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Why do none of my other umpteen fuzzes sound like the 1966?
Posted: Sat Mar 28, 2009 1:31 am
by gururyan
Seriously, why is that? Most of my other fuzz pedals overlap each other or at least I have another pedal that sort of sounds similar. Not so with the 1966. It really does stand alone, and proud. I just spent 2 hours with all my fuzz pedals hooked up and tried different guitars, settings, etc. Nothing comes close to the 1966's tone/sound/rip.
Sure, bring on the funny statements, but really...why is that? What is it that separates the 1966 so far from all others?
The pedals I have thrown at the 1966:
- Skin Pimp MKIII
- Skin Pimp BuzzAround
- Skin Pimp FuzzBite
- Skin Pimp Samurai
- MJM London
- MJM China
- MJM BritBender
- DragonFly Fuzz Saw
- TF Huckleberry
- Earthquaker Hoof
- Sonic VI Champion Fuzz Unit
- Mad Effects DD30
- Mad Effects Cold Gin
- LRE Fuzz Sound
- vintage MXR D+
Re: Why do none of my other umpteen fuzzes sound like the 1966?
Posted: Sat Mar 28, 2009 2:15 am
by Graham
Hey Ryan - I'm afraid that I dont know many of the pedals on your list but I think I do know the old stuff and specially the various tonebender versions ~ although I am sure that other members here are better versed in some than myself ~ but trying to sensibly answer your question - I'd imagine that a big part would be that David doesn't really try to mess with or in any way improve/alter/modify/tweak or whatever the originals - I think it's pretty understandable that folks - even if only subconciously - try to put their own stamp on pedals that they have sweated over (plus a few may not have had the opportunities to actually try out some of the earlier stuff themselves) - I was never hugely interested in more recent pedals for probably the same reason that's underneath your questioning -
If you have something that is "A Classic" in the proper sense of the word then it doesn't really want any altering just maybe matching (often a tall enough order) - from what I can tell Dave has spent a hell of a large chunk of his time and effort working on these early gems and has managed to totally nail their beauty tonally - I'm not trying to be a sycophant or whatever - I'm perfectly able to criticise him where I felt it was warranted - and as I said I am in no way qualified to make any observations on the pedals you listed (or at least most of them) though I'm sure most are excellent - but I have spent an awful long time critically comparing the stuff Dave makes alongside the originals that I have been fortunate enough to pick up and he just nails them simply spot on - uncannily so in my opinion that it must be attention to detail alongside obsessive dedication to the task - ok some of the other stuff he makes are their own thing despite often having their roots in something earlier - But his 66 and Mk2's and Mk1's (for those fortunate enough to have a chance to hear or play one) are just perfect far as I'm concerned - I am particularly looking forward to seeing how the new FuzzSound holds out against the Mk3's - Every bit as well I would imagine!
Cheers - Graham
Re: Why do none of my other umpteen fuzzes sound like the 1966?
Posted: Sat Mar 28, 2009 3:34 am
by gururyan
Thanks for time that took to answer Graham. That makes a lot of sense actually, and goes to show that you really should leave perfection alone. My 1966 stands so far from the others, it really is all by itself out there...untouchable.
Re: Why do none of my other umpteen fuzzes sound like the 1966?
Posted: Sat Mar 28, 2009 4:40 pm
by cubba
Good question and a great reply from Greedy Graham.
I'd only add to it that of all the fuzzes you listed
(tho' I don't know the build-type of every one there),
none seem to have the same circuit as the '66.
Like Graham says, Dave also encapsulates what's great and classic
about the original into his '66.
That he's able to do that should not be taken for granted,
since it's easy to approximate that sound
but difficult to nail it as precisely as he does.
I will say that I just had an original "66" here to test out for the past 2 months or so.
An Italian Vox Tonebender with the SFT trannies in it.
Comparing it to my OC76-loaded '66, the similarities in sound were unbelievably close.
You could barely tell the difference between the two. The gain tone was identical.
The only differences I could tell was the low-end contour of the two
and the way in which they cleaned up.
I would have a really hard time choosing which I liked better.
The choice would be totally relevant to the combination of gtr/amp.
When my bud and fellow forumite Cado was here,
we plugged them in side-by-side and did some comparisons.
I was smitten with them both,
but leaning a little towards the Vox because of it's lower-gain sounds.
He on the other hand unequivocally preferred the '66
and in his hands I could see that he was right.
It molded to his playing perfectly and he to it.
My only regret is that I wasn't able to record the two
due to some recording problems I was having.
Re: Why do none of my other umpteen fuzzes sound like the 1966?
Posted: Sat Mar 28, 2009 5:47 pm
by Graham
Re: Why do none of my other umpteen fuzzes sound like the 1966?
Posted: Sat Mar 28, 2009 6:14 pm
by Cado
All I know is that the 1966 deserves a lot more praise. It seems to be in the shadow of the MKII. Its tone is what first comes to mind when I think fuzz! Notes fade perfectly, when rolling back the guitar's volume the tone remains consistent, it sounds great with every type of pickup (P90s sound the best) and totally has that 60s vibe! Can't beat it!
Re: Why do none of my other umpteen fuzzes sound like the 1966?
Posted: Sat Mar 28, 2009 6:22 pm
by gururyan
Cado wrote:All I know is that the 1966 deserves a lot more praise. It seems to be in the shadow of the MKII. Its tone is what first comes to mind when I think fuzz! Notes fade perfectly, when rolling back the guitar's volume the tone remains consistent, it sounds great with every type of pickup (P90s sound the best) and totally has that 60s vibe! Can't beat it!
I couldn't agree with this more.
Re: Why do none of my other umpteen fuzzes sound like the 1966?
Posted: Sat Mar 28, 2009 6:55 pm
by tatter
All other fuzzes i've played sound like they are under a blanket compared to my 66. I like how it isn't compressed at all and responds to picking etc. Perhaps it's due to the total lack of bottom end? Dunno but whatever it is i like it!
Re: Why do none of my other umpteen fuzzes sound like the 1966?
Posted: Sat Mar 28, 2009 8:43 pm
by jimi_dylan
Cado wrote:All I know is that the 1966 deserves a lot more praise. It seems to be in the shadow of the MKII. Its tone is what first comes to mind when I think fuzz! Notes fade perfectly, when rolling back the guitar's volume the tone remains consistent, it sounds great with every type of pickup (P90s sound the best) and totally has that 60s vibe! Can't beat it!
Yep. I once had a D.A.M. MKII OC75. It did not fit my tastes. I sold it. I will not sell my Ge and Si 1966 pedals. These are great for me!
Re: Why do none of my other umpteen fuzzes sound like the 1966?
Posted: Sat Mar 28, 2009 11:41 pm
by muffin man
For the last couple of week's i've had an original vox on loan and i liked it so much i just had to have one.