Growling from within – Best Bass Fuzz Pedal

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!

 

ImageAmplifier Model
Rating
Check Price
MXR M287 Sub Octave Bass Fuzz Pedal5 out of 5 stars (5 / 5)Check on Amazon
Smalls Pork & Pickle Overdrive & Fuzz Guitar Effects Pedal4.9 out of 5 stars (4.9 / 5)Check on Amazon
Death by Audio Bass War Fuzz Pedal4.8 out of 5 stars (4.8 / 5)Check on Amazon
Aguilar Fuzzistor V2 Bass Fuzz Pedal4.7 out of 5 stars (4.7 / 5)Check on Amazon
MXR M84 Bass Fuzz Deluxe4.7 out of 5 stars (4.7 / 5)Check on Amazon

MXR M287 Sub Octave Bass Fuzz Pedal

Features:5 out of 5 stars
Controls:5 out of 5 stars
Sound:5 out of 5 stars
Value:4.9 out of 5 stars
Average:5 out of 5 stars

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Full Review


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

Way Huge Pork & Pickle Overdrive & Fuzz Guitar Effects Pedal

Features:4.9 out of 5 stars
Controls:4.8 out of 5 stars
Sound:4.9 out of 5 stars
Value:4.8 out of 5 stars
Average:4.9 out of 5 stars

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Way Huge Pork and Pickle Bass Fuzz Pedal.

The Way Huge Pork & Pickle is a versatile and powerful bass overdrive & fuzz pedal that brings together the best of both worlds: warm, punchy overdrive and gnarly, aggressive fuzz. It’s essentially a combination of the Way Huge Pork Loin Overdrive and the Russian-Pickle Fuzz, giving you a ton of tonal possibilities in a single pedal.

The Pork (overdrive) mode delivers a smooth, warm, and slightly compressed overdrive that keeps your low-end intact while adding just the right amount of grit. The Pickle (fuzz) mode, on the other hand, brings in a thick, woolly, vintage-style fuzz that can get pretty wild when cranked. Switching between the two is super easy with the toggle switch.

One of the pedal’s best features is the Clean Blend knob, which lets you mix in your dry signal, ensuring that your bass stays full and present even at high gain settings. The Tone knob shapes the high end, and the Volume & Drive controls let you dial in anything from a subtle boost to full-on dirt.

While the Pork & Pickle is great for versatility, it might not be ideal if you’re looking for a super modern, tight distortion—it leans more toward vintage-inspired warmth and fuzz. Also, some players might find the fuzz mode a bit too extreme for subtle use.

If you’re looking for a flexible and great-sounding dirt pedal for bass, the Way Huge Pork & Pickle is a killer option that offers tons of tonal variety in a compact package!

Pros:

Two pedals in one – overdrive and fuzz in a single unit.

Clean Blend knob – preserves low-end clarity.

Warm, vintage tones – great for rock, blues, and stoner fuzz.

Cons:

Fuzz mode can be too wild – not the best for subtle distortion.

Not ideal for ultra-modern, tight distortion – leans toward vintage sounds.

Death by Audio Bass War Fuzz Pedal

Features:4.8 out of 5 stars
Controls:4.8 out of 5 stars
Sound:4.8 out of 5 stars
Value:4.8 out of 5 stars
Average:4.8 out of 5 stars

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Death by Audio Bass War Fuzz Pedal.

The Death by Audio Bass War Fuzz is a thick, aggressive, and face-melting fuzz pedal designed specifically for bass players who want to dominate the mix with crushing low-end and searing distortion. If you’re looking for subtle overdrive or a polite fuzz, this is NOT the pedal for you—the Bass War Fuzz is all about raw, unfiltered sonic destruction.

This pedal delivers massive, speaker-ripping fuzz tones while keeping your low-end punchy and powerful. Unlike some fuzz pedals that thin out the bass signal, the Bass War Fuzz is designed to retain the depth and weight of your sound, making it perfect for heavy rock, doom, stoner metal, and experimental music.

The controls are super simple: just Volume, Fuzz, and Tone. But don’t let that fool you—each knob drastically changes the character of your sound, from a thick, rumbling growl to an all-out wall of fuzz. The Tone knob lets you shape the high end, allowing you to cut through the mix or keep things dark and heavy.

That said, this pedal is not for the faint of heart. It’s not the most versatile fuzz out there—it’s built for destruction, not for subtlety. Also, at extreme settings, it can get noisy and chaotic (which some players might actually love).

If you want a brutal, take-no-prisoners bass fuzz, the Death by Audio Bass War Fuzz is a sonic weapon that delivers huge, punishing tones with zero compromise! 

Pros:

Massive, crushing fuzz – designed specifically for bass.

Retains low-end power – doesn’t thin out your sound.

Simple but effective controls – easy to dial in a killer tone.

Cons:

Not versatile – built for heavy, aggressive tones only.

Can be noisy at extreme settings – might need a noise gate.

Aguilar Fuzzistor V2 Bass Fuzz Pedal

Features:4.7 out of 5 stars
Controls:4.7 out of 5 stars
Sound:4.8 out of 5 stars
Value:4.7 out of 5 stars
Average:4.7 out of 5 stars

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Aguilar Fuzzistor V2 Bass Fuzz.

The Aguilar Fuzzistor V2 is a thick, vintage-style bass fuzz pedal that delivers classic, warm, and woolly fuzz tones while keeping your low-end strong. Whether you’re going for a ’70s-style fuzzy growl or full-on doom metal destruction, the Fuzzistor V2 has you covered.

This pedal is all about rich, analog fuzz with a smooth and natural breakup. The Blend knob is a standout feature, allowing you to mix your clean and fuzz signals to maintain clarity and punch. The Level and Fuzz knobs control overall output and gain, while the Tone knob helps shape the high end—letting you dial in anything from a dark, beefy fuzz to a bright, cutting buzz.

One of the best things about the Fuzzistor V2 is how well it sits in a mix. Some bass fuzz pedals can get lost or muddy, but Aguilar has designed this one to stay present and powerful, making it great for rock, grunge, stoner, and doom bassists.

That said, this pedal is not the most aggressive fuzz out there—if you’re looking for wild, gated fuzz or synth-like tones, this might not be your best bet. Also, it doesn’t have the most extreme tonal variety, as it leans heavily into vintage fuzz territory.

If you want a classic, smooth, and mix-friendly bass fuzz, the Aguilar Fuzzistor V2 is a rock-solid choice that delivers warm and punchy fuzz tones with no compromise on low-end power!

Pros:

Blend knob – keeps your bass punchy and clear.

Warm, vintage-style fuzz – great for classic rock and stoner tones.

Retains low-end presence – doesn’t get lost in the mix.

Cons:

Not the most extreme fuzz – leans toward warm and classic rather than wild and experimental.

Limited tonal variety – stays within the vintage fuzz range.

MXR M84 Bass Fuzz Deluxe

Features:4.7 out of 5 stars
Controls:4.8 out of 5 stars
Sound:4.7 out of 5 stars
Value:4.7 out of 5 stars
Average:4.7 out of 5 stars

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Full Review


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. 

The MXR M84 Bass Fuzz Deluxe is a versatile and punchy fuzz pedal designed specifically for bass players who want gnarly fuzz tones without losing their low-end definition. If you love the idea of thick, aggressive fuzz but hate how some pedals make your bass sound thin or buried in the mix, this one’s for you!

One of its best features is the Dry and Wet knobs, which let you blend your clean and fuzz signals. This means you can get all the gritty, distorted fuzz while keeping the natural power and clarity of your bass tone. Whether you want a subtle, warm fuzz or an all-out aggressive buzzsaw tone, the Fuzz and Tone controls make it easy to shape your sound.

The M84 delivers a vintage-style fuzz that has plenty of bite and sustain, perfect for rock, punk, grunge, and stoner bass tones. It’s thick and full, yet still defined enough to cut through the mix. Another great thing? It’s dead simple to use—no overly complicated settings, just pure, bass-friendly fuzz.

That said, it doesn’t offer extreme or gated fuzz sounds, so if you’re looking for something totally wild and synthy, this might not be your best bet. Also, it doesn’t have a mid boost, so if you need extra mids to stand out in a dense mix, you might need an EQ pedal.

If you want a fat, vintage-inspired fuzz that keeps your bass powerful and present, the MXR M84 Bass Fuzz Deluxe is a fantastic choice that delivers punchy, aggressive fuzz without sacrificing clarity!

Pros:

Blend control (Dry/Wet knobs) – keeps your low-end strong and defined.

Thick, vintage-style fuzz – warm, punchy, and aggressive.

Simple and effective controls – easy to dial in a great tone.

Cons:

Not for extreme fuzz tones – no gated or synth-like sounds.

No dedicated mid control – may need an EQ boost in some mixes.

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!


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