How to get a GREAT Tone From a Fuzz Pedal - EXPLAINED!

[@AnarchyAudio]

cheers for showcasing the baa bzz like this (and this series) FWIW back in the day, i never enjoyed fuzz until discovering the guitars vol/tone controls. havent looked back since. you are defnitely right in dialing in tones brighter too...its much easier to take away(with guitar controls) than to add something thats not there. awesome work as always. nailed it!

[@intheblues]

Hey no worries at all. It's a really spectacular fuzz. I may actually do a new demo of it since my recording gear has been upgraded a lot since the initial demo. I'll keep you posted. :-)

[@goobiedebber5059]

i love fuzz but sometimes i do get lost in a band mix. thanks for the tips.

[@ashperks2608]

It's great to see someone using and promoting Aus made gear.

[@CJ-rf9jm]

I love videos like this, real examples with really useful specifics. Something I'd suggest for another is using overdrive or distortion with single coils, how to find a good balance without it sounding weak or too much.

[@jeffkrane88]

I like your thorough and informative demos. I had a guitar teacher that had a stereo Gibson semi-hollow body and Gibson stereo amp from the early 1960's. Today there are many more stereo amps { ex: Blackstar Micro. Yamaha, etc} and pedals. I feel you are the right one to explore how to use these devices as well as what might be done with guitars to utilize proper stereo separation, etc. Thank you.

[@dalepal]

Great tips on using a fuzz pedal. I don’t use my guitar volume control that often so I’ll have to try it out to see how it works for me.

[@yeetusdeletus2023]

I just got a Little Big Muff and was trying to get away from that "bees in a can" tone when I had the sustain (gain) even a little up. This is exactly the advice I needed. Thanks!

[@russellrussell5495]

Wow! I'm so glad I found this. My new Amuzik Fuzz was unusable with my SG on max volume. Turning the guitar volume down to 50% produces an awesome sound. Thanks a million!

[@sbadali1]

Greetings from NYC! Great and timely video; I'm currently looking to get my first fuzz pedal. Big Muff Pi with Tone Wicker is in the lead for the moment. Keep up the great work

[@boxcarstewart311]

I thought my fuzz was just cheap. I tried your suggestions from this video, and the band was impressed with my new fuzz tone. Its still a cheap fuzz, but Im getting way more out of it now! These tips videos are better than demos. Preciate it, Shane.

[@Enblanko]

I so love to see a top youtube guitar player using a bandit in such beautiful fashion. It's just bold. I love mine and no one shares that opinion, if I had the balls required i'd sell my tube head and gig with some transtube amp in a heartbeat. Plus i'm a lefty too :) I'm not much of a blues guy but i enjoy your videos a lot. Thank you and keep up the great work. You educated me to really appreciate that great solid state amp.

[@itemse7en]

Best thing I ever learned over the course of developing my tone, was make use of those silly volume and tone knobs on the guitar. I use very few pedals these days and it makes playing more fun to have so many sounds available to you. Glad to see you pointing it out!

[@seagers_studio]

Great advice thanks for sharing. It might be worth mentioning to those that haven't explored it - adjusting your pickup heights can make a HUGE difference to your gain and tone structure too. Simple tweaks with a screwdriver can make a big difference, especially going into fuzz and distortion pedals

[@weareplayingunorightnow2054]

I just got a fuzz pedal today and this helped me get a much better tone. Mainly because I didn't know what I was doing and made everything full...

[@KestrelJo]

Thanks for the tip about the tone control settings on the guitar. I wasn't quite bonding with my Hoof somehow, and this has made a huge difference!

[@stevehogan8829]

Hey Shane... Just a thank you. I always check to see what you have to say about things when I'm getting opinions or information. Feels great to have an opinion I trust to add to the others.. Much appreciated buddy.

[@thisdyingsoul76]

I love this series. While I've always been able to get great tones from my dirt boxes, you tend to do things a bit different than I do. What I like doing with my Fuzz pedals too is running them into a slightly overdriven amp, the way Hendrix and many guys in the 60's and 70's did. I tend to put my pedals' volume at a slight boost and run the fuzz/gain at a low to moderate setting. Full volume on the guitar, if the settings are just right gives you that singing sustained fuzz tone, rolling back on the volume cleans right up... Especially with single coils.

[@stevenburvenich168]

It is very true and has its electronical explanation. Classic Fuzzes usually have very low input impedance. Combined with the guitar pickups it forms a filter, with a lot of mid/treble cutted out. It makes them dark which is actually good for rounding of spiky solid state distortion. But, too dark is mushy and dull. When lowering the volume you add "neutral" impedance to the guitars "dark" PU impedance as seen by the fuzz combined with taming the resulting gain. It is a trick actually built in some refurbished classical FF designs, such as the Axis face by fuzzcentral. You add gain by using high gain transistors, but add a resistive control in front of the fuzz (to tame it down). Setting the gain control of fuzzes not on max, but on 3 o'clock helps as well.

[@Driftuner]

Hey Shane, nice series of videos! Here a suggestion: i am a BIG fan and user of EQ pedals...i own one Artec 8-band pedal in the loop and a Boss GE7 in front of the amp at the same time...what i do is to use the one in the loop to modulate EQ and overall output, and the GE for dropping the guitar volume...since i dont have a Les Paul i cant use the classic "4 pot volume trick", so i use the GE in front of the amp set in a way that it drops the output of my guitar (as if i turned the volume of the guitar down), and compensate for the treble loss with the EQ sliders...works brilliantly...there are SOOOOOOO many uses for a good EQ pedal i couldnt list them all here even if i wanted to....another good way to use it is if you have a humbucker guitar with coil-splits/taps...you can use an EQ pedal to compensate for the volume drop and mid-cut that happens when you split...

[@dialysistechtipstricks8634]

Great video! I am going to put my fuzz back on the board and give this a try! I lost so much sustain and couldn't figure out why when using the fuzz hope this helps. Topic idea: making the most of transparent overdrives!

[@fdcentrella0069]

Excellent Shane! Going to try some of this when my SolidGoldFX Rosie gets here. That's my favorite fuzz because it's so Tone Bender like. Will check out the Overdrive video too. I do like my TC MojoMojo for overdrive. Thanks for all the cool videos.

[@seanalexander6310]

Nice video. Most of the time if I use a fuzz, I want nasty, in-your-face, bomb going off type fuzz. At other times, I play around with more subtle settings. A lot of fuzz pedals can be more versatile than many realize. My current fuzz love is the MXR Classic 108 mini. The buffer is awesome for wah before fuzz and also humbuckers, and it's great for lower gain settings to retain some high end.. I highly recommend that one for anyone interested in a silicone Fuzzface type of fuzz.

[@johnroberts838]

Hi Shane, Great demo, that Little Crow Guitar is just spectacular, looks ands sounds amazing, I really need to look at these Guitars!

[@cozmovox]

Thanks Shane, my Big Muff is fantastic (lying around for ten years) ! Now I understand Fuzz....

[@RolleHardrocki]

Great video! A little tips to get a Great tone, like Frank Marino in the 70s-80s is to run a Boss OD1 in to a Big Muff and full volume on both, turn gain just so hear it goes in to work, good luck🤘🎸🤘

[@pchravat]

I think this technique it’s awesome when playing very dynamic music like blues or r&b. I still cannot get use to it with my rock/alternative band, where we abruptly change the song section from low to high volume.

[@Chucksguitargeekery]

I have two different fuzz settings that I switch between on my Fuzz Face (which doesn't have a tone control): Either Vol and Gain on 10 (using the guitar knobs for variation) or just a touch of gain into a dirty amp (or distortion pedal). Both ways have different but awesome tones for different scenarios, but running it with the gain low into a dirty amp/pedal adds just a touch of fuzzy nastiness (in a good way) to an otherwise "conventional" tone, which I think helps it sit in a band mix better.

[@thisdyingsoul76]

The fuzz with gain low into a slightly overdriven amp is my preferred method too. Do you also add a slight volume boost to the fuzz so with your guitar volume up its also driving the amp a bit harder?

[@mikestipstricksreviews7178]

Thanks for the great video on fuzz settings. I've always had a love/hate relationship with fuzz...they sound amazing when other people use them! LOL. I'm using the Deep Trip BOG fuzz into a Blues Jr...based on your video I should CRANK all the tone controls?

[@ewetoo]

It's interesting how it comes back to that old way of managing tone and sustain by volume knob, it's very similar to overdrive!

[@shahinnomani]

Hey! Thanks for good material. Would be great to have an overall recommended signal arrangement for blues. Not particular to brands or pedals, more like "what do you need to have in your signal chain to cover general blues applications".

[@KTGHATS]

3:10 you signature Riff!! Love it! How’d u get so soulful,my man?.. u have a tough life as a youth or something? u are absolutely dripping of soul in this vid, love to be in a band w you, you are so awesome.

[@thecliftons4384]

Very helpful, Shane! Love your stuff!

[@landonbailey]

great video man. I made the mistake for years of having my Ac15 at the edge of breakup, and I could not get a decent tone from my Big Muff Pi. I'm going to try it out with my Bandit 112 now and your tips. thanks!

[@intheblues]

No worries man, lemme know how you go. :-)

[@DMSProduktions]

Some interesting concepts there Shane!

[@MuchachoC]

the way you express your opinions is always very friendly and encourages testing and discussion. Just passing by to say you're doing it right. also, lefty \,,/_ rock on bro :)

[@Chrismayo1981]

Shane, I run my Big Muff with the volume at 4 the tone at 1 and the gain at 9 (o'clock) I find that with my guitar volume wide open it doesn't get squished.

[@intheblues]

That particular pedal is super high gain so you might need to adjust some settings it could also be your guitar too and how the pots work. :-)

[@spark300c]

well the big muff is high negative feed back fuzz. so it distort cleaner.

[@bpdarragh]

Thats one seriously nice sound..as well as playing. That guitar is NICCCCCE!. how much much one of those set me back (London UK)

[@JasonsDigitalStuff]

Bit of a noob question here, but can I damage my fuzz pedal if my boost is in front of it? My fuzz takes on a whole different character when I hit my OD pedal in front of it, and it can sound cool. I just don't want to "overload" it with the hotter / distorted signal going into it.

[@jumpingman8160]

That fuzz sounds great.

[@intheblues]

Thanks mate, yeah it does. Anarchy Audio make some of the best pedals around. :-)

[@jumpingman8160]

I'll have to order some. Checking their homepage now.

[@KHGuitarFreak1988]

I've met John in person before, way back before he started making pedals. He's a very nice guy. Great to speak to

[@AnarchyAudio]

we are way over due for another maccas dealio catchup jim lol

[@KHGuitarFreak1988]

I've moved to Melbourne. I think I have greater chance doing any Maccas parking deals with Shano than you :p

[@Setright230]

Thanks mate, works well doing that volume on the Keeley wolf octave fuzz. Really get more from it doing as you’ve suggested. Another fine AUSSIE Video. Must get a tshirt in XXL loose fit. Next Military pension week. Up near tweed heads.

[@TheAbbe89]

Hey man. I would like to see you do a demo of Emma Elcetronics diffrent pedals. They are really well made and sounds fantastic the few i have tried. Best regards from Sweden

[@jorgea3507]

I purchased this pedal thanks to this vid! Thanks! I am new to fuzz pedals and also have a tone bendrr mk1. However i find the volume drops off during playing chords or individual notes. Ive tried just about all remedies, battieries, cords, wireless, amps, etc. Is this normal what am i doimg wromg? Could ot be just a guitar volume issue? ( cranked). Im outnof town when i watched this vid so cannot experiment till weekend. Thoughts?

[@deathmaybeyoursantaclaus]

I like this because it addresses a very specific problem.

[@dixon9]

How about a delay pedal use? Use for general lead I mean rather than spacey a la Gilmour....

[@ai4nlp]

Hi shane! When will you upload KTR vs Tumnus video? I am really looking forward! *-*

[@intheblues]

It's scheduled for tomorrow morning my time. :-)

[@El_Maycol]

I just got a nano muff after using it on band practice volume and tone wise I noticed what you just explained in this video, gonna try it next rehearsal with these settings and hopefully see a big difference in tone and volume, interested to see what happens when I add my wampler euphoria to the mix, what do you prefer, tubescreamer/OD before or after fuzz?

[@benchan32]

Hey big guy, lovin your videos! Helped me heaps with my tone (even though I'm an acoustic player) where can I get a little crow that guitar is amazing!!!

[@intheblues]

You can check the guitars out here - www.littlecrowguitars.com

[@the_nondrive_side]

If you have a humbucker and use fuzz. Do yourself a favour and Series-Parallel switch it.. Parallel coils really make a humbucker work so much more open than series and makes the often Bass heavy muddy tones completely usable and even more brutal full out.. I still have a second amp for a wet beside a Bandit.. And I use the wet with its distortion channels. CRATE GT212 and a Fuzz Face. I am constantly using the volume but rarely anything else

[@sucidesilence6428]

Plz guide me how to set these effects in nux mg 100 ..

[@nietzsche688]

Could you make a "How to get great tone from a Big Muff"?

[@fuzzyduckeffects9572]

A little tip is your volume control, its basically a tone suck unless its maxed out due to impedance/resistance of the signal. Unless its buffered. Never underestimate the value of a buffer!

[@Adrian-ox7xk]

Great video mate. But for me Fuzz is supposed to be crazy, all my fuzz pedals are set all dials maxed out, thats why we love them, that gnarly fuzzed out wall of sound.

[@dominicmcmahon4798]

Exactly. You get it man.

[@JamesJohnson-hb1me]

Wow, great video! Thank you very much!

[@intheblues]

You're welcome, thanks for the feedback :-)

[@maham593]

Great lesson, thanks

[@franciscusrico6112]

Shane could you help me out? I am always breaking my high e string. I am a les paul player using Elixir 10-46 tuned to E standard and I do normal (whole step max) bends on my treble strings. I've got my guitar all set up at my local luthier so action intonation etc. are spot on. The strings are always breaking at the tailpiece of the les paul. Any ideas? Thanks m8

[@TheHudson]

Another great video, Shane! I absolutely agree that opening up the tone is definitely the way to "unlock" your favorite fuzz. Night and day difference in tone/note differentiation!

[@sionnachs_workshop]

Great tip

[@sagecarter2368]

My Friedman Fuzz Fiend doesn’t have a tone knob but it has an eq...what do?

[@joedirt3563]

If i recall the tone knob just sweeps through a certain frequency range (mid) if i recall 1000k? Anyways you can use the eq on the guitar to act as the "tone" knob.

[@bottleneck1100]

SHANE!!! please do a ''top 5 fuzzes under a hundred bucks'' :)

[@lolobuggah2670]

nice tips man! i hope you get that blowers cramp cured!

[@ILGAROD]

I generally drown my fuzzez on delay. I'm in heavens. can't use fuzz without "enough" delay....

[@wlliamson53]

So I bought this Pro Fuzz from GFS. What settings do you recommend?

[@intheblues]

Whatever settings give you the sound you like is the right way. This should act as a guide though to how to try it if you're not enjoying it.

[@wlliamson53]

intheblues sometimes it depends in the amp. I got a Fender Mustang III and A Bugera v55

[@6166rpm]

Finally maybe a lefty who can teach this lefty

[@anejo333]

Why do fuzz pedals sound so good single coil and not as much on humbuckers? If i roll the volume on a humbucker back it does not sound as good as a single coil?

[@_Ike]

Man, you could really rip out some thickfreakness

[@franciscusrico6112]

Nice thumbnail face m8 :D

[@ThelurkingScottsman]

Dude, you play like a bastard! Well done

[@paqman78]

Never understood the fascination with fuzz pedals. Play full or power chords and they sound like the speakers are about to blow.

[@lolobuggah2670]

FacePalm fuzz pedals were the original distortion pedal. players who want to achieve tones of Hendrix, Gilmour, Santana, Page to name a few love fuzz. There's a certain organic quality to fuzz. Also there's a pleasant sounding pick attack on certain fuzz pedals which i believe is very important and a big part of your tone.

[@FACEGRINDproductions]

You may have answered part of your own question d:

[@msnexus23]

I like your videos Shane, I really do. But please stop making funny faces on thumbnails and using emojis. It is really degrading and makes your excellent and professionally produced videos look like a Minecraft Let's play made by a 14 year old to anyone who is unfamiliar with your channel. I don't mean to insult you or anything, just want to give constructive criticism.

[@msnexus23]

Oh, and to suggest a topic for a new video: I'd love to see one on compressors. I have a Fender Mustang and the built-in compressor has many confusing options, so I always resort to using the Simple Comp. Thanks for making all these videos, you are one of my favorite guitarists on KZbin :)

[@intheblues]

haha no worries, cheers ;-)

[@intheblues]

Compression video - no problems :-)

[@jackking6417]

you take too long to begin your actual video.

[@intheblues]

+Jack King really? It’s worth explaining to people that don’t know everything 👍 try using the slider at the bottom to scrub past or just watch something else

[@Purplexi]

A solid state amp? Bye