Fuzz Clone Questions

JakeDobner

Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 12159
Seattle
5 News Pins

Posted on Feb 06 2008 10:59 PM

Does anybody know where to buy some good fuzz clones? Specifically I'm looking for the Shin-ei companion. Also, the colorsound fuzzes intrigue me.

I have a Arbiter Fuzz Face which sounds great but it isn't what i want out of my fuzz box. I want Psychocandy not Hendrix. The chainsaw sound that is.

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SURFmole

Joined: Nov 22, 2007
Posts: 901
Portland, OR
United States

Posted on Feb 07 2008 12:28 AM

I build them and occasionally sell them. If you're in Seattle and feel like driving you could visit Portland and look at Old Town Music. They typically have the best in-store selection of 'boutique' Fuzz pedals of any shop I've ever seen. I'm surprised there aren't any stores up in Seattle with a good selection??

You're saying you WANT the chainsaw sound? In my opinion a Silicon Fuzz Face wouldn't be a bad choice, or a Big Muff, or possibly even a Rat; yeah, all three are pretty 'common' but they can get good buzzy fuzz tones. Is yours an original Arbiter or the Dunlop reissue? The Si Fuzz Faces sound horrible unless they have low gain transistors (and the early Dunlop reissues don't). It's difficult to suggest a pedal without knowing more specifics on what you're looking for and/or what you don't like about the Arbiter.

My all time favorite FUZZ is the Colorsound MKII 2 knob Tonebender but it's Germanium so it might be smoother than what you'd want if you're looking for chainsaw tones. The 3 knob 'bender is cool too (although I personally don't like it as well).

—

www.apollo4.com

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KJC

Joined: Aug 17, 2006
Posts: 41
Carrollton, GA
1 Link Pin

Posted on Feb 07 2008 12:33 AM

Try this out...it's a Shin-Ei clone kit. I'm about to make a Tonebender clone myself...maybe this one too!

SECF Kit

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JakeDobner

Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 12159
Seattle
5 News Pins

Posted on Feb 07 2008 12:36 AM

Old Town Music. I'll keep that in mind next time I'm down in Portland.

Yeah... I want the chainsaw sound. Granted it wouldn't be the only fuzz sounds I ever wanted, but for the novelty of sounding like the Jesus and Mary Chain I kind of want one. And I know they used the Shin-Ei

I have an early Dunlop reissue.

As for the Colorsound, that is another one I want as I know it was used on an album that I enjoy as well.

Thanks.

Have you tried the D.A.M. fuzz pedals? I hear they are fantastic. My buddy just got a Foxx pedal that I thought was pretty decent as well.

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WR

Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 3832
netherlands
2 Link Pins

Posted on Feb 07 2008 02:30 AM

jake, the verbafuzz is a chainsaw fuzz. or rather, it can be, an internal trimpot let's you set the input gain. Idont know it it still being made but it's cheap and something special so that's why I like having it. I used to have a Fulltone soulbender (coloursound copy?) which sounds great, has very very much dial in possibilties and could get extremely buzzy (also with internal trimpot for input gain). That might well have been the very best pedal I ever owned in every aspect.

—

Rules to live by #314:
"When in Italy, if the menu says something's grilled, don't assume it is."

https://www.facebook.com/The-Malbehavers-286429584796173/

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zak

Joined: Sep 24, 2007
Posts: 2728
1 Link Pin

Posted on Feb 07 2008 10:29 AM

This post has been removed by the author.

Last edited: Sep 23, 2009 17:01:33

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badash

Joined: Aug 18, 2006
Posts: 1732

Posted on Feb 07 2008 11:07 AM

Jake, for a great fuzz face see this
http://www.buildyourownclone.com/fuzz.html

For a solasound Tonbender MkII see this
http://www.buildyourownclone.com/bender.html

Build it dude! The main reason is it will start you down the road to eventually building your own amp

I will build one of those kits when I get a freakin' minute of spare time, and may actually order it today just to have it here when I do get a minute. Until then I bought this and am very happy. Dirt cheap (compared to lots of stuff out there) right at about the $100 mark new, in the 60s or 70s used, and very versatile. Turn everything to 11 and it's a full on Fuzz, but alot more stuff you wouldn't even begin to call fuzz lives inside it. The "tweak" button is basically a six position strangle switch. http://www.seymourduncan.com/movies/tweak_fuzz.shtml

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SURFmole

Joined: Nov 22, 2007
Posts: 901
Portland, OR
United States

Posted on Feb 07 2008 11:10 AM

"horrifying" sounds interesting!

If you can solder, the General Guitar Gadgets kit would be a great way to go!
Their board layouts are good and they've supported the DIY pedal community from the start.

—

www.apollo4.com

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skeeter

Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 2062
Virginia, USA
United States

Posted on Feb 07 2008 11:30 AM

What about a Fuzz-brite?
I'm asking because I've never heard one before, but I've heard good things, I think. http://dominocs.com/Library/FUZZbrite/index.html

I can definitely recommend the Verbafuzz, don't get to use it as much as I'd like though. But I'm pretty sure they're not available anymore.

—

Paul
Atomic Mosquitos
Bug music for bug people is here!
Killers from Space

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Stormtiger

Joined: Dec 12, 2006
Posts: 2676
Ventura, CA
United States

Posted on Feb 07 2008 12:19 PM

I have a Boss FUZZ that is about the "fuzziest" thing I ever heard. It is real fuzz, not just gain and distortion and sustain. It sounds like there's a tear in the speakers. I haven't used it at all in the past, but after listening to some Davie Allan I've discovered that it may have its place.

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NoisyDad

Joined: Mar 04, 2006
Posts: 215
West Hartford, CT
United States

Posted on Feb 07 2008 02:55 PM

I have a Fuzz-Brite and I love the sound.
It's what I'd been hearing in my head all these years.
Kind of like the sound on "Heart Full of Soul" by the Yardbirds, or Davie Allen's "Blues Theme."
Nasty buzz-saw sound.
I'm sure there are other units that nail the sound as well, but this one works for me - and it's easy to balance for live use.
And I can use a standard 9v adapter.

—

http://www.aquatudes.com
http://www.facebook.com/theaquatudes

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kenposurf

Joined: Feb 23, 2007
Posts: 1650
Santa Rosa, CA
United States

Posted on Feb 07 2008 03:29 PM

I like the Voodoo Lab Super Fuzz...easy to dial in the sound

—

www.northofmalibu.com

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SurfBandBill

Joined: Mar 15, 2006
Posts: 1487
San Francisco
1 News Pin

Posted on Feb 07 2008 07:31 PM

I think the Verbafuzz is still out there somewhere -- I got one about two years back. It took a little detective work, but I ended up tracking down the guy who made them.

I know I love mine. I am curious about the Fuzzbrite as well, but I'm happy with what I've got, and lord knows I don't need to drop more coin on more gear (at least not right now).

~B~

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Klas

Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 2270
Stockholm, Sweden
Sweden

Posted on Feb 08 2008 03:53 AM

I can recommend the Fuzzbrite which clones the Ventures/Davie Allan Fuzzrite sound.

image

For an early to mid 60s type of fuzz sound, I use a Maestro Fuzz-Tone reissue.

image

—

T H E ✠ S U R F I T E S

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JakeDobner Joined: Feb 26, 2006 Posts: 12159 Seattle	Posted on Feb 06 2008 10:59 PM Does anybody know where to buy some good fuzz clones? Specifically I'm looking for the Shin-ei companion. Also, the colorsound fuzzes intrigue me. I have a Arbiter Fuzz Face which sounds great but it isn't what i want out of my fuzz box. I want Psychocandy not Hendrix. The chainsaw sound that is. Top
SURFmole Joined: Nov 22, 2007 Posts: 901 Portland, OR	Posted on Feb 07 2008 12:28 AM I build them and occasionally sell them. If you're in Seattle and feel like driving you could visit Portland and look at Old Town Music. They typically have the best in-store selection of 'boutique' Fuzz pedals of any shop I've ever seen. I'm surprised there aren't any stores up in Seattle with a good selection?? You're saying you WANT the chainsaw sound? In my opinion a Silicon Fuzz Face wouldn't be a bad choice, or a Big Muff, or possibly even a Rat; yeah, all three are pretty 'common' but they can get good buzzy fuzz tones. Is yours an original Arbiter or the Dunlop reissue? The Si Fuzz Faces sound horrible unless they have low gain transistors (and the early Dunlop reissues don't). It's difficult to suggest a pedal without knowing more specifics on what you're looking for and/or what you don't like about the Arbiter. My all time favorite FUZZ is the Colorsound MKII 2 knob Tonebender but it's Germanium so it might be smoother than what you'd want if you're looking for chainsaw tones. The 3 knob 'bender is cool too (although I personally don't like it as well). — www.apollo4.com Top
KJC Joined: Aug 17, 2006 Posts: 41 Carrollton, GA	Posted on Feb 07 2008 12:33 AM Try this out...it's a Shin-Ei clone kit. I'm about to make a Tonebender clone myself...maybe this one too! SECF Kit Top
JakeDobner Joined: Feb 26, 2006 Posts: 12159 Seattle	Posted on Feb 07 2008 12:36 AM Old Town Music. I'll keep that in mind next time I'm down in Portland. Yeah... I want the chainsaw sound. Granted it wouldn't be the only fuzz sounds I ever wanted, but for the novelty of sounding like the Jesus and Mary Chain I kind of want one. And I know they used the Shin-Ei I have an early Dunlop reissue. As for the Colorsound, that is another one I want as I know it was used on an album that I enjoy as well. Thanks. Have you tried the D.A.M. fuzz pedals? I hear they are fantastic. My buddy just got a Foxx pedal that I thought was pretty decent as well. Top
WR Joined: Feb 27, 2006 Posts: 3832 netherlands	Posted on Feb 07 2008 02:30 AM jake, the verbafuzz is a chainsaw fuzz. or rather, it can be, an internal trimpot let's you set the input gain. Idont know it it still being made but it's cheap and something special so that's why I like having it. I used to have a Fulltone soulbender (coloursound copy?) which sounds great, has very very much dial in possibilties and could get extremely buzzy (also with internal trimpot for input gain). That might well have been the very best pedal I ever owned in every aspect. — Rules to live by #314: "When in Italy, if the menu says something's grilled, don't assume it is." https://www.facebook.com/The-Malbehavers-286429584796173/ Top
zak Joined: Sep 24, 2007 Posts: 2728	Posted on Feb 07 2008 10:29 AM This post has been removed by the author. Last edited: Sep 23, 2009 17:01:33 Top
badash Joined: Aug 18, 2006 Posts: 1732	Posted on Feb 07 2008 11:07 AM Jake, for a great fuzz face see this http://www.buildyourownclone.com/fuzz.html For a solasound Tonbender MkII see this http://www.buildyourownclone.com/bender.html Build it dude! The main reason is it will start you down the road to eventually building your own amp I will build one of those kits when I get a freakin' minute of spare time, and may actually order it today just to have it here when I do get a minute. Until then I bought this and am very happy. Dirt cheap (compared to lots of stuff out there) right at about the $100 mark new, in the 60s or 70s used, and very versatile. Turn everything to 11 and it's a full on Fuzz, but alot more stuff you wouldn't even begin to call fuzz lives inside it. The "tweak" button is basically a six position strangle switch. http://www.seymourduncan.com/movies/tweak_fuzz.shtml Top
SURFmole Joined: Nov 22, 2007 Posts: 901 Portland, OR	Posted on Feb 07 2008 11:10 AM "horrifying" sounds interesting! If you can solder, the General Guitar Gadgets kit would be a great way to go! Their board layouts are good and they've supported the DIY pedal community from the start. — www.apollo4.com Top
skeeter Joined: Feb 27, 2006 Posts: 2062 Virginia, USA	Posted on Feb 07 2008 11:30 AM What about a Fuzz-brite? I'm asking because I've never heard one before, but I've heard good things, I think. http://dominocs.com/Library/FUZZbrite/index.html I can definitely recommend the Verbafuzz, don't get to use it as much as I'd like though. But I'm pretty sure they're not available anymore. — Paul Atomic Mosquitos Bug music for bug people is here! Killers from Space Top
Stormtiger Joined: Dec 12, 2006 Posts: 2676 Ventura, CA	Posted on Feb 07 2008 12:19 PM I have a Boss FUZZ that is about the "fuzziest" thing I ever heard. It is real fuzz, not just gain and distortion and sustain. It sounds like there's a tear in the speakers. I haven't used it at all in the past, but after listening to some Davie Allan I've discovered that it may have its place. Top
NoisyDad Joined: Mar 04, 2006 Posts: 215 West Hartford, CT	Posted on Feb 07 2008 02:55 PM I have a Fuzz-Brite and I love the sound. It's what I'd been hearing in my head all these years. Kind of like the sound on "Heart Full of Soul" by the Yardbirds, or Davie Allen's "Blues Theme." Nasty buzz-saw sound. I'm sure there are other units that nail the sound as well, but this one works for me - and it's easy to balance for live use. And I can use a standard 9v adapter. — http://www.aquatudes.com http://www.facebook.com/theaquatudes Top
kenposurf Joined: Feb 23, 2007 Posts: 1650 Santa Rosa, CA	Posted on Feb 07 2008 03:29 PM I like the Voodoo Lab Super Fuzz...easy to dial in the sound — www.northofmalibu.com Top
SurfBandBill Joined: Mar 15, 2006 Posts: 1487 San Francisco	Posted on Feb 07 2008 07:31 PM I think the Verbafuzz is still out there somewhere -- I got one about two years back. It took a little detective work, but I ended up tracking down the guy who made them. I know I love mine. I am curious about the Fuzzbrite as well, but I'm happy with what I've got, and lord knows I don't need to drop more coin on more gear (at least not right now). ~B~ Top
Klas Joined: Feb 26, 2006 Posts: 2270 Stockholm, Sweden	Posted on Feb 08 2008 03:53 AM I can recommend the Fuzzbrite which clones the Ventures/Davie Allan Fuzzrite sound. image For an early to mid 60s type of fuzz sound, I use a Maestro Fuzz-Tone reissue. image — T H E ✠ S U R F I T E S Top

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