• From: York, PA
  • Registered: 2010-08-27
  • Posts: 1,749

Topic: Fuzz after A/B equals noise.

I recently splurged on a bunch of new pedals and gear.  As if I don't have enough already.. 

My current setup consists of an MJM LONDON FUZZ (red box).  Right now, it's before my A/B Box so unfortunately I get FUZZ on both amps.  I've tried to place it after A/B Splitter and then into 1 of the heads, but I get an awful raquet as a result.  IT JUST DOESN'T WORK!

I ordered a FULLTONE CATALYST (thanks stratpaulguy) to replace it in hopes of this method working and also to be able to use my FUZZ on humbucking guitars.  The LONDON FUZZ is too bassy with most humbuckers.  Until my $900 shipment of pedals arrives, I can only speculate if the Bonamassa method of seperating your fuzz will work properly.

Until then, does anyone know any reason as to why I'm having this issue?  Must the outputs from my A/B box be ISOLATED?

Thanks -Seth

  • Registered: 2010-03-20
  • Posts: 536

Re: Fuzz after A/B equals noise.

helrazr84 wrote:

I recently splurged on a bunch of new pedals and gear.  As if I don't have enough already.. 

My current setup consists of an MJM LONDON FUZZ (red box).  Right now, it's before my A/B Box so unfortunately I get FUZZ on both amps.  I've tried to place it after A/B Splitter and then into 1 of the heads, but I get an awful raquet as a result.  IT JUST DOESN'T WORK!

I ordered a FULLTONE CATALYST (thanks stratpaulguy) to replace it in hopes of this method working and also to be able to use my FUZZ on humbucking guitars.  The LONDON FUZZ is too bassy with most humbuckers.  Until my $900 shipment of pedals arrives, I can only speculate if the Bonamassa method of seperating your fuzz will work properly.

Until then, does anyone know any reason as to why I'm having this issue?  Must the outputs from my A/B box be ISOLATED?

Thanks -Seth



has the ab box got a buffer? muffs and fuzzes hate buffers

"Who wants an orange whip? Orange whip? Orange whip? Three orange whips...."

JB LP Goldtop No. 290- Aged...rather like me.
  • From: Florida, USA
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
  • Posts: 1,420

Re: Fuzz after A/B equals noise.

helrazr84 wrote:

I ordered a FULLTONE CATALYST (thanks stratpaulguy)
Thanks -Seth

No problem bro!  The Catalyst is a very cool pedal indeed, definately tamer and more predictable than most other fuzz type pedals.  That being said....it's been booted off by my Fulltone '70 pedal!  For Hendrix/EJ tones the '70 pedal all the way.  For '60's Cream era Clapton or early Jeff Beck I like the Catalyst.

Okay, I run my fuzzes after my abcd box (Voodoo Lab Amp Selector) without any extra hum issues.  The key is ground lifts in my experience.  When I first put the '70 pedal into my signal chain it introduced a metric #$%!-ton of noise and even made my other amp's distortion sound nasty and harsh when the pedal was on.  Sure enough, I flipped the mini ground switch on the Amp Selector and everything was gravy again.  In my experience with some pretty complicated rigs and routing systems the hum is almost always a grounding issue.

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

Re: Fuzz after A/B equals noise.

BTW don't give up on the MJM London, I hear those pedals are awesome!!

'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: York, PA
  • Registered: 2010-08-27
  • Posts: 1,749

Re: Fuzz after A/B equals noise.

stratpaulguy86 wrote:
helrazr84 wrote:

I ordered a FULLTONE CATALYST (thanks stratpaulguy)
Thanks -Seth

No problem bro!  The Catalyst is a very cool pedal indeed, definately tamer and more predictable than most other fuzz type pedals.  That being said....it's been booted off by my Fulltone '70 pedal!  For Hendrix/EJ tones the '70 pedal all the way.  For '60's Cream era Clapton or early Jeff Beck I like the Catalyst.

Okay, I run my fuzzes after my abcd box (Voodoo Lab Amp Selector) without any extra hum issues.  The key is ground lifts in my experience.  When I first put the '70 pedal into my signal chain it introduced a metric #$%!-ton of noise and even made my other amp's distortion sound nasty and harsh when the pedal was on.  Sure enough, I flipped the mini ground switch on the Amp Selector and everything was gravy again.  In my experience with some pretty complicated rigs and routing systems the hum is almost always a grounding issue.

Thanks,
I just have a cheap rhapco A/B Box.  I was thinking the problem may be in that, but I'll know more when the Catalyst arrives and I can run through a few scenarios.  The LONDON FUZZ is a fantastic sounding pedal, but it only truley shines with single coils.

After seeing your one video, the catalyst sounded great so I bought it.  Along with a few other pedals.  Sometimes you just get a wild hair up your a$$ and you do these things! -Seth

  • Registered: 2009-10-27
  • Posts: 250

Re: Fuzz after A/B equals noise.

Just ordered today a Cusack Fuzz V2, anyone have any experience with this pedal.  I don't like my FT OctaFuzz and my FT Ultimate Octave takes up too much space.

  • From: York, PA
  • Registered: 2010-08-27
  • Posts: 1,749

Re: Fuzz after A/B equals noise.

t92780 wrote:

Just ordered today a Cusack Fuzz V2, anyone have any experience with this pedal.  I don't like my FT OctaFuzz and my FT Ultimate Octave takes up too much space.

I've never heard of them?  I'd just pick the one tha looks the coolest, ha!  I just got my Catalyst, and it's everything the add description says it is.  It works well with other pedals and pickups and doesn't take up much of any room.  Let me know how it works out when you get it. -Seth

  • Registered: 2009-10-27
  • Posts: 250

Re: Fuzz after A/B equals noise.

helrazr84 wrote:
t92780 wrote:

Just ordered today a Cusack Fuzz V2, anyone have any experience with this pedal.  I don't like my FT OctaFuzz and my FT Ultimate Octave takes up too much space.

I've never heard of them?  I'd just pick the one tha looks the coolest, ha!  I just got my Catalyst, and it's everything the add description says it is.  It works well with other pedals and pickups and doesn't take up much of any room.  Let me know how it works out when you get it. -Seth

Quiet with a Strat and small = Fulltones units I have going up for sale:

http://proguitarshop.com/blog/cusack-sc … zz-v2-3097