Need help with fuzz / vibe options

[Spcv]

Hey, guys!

I’m having some trouble deciding what pedals to get, so I’ve decided, in true 21st century fashion, to ask the opinion of strangers that are more knowledgeable than me.

Some context: I don’t have a Vibe or a Fuzz, but lately I’ve been having a craving for some Hendrix – Gilmour tones, although not to be taken too seriously. I don't want to obcess over a Berkos Germanium Experience or a Roger Mayer Voodoo Vibe. Right now, I have a Dunlop wah, Boss SD1, Maxon OD808, Rochester Orange Box, EVH Flanger, a couple delays, Maxon EQ, ISP Decimator and Boss RV6. Those go into the front input of an Origin 20, a DSL1. Don't want to sound tedious, but maybe that'll help with what I need.

At the moment, I’m not so sure as to what to get regarding fuzz / vibe.

These are my (limited) options:

a) Used Carl Martin Purple Moon – Vibe and fuzz (90€);

b) New DOD Carcosa – just fuzz (119€);

c) Used or new EHX Big Muff Pi (99€ and below).

Option a) would give both vibe and fuzz, its sound seems great in the videos I’ve seen. That could maybe keep me busy exploring it until I get a better fuzz and a real Univibe (I’m planning to get a Drybell Vibe Machine in the future), but seems like a temporary solution.

Options b) and c) would just provide me a better (keeper?) fuzz, but no Vibe, obviously. The Carcosa seems to be quite versatile but I wounder if it could give me the fuzzface smoother fuzz – maybe it’s too modern. There are quite some Big Muffs on the used market around here (standard Big Muffs, BMs RI, Little BMs, BMs with Tone Wicker) and those are the least expensive option, but – again – I don’t know if it can give the smoother sound of the fuzzface. Either of this options would mean that I'd have to do without the Vibe.

I’m afraid I’m limited in terms of budget and availability (EU), so these are the options I’ve got.

Can you guys help me get out of this paralysis by analysis?

Thanks for any input, guys!

 

[ampeq]

If you can find one of these used it will cover a lot of sounds. New they are pricey but they do quite a lot of stuff. Watch the videos to see if it would work for you.

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Kmont--keeley-monterey-rotary-fuzz-vibe-multi-effects-pedal

As for just fuzz, I always end up back to good old Big Muff's and the nano Big Muff works fine.

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/NanoBigMuff--electro-harmonix-nano-big-muff-pi-distortion-fuzz-overdrive-pedal

 

[V-man]

1. You already have a pseudo vibe. Go look up “different modulation FX with a flanger” or “turn a flanger into a vibe” videos.

2. Fuzz is Fuzz, Muff is Muff and rarely shall the twain meet. Carcosa is very versatile and can emulate some fuzz styles (vids available on that too). You should educate yourself (yay, MORE videos) on what you like, such as 2-transistor, 3-transistor and Muff. Modern fuzz is less picky about signal chain order. Old school fuzz must be first.

 

[Spcv]

1. You already have a pseudo vibe. Go look up “different modulation FX with a flanger” or “turn a flanger into a vibe” videos.

Thanks for replying, I appreciate it!

Yeah, I get that, but that isn't "it". I get "close" with the phaser too, but I want a "wavy" modulation, not a "electrical" one, it that makes any sense...

2. Fuzz is Fuzz, Muff is Muff and rarely shall the twain meet.

I know. Thought that maybe someone had some experience de-muffing a muff and getting it close to fuzz...

Carcosa is very versatile and can emulate some fuzz styles (vids available on that too).

I know, I've seen them (repeatedly, though not all of them). That's why I was considering it. I was particularly impressed with Andy's at PGS. But Only one guy tried to get close to Hendrix, most will be modern stuff.

You should educate yourself (yay, MORE videos) on what you like, such as 2-transistor, 3-transistor and Muff.

I know, I saw Josh Scott's video (and others), even some on DIY (Fuzzdog and Jed Peds) and videos of mods on cheap pedals like Mosky's.

Modern fuzz is less picky about signal chain order.

I know. The Purple Moon would / will be a mystery as I don't perceive it as a "pure" fuzz... Would have to try...

Old school fuzz must be first.

I know that too, because any buffered signal would/could add noise or make act weird. I haven't had that problem because... I don't have a fuzz. lol But I'll get one, and when that happens, it'll be a shock not to have the Boss TU-2 first in the chain.

I keep thinking the Purple Moon would be the best bet, because i) it's not expensive; ii) I can get to explore some sounds and see if I like them; iii) will give me time to gather the funds for something like a Dunlop Fuzz Face and the Vibe Machine; and iv) if by any remote chance I decide that I don'l like that sound after all, it'd be just one pedal to discard.

Thanks again, man!

 

[Spcv]

If you can find one of these used it will cover a lot of sounds. New they are pricey but they do quite a lot of stuff. Watch the videos to see if it would work for you.

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Kmont--keeley-monterey-rotary-fuzz-vibe-multi-effects-pedal

As for just fuzz, I always end up back to good old Big Muff's and the nano Big Muff works fine.

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/NanoBigMuff--electro-harmonix-nano-big-muff-pi-distortion-fuzz-overdrive-pedal

Thanks for the input!

Yeah, I also considered Keeley's Dark Side but it was off limits for me, budget wise. The most affordable two-in-one solution seems to be the Purple Moon.

The Monterey is very close to the DS, some less modulation, and it has the octave. I just can't get along with the octave effect - I know it's a matter of time. Some years ago, I couldn't stand fuzz and just look at me now.

 

[Wildeman]

The Band of Gypsies fuzz is a killer one, and not too expensive.

 

[ampeq]

Because I like different fuzz, delays and reverbs at different times, the best thing I have ever bought is the HX Effects. Line 6 makes some pretty cool stuff and this one works great for me. I don't like amps and cab's, just effects. The HX Effects shines for this type of stuff. Everything you could want or need is in there and you can set up pedal board after pedal board. When you consider what you get for your money they are pretty cheap really. You can spend more on just 2 pedals and end up not really liking them. This thing has over 250 pedals in it + a ton of helpful stuff like noise gates, loopers, tuners, etc., plus they put out updates with new pedals every now and then. I see them on Reverb for between $400 - $500 in mint to brand new condition.

Line 6 HX Effects Guitar Multi-effects Floor Processor

Multi-effects Unit with 8 x Capacitive-sensing Footswitches, Scribble Strip Displays, HX-quality Effects, MIDI I/O, USB, 2 x Effects Loops, Expression Pedal Connectivity, and True Stereo Thruput

www.sweetwater.com

 

[lespaul339]

Check out Analogman Sunface Fuzz pedals. Go on YouTube and listen to the different transistor options and see what you like best. Every fuzz pedal is different and you'd be surprised at how much the transistors make a difference. They're the thing that gives fuzz it's characteristics.

 

[Spcv]

Because I like different fuzz, delays and reverbs at different times, the best thing I have ever bought is the HX Effects. Line 6 makes some pretty cool stuff and this one works great for me. I don't like amps and cab's, just effects. The HX Effects shines for this type of stuff. Everything you could want or need is in there and you can set up pedal board after pedal board. When you consider what you get for your money they are pretty cheap really. You can spend more on just 2 pedals and end up not really liking them. This thing has over 250 pedals in it + a ton of helpful stuff like noise gates, loopers, tuners, etc., plus they put out updates with new pedals every now and then. I see them on Reverb for between $400 - $500 in mint to brand new condition.

Line 6 HX Effects Guitar Multi-effects Floor Processor

Multi-effects Unit with 8 x Capacitive-sensing Footswitches, Scribble Strip Displays, HX-quality Effects, MIDI I/O, USB, 2 x Effects Loops, Expression Pedal Connectivity, and True Stereo Thruput

www.sweetwater.com

I've considered somethiing like that (M13), but read somewhere that it was fragile, specially the switches. And the Helix is out of my budget. In the long run, maybe (or rather certainlly) it'd be cheaper, but, on the other hand, I like pedals, both sound wise and visually. I'd like to set something aesthetically like LA Sound Design's Dave Phillips' pedalboards...

 

[Spcv]

Check out Analogman Sunface Fuzz pedals. Go on YouTube and listen to the different transistor options and see what you like best. Every fuzz pedal is different and you'd be surprised at how much the transistors make a difference. They're the thing that gives fuzz it's characteristics.

Yes, Ive read good things about those too! Unfortunatelly, still out of budget for now and the used market in Portugal is really limited... If I buy internationally, shipping sends stuff out of bufget... again!

 

[C-Grin]

I have a couple of the Dunlop Fuzz Face mini pedals and went with the shakes Jimi vibe /chorus pedal. Like both a lot.