• Registered: 2012-12-08
  • Posts: 2

Topic: BONAMASSA FUZZ question!

Hey everybody! I'm planning to buy a new Fuzz Face, i've heard some dunlop demos of Joe's Fuzz Face and i liked it very much, but here's the thing: I FREAKIN' LOVE JIMI HENDRIX, i love that sound, and i was wondering if Joe's Fuzz will gimme that through a slightly overdriven tube marshall or if I need to go with the Hendrix Fuzz.

Some of you might say: This is an stupid question, if you love Hendrix, go for Hendrix, but i really enjoy the high end of the germanium transistors in the Bonamassa, by the way, i'm not searching for the late Hendrix over-the-top-fuzz-madness, I'm searching more of his '67 tone, Are you experienced and Axis: Bold as love.

I hope you can give me some opinions! Thank you!

  • From: East Lancashire, UK
  • Registered: 2011-06-24
  • Posts: 3,019

Re: BONAMASSA FUZZ question!

I can't help but welcome to the forum anyway. big_smile

Come on the Blades (sorry Idolbone just had to borrow your line)
  • From: Orlando, FL
  • Registered: 2010-04-15
  • Posts: 1,374

Re: BONAMASSA FUZZ question!

There's a good youtube demo out there that compares a stock fuzzface, a JB sig, an Eric Johnson sig, and a Hendrix sig.  It's pretty well done - you can definitely hear the difference between them and figure out what you like.  I've watched that a bunch of times as I'm shopping for the right fuzz myself.  Search youtube for "fuzz shootout" or "fuzz comparison" or something like that.

I like the tone of fuzz faces (for my tastes I'd probably go with the Hendrix or stock), but I don't like that there's no 9v adapter - I'd have to drill a hole to run it via my Pedal Power and buy the batter adapter cable.  Not a big deal, the cable is cheap and I have a drill smile, but still kind of a PITA.

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4 Reply by cindyron (edited by cindyron 2012-12-08 12:59:28)

  • From: New Hampshire, USA
  • Registered: 2010-12-21
  • Posts: 3,650

Re: BONAMASSA FUZZ question!

The JB Fuzz face is a better match for the Les Paul, where the EJ Fuzz, Hendix or the old classic 60's fuzz face tend to be more geared to Strats. Keep in mind back in the day when they made fuzz faces no one was alike. The transistors they used varied not only in type but the tolerance was not tight so you could have ten in front of you and not one would sound alike.
So in general for me the JB Fuzz face is a LP fuzz where the EJ or Hendrix fuzz is a Strat fuzz. I had a mid 60's late 60's red fuzz face that now Joe owns. It really loved strats. But in the Joe's hands I am sure it is good on anything.
cheers Ron

"Joe B saved my soul, forever grateful Ron"
"Some people dream of worthy accomplishments while others stay awake and do them"
Skinner #1,JBLP 145(aged),252, (unaged),#285HM, Bburst #026, Joes 052 BCC black LP, Strat> RT,EC Gilmour,Beck,Lenny LP> PK 83,CC#2,3,4,9,Amps>Carol Ann RAH JB-100 SN 001,JB100 Red SN02,OD2, OD3,Tucana 2&3 Triptix,Twinkle land, Plexi ,JB Jub, Jubs,Plexi,Satch,Two Rock>others

5 Reply by Jimi75 (edited by Jimi75 2012-12-08 12:35:07)

  • From: Germany
  • Registered: 2006-05-31
  • Posts: 489

Re: BONAMASSA FUZZ question!

The main difference is that the JB Fuzz is a Germanium Fuzz and the JH is a silicone Fuzz. The Germanium sounds smoother, more like an overdrive, whereas the silicone sound fuzzier, but cleans up extremely nice. Jimi's Fuzz on the Band Of Gypsies Album was a silicone Fuzz, earlier he used a germanium ( first album for example). A silicone Fuzz needs an already breaking up amp to sound great. I play a Roger Mayer Axis Fuzz through my JTM 45 and push it with a TS9 - getting Hendrix Töne easily with that combination. The Axis Fuzz has a silicone capacitor. Here's a video demo I did of it, maybe it helps you making a decision:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AiBryNt5 … ata_player

Silicone fuzzes do not really like humbuckers...so not perfect for JB sounds - just my 2 cents...

Jimi75's Website

  • rpic
  • Titanium
  • Offline
  • From: Sonoma, Ca.
  • Registered: 2006-08-16
  • Posts: 852

Re: BONAMASSA FUZZ question!

Check this out. Might help.

http://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/ … -567750#!1

  • From: over yonder....in PA
  • Registered: 2009-02-09
  • Posts: 240

Re: BONAMASSA FUZZ question!

I use the Hendrix Fuzz Face and it covers a lot of territories. I can get the EJ sound or the Bold as Love as well as Band of Gypsies tone. I also have a 1980's Dallas Arbiter Germanium that sounds great, but I like the Silicone sound better.

"The way I like to look at it is....if that's the last time I ever got to play, I'd better give it everything I've got." -SRV
  • From: New Hampshire, USA
  • Registered: 2010-12-21
  • Posts: 3,650

Re: BONAMASSA FUZZ question!

Jimi75 wrote:

The main difference is that the JB Fuzz is a Germanium Fuzz and the JH is a silicone Fuzz. The Germanium sounds smoother, more like an overdrive, whereas the silicone sound fuzzier, but cleans up extremely nice. Jimi's Fuzz on the Band Of Gypsies Album was a silicone Fuzz, earlier he used a germanium ( first album for example). A silicone Fuzz needs an already breaking up amp to sound great. I play a Roger Mayer Axis Fuzz through my JTM 45 and push it with a TS9 - getting Hendrix Töne easily with that combination. The Axis Fuzz has a silicone capacitor. Here's a video demo I did of it, maybe it helps you making a decision:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AiBryNt5 … ata_player

Silicone fuzzes do not really like humbuckers...so not perfect for JB sounds - just my 2 cents...

Yes correct the difference is in the type of transistors (not capacitors), silicone or germanium.
Thanks for adding the details I did not want to make my response long we are saying the same thing. As I mentioned even the same type of Fuzz face weather it is has Germanium or Silicon I have never had two of the same type that sound the same. It is funny the circuit is very simple but has had such a larger influence on the tone over the years.
rock on
Ron

"Joe B saved my soul, forever grateful Ron"
"Some people dream of worthy accomplishments while others stay awake and do them"
Skinner #1,JBLP 145(aged),252, (unaged),#285HM, Bburst #026, Joes 052 BCC black LP, Strat> RT,EC Gilmour,Beck,Lenny LP> PK 83,CC#2,3,4,9,Amps>Carol Ann RAH JB-100 SN 001,JB100 Red SN02,OD2, OD3,Tucana 2&3 Triptix,Twinkle land, Plexi ,JB Jub, Jubs,Plexi,Satch,Two Rock>others
  • Registered: 2012-12-08
  • Posts: 2

Re: BONAMASSA FUZZ question!

Thank you all guys! I think i might go with the JB, I think i'll like the germanium more than the silicon, but here's my last doubt: You said that it is a Les Paul Fuzz, does that mean that it won't sound as good with a strat?

ZeyerGTR I watched that video many times, if I had to decide from that video, I would choose the Bonamassa, but i've seen other videos where the pedal just doesn't sound that heavy, that's why I asked! Thanks tho!

I'm sorry if I'm not writing well, I'm not english.

  • From: Was NY now FL/GA line
  • Registered: 2007-12-16
  • Posts: 2,857

Re: BONAMASSA FUZZ question!

simmecr66 wrote:

Hey everybody! I'm planning to buy a new Fuzz Face, i've heard some dunlop demos of Joe's Fuzz Face and i liked it very much, but here's the thing: I FREAKIN' LOVE JIMI HENDRIX, i love that sound, and i was wondering if Joe's Fuzz will gimme that through a slightly overdriven tube marshall or if I need to go with the Hendrix Fuzz.

Some of you might say: This is an stupid question, if you love Hendrix, go for Hendrix, but i really enjoy the high end of the germanium transistors in the Bonamassa, by the way, i'm not searching for the late Hendrix over-the-top-fuzz-madness, I'm searching more of his '67 tone, Are you experienced and Axis: Bold as love.

I hope you can give me some opinions! Thank you!


Fulltone 69

Welcome aboard!

  • From: West Sussex
  • Registered: 2011-05-17
  • Posts: 307

Re: BONAMASSA FUZZ question!

The Hendrix Fuzz Face is quite versatile - one of the magazines did a recent round up of all the Dunlop Fuzz Faces and they thought it was the easeist one to live with.

In the ideal world I'd have the JB as well but I run my LP with my JH Fuzz Face with no problems at all.

  • From: New Hampshire, USA
  • Registered: 2010-12-21
  • Posts: 3,650

Re: BONAMASSA FUZZ question!

simmecr66 wrote:

Thank you all guys! I think i might go with the JB, I think i'll like the germanium more than the silicon, but here's my last doubt: You said that it is a Les Paul Fuzz, does that mean that it won't sound as good with a strat?

ZeyerGTR I watched that video many times, if I had to decide from that video, I would choose the Bonamassa, but i've seen other videos where the pedal just doesn't sound that heavy, that's why I asked! Thanks tho!

I'm sorry if I'm not writing well, I'm not english.

Remember everything is in the ears of the beholder to me the JH or EJ fuzz face are better matched to a Strat. I have also tried the them with a Les Paul they sound good but yes to me the Les Paul sounds better with the JB fuzz face. At the end of the day try them both before you decide so you can make the decision with your own ears. Good Luck
Cheers Ron

"Joe B saved my soul, forever grateful Ron"
"Some people dream of worthy accomplishments while others stay awake and do them"
Skinner #1,JBLP 145(aged),252, (unaged),#285HM, Bburst #026, Joes 052 BCC black LP, Strat> RT,EC Gilmour,Beck,Lenny LP> PK 83,CC#2,3,4,9,Amps>Carol Ann RAH JB-100 SN 001,JB100 Red SN02,OD2, OD3,Tucana 2&3 Triptix,Twinkle land, Plexi ,JB Jub, Jubs,Plexi,Satch,Two Rock>others
  • From: New York
  • Registered: 2011-02-13
  • Posts: 444

Re: BONAMASSA FUZZ question!

The JB sounds good with my Strat too, but then again, it has stacked single coils.

Gibson Custom Joe Bonamassa Ltd Signature Les Paul VOS # 31

14 Reply by Fuzzblues (edited by Fuzzblues 2012-12-09 09:24:45)

  • From: Scotland
  • Registered: 2009-02-11
  • Posts: 453

Re: BONAMASSA FUZZ question!

I've been through the following fuzz pedals.

Old dunlop hendrix fuzz system "little red mxr size"
Dunlop red fuzz face.
MJM Silicon
Fulltone 70's
Fulltone 69
And have tried the Eric Johnson fuzzface (would choose this one if the hendrix one didn't exist)

I now have the hendrix fuzz (big blue one) and it is my favourite. It sounds good with my PRS DGT amd amazing with my strat. I like to do what Philip Sayce does and run a tube screamer after the fuzz. Knock back the volume knob on a strat bridge pickup and step on the tube screamer for a killer lead tone.

Here is a demo of my hendrix fuzz through my old marshall 89 jubilee. It;s on the clean channel with a ZVEX box of rock provding the breakup tone. Strat used has eric johnson pickups in it from a Eric Johson sig strat.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_9M2s-S_jc

15 Reply by DougH (edited by DougH 2012-12-09 12:58:50)

  • DougH
  • DougH
  • BONAMETAL
  • Offline
  • From: Toronto, Canada
  • Registered: 2011-04-01
  • Posts: 1,706

Re: BONAMASSA FUZZ question!

from my understanding (and ears) the regular fuzzes get muddy with a humbucker guitar
That's why they tweaked the JB fuzz so that it doesn't "fart out"
also from what I understand is Joe runs his fuzz at full, which you might not do.

Check out the Keeley Fuzz Head, it has a Silicon/Germanium Toggle switch

http://www.robertkeeley.com/products/ke … fuzz-head/


here is a video covering several Fuzzies
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMEXoo0pKNI

---------------

(If only I had 1% of Joe's guitar talent)
  • From: Montreal, Canada
  • Registered: 2012-12-10
  • Posts: 44

Re: BONAMASSA FUZZ question!

I got a JB Fuzz and I really love how it sounds however, I am having a hard time matching it with other effects. The other effects I'm having issues with are mostly delays. They seem to change the tone of the Fuzz and make it sound much more brighter or remove the bottom. Anybody else have issues matching the Fuzz with other pedals?

IamKrisJones's Website

  • From: West Sussex
  • Registered: 2011-05-17
  • Posts: 307

Re: BONAMASSA FUZZ question!

I use the JH Fuzz with chorus and delay (MXR) with no problems at all.

18 Reply by cindyron (edited by cindyron 2012-12-10 17:21:22)

  • From: New Hampshire, USA
  • Registered: 2010-12-21
  • Posts: 3,650

Re: BONAMASSA FUZZ question!

IamKrisJones wrote:

I got a JB Fuzz and I really love how it sounds however, I am having a hard time matching it with other effects. The other effects I'm having issues with are mostly delays. They seem to change the tone of the Fuzz and make it sound much more brighter or remove the bottom. Anybody else have issues matching the Fuzz with other pedals?

In my experience fuzz faces really like to see the input of the amp. If I am not mistaken Joe run's his fuzz face directly to the Catagaory 5 or did when he used the old rig. They seem to behave depending if there is a buffer or a pedal with a buffer after it. I put my delay's in the effects loop of my amp. They sound better and seem more in control.
Cheers Ron

"Joe B saved my soul, forever grateful Ron"
"Some people dream of worthy accomplishments while others stay awake and do them"
Skinner #1,JBLP 145(aged),252, (unaged),#285HM, Bburst #026, Joes 052 BCC black LP, Strat> RT,EC Gilmour,Beck,Lenny LP> PK 83,CC#2,3,4,9,Amps>Carol Ann RAH JB-100 SN 001,JB100 Red SN02,OD2, OD3,Tucana 2&3 Triptix,Twinkle land, Plexi ,JB Jub, Jubs,Plexi,Satch,Two Rock>others