JONPAUL wrote:

I am excited by this new Catalinbread version of the Fuzzrite, however I need to correct whomever it was who wrote the ad-copy in the link given here wherein it states that The Ventures used the FuzzRite in '62 on "2000 lb Bee". The Ventures did NOT use the FuzzRite on "2000 lb Bee". It is well documented that the fuzz box used on that track was made by Red Rhodes (the famous pedal steel guitarist). The FuzzRite was developed and went into production some years later - in late '66 or early '67. On the other hand, Nokie Edwards has been quoted as saying that he believes the FuzzRite used the Red Rhodes design. An actual comparison confirming this has not been made. The Ventures did use the FuzzRite extensively on their "Wild Things" album. -Marty

"Hello Girls!"

Thanks for the hint!

The Hicadoolas

imafunkyman wrote:

Tavo, I must admit that I'm trying to decide between the Merkin and your Seltzerado. I like them both, but there can be only one!

I think the merkin is versatile, but it never really gets to that authentic point. It cant because its a mass production item (as far as boutique small companies, they have high volume orders). It is however built very well using good quality components and constructed for durability.. Maybe thats best in some cases. I'm gonna say I was more impressed with my Mojohand than I was with my Merkin. I guess I'm gonna have to shell out the $150 for this fuzzrite out of curiosity to compare it to the merkin despite their ludicrous hyperbole of it being the only box deserving the name Fuzzrite.

http://www.thenocturnebrain.com
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Hi Friends,

I don't usually check in here, but a google search brought me to this link. I gotta chime in on this one.

1) Most of the opinions n this thread seem to be based on the circuit design/components, and not on how the thing sounds! What is up with that?

2) One person here said it sounded good, but compared to what? The reason I ask, is that I have four old Mosrite Fuzzrites, and have had two others that I gave away to friends in the past. I can tell you unequivocally they all sound slightly different. Different only to the fuzz geek, but different nonetheless. I would bet, based on my experience w Catalinbread pedals that it probably sounds pretty darn authentic. Authentic enough at any rate. Their Topanga and Echorec products are certainly authentic enough.

3) $150 seems very reasonable for a product with a warranty, and from a reputable company with a good track record vs some nerd building a box in his room. Also consider that resale vale will be higher.

4) I saw the Red Rhodes box at Nokies house, and he did confirm to me that he used it on 2000 lb bee. But I have also learned to take things like that from old music guys with a grain of salt. I have a pic of that RR box somewhere.

Anyway, all I am saying is use your ears to evaluate, not your brain. It'l make you happier!
Mel

Last edited: Sep 19, 2015 20:46:09

I respect the hell outta Catalinbread. They make a lot of great pedals and generally put in a lot of design and tweaking time to make them special (and worth their price tag) but I don't see what you can do to a Fuzzrite to make it worth $150.

I got nostaglic one day, listened to In A Gadda Da Vida in the car, and decided to build a Fuzzrite. The circuit is so simple I just did my own layout on a scrap of Radio Shack prototyping board. I housed it in a black-crinkle Hammond box I had lying around, and topped it with some old knobs I saved off an old Heathkit oscilloscope after it exploded. Here it is with its sister Triangle Muff, built at the same time.

Not long ago, I wanted the Fuzzrite on my main pedalboard, but only had space for a single MXR-sized box. So... what the heck, just build another. They're that simple. For this one, I used a published perfboard layout, splurged and bought the perf-trace-cutting tool.

They both sound like Fuzzrites to me. They have that clicky-attack thing going on for sure. Did I say the Fuzzrite is simple?

So, all due respect to Catalinbread, but I'll stick with my cheapies.

Last edited: Sep 20, 2015 11:22:32

I have one and like it, but I'm not using it much. It is fun to noodle around with though. I need to write some songs that feature it or just sell it. I haven't owned any other Fuzzrite style pedals in the past though. Just lots of experience with modded Big Muff, Fuzz Face and Superfuzz style pedals and never for anything surf related.

Hmmm... I wonder if there's any difference in this latest incarnation form Catalinbread or if they just added Mark Moseley's name on the case?

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

I found the last demo very frustrating. Stop tweaking those knobs ! They should get an A/B box or something, or ask another guy to do the switching.

MelPhantomSurfers wrote:

Hi Friends,

I don't usually check in here, but a google search brought me to this link. I gotta chime in on this one...

4) I saw the Red Rhodes box at Nokies house, and he did confirm to me that he used it on 2000 lb bee. But I have also learned to take things like that from old music guys with a grain of salt. I have a pic of that RR box somewhere.

Anyway, all I am saying is use your ears to evaluate, not your brain. It'l make you happier!
Mel

That's purdy cool! I didn't know the Red Rhodes fuzz device still existed. I am also one to take stories from the old greats with a good dose of skepticism. However, Nokie's 2000 lb Bee recollection that it wasn't recorded with a Fuzzrite is well triangulated with other notes: 2000 lb Bee was released so much earlier (1962 I think) than the commercial appearance of the Fuzzrite (4 or 5 years later). The story of Red Rhodes constructing the fuzz device has been around since early Ventures fanclub letters, i.e. it's not just a recent Nokie story. When Mark Moseley in the Catalinbread clip says the Fuzzrite is used on 2000 lb Bee, my skepticism kicks in again with respect to his true knowledge on the subject. However, I can say 2000 lb Bee sounds just like the Fuzzrite even if it couldn't be a production unit.

"Hello Girls!"

Last edited: Oct 19, 2016 15:53:09