Differential*Audio*Manifestationz

duende · Joined: 26 Jun 2007 Posts: 122

Ok... finally took some time to play with my new toy!

This thing is KILLER!!!! Love this pedal. Sounds just like old Shin El super fuzzes you've heard on so many 60's/70'd fuzz records! In fact it is so fun to play, I think I'll give my beloved vintage Foxx some much need rest and put to this to work on my board.

Like I suspected, the octave is no where near as pronounced as on the Foxx, but it has a very cool sitar-esque quality which is really cool and quirky.

These guys did there homework. Stock the internal trimmer comes set to the Shin-ei, and if you want to dial down the octave just turn the trimmer down a bit.

But I'm keeping mine just the way it is. Love the octave and I'm having a blast nailing so many superfuzz tone melodies I've heard over the years.

If you don't have a Superfuzz... this is the one to get!

markom89 · Joined: 31 Oct 2007 Posts: 99

Sitar-esque is always good! Very Happy

"Cool beans", man.
Glad you're digging your new pedal!
I've got a '70 (cook/grey) Super Fuzz coming soon, and I can't wait.

duende · Joined: 26 Jun 2007 Posts: 122

Thanks Markom,

That's cool you're getting a '70's super fuzz. Is it a Shin-Ei or a Univox?

These things are pretty extensive circuit-wise... and probably a pain in the bacon to build. I imagine that is why there aren't any clones around. The Watson is built on a PCB, but really, I could could care less.... it sounds killer, and I don't have to spend a fortune finding "the one" like I did with my Foxx to nail those sounds I'm hearing in my head. Damm I can't tell you how many Tone Machines I tried before I found my blue furry baby. And I got raped on the price, but it had the tone. And mine is broken believe it or not...Funny enough.. my tone knob doesn't do $hite. Ha!! But it produces a sound to envy. With that said, my pal Clifton's Foxx still put's mine to shame, but I'm satisfied with what I got.

markom89 · Joined: 31 Oct 2007 Posts: 99

Thanks! I'm not sure if it's a univox or shin-ei, actually... I'll have to ask the seller. Is there a certain one that's "better" than the other? It's the one with the big "SUPERFUZZ" top plate, except the topplate from mine isn't there, and I'm getting a better deal...

Very cool on the tone machine! I've wanted to get one for YEARS, but have never seen an original for a price that I would even begin to consider- very steep, but then again... very rare. That said, I'm assuming you don't think too highly of the reissue ones? Thanks again.

Cheers,

Marko M.

slomatic · Joined: 31 Dec 2005 Posts: 576

That pedal sounds interesting for sure. I've been after an octave fuzz for ages, so when I saw a Dano French toast for Â£5 I couldn't resist. It's cheap bacon plastic and in no way road worthy, but the octave fuzz sound is really cool. It has quite a cutting trebly sound but not in a harsh way. Quite gated too, so riffs sound weird but single note stuff smokes. The straight fuzz is way, way better than I thought it would be, although it's no DAM fuzz.
I read that the French toast is a clone of the Foxx??
_________________
volume over talent

duende · Joined: 26 Jun 2007 Posts: 122

YEah the FT is a clone, and defintiely damn good for the money! It it works well in you rig, put it in a real enclosure and call it a day!

Graham · Joined: 22 Dec 2007 Posts: 509

Admitting to a guilty secret - I have got a pile of original pedals here and love them all - I have each of the main type of Shin-ei fuzzes discussed here and prefer the straight fuzz (not so keen on the octave fuzz setting of any of them) of the orange or gray rubber pedal versions to the earlier (2nd type) plain metal version - although I also love (some of) the earliest FY2 versions but they are very variable.

My secret is that I also really get into my cheap and nasty Dano DaddyO pedal - the stupid tiny knobs truly drive me potty but for a twenty quid pedal you can get some lovely sounds!!!!!!!!!!

G

cubba · Joined: 07 Jun 2007 Posts: 358

The FT is by far the best low budget way to get the octave fuzz sound,
but I'd say that the actual gain tone sounds more like distortion than fuzz to me.

Psycho*Daisies · Joined: 17 Jul 2006 Posts: 1296

markom89 · Joined: 31 Oct 2007 Posts: 99

hmmm, I'll have to look into some of the Dano pedals now.
I've heard good things about the FT before, as well as the tremolo and some other one, which I can't remember at the moment.

That said, I still am very excited for the Super Fuzz Very Happy

tatter · Joined: 01 Jun 2007 Posts: 313

The Dano chicken salad is a great budget univibe btw.
_________________
'83 Tokai Tele > DAM Red Rooster > DAM 1966 > Arion SAD-1 Analog Del > RM Voodoo Vibe > Guyatone MD-3 Digi Del > Morley Wah/Vol > 28w Matamp Combo

Jp30 · Joined: 06 Jan 2007 Posts: 750

Was looking for low budget Tremolo and Vibe. I will go with Dano. Very Happy

cubba · Joined: 07 Jun 2007 Posts: 358

Got the Watson Super Fuzz in the mail today (thank you JP!).

I think it sounds really great.
Has a lot of old-skool, familiar tones in it.

The midrange setting is pretty edgy sounding and very mid-focused.
Not a bad thing at all, just seriously cruel and aggressive.
The other setting is scooped and more like a Muff with octave.

Overall I think it's a great pedal for single lines
or for wicked sounding double-stops, or chords that ring out with a lot
of lo-fi dischord and dissonance.

All of these things are really cool if you are looking for a sound that will
jump out of the mix or sound eerie or 60's psychedelic.

If you are looking for any 'normal' fuzz that will just give your music/chords a fuzzy sound,
this may be a problem (or equally, it may be blissful).

I just mean to say that it is not a subtle effect.
While it can be beautiful,
it may also be too over the top or too much for what your fuzz needs may be.
I kinda' fall into the latter group.
I use a dedicated octave pedal that I add to my fuzz tones when I want this kind of effect,
and thus get the exact fuzz sound I want with octave in/out at my whim.

I think Watson did a great burrito and if Univox Super Fuzz is your poison,
by all means drink from the cup, these guys nailed it.

Jp30 · Joined: 06 Jan 2007 Posts: 750

Psycho*Daisies · Joined: 17 Jul 2006 Posts: 1296

I have a Mica Fuzz Wau Wau, that is basically the same circuit, i believe. It's great for shrieking buzz tones, feedback...& like cubba said, 60's psychedelia.

To me it's the sound of The Cramps, from the live album, Rockin' & Reelin in Auckland New Zealand, (first song), Hot Pearl Snatch? ...very atmospheric and heavy...Not for everyone, but I love it. The seedier side of the fuzz spectrum.

I think Poison Ivy used/uses a Superfuzz.