Integrating a fuzz into the pedalboard setup

[Jennings]

Well, I've been playing about with a couple of germanium fuzz pedals I've got.  I really like a fuzz face pedal I have, but the problem is that I like to have a few pedals lined up for gigs etc, and the fuzz face sounds its best when not used with any other pedals.  basically it's full and rich on its own, then with pedal before or after it's a bit thinner and more harsh sounding.  I presume this is down to the impedance it's seeing on the input and output?

So...my questions are:
1) Can you, and how would you, buffer a fuzz to preserve its tone when used with other pedals?
2) Are there any germanium fuzz face type pedals out there that sound ace and aren;t affected by the other pedals in the chain?
3) Would I solve my problems by getting a pedalboard looping set up, where each pedal, or each combination of pedals, is isolated from each other?

[G._Hoffman]

So...my questions are:
1) Can you, and how would you, buffer a fuzz to preserve its tone when used with other pedals?
2) Are there any germanium fuzz face type pedals out there that sound ace and aren;t affected by the other pedals in the chain?
3) Would I solve my problems by getting a pedalboard looping set up, where each pedal, or each combination of pedals, is isolated from each other?

I'm no expert here, but my understanding of the issues:

1)  Most people seem to feel that a buffer in front of a fuzz makes them not work right, and yes, this is an impedance issue.  So, put your fuzz face first in your chain.  I'm not sure, but I would imagine that you could put a buffer after the fuzz without too much problem, though you might have to experiment with input pull down resistors to get the impedance right.
2)  I doubt it.  The interactions with the guitar are a part of the sound, just like with a tube amp.
3)  Yes, as long as there is a physical switch isolating them from one another (could be a footswitch, or a relay).  Or you could modify all your other pedals to true bypass switching.  They will, of course, still effect the fuzz when they are ON, but when they are off it won't be a problem.  If you are really ambitious, you could build something like THIS - I did - but you could also go with something much simpler.


Gabriel

[Jennings]

Thanks Gabriel...I figured that might be the case with fuzz pedals.  It's a shame we can't buffer them in a way that keeps the fuzz pedal happy al the time.  I've currently got it first in the chain, so that's as good as I can get it there.  It also need a positive ground power source, so I tend to use it with batteries for now and avoid any weird noises from that source degrading the signal.  Actually most of the pedals I use are true bypass at the moment (more by chance than by design), so I might experiment with removing the buffered ones for now, and looking to loop them in with a looper...they're mostly the ones at the end of my signal chain, such as modulation boxes and the suchlike.

By the way, that looper is lexcellent...looks like a NASA control pannel to my amateur eye!  What do you use it for?

[G._Hoffman]

By the way, that looper is lexcellent...looks like a NASA control pannel to my amateur eye!  What do you use it for?

Nothing, yet.  I just built it, and then immediately tore my amp apart to rebuild it.  And then, I want to build a half dozen or so pedals to add to the system.  So, in about six months or so , I should have the rig back up and running in a completely new configuration.  (With the looper, and some MIDI switches related to it, I've decided I can build all my new pedals without footswitches.  Its quite nice not to have to buy all those damn switches!)


Gabriel

[Jennings]

Haha!!!  I know the feeling...although strangely it's my vegetable patch that's taking all my time and attention.  Not very rock n roll is it...growing your own veg!  Haha!!!  Mind you, your switchless pedal idea is fantastic...why have I never thought of that before?!  Now...how can I find the time to see what I can do for my setup?!