Fuzz box

Michael Breid · Post by **Michael Breid** » 14 Jul 2005 10:04 am

I'm playing a Mullen D-10 through a Peavey Nashville 400 amp and sometimes I need a distortion sound. Anybody out there got some ideas on a good distortion unit to buy? I know BossTones are supposed to be the best, but they aren't made anymore. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks-

Michael

Larry Robbins · Post by **Larry Robbins** » 14 Jul 2005 11:09 am

Michael,
I like the VooDoo labs SuperFuzz and a lot of guys like the SparkelDrive.

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SHO~BUDS, Steelkings,
Fender guitars,
Hilton pedals, Preston
covers, and Taylor(Tut, that is)Resos.

Still Country after all these years....

[This message was edited by Larry Robbins on 14 July 2005 at 12:11 PM.]

Darvin Willhoite · Post by **Darvin Willhoite** » 14 Jul 2005 2:50 pm

I use a Tubeworks tube driver that I like really well. BTW, I have a Bosstone that I no longer use that I would sell. The stompbox design is easier for me to use.

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Darvin Willhoite
Riva Ridge Recording

Leslie Ehrlich · Post by **Leslie Ehrlich** » 14 Jul 2005 3:01 pm

Try out as many different distortion devices as you can find. The best sounding units are those that produce a fat and smooth overdriven sound. The worst ones are thin and buzzy sounding, and a thin buzzy distortion sounds absolutely horrendous with steel.

Jim Sliff · Post by **Jim Sliff** » 14 Jul 2005 3:19 pm

The most versatile "fuzz" is the ZVex Fuzz Factory, but it has a "learning curve". Complicated, but well worth the effort and cost. But most Fuzz units tend to sound like a bucket 'o drunken bees. I'd stay with the Fuzz Factory if you want "fuzz" or look more towards "distortion" units - manufacturers tend to use that term on fatter-sounding units - if you really want "distortion". The Dyna Red is one of my favorites.[This message was edited by Jim Sliff on 14 July 2005 at 04:21 PM.][This message was edited by Jim Sliff on 14 July 2005 at 04:21 PM.]

Stu Schulman · Post by **Stu Schulman** » 14 Jul 2005 8:03 pm

Michael:Try the DOD Flashback Fuzz,It's $40.00 and great.

Tore Blestrud · Post by **Tore Blestrud** » 14 Jul 2005 9:55 pm

Expencive solution, but check out the POD XT, works geat plugged into the poweramp in, and has many great effects. The MATCHLESS simulations work great on steel. It's totally noiseless.

John Daugherty · Post by **John Daugherty** » 15 Jul 2005 4:24 am

UH OH, Mike has crossed the line to "ROCK STAR". Better watch that Mike. Next thing we know, you're gonna have orange hair,eye shadow and no shirt........ JD

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 15 Jul 2005 6:20 am

Goodrich makes a unit that clips to your guitar's leg that has fuzz in addition to match box.
Erv

John De Maille · Post by **John De Maille** » 15 Jul 2005 7:38 am

I've been using Goodriches' "Steel Driver 2 ". It clamps on to the leg of the steel. It has a switch, which, changes it from a pre-amp to a distortion (Fuzz) box. When switched to pre-amp, it has two controls, one for tone and another for volume. When switched to fuzz, it has two controls, one for volume and another for attack. It's an older unit, but, works quite well. It also uses "2" 9 volt batteries.

Dave Grafe · Post by **Dave Grafe** » 15 Jul 2005 11:15 am

The old faithful "Tube Screamer" stomp-box is well worth checking out if you can find one.

Glenn Suchan · Post by **Glenn Suchan** » 15 Jul 2005 12:05 pm

I have a Jordan Electronics "Bosstone" that I really like. However, since they are getting harder and harder to find I might suggest this:
http://www.gizmodo.com/gadgets/gadgets/musical-instruments/tx2-buttprobe-110889.php

Keep on pickin'!
Glenn

kbdrost · Post by **kbdrost** » 15 Jul 2005 6:36 pm

Check out the Digitech DF-7 Distortion Factory pedal. It has excellent modelings of the TS9 Tube Screamer, the Pro Co Rat and the Big Muff Pi, among others. It has infinitely adjustable EQ, including a mid-range control like the Peavy Nashville series, and anybody who knows anything will tell you that the secret to good distortion/sustain is good EQ. The downside is that there are not multiple, programable adjustments, so you have to be satisfied with one setting for the entire night if you're playing live, but that is not an issue in your music room and I've never found it to be an issue on stage.

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Ken Drost
steelcrazy after all these years