Bass vs Treble. I'm more a fan of higher frequency stuff (77 punk, Gang of Four, Black Flag) and dislike grunge. That's broadly speaking, of course, with exceptions.

I have never played a Fuzz Face proper, but only clones of the circuit. I love the sounds of my Germanium4 Big Muff which despite the misleading name is not based on the Big Muff at all, but can do nasal Fuzz sounds like the Fuzz Face. They also put a boost/overdrive in the same box after the fuzz. It lets me dial in so many different variations between the knob options. Also enjoy my Fuzz Factory which is a modified FF too.

I back the comments about voltage starve. I'm particularly drawn to the FF circuit cause I can get sputtery velcro sounds that both the Ge4 Big Muff and Fuzz Factory both can do.

[hulakatt]

I dunno, I have a bunch of Muffs and variations but I have a good couple of Fuzz faces and variations as well. When it comes down to it, I'll usually grab a Fuzz Face over a Muff. I always feel like I'm fighting the EQ too much on a Muff and I never have that issue with Fuzz Faces.

But yeah, I also have a thing for Tone Benders and generally prefer the MKIII circuit.

I also have a serious thing for oddball, garage rock fuzzes like the Mosrite fuzzRITE, the AstroTone, the BossTone and other weirdos. Just finished rebuilding a busted original fuzzRite recently and it's still on my bench. I will say, in comparison to todays pedals, those old Mosrites were not built for the rigors of the road!

[hulakatt]

Gotta also say, Dunlop has been knocking them outta the park the past few years! I've picked up a couple current ones, including the blue Hendrix FF, and they've all been excellent.

[i love sharin foo]

You are right about the EQ on a Fuzz Face. More or less, you get out of it what you send in. I have owned and still own lots of fuzz pedals but a Fuzz Face is still my favorite. The responsiveness to different guitars and pickups, the clean up, fat lowend, etc. it just works for me in most applications.

[hulakatt]

One of my favorites

It was a backup for a custom job. After the primary was delivered to whoever ordered it, AcidTone quietly listed this for sale and I completely lucked into it.