Arctic White Fuzz - One of Bjorn's Best Kept Secrets!

[musicsoma]

I just spent a few hours digging back into my AWF. I have loved it from the moment I first plugged it in, but I sort of did the "set it and forget it" approach. Some time has certainly passed, so I decided to have some fun and really get to know this pedal in its full range. I am telling you guys, this is one of BJ's absolute best pedals.

A buddy of mine has been raving about his Sola Sound Tone Bender Mkii, so I did some side by side comparisons. Both great pedals, but that AWF just blew me away. It retained the low end, seemed a bit more focused/tighter, and was certainly more responsive. If any of you are into some good ol' classic rock (a la Zeppelin), the AWF is a must!

Normally I am not really into Fuzz pedals per se, but the AWF got me hooked. If you're like me and have found fuzzes to be too mushy, muddy, or fizzy, rest assured the Arctic White is nothing like that. Anyone else out there regularly rocking the AWF?

[MBT74]

Would you say that the AWF has the same type of fuzz sound to a MkII? I know you listed differences but, in that a MkII sounds different to a Fuzz Face which is different to a Super Fuzz and so on, does the AWF sound closer to the MkII in fuzz tone?

[musicsoma]

Maybe the Fuzz gurus could chime in, but it sounded similar to the Tone Bender MKii to me. I had a Fuzz Face years ago, and it seems the AWF is more in line with the Sola Sound (though thicker and more clear).

[thesjkexperience]

Thanks to Mr Musicsoma I too have experienced the AWF.

It is certainly not a fuzz face type as that is the type I most often use. It does have more similarities with a Tonebender in sound and feel, but the AWF is a bit lower gain and much easier to live with. The best Tonebender MKIIs are germanium and that means they are fussy about what is in the chain, if there is a buffer or non-true bypass as well as picky about temperature. Also, it seems to take a master to make a MKII that sounds good and is reasonably quiet. Oh yes, MKIIs need a clean amp!

The AWF is really friendly and even likes to be stacked! Clean amp or dirty amp the AWF doesn't mind, it did not have issues with temperature (but, I did not have it in the heat) and it was quiet. At low volumes it did not have the sustain of a Tonebender or a Big Muff type, but the AWF is all about playing loud and it was easy to do so where I have not enjoyed using Tonebenders or Muffs at higher volumes. That is why I use a Foxrox Hot Si, Swart Fuzzy Boost and Analogman high gain NKT275 and my MKIII and muffs sit in the closet much of the time.

I think the AWF would be fantastic with humbuckers which, IMHO, 99% of fuzzes do not work as well with humbuckers.

[I am Incinerator]

that fuzz really seems interesting considering I am a Tonebender junkie!!! I have owned a couple MKII's and still own the D*A*M Solasound MKII, and I own a Pig Dog MKI, a D*A*M Super Bee...which is similar but different to the MKII and more flexible, and I have a Drag'n'Fly which is part Tonebender part Si FF.

To me, the best guitar I have for fuzzes is my Gretsch Spectra Sonic with TV Jones Powertrons. I usually set up the MKII with full level and no attack and it makes a very plucky and percussive sound with my Gretsch.

The BJFe fuzzes (especially the CAF and AWF) seem really interesting to me since they seem to meld with OD stacks, which doesn't surprise me since the BJFe pedals I had before worked well together. It definitely took me some time to find the right adjustments to have my MKII go into my D*A*M Red Rooster. Otherwise it seems fuzz doesn't like to be stacked with other fuzz, in my experiences so far.

[Strat-o-lux]

Interesting topic. I haven't played the AWF. But in general, the contrast between Bjorn's fuzz pedals and vintage fuzz (or clones) is striking, and for me all about functionality. I love the sound and feel of a good vintage fuzz, be it FF, MKI, MKII, or whatever. But they're a bit cranky, prone to noise, and can be a pain in the ass on the gig. Bjorn's, on the other hand, are user friendly, stackable, versatile, relatively quiet for hi-gain devices.

If I really want the sound of, for example, wah>MKI 'bender, then I'll use that - there's no convincing substitute. But otherwise I'm much happier with my PPF>DRD stack, which offers a huge range of fuzz/distortion tones and no hassle.

[MBT74]

Hmm.... Wonder what the odds are of us seeing a Bearfoot AWF?

[cajone5]

All I know is I'm sorry I was broke when my name came up at Custom Sounds

[Donner]

...well there will be BearFoot Fuzz - havent quite decided what would best serve the wants and needs of those interested....

Would there be interest in a small treehouse Tourbox ? I have a CAF and the origianl Snow White Fuzz to contribute if some one would toss in a PPF and AWF we could do some research .....

[cajone5]

That would be awesome -- I'm BJFe Fuzz-less but own a ton of fuzz boxes to compare them to.

I'd be in for sure!