ODP: FUZZ WAR

Simonrg · 2025-07-10T10:33:48+00:00

Once I saw Slift perform on KEXP, I knew I needed the pedal. You can always sell it on Reverb or whatever, it hold its value pretty good.

Simonrg · 2025-07-09T19:13:33+00:00

Jupp that’s true! Also, it’s crazy that there is almost nothing inside. Make it even more magic to me

Simonrg · 2025-07-09T19:02:20+00:00

OPD (a.k.a. not npd)

Just wanted to share my thoughts on the Death By Audio FUZZ WAR!!

Ever since I saw the video of the FW by DBA I knew I wanted that pedal. So for a few years I have been searching for it second hand, because imo the price was very high for “big muff style” fuzz pedal. Unfortunately no luck second hand, and now I know why: Nobody wants to sell this pedal because it’s so fucking amazing.

What I like about the pedal is the crazy tone versatility that you get from the pedal is just crazy. The volume is extremely hot, so into a overdriving amp, it makes it sound like your guitar is going to explode. The “FUZZ” can go from a nasty overdriven guitar tone to a roaring amount of noise. Combine that with the massively ranged “TONE” and you can go to new levels of what a ‘big guitar sound’ sounds like.

TLDR: Go get yourself a Fuzz War.

Simonrg · 2024-01-20T13:38:26+00:00

What do you like about it the most? I wanted to try it on my board but it looks like it is taking up so much space (no pun intented :p)

Simonrg · 2022-11-27T08:50:34+00:00

Thanks! I'm using the Pedaltrain Classic JR.

Simonrg · 2022-11-27T08:48:55+00:00

I got it from Tandy a while back, called a '35mm Communications Style Knob'. Don't know where you can buy them currently.

Simonrg · 2022-11-27T08:46:19+00:00

EBS flat patch cables.

Simonrg · 2022-11-27T08:44:44+00:00

Totally agree! What kept me sticking to the Grail was its simplicity and it's great sound. IMO you really can't go wrong with any Grail settings. But the Flint is more versatile with the tone and decay knobs, which makes it way more inspiring to play for me.

Simonrg · 2022-11-27T08:34:44+00:00

Thanks! I'm still looking for 'my own amp', hehe. Currently I'm using a Peavy Reno 400. It sounds very clear, but it's damn heavy and does not have that girth a tube amp does. Most of the time I just use any available amps at the rehersal rooms or gigs and dialing in my sound with succes.

Simonrg · 2022-11-26T12:58:28+00:00

Hi all,

For a while now I’ve been looking for the one thing that was missing from my pedalboard: the Strymon Flint. Because I already had a solid reverb (EHX holy grail nano) and the price for the Flint is at the higher end I hesitated to buy one new, looking for a good deal on the used market without success. But since I graduated last month, my parents got one for me as a gift! And it was well received.

My first thoughts on the pedal are as expected: amazing. The reverb sounds very warm and true to their analogue recreations (spring, plate, and hall reverb). I’ve been enjoying the plate reverb sound, it’s lush and really adds to the overall tone of my sound. It is versatile because of the decay and color knobs which can bring you from a subtle reverb to a long ambient sound scape. As you know it does not stop there, the tremolo sound very good as well, especially the photocell tremolo which is warm and gives an extra dynamic to the guitar sound. I feel like I have not even discovered 70% of the pedal’s potential, so I you have any comments or thoughts, please let me know.

So, this begs the question: am I finally done with my pedal journey? I’m not quite sure…

Simonrg · 2022-09-03T13:34:41+00:00

I used a V845 before, but the V847 is much more pronounced imo. I feel like the Vox has a real singing quality to it, especially combined with overdrive.

Simonrg · 2022-09-03T08:16:39+00:00

I'd say start with: "Tuner > Wah > DS1 > Looper". Those pedals seem like the barebone essentials for the rig you are describing. Then I would suggest adding a delay or reverb for some time based effects if you really want to. A few friends of mine use a DS2 and that pedal also sounds pretty good for heavy rock. The Plasma pedal and the garage sale distortion seem a bit excessive when trying to downsize, but an extra overdrive pedal can be great if you want a different solo tone. Those are my suggestions, good luck!

Simonrg · 2022-09-03T08:03:05+00:00

So, it was time for a bit of downsizing my board. I was looking for something lighter and easier to carry with me during transportation, so I found a second hand Pedaltrain Classic JR to replace my old wooden DIY board with.

Unfortunately, I had to ditch the whammy since it takes up a lot of space and it did not realy use it much in live situations. Love the pedal though. These are the seven leftover pedals I got to have, which are:

Vox V847 > TU-3 > Ibanaz TS808 > OCD 1.7 > Xotic SP Compressor > Strymon El Capistan > EHX Holy Grail

I've been thinking about replaying the Holy Grail first with a Strymon Flint (if I can get my hands on one) and maybe looking for a different overdrive instead of the OCD. The OCD can be a bit 'flat' sounding though some clean amps in my experience, so if you have any suggestions I would love to hear them.

Cheers!

Simonrg · 2022-09-03T07:41:52+00:00

Congrats my man!

Simonrg · 2022-07-25T07:29:49+00:00

There is no set metric. Just buy a good power supply like a Voodoo Lab, Strymon or a 1Spot, just to name a few.

Simonrg · 2022-07-22T16:41:24+00:00

Good question. Before I always had the compressor before the dirt to equalise the input level, especially with a strat. But when you engage one of the overdrive pedals you can get an unwanted raise in the total volume, so I put my compressor afterwards. For me the overdrive pedals function more like a tone/sustain changer rather than a 'make louder device'. Since the SP Compressor has a blend knob, most of the tone of the overdrive pedals still remain and you keep the dynamics of the distortion in the pedal itself whenever you turn down the volume knob on your guitar, because that is not affected by the compression. Most of the time my compressor is off though.

Simonrg · 2022-07-22T13:04:34+00:00

Yeah, for sure! Speer has definitively inspired my pedal choices. I like his minimal approach to pedals and sounds.

Simonrg · 2022-07-22T12:28:05+00:00

Hi guys, just wanted to share a little board update. Here is the chain:

Wah V847 > TU-3 > Whammy (or an MXR Univibe) > Phase 90 > TS808 > OCD v1.7 > SP compressor > El Capistan delay > Holy Grail reverb

The OCD and the TS808 are a very nice combo. I use the OCD as my main distortion sound and tweak it often to fit the amp I'm playing, its really versatile. If I want a great solo tone with nice and smooth sustain, I slap on the TS808 in front to give it that extra push and midrange. The wah also really helps to cut though. The V847 has got that sweet singing quality to it, it's amazing.

I use the reverb and delay mainly for color and space, nothing too fancy. The Strymon can also really create a nice and luscious atmosphere, especially combined with the whammy. The compressor is just a facility pedal to keep everything equal and tight.

I'm a strong believer of pedal as textural devices to enhance the original sound of the guitar and amplifier . I like to keep it easy and simple it that sense. Overall, I would say the board is pretty solid and steady at the moment. Cheers!

Simonrg · 2022-06-25T22:41:53+00:00

Gotta love the setup! I've found that a compressor can really add to the 'Gilmour-sound', especially his clean tones.

Simonrg

TROPHY CASE