What happens when bass meets fuzz? The answer to this question gives me goosebumps and makes me jump from excitement. The two most powerful members of each world collide and crash everything you knew about music. The craziest distortion takes the heaviest bass and turns it into real madness. Once you listen to the sound of these two together, your heart, soul and ears get captivated by the deep, thick buzz of the fuzz and there is no going back. In this day and age, the market offers an abundance of choices, which can be confusing. Finding the best bass fuzz pedal seems like looking for the needle in the haystack. This is why we decided to list down all the best deals on the market and make your job a bit easier. If you want to dive into the fuzzy universe of bass, keep on reading and find the love of your life!
Top 5 Best Bass Fuzz Pedals
| Image | Amplifier Model | ||
|---|---|---|---|
 | MXR M287 Sub Octave Bass Fuzz Pedal |  (5 / 5) | Check on Amazon |
 | Darkglass Duality Fuzz Bass Pedal |  (4.9 / 5) | Check on Amazon |
 | Hartke HF44 Bass Fuzz Pedal |  (4.8 / 5) | Check on Amazon |
 | Aguilar Fuzzistor Bass Fuzz Pedal |  (4.7 / 5) | Check on Amazon |
 | MXR M84 Bass Fuzz Deluxe | (4.7 / 5) | Check on Amazon |
MXR M287 Sub Octave Bass Fuzz Pedal
MXR series from Dunlop has been known for its quality products in metal chassis that set a high bar when it comes to competing with other brands. M287 Sub Octave Bass Fuzz falls into the same category and offers powerful performance in a durable, sturdy body. The controls are quite easy to understand and provide the player with a lot of flexibility. We have 4 big knobs with 3 smaller ones, 2 footswitches and a button: Bypass footswitch corresponds to the fuzz section and activates it. In this part of the pedal we have Gain and Fuzz knobs, the former amplifies the original signal, while the latter modifies the intensity of the effect. We also have a small button that activates 2 voicings, and Bass and Treble control. Octave footswitch triggers said effect and manage it with a single knob. Last but not least, we have the Dry knob which takes care of the unaffected signal and boosts its mid-range with Mid + Level knob. All in all, Sub Octave Bass Fuzz offers two different effects in one and allows you to dial anything from subtle distortion to mind-blowing fuzz.
Pros:
- Great quality
- Smooth octave
- Badass fuzz (characteristic to MXR)
- Intelligent controls
Cons:
- Fuzz can get a bit muddy at higher settings
- Certain fuzz modes might drop the volume
Darkglass Duality Fuzz Bass Pedal
Darkglass Duality definitely deserves to be called one of the best fuzz pedals for bass on the market. With an elegant, sturdy design it packs the features that are not so common among other units. Let’s start with controls, so that I can reveal all the gems of this pedal: Blend mixes the original signal with the affected one and allows you to maintain the character of bass, Level sets the volume of the fuzz, while Filter adjusts the LPF (low pass filter) in a way that allows you to manage the harmonics of your sound (either cut or boost it). There is one more knob, which makes everything more interesting – Duality switches between two different circuits. The counterclockwise position triggers the old-school sawtooth circuit, while the clockwise position activates a high gain one. This allows you to mix various fuzzes (Blend knob will help you in that) or use them independently. Duality is quite sensitive and can detect every single note you play. It offers wide range of fuzz, shifting from subtle to crazy and enables you to add a little something to your bass sounds.
Pros:
- Rich tone
- An array of fuzz options
- Full control over the sound
Cons:
- A bit pricey (but it is worth it)
- Does not operate with batteries
Hartke HF44 Bass Fuzz Pedal
Hartke has been in the business of bass-related units for a while now, which means guys there know perfectly well how to deal with low-end frequencies. HF44 features an all-analog, FET circuit which produces very distinctive sound and stands out among the rivals. For this reason, this pedal can create a high-voltage, tube-like saturation that will please the heart and soul of tube junkies. The controls are quite easy to figure out: Level sets the volume of the overall output, Gain makes the fuzz happen and distorts your signal, Mid allows you to dial in the harmonics and really accentuate them, while Tone offers the ability to shape the high-end frequency spectrum. HF44 adds thickness to your sound, lets you create aggressive riffs and enjoy the sweetness of tubes. It is both affordable and powerful, what else could you possibly wish for?
Pros:
- Great quality
- Powerful sound
- Great overdrive and fuzz
Cons:
- Fuzz might not be extreme enough for some
Aguilar Fuzzistor Bass Fuzz Pedal
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Great sound usually means that you have to sacrifice something, and most commonly, those sacrifices are closely related to money. We can’t deny the fact that a higher price tag does usually mean better devices, especially when we’re talking fuzz pedals for bass guitar. Nobody wants their low-end to thin out as they increase the effect, do they? If that’s the case with you, then take a look at Aguilar Fuzzistor. Just like other models, this puppy is built like a tank. Its solid construction will take up even heavier abuse and keep the unit by your side for a long time. It operates via silicone transistors, which are responsible for creating its character. The best thing about this pedal is the fact that it keeps your bass intact – no matter how subtle or extreme you go it will retain its body fully. Fuzzistor has typical controls: Blend, Level, Tone, Fuzz. They are perfectly enough for dialing the craziest fuzz but never losing control over it. After all, all the beasts should be tamed if we don’t want them to go nuts and eat us up, right?
Pros:
- Built like a tank
- Wide range of tones to choose from
- Thick and defined low-end
Cons:
- On the pricier side
MXR M84 Bass Fuzz Deluxe
What we have here is yet another pedal from MXR. No matter how we try to avoid it, this brand always manages to crawl its way in our lists – sometimes with two models. M84 Bass Fuzz Deluxe is an analog stompbox that is capable of creating an extreme fuzz. It offers a standard package, but it has circuitry that is a replica of a vintage unit. MXR doesn’t specify which one and it isn’t important either. The main thing is that this puppy provides us with the ability to alter the volumes of dry and wet signals individually. This way you can blend them more precisely and achieve mind-blowing results. M84 is quite versatile thanks to its controls – their range lets us dive into different variations of fuzz. It has true bypass, metal enclosure, and two powering options (batteries and an adapter). As you can see, it combines everything you’d need for the fuzzy madness. Go for it!
Pros:
- Durable chassis
- Powerful fuzz
- Separate controls for wet and dry signals
- True Bypass
Cons:
- Doesn’t have a master volume control
What is a bass fuzz pedal?
Before we jump into appreciating the uniqueness of bass fuzz pedals, let’s discuss the nature of fuzz itself and how it growls up your sound.
Fuzz is the most rebellious son of the distortion family. If overdrive and distortion add just a bit of girth to your sound, fuzz straight-up crazes up the hell out of your music. It clips the signal in a heavy manner, which creates a lot of buzz and grit. Bass fuzz is basically the same thing, however, the clipping happens to the bass frequencies and the resulting sound is jagged and spiky. The easiest way to understand this is to listen to Muse or Royal Blood. The moment you turn on their music you will know exactly what I am talking about. Bass fuzz can be a bit extreme, but it is just a whole new universe of distortion. It gives you a great deal of sonic possibilities and gets your creative juices flowing. If you want to change up your bass a bit, going for a fuzz pedal will be the right decision.
Now, let’s get a bit more specific. What is the difference between electric guitar fuzz pedal and a bass dedicated one – you might ask. I have talked about this subject couple of times now, but sometimes it is important to emphasize some technical factors in order to perfect the performance. Bass dedicated pedal is designed to discern bass frequencies. The circuit, the specs – everything is about accentuating the bottom-end and making sure that lower spectrum is not lost. This is why a specific effects pedal for your bass will give you better results and define your tones even more. This is especially significant when it comes to distortion and fuzz in particular. The effect itself is so strong, it can easily overlap and muddy up any sound, not to mention the bass. The dedicated pedal knows how to treat the signal coming from your instrument and switch it up in a way that will not detriment its original qualities. All things considered, I would recommend going for a bass fuzz pedal. Those couple of bucks will not break the bank, however, will make a lot of difference in terms of your performance.
What makes up the best bass fuzz pedal?
We have moved on to a more subjective part here. As much as our opinions, tastes and preferences differ, the best bass fuzz pedal will be a different thing for each and every one of us. Those who occasionally employ fuzz in their music will be satisfied with a two-knob affordable stompbox, while those who base their performance on this effect will require a higher level of control and features. Generally, there are certain factors that determine whether a pedal is the best or not. I will briefly discuss each of them and try to articulate that, with the right approach, even the simplest pedal can be the best one for you.
Price
This is probably the most awkward subject for me to talk about, because no one has the right to tell you how much you should spend on something. Especially, when that something is an effects pedal and pretty much defines your music. However, there are certain tendencies that will help you understand how things work in terms of the value of stompboxes. The affordable units can offer the same quality of sound as higher-end ones, thus they might not be as well-built and durable as their expensive rivals. You cannot expect from a 30$ pedal to last you through a lifetime and withstand a lot of abuse. That is just impossible. An affordable pedal will have good quality, though, enough for frequent gigging and a couple of years of usage. The thing that makes more expensive pedals really stand out is that their sound is way more meticulous, profound and “professional”. They offer more control over the tone and can easily stand the test of time. Luckily, you can find a fuzz pedal in every price point. It all depends on what you are looking for in an effects device and how much you are willing to pay.
Features
In order to produce a decent fuzz, a pedal should have at least the Level (Volume) and Fuzz controls. These two are perfectly enough to distort the hell out of your sound and offer some sort of versatility. But additional features mean additional control. Many pedals come with Gain and some kind of EQ options. The former allows you to amplify your sound and achieve extreme results, while the latter enables you to balance out your tone and make sure that just the right frequencies are accentuated. It is always a good thing to have a Blend knob on hand. This little fella mixes your dry and wet signals, which means that your bass sounds will not be lost no matter what. Some pedals might even have different filters and circuits, which will give you a whole bunch of sonic possibilities. Some might combine several effects, such as octave or overdrive. One way or another, these features will let you conquer the world of fuzz and proudly wear the crown of bass.
Size
This is probably the least significant of all, but it still makes a difference. If your pedalboard is so overcrowded that you will have to literally squeeze the unit in order to fit it, then you should look for a compact device. If you have a lot of space, then you are free to invest in a bigger pedal. Just keep in mind that a larger body means more features (not always, but mostly), more access, and ease of usage.
Conclusion
Unfortunately, we are close to the end. My venture into the world of the best bass fuzz pedals is over and I hand all the power and knowledge to you. Now it is your turn to explore, experiment and discover the things you thought were unattainable. Bass fuzz will open up all the doors for you. The main thing is to be adventurous and willing to create something unique. One last piece of advice from me: be passionate about the music you play and the things you do in life. If you love to the core the notes your instrument produces and unpredictability of the music itself, anything will be possible for you. Practice a lot and do not let anyone tell you what to do. The bass, namely the distorted bass will set you free, will load up with your anger and barf up some aggressive riffs. You have so many possibilities ahead of you. Do not miss out on any of them and be the shining star of every performance. Good luck!
