FUZZ

[comradehoser]

Most excellent:

 

[jcpst]

I came across that yesterday, most excellent indeed.

I was taking notes and jotting down the name when I heard one that really excited me.

 

[Nostradoomus]

I'm not shocked how many sound exactly the same.

 

[fontoponto]

I like four of them but only because they sound so super different.
To be fair, most of them do have more than one sound. The Sputnik for example is a sound machine not just „fuzz“.

 

[comradehoser]

Yeah, the dude/ette definitely had an affinity for a certain sound and everything was set towards it as opposed to showcasing ranges or contrasts.

But still a decent and interesting comparison video.

 

[cdwillis]

I'm a simple man. I hear fuzz, I like.

 

[lowpitch]

Pretty cool but confirmed again that fuzz is not for me

 

[Feral Feline]

Silktone
MAE Part Garden
Spaceman Sputnik III
EQD Park
Dirty Haggard
Caroline Crom
Sundance Harmonic Incubator


That's my short list, for today.

I was purposely listening on laptop speakers to see which ones had some definition and bass; however, halfway through I had to switch to headphones as it's late here.

Whether on headphones or not, I could probably listen to this 10x and come up with a few different preferences each time.

Out of the shortlist, I think the Sputnik is what stood out most for me; I was surprised the SS/BS Mini didn't make the cut, but... as has already been pointed out — one riff and a solitary setting for each fuzz does not a comparison make.


I was hoping a Dizzy Tone was going to be in the mix.

 

[perfboarder]

Sputnik III!

Maybe someday, someone make silicon version.

 

[comradehoser]

I came across that yesterday, most excellent indeed.

I was taking notes and jotting down the name when I heard one that really excited me.

Which one was it?

 

[jcpst]

I wrote down

Star Eater
~900 Fuzz
Unpleasant Surprise
Fuzz Factory

There’s two main things I listened for- it has a distinct sound, and/or how much heterodyning was present when major 3rds were played (I like less).

 

[comradehoser]

I wrote down

Star Eater
~900 Fuzz
Unpleasant Surprise
Fuzz Factory

There’s two main things I listened for- it has a distinct sound, and/or how much heterodyning was present when major 3rds were played (I like less).

I think I know what you mean by heterodyning, but what do you mean by heterodyning?

Looks like you like Fairfield Circuitry stuff.

Do really quite enjoy my Aion take on the Fuzz Factory with the two additional knobs (softness and tone). Flare, I think the board is called.

 

[jcpst]

I think I know what you mean by heterodyning, but what do you mean by heterodyning?

I’m referring to the beating of the difference tones, and how prominent it is. I don’t know if there’s a broadly used term for this.

3rds are a good example interval due to how out of tune they are in 12tet vs the pure 5/4 interval it’s based on. On some fuzzes these intervals clash hard.

On other fuzzes, I’m not sure what causes it, but it’s like the notes in the chord “smear” and it sounds very much like a pure 5/4 interval. Those are my favorite.

 

[comradehoser]

Hm! I will have to investigate. I think this might be what I like out of certain overdrives when I let notes ring out.

 

[PedalBuilder]

Sputnik III!

Maybe someday, someone make silicon version.

Despite the circuit complexity, it’s one of the easier germanium fuzzes in terms of sourcing transistors, as it’s not too picky with regard to transistor specs. Any commonly available medium gain, low leakage Soviet germanium transistor works. I’ve used GT308V, GT309B/E, GT310B, GT320B, and P416B, all of which worked perfectly. Other people have had great results with Western European and Japanese transistors. It’s not like a Tone Bender Mk. I, where you need just the right combination of gain/leakage or it won’t work.

 

[Feral Feline]

I wrote down

Star Eater
~900 Fuzz
Unpleasant Surprise
Fuzz Factory

There’s two main things I listened for- it has a distinct sound, and/or how much heterodyning was present when major 3rds were played (I like less).

I recall liking the Fairfield stuff, too. I like most Fairfield stuff, though.

I liked a LOT of the Fuzz, what CDWillis said... in fact, it would've been easier to short list the few I didn't like.

 

[Robert]

The Star Eater is a pretty good one. We should have a similar project eventually...

Already had my eye on the Silktone. The overdrive was fantastic.

 

[comradehoser]

Dang it, I thought I was out of the game!!!

 

[fontoponto]

Electrofoods x Dirge RBMK <--- makes me schwing
Electrofoods Pigpile
Blammo! Skronk Machine
MAE NO.
MAE Maybe?
Mattoverse AirTrash
Rainger Chop Fuzzz

 

[pingpongcomputer]

Despite the circuit complexity, it’s one of the easier germanium fuzzes in terms of sourcing transistors, as it’s not too picky with regard to transistor specs. Any commonly available medium gain, low leakage Soviet germanium transistor works. I’ve used GT308V, GT309B/E, GT310B, GT320B, and P416B, all of which worked perfectly. Other people have had great results with Western European and Japanese transistors. It’s not like a Tone Bender Mk. I, where you need just the right combination of gain/leakage or it won’t work.

I've also had success with GT404B, MP16B, and most recently an AC128k in Q1 that was too leaky for a previous project but works great in the Sputnik.
I'm scared of how many boards will be added to the drawer of to-be-built fuzzes if I watch the video.