• From: Illinois
  • Registered: 2009-08-05
  • Posts: 2

Topic: Joe's/Eric Johnson's Custom Fuzz Face

Anybody know what makes Joe's/Eric Johnson's Fuzz Face unique.  I always hear it was built as a custom "one-off" for EJ, but I never hear what is different about it.  Also, anybody know what recordings, if any, Joe used it on?  Thanks!

Guitars: Gibson 2009 R9 with OTPG PAFs and RS Kit, Fender Strat, Walden D710 Acoustic
Amps: Metropoulos 1967 Plexi, Scumback 1969 Spec Cab with 4 Scumback H75s
Pedals: 1970 CryBaby Wah, Fulltone MDV, Analog Man Modded Fuzz Face, Fulltone OCD V4, D*A*M/Sola Tone Bender MK II
Waiting For: Skreddy Pig Mine

2 Reply by Rik Emmett Fan (edited by Rik Emmett Fan 2009-08-06 00:53:57)

  • From: Las Vegas
  • Registered: 2008-05-21
  • Posts: 857

Re: Joe's/Eric Johnson's Custom Fuzz Face

You know he is using it "when the amp is about ready to explode"...

3:55 into video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2yHFbT63ug

  • From: Illinois
  • Registered: 2009-08-05
  • Posts: 2

Re: Joe's/Eric Johnson's Custom Fuzz Face

Rik Emmett Fan wrote:

You know he is using it "when the amp is about ready to explode"...

3:55 into video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2yHFbT63ug

Thanks for the video.  I have a Super Lead too and that is exactly what I want in a Fuzz Face.  Only problem is that I think Joe is the only one that knows what is different about his.  Paging Joe!

Guitars: Gibson 2009 R9 with OTPG PAFs and RS Kit, Fender Strat, Walden D710 Acoustic
Amps: Metropoulos 1967 Plexi, Scumback 1969 Spec Cab with 4 Scumback H75s
Pedals: 1970 CryBaby Wah, Fulltone MDV, Analog Man Modded Fuzz Face, Fulltone OCD V4, D*A*M/Sola Tone Bender MK II
Waiting For: Skreddy Pig Mine
  • From: Las Vegas
  • Registered: 2008-05-21
  • Posts: 857

Re: Joe's/Eric Johnson's Custom Fuzz Face

LSGoCards7 wrote:
Rik Emmett Fan wrote:

You know he is using it "when the amp is about ready to explode"...

3:55 into video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2yHFbT63ug

Thanks for the video.  I have a Super Lead too and that is exactly what I want in a Fuzz Face.  Only problem is that I think Joe is the only one that knows what is different about his.  Paging Joe!


You could give this Old School Fuzz pedal a try.. This is the same guy that makes the Gaspedal Carb for Joe.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBfEDTcW3Ds

http://www.gaspedals.net/

Good Luck,
Bill

  • From: Florida, USA
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
  • Posts: 1,420

Re: Joe's/Eric Johnson's Custom Fuzz Face

Joe will have to chime in for specifics about his fuzzface, but my guess would be that it uses the proper value high quality germanium resistors and custom parts to vintage specs.  For my money I would check out the Fulltone Catalyst (stupidly versitile fuzz pedal that also has a killer OD tone if you don't like the fuzz side), Lovepedal 200lbs of Tone (evidently made with Eric Johnson in mind), or the Fulltone '69/'70 pedals.  The '69 is no longer made and fetches a higher price then the '70 pedal.  To my ears the Catalyst sounds a lot like the '69 with a lot more tweakability! cool

'67 and '74 Fender Twin Reverbs, '74 Marshall 1987 lead mkII, Metro Superlead 100. Pedals from TC Electronic, Ibanez, Dunlop, BK Butler, Electro-Harmonix, Fulltone, Maestro/Gibson, Loopmaster switching, VoodooLab, Boss. Gibson and Fender guitars, Dimarzio pickups.
  • From: Sandy Eggo
  • Registered: 2007-04-29
  • Posts: 1,369

Re: Joe's/Eric Johnson's Custom Fuzz Face

I'm hearing fuzz in the intros to both Last Kiss and Jockey Full of Bourbon, that's all I got though.

"Music is the only thing that you can share with a million million people and you don't lose, you gain. It helps you to get energy and to live long, because when your soul is very happy then you don't want to die." - Ali Akbar Khan
  • From: Florida, USA
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
  • Posts: 1,420

Re: Joe's/Eric Johnson's Custom Fuzz Face

I'm almost 100% sure that the distorted tones on "Jockey Full of Bourbon" and "Last Kiss" were just the amps.  I think Joe used an old pre-CBS Bassman head with some chorus and reverb.  When I crank my Les Paul through my Bassman head it gets there without fuzz easily! cool

'67 and '74 Fender Twin Reverbs, '74 Marshall 1987 lead mkII, Metro Superlead 100. Pedals from TC Electronic, Ibanez, Dunlop, BK Butler, Electro-Harmonix, Fulltone, Maestro/Gibson, Loopmaster switching, VoodooLab, Boss. Gibson and Fender guitars, Dimarzio pickups.
  • From: Sandy Eggo
  • Registered: 2007-04-29
  • Posts: 1,369

Re: Joe's/Eric Johnson's Custom Fuzz Face

I don't know, it just sounds really...thick and fuzzy to me, but those are just my ears. I would like to hear your Bassman though if possible!

"Music is the only thing that you can share with a million million people and you don't lose, you gain. It helps you to get energy and to live long, because when your soul is very happy then you don't want to die." - Ali Akbar Khan
  • From: Florida, USA
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
  • Posts: 1,420

Re: Joe's/Eric Johnson's Custom Fuzz Face

Sure thing brother!  Here's a link to my Youtube demo of my '65/'66 Blackface Bassman.  To explain the mods on my amp, there is no extra gain stages or anything.  The mods are mostly for EQ flexablility.  There is basically a midrange and presense addition to the amp to get more of a vintage Marshall type texture.  I've played stock ones and they are very similar to mine.  A Fulltone Fulldrive II pedal is used toward the end but as you can hear from the demo there is plenty of overdrive on tap without it! big_smile   LOUD!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdKa44ipeyw

'67 and '74 Fender Twin Reverbs, '74 Marshall 1987 lead mkII, Metro Superlead 100. Pedals from TC Electronic, Ibanez, Dunlop, BK Butler, Electro-Harmonix, Fulltone, Maestro/Gibson, Loopmaster switching, VoodooLab, Boss. Gibson and Fender guitars, Dimarzio pickups.
  • From: Sandy Eggo
  • Registered: 2007-04-29
  • Posts: 1,369

Re: Joe's/Eric Johnson's Custom Fuzz Face

Boy you're not kiddin' that thing is LOUD. It's hard to believe you're getting that much overdrive just straight guitar to amp.

"Music is the only thing that you can share with a million million people and you don't lose, you gain. It helps you to get energy and to live long, because when your soul is very happy then you don't want to die." - Ali Akbar Khan
  • From: Lancashire
  • Registered: 2008-02-26
  • Posts: 700

Re: Joe's/Eric Johnson's Custom Fuzz Face

I have the fulltone 69 such a cool pedal and it cleans up real nice @ around 6-7 on guitar infact you wouldnt be able to tell it was on until you play hard / turn up