Can-O-Worms, fuzz pedals

[G Man]

I'm in the market again for a fuzz pedal, and damned if there aren't way too many options out there.  Ideally, I'd like something with a bias control that let's me get that choppy Jack White thing, but also able to clean up to a classic fuzz tone, and still be able to do doom.  Is that asking too much?  And if not, what do you all recommend.

[G Man]

Based on the overwhelming responses here, guess that was indeed asking too much.

[Hbom]

Sorry I didn't chime in on this, holiday weekends can be busy around our place.

I think Lollygaggers Cherry Box will do it. But it doesn't have a bias control. It does have 3 knobs, 2 stomps and 2 toggles. But the only name I recognize is ON/OFF.

It's got a lot of different sounds hiding in it and fun to fool with. I'll have to dig it out again, it's been awhile.

CHERRYBOX FUZZ | website

 

[Saul Goodman]

On 11/30/2024 at 8:33 PM, G Man said:

I'm in the market again for a fuzz pedal, and damned if there aren't way too many options out there.  Ideally, I'd like something with a bias control that let's me get that choppy Jack White thing, but also able to clean up to a classic fuzz tone, and still be able to do doom.  Is that asking too much?  And if not, what do you all recommend.

I don't have this pedal but ironically I learned of it today. Seems with the voltage knob it is more versatile than the rest. 

 

[JGravelin]

Al is an old friend as well as bandmate of mine and was the first to encourage me to take the business of my pickup work seriously. The Crazy Horse is excellent stuff, both with electric guits and basses too. Extra squash and wildness with a boost before the input gain-stage, adjust the voltage to taste for maximum lo-fi breakup.

Highly recommended personally and professionally.

https://www.durhamelectronics.com/crazyhorse

Also, the ZVEX Wooly Mammoth 7 - or the original!! - might be up your alley.

 

[RobB]

Try this one:

Keeley. Fuzz. Cyber Monday. Cheap...

Edited December 3, 2024 by RobB

[Steve Haynie]

I am not sure what "choppy Jack White thing" sounds like.  ehx Big Muff with Tone Wicker can get the sputtering low battery sound or just sound like a classic Big Muff.  It is one of the pedals I have kept.  

Lately my go-to fuzz is a simpler pedal that just sounds good.

There are too many fuzz pedals our there.  Find one that sounds good, whether it is exactly what you want to hear or not, and just go with what you got.  You can chase an elusive tone forever.  You can learn to love a really good one trick pony.

[velorush]

I bought a Red Witch Fuzz God here some years back. Loads of different sounds and they can be had relatively cheap and sold for the same (if it isn't to taste).

If you really want radical, I've got a Black Cat Monster K Fuzz I'd part with (cheap, no, really...). I bought it here and like most everything I own it never gets used. It had an issue when I first got it so I sent it back to Black Cat who repaired some component that had gone bad. I tried it out a bit and it went back into its bag and that into its box. It offers a ton of flexibility including absolute insanity. If you have an expression pedal it really becomes another thing entirely. Here's an example (from the "Slingblade" soundtrack):

Lots of switches to tame it down, too.

 

 

Edited December 3, 2024 by velorush
spelink

[soli'd]

You can get a used DOD Carcosa for pretty cheap, worth taking a shot at it.  It has many of the attributes you mentioned, without being rare or precious.

https://digitech.com/dp/carcosa-fuzz/

[G Man]

Thanks for the input all, after a bunch of videos, I'm going to start cheap and grab the DOD Carcosa, looks just what I'm looking for and I can grab one for just shy of $100 used on the verb.  I'll let you all know how it works out.

[Saul Goodman]

15 hours ago, G Man said:

Thanks for the input all, after a bunch of videos, I'm going to start cheap and grab the DOD Carcosa, looks just what I'm looking for and I can grab one for just shy of $100 used on the verb.  I'll let you all know how it works out.

Well if you get that you're gonna need this.

[tbonesullivan]

16 hours ago, G Man said:

Thanks for the input all, after a bunch of videos, I'm going to start cheap and grab the DOD Carcosa, looks just what I'm looking for and I can grab one for just shy of $100 used on the verb.  I'll let you all know how it works out.

Looks like a great choice! Very versatile but also EASY to understand. Some of the ones I was just looking at are so complex I wouldn't want to go near them. I've never been a big fuzz fan, but when I need something kinda like that I always have my trusty Boss OD-20. It's not perfect but it emulates four different "vintage" fuzz pedals quite well.

[geoff_hartwell]

My fave is the Colossus Fuzz

[crunchee]

If you ever get tired of this pedal, you probably won't have a problem finding a buyer:

Fender® x Hello Kitty® Pink Fuzz Pedal | Effects Pedals

 

[Rich_S]

I love big, doomy fuzz when I hear it on records but have no need for it on my gigging board.  Still, it’d be nice to have such a pedal around, if it’s not too expensive.  This thread inspired me to buy a used Corcosa off Reverb.  For under a hunnert, why not?

Edited December 12, 2024 by Rich_S

[santellavision]

My fav fuzz is the Death by Audio Fuzz War. Huge!