The best fuzz pedals for bass can be hard to come by if you don’t know what you’re looking for because there are simply tons of choices on the market for a fuzz pedal.
If you’re looking for that sound of your amplifier that is pushed past its max and into a completely different territory that sounds great, you should pick one with the best features and functions.
It is exactly why this guide is created. We do hope you can select the right fuzz pedal you need for that excellent solo or group performance by referring to the guide below.
Contents
The Best Bass Fuzz Pedals in 2024 Reviewed
- MXR M287 Sub Octave Bass Fuzz
- MXR M84 Bass Fuzz Deluxe
- EarthQuaker devices Fuzz Master
- Aguilar Fuzzistor Bass Fuzz Pedal
- Electro-Harmonix Deluxe Big Muff
- Way Huge WHE214
- MXR M89 Bass Overdrive Pedal
Also Great | Editor's Choice | Budget Pick |
MXR M287 Sub Octave Bass Fuzz
If you’re interested to get that full fuzz effect, you might want to check out MXR M287 guitar effects pedal. It is an excellent choice if you want to get that champion fuzz sound in your performances.
With it, you will get that great fuzz sound and is absolutely perfect for that low end that is earth shaking and thunderous.
This model has combined two changeable fuzz flavors with a thunderous sub-octave signal. I also liked that it has controls for the treble and bass, allowing us to fine-tune the signal without any hassles.
I also noticed that it has a nicely positioned mid-level control that lets us boost our middle range tone whenever we need to cut through the mix. In addition, this fuzz pedal for bass can offer more versatility in its tone control.
I liked that it gives us that dry signal al little more punch that I never expected initially.
- Comes with two individual dry volume controls for a clean low end retention
- Designed with two switchable fuzz flavors
- Does not offer the cleanest sounding midrange
- Quite pricey
MXR M84 Bass Fuzz Deluxe
When shopping around for the best fuzz pedals for bass, you might want to check out the M84. It is one of the best offerings from the MXR brand.
I liked that it adds a little more punch to our fuzz sound but with great clarity, and it is because of its dry and wet level independent controls.
In addition, this deluxe model is sturdy, and that’s one thing notable about the MXR line. The rust-colored box looks classic, and yet this pedal offers superior lower registers.
In terms of its circuit, it has been modified to deliver that sound that we normally get when we play through two different amplifiers, namely dirty and clean.
- Great clarity for its wet and dry level controls
- Offers bold and cutting tones
- Design might need some improvement
- Not the best true hardwire bypass
EarthQuaker devices Fuzz Master
If you’re looking for a versatile fuzz pedal, you might not want to look any further. The Fuzz Master General is best in class in terms of delivering that soaring octave grind that modern bassists love.
I also liked that it offers that accurate fuzz control when delivering a broader dirt tone spectrum from clean through a full assault.
This pedal can also offer a looser and open fuzz at mode 1, while a tighter fuzz at mode 2. If you’re looking for a clean octave, use mode 3. The last mode can produce sound, which is similar to ring modulation.
- Offers an accurate fuzz control for ease of use
- Can deliver that broader spectrum of dirt tones
- Mode 3 can be so loud
- Has the tendency to make an extra noise if there is an unclean power
Aguilar Fuzzistor Bass Fuzz Pedal
One of the most famous among bassists, the Aguilar Fuzzistor is not the silent beast. It offers that evoking classic vintage dirt but that is without compromising the low end from your bass guitar.
This pedal is particularly designed for the bass guitar. It has the ability to tighten up your low frequencies without lopping or choking them off totally versus standard pedals on the market do.
In addition, it has a silicon transistor design for that classic fuzz vibe. This model also offers superior fuzz effects, which are ideal for the electric bass.
Overall, it is a great pick for its versatility and value and numerous features that bassists will appreciate.
- Includes the tilt-style EQ for modern and broader tonal shaping
- Ideal for the electric bass for its blend control balance of dry tone and fuzz effects
- Does not include an additional power supply you need when the battery dies
- Can be a little too basic for advanced players
Electro-Harmonix Deluxe Big Muff
This model can also deliver different vintage sounds similar to those of original NYC Big Muff Pi. I also liked that it has that MIDS section with four different controls for easy adjustment.
The buzz pedal is also designed with a noise gate plus adjustable gate control that can get rid of the hum and noise while you’re trying to maintain the original and attack tone.
I also noticed that it has a foot switchable MIDS section for cutting through easily when playing live or recording. This model is also designed with four different controls for fine-tuning your cut or a middle range boost easily.
- Offers great classic sounds for versatility
- Designed with adjustable attack control for more punch to chords and notes
- Knobs placement can be improved for more accessibility
- Classic sounds not that great versus others in the same category
Way Huge WHE214
Another thing not to miss on the list of the best fuzz pedals includes the Way Huge WHE214 for its superb features you should not miss.
The Way Huge Pork & Pickle Bass Overdrive & Fuzz pedal is for the adventurous and creative musician for its user-friendly internal controls, allowing us to combine and come up with complex tones.
This model also allows easy toggling between the circuits through flipping the fuzz or overdrive switch.
This monster also has superior circuits, each with a level control that lets us adjust the fuzz or overdrive through its external volume settings. It also comes with presence and curve controls, letting us refine the tone signal further.
- Comes with easy to access presence and curve controls for further adjusting the signal’s tone
- Can deliver a clean signal with either of the circuits
- Can seem pretty basic for the advanced bassists
- Pricey
MXR M89 Bass Overdrive Pedal
Do you like more meat in your bass tone? You should try the MXR M89 for its solid and great features. It can beef up your tones, delivering gritty and fat punch.
This model also gives you total control of what you want for your bass rig. The MXR M89 is designed with a clean control for blending clean sound while also letting us fill out the bottom end and preserve the transients.
This pedal is also versatile when it comes to delivering grit, punch, drive and control. In addition, the MXR M89 has a broad drive range that you can easily access and adjust.
- Comes with a broad range of drive while offering full control
- Can deliver punch, grit, drive and control superiorly
- Tube-like bass tone is not that great
- Doesn’t include AC adapter or 9V battery
What To Know About Bass Fuzz Pedals
Fuzz is a kind of distortion that has that attitude. It is like saying, “I don’t care what you’re thinking. Do your thing, and I will do mine.”
What the fuzz pedal can produce
Regardless of the tone you run into the fuzz pedal, it will produce that unrecognizable output, while also delivering a few of the same distortion characteristics, including added harmonic richness and long sustain.
In some cases, you will notice that the pedal is working as if it is chewing on the signal before spiting it out, so the effect can sound sputter or glitchy.
You can use the fuzz for a solo performance if you really want to rock the stage. It can offer you that expressive tone and gain when you turned it off.
Audition the fuzz pedal
So when choosing a fuzz pedal, you must play chords and some single note leads and riffs when auditioning a pedal.
As many fuzz pedals are producing a thunderous distortion, they also cannot handle some chords except the power chord. But you should not worry, as many fuzz pedals can produce a single note sound that is plugged into a wall of Marshalls, for instance.
Playability also matters
In addition, you should check on the playability. Take some time and consider how you want to use the pedal to help you pick easier. Do you want some accent here and there? Will you use I for rhythm or lead? Think of these.
VIDEO: Here is how to get a great fuzz pedal tone.
OUR TOP CHOICE FOR THE BEST FUZZ PEDALS FOR BASS
The clear winner for the best fuzz pedals for bass is the MXR M287 because it comes with the complete features and functions we’re looking for when shopping around for the right fuzz pedal.
This one has a bass and treble control, two switchable fuzz flavors, and middle-level control for upping the clean midrange.
Overall, it can make you a solid impact for the roar it can make to rock the stage. You should also consider it if you’re looking to produce earth-shaking low ends.