The Best Bass Fuzz Pedal
The best bass fuzz pedal tones can be used to create a variety of different effects, ranging from subtle overdrive to full-on metal distortion.
Bass fuzz pedals are a type of effects pedal designed to add distortion and fuzz to the signal of an electric bass guitar. Bass fuzz pedals are commonly used by bass players in rock and metal genres to create a thick, distorted, and "fuzzy" sound. While true bypass fuzz pedals can be used with any type of electric guitar, they are most commonly used with bass guitars due to the lower frequencies involved in making a "fuzzy" sound.
There are many different types of bass fuzz pedals available on the market, each with its own unique set of pedal features and tones. The most important factor to consider when choosing fuzz pedals is what kind of sound you are trying to achieve.
Are you looking for a gritty, overdriven sound? A thundering sub octave effect? Or are you going for a more mellow, fuzzy tone? Once you've decided on the type of unique sound you're after, you can narrow down your choices by considering factors such as build quality, price, and features.
MXR M84 Bass Fuzz Deluxe
Why it Rocks
The MXR M84 Bass Fuzz Deluxe is a pedal that is designed to give bassists a cutting and bold fuzz tone without sacrificing the punch and clarity of their original signal. One of the most crucial pedal features is its tonal preservation — unlike some bass pedals designed initially for guitar, the M84 Bass Fuzz maintains the core of your bass’s sound at any setting.
In addition, the pedal has a wide range of fuzz tones, from classic to modern, that can be dialed in to suit your playing style. If you’re looking for a pedal that can give you a wide range of fuzz tones without sacrificing the clarity of your signal, the MXR M84 Bass Fuzz Deluxe is an ideal choice.
What Else
When it comes to getting the perfect sound, separate dry and wet level controls are a must. With these controls, you can fine-tune the amount of saturation and low end in your sound. These bass fuzz pedals feature true bypass, making it easy to dial in your sound.
Additionally, the simple controls for Tone and Fuzz make it easy to get the perfect sound every time. And with two powering options (batteries and an adapter), you can be sure you'll always have enough power to get the job done. So if you're looking for the perfect sound, be sure to check out one of the top bass pedals available.
MXR M287 Sub Octave Bass Fuzz
Why it Rocks
With two separate fuzz flavors and a growling sub octave effect, this sub octave bass fuzz pedal is perfect for bass guitars wanting everything from subtle crunch to enormous sustain.
The pedal features separate Dry volume control, ensuring that your low end stays clean and defined, even when the fuzz is cranked up, while the Bass and Treble controls allow you to fine-tune your sound. And when you need an extra boost of power, the Mid Level control allows you to boost your clean midrange signal to cut through the mix.
So whether you're looking for gentle breakup or full-on annihilation in a fuzz pedal, the MXR M287 Sub Octave Bass Fuzz has you covered.
What Else
This beauty from MXR is a stompbox designed to deliver huge, subterranean bass tones. The MXR M287 Sub Octave Bass Fuzz features a Growl section for bass enhancement, as well as a long-forgotten fuzz circuit. With three separate output level controls for the fuzz, sub octave effect, and dry signals, you can create your own recipe of subterranean tones without sacrificing any of your instrument’s natural sound.
Further versatility comes in the form of the fuzz section’s tone controls and two switchable voices—warm and compressed or bright and aggressive—along with the Mid Level control, which allows you to give your dry signal some more punch in the midrange.
Whether you’re looking to add some low-end growl to your sound (including that room-shaking sub octave effect) or want to create an all-out assault of fuzzed-out bass tones, you can't go wrong with the MXR M287 Sub Octave Bass Fuzz Pedals.
EarthQuaker Devices Hoof V2 Fuzz Pedal
Why it Rocks
EarthQuaker Devices' Hoof V2 germanium/silicon pedal is a hybrid of germanium and silicon transistors that delivers beautiful, organic-sounding fuzz. This combination provides you with the best of fuzz and overdrive in a single pedal, complete with smooth and rich sustain as well as a vintage sound.
Boosting and shaping your sound is easily achieved with the Hoof's Tone and Shift fuzz knobs, and true bypass operation preserves your tone when the pedal is disengaged. EarthQuaker's silent soft switches do a significantly better job than standard switches at minimizing mechanical noises. Overall, the Hoof V2 is an excellent choice for bass players looking for a versatile pedal that can cover a wide range of sounds.
What Else
The combination of germanium and silicon circuitry, and germanium transistors, results in a true bypass sound quality that is a perfect blend of fuzz and overdrive. The pedal features Shift and Tone pots that allow for additional tone shaping, resulting in a surprisingly versatile pedal, all housed in a high quality build.
Electro-Harmonix Bass Big Muff Distortion Pedal
Why it Rocks
The Electro-Harmonix Bass Big Muff Pi returns with all the multi-dimensional, heavy fuzz bass tones that made it a legend. Now in a compact design that fits perfectly on any pedal board, the Bass Big Muff Pi pedal features truly classic Big Muff sound quality with deeper lows and smoother highs.
The volume, tone and sustain controls have been custom calibrated for bass guitar to give you even more control over your sound. Whether you're looking for massive sustain or gentle fuzz, the Bass Big Muff Pi gives you the power to create the perfect sound for any situation. With its legendary status and new features, the Bass Big Muff Pi is sure to be a staple of any bass player's arsenal.
What Else
The volume knob sets the output level of the distortion, while the toggle switch is used to choose between three different sounds: Bass Boost (where a bass frequency boost is added to the distortion), Norm (featuring the pure tone of the classic Big Muff Pi), and Dry mode (the original dry signal mixed with the distortion circuit output). The Dry level is constant and won't change as the Volume knob is turned up or down, retaining that legendary Big Muff tone.
Source Audio One Series Aftershock Bass
Why it Rocks
The four knobs on the Aftershock allow you to create a wide range of sounds, from subtle overdrive to heavy fuzz.
The Drive knob controls the amount of distortion, while the Level knob determines how loud the effect is. The Tone knob changes the EQ of the effect, and the Clean knob allows you to blend your clean signal with the affected signal. With these four simple controls, run through the 3 overdrive engines present (Tube, Heavy, and Fuzz), you can create a wide range of tones to suit any musical style, from a classic tube sound to a modern fuzz.
What Else
The Aftershock is fully compatible with the free Neuro Desktop Editor and Mobile App, giving you instant access to EQ and stereo routing options as well as a free library featuring dozens of presets downloadable directly to the pedal. Speaking of presets, the Aftershock can save up to 128 different presets when paired with the Neuro Hub — all of the distortions you desire can be found in a single pedal!
The Neuro Desktop Editor also provides an easy way to load custom impulse responses (IRs) into the Aftershock, giving you even more tonal options. And with the ability to store four different IRs at once, you can quickly switch between them with a single button press. Whether you're looking for classic tube distortion or modern high-gain sounds, the Aftershock has you covered.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best bass fuzz pedals?
There is no single "best" bass fuzz pedal on the market, as the best pedal for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences. However, some of the best fuzz pedals available today include the MXR M84 Bass Fuzz Deluxe, the MXR Sub Octave Bass Fuzz, the EarthQuaker Devices Hoof V2 Germanium Silicon Fuzz Pedal, the Electro-Harmonix Bass Big Muff, and the Source Audio One Series Aftershock Bass Distortion. These bass distortion and fuzz pedals are all great choices for different reasons, and are appropriate for different bass players.
What does a fuzz tone sound like?
A fuzz tone is a type of distortion effect that alters the sound of your electric guitar by adding a "fuzz" effect. This effect is created by clipping the signal from the guitar and then filtering it to create a more distorted sound. The best bass fuzz tones can be used to create a variety of different effects, ranging from subtle overdrive to full-on metal distortion.
Most fuzz pedals are based on the same circuit, which uses two transistors in series to clip or chop off the peaks of the guitar signal. The resulting sound is then filtered to remove all of the higher frequencies, leaving only the midrange and lows. This produces a thick, compressed tone that is perfect for rock and blues music.
Is fuzz better than distortion?
There's no definitive answer to this question, as it depends on your own preferences and what type of music you're playing. Fuzz is a type of distortion that can create a warmer, more vintage sound, while distortion can be used to create a harsher, more modern tone. Experiment with both types of pedals and see which one you prefer.
Do I need fuzz and distortion?
There's no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the type of fuzz and distortion you need depends on the style of music you play.
However, in general, fuzz and distortion can add some much-needed punch and power to your sound, and can be a great way to achieve a more aggressive or heavier tone.
So if you're looking to add some grit and grime to your music, then fuzz and distortion may be just what you need. Just be sure to experiment with different types and brands until you find the ones that work best for you.
How do you play bass fuzz?
Bass players can achieve this by using an effect pedal or a software application.
An effect pedal can be used to achieve bass fuzz by adding a distortion or overdrive to the signal. There are also pedals that are specifically designed to produce bass fuzz tones.
Software applications can also be used to create bass fuzz tones by adjusting the tone, distortion, and other effects parameters.
How do you get a good distorted bass tone?
There’s no one “right” way to get a good distorted bass tone, as it will largely depend on the type of sound you’re going for and the response of your particular bass. However, there are a few tips that can help you produce a great distorted bass tone in general.
First, make sure your instrument is properly set up and intonated. A poorly setup bass will never sound its best, no matter how much distortion you add!
Second, experiment with using different pickups – neck pickups tend to provide a thicker, more saturated distortion sound while bridge pickups can be brighter and punchier.
Finally, play around with your amp settings until you find something that works for you.
Can I use guitar distortion on bass?
Yes - bass players can use guitar distortion on bass, but you should be careful not to overdo it. Bass is already a very powerful instrument, and if you add too much distortion, it can easily overpower the other instruments in the mix.
We would recommend starting with a low amount of distortion and increasing it gradually until you find the right balance. And always keep in mind that less is more - you don't want the distortion to drown out the natural sound of your bass. experiment with different settings until you find something that works for you
Is overdrive the same as distortion?
Overdrive and distortion pedals both create the extended sustain needed for electric guitars to create feedback and other excessively loud sounds. Overdrive pedals are designed to mimic the sound of a tube being pushed to its limits, while distortion pedals add additional gain and potential fuzziness to the signal. While overdrive is generally considered a smoother, warmer sounding effect, distortion can be more aggressive and harsh. Ultimately, it’s up to the player to decide which type of sound they’re going for. In many cases, a combination of both overdrive and distortion will be used to achieve the desired result.
How do you overdrive bass?
There are a few different ways to overdrive bass guitars:
Option #1: use an overdrive pedal specifically designed for bass; these are often stackable so you can use multiple pedals at once for a fuller sound.
Option #2: run your bass through a guitar overdrive pedal; this will give your bass a harsher, distorted sound.
Option #3: if you have an amplifier with an overdrive or distortion channel, you can use that to overdrive your bass signal. Just be careful not to turn the drive up too high, as this can damage your speakers.
Some techniques to get different sounds out of your overdriven bass include:
1 - playing with the level of drive; lower settings will give you a grungy, approximation of the sound of an overdriven tube amp while higher settings will give you a more distorted, "fuzzy" sound
2 - playing with the EQ; adjusting the highs, mids, and lows will change the overall character of your bass sound
3 - adjusting the attack; a faster attack will make your notes "cut through" the mix more while a slower attack will make them sound more "mushy"
As always, experiment with different settings until you find something that works for you. And don't be afraid to push the boundaries - overdriven bass can be a very powerful tool in your musical arsenal!
Should fuzz go in my effects loop?
There are a few things to consider when making the decision to put your fuzz pedal in the effects loop or in front of your amp.
First, you'll want to think about what kind of fuzz tone you're going for. If you're looking for a more sinister, darker sound, then placing the fuzz in the effects loop may be the way to go. This will allow the natural distortion of your amp to blend with the pedal's fuzz, producing a unique tone.
On the other hand, if you're going for a brighter, lo-fi sound, then it's best to place the fuzz in front of your amp. By doing this, you'll be driving your amp harder with the pedal's distortion, resulting in a more aggressive sound.
Finally, you'll also want to consider the type of amp you're using. If you have a tube amp, then putting the fuzz in the effects loop may be the best option, as this will allow you to take advantage of the amp's natural distortion.
However, if you're using a solid state amp, then placing the fuzz in front of the amp will give you a more consistent sound.
You'll also want to consider whether the fuzz pedals you're using are true bypass, and how much of the dry instrument sound quality you want to retain, clear of effects. Ultimately, it's up to you to experiment with different placements and see what sounds best for your setup. There is no right or wrong answer - it's all about finding what works best for you.
Who invented the fuzz bass?
There are a few different origin stories, but the most commonly cited one is that it was invented by Guitarist Mike Walls in 1966.
Walls was a member of the garage rock band The Golliwogs, who later became Creedence Clearwater Revival. Reportedly, he experimented with different ways to make his bass guitars sound "fuzzier", and eventually settled on using a small transistor amplifier which he bought from a local electronics store. This gave his bass guitars a distinctive distortion sound which would become known as "fuzz".
Other musicians soon began experimenting with similar set-ups, and the fuzz bass sound became ubiquitous in rock and roll throughout the late 1960s and 1970s. Today, fuzz bass is still a popular sound, and there are many different pedals and amps available to help you achieve it. So go out and experiment - who knows, maybe you'll be the one to invent the next big thing in bass fuzz!
Fuzz pedals are a great way to add some extra grit and character to your bass sound quality. By running your signal through a distortion pedal or amp, you can create a wide range of unique tones. And best of all, it's easy to get started - all you need is a fuzz pedal and an amplifier.
Conclusion
As you can see, there is a lot that goes into determining the best bass fuzz pedals, so we've summarized our picks below:
Best Overall: MXR M84 Bass Fuzz Deluxe
Best for Power: MXR M287 Sub Octave Bass Fuzz Pedal
Best for the Money : EarthQuaker Devices Hoof V2 Fuzz Pedal
Best for Iconic Fuzz Tones: Electro-Harmonix Bass Big Muff
Best for Versatility : Source Audio One Series Aftershock
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