14 Best Fuzz Pedals for Bass

For decades, guitarists have been treated to an onslaught of
ferocious fuzz pedals, but what about bassists? While many fuzzes will deliver
that glitched-out, searing sound we all love, some are optimized with bass
frequencies in mind, cementing your core tone while soaking it in heavily saturated
distortion. Like all pedals, fuzzes come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes;
and, luckily for you, we’ve compiled a list of the 14 best fuzz pedals for bass
available at Sweetwater. Keep reading to find the flavor that’s just right!

Way Huge Swollen Pickle MkIIS Jumbo
Fuzz Pedal

Whether you’re shoegazing or sonically slaying audiences
with waves of fuzzy goodness, the Way Huge Swollen Pickle MkIIS jumbo
fuzz pedal packs plenty of power and aggression in a
pedalboard-friendly enclosure. The Swollen Pickle is a phenomenal all-in-one
option for fuzz tones, perfect for experimenting with vintage and modern sounds
with tone-tweaking controls to fine-tune everything to perfection. A tone-stack
Scoop control takes you from that classic, mid-scooped Swollen Pickle sound to
a flat mid-frequency sweep, made even better with a Crunch knob to adjust the
compression level. Way Huge even added a pair of mini controls inside for even
greater versatility, including a Voice control to set the intensity of the
external Scoop control and a Clip control that toggles between two unique sets
of clipping diodes.

MXR M225 Sub Machine Octave Fuzz
Pedal

Sometimes, ridiculously heavy and thunderous tones are a
necessity! When nothing short of sonic decimation will do, turn to the MXR
M225 Sub Machine octave fuzz pedal for all your fuzz needs. By combining
the best of MXR’s La Machine fuzz with their timeless sub-octave circuit, the
Sub Machine delivers thick, sputtery sounds with instant access to sub-octave
flavoring with the twist of a knob. One of the Sub Machine’s standout features
is its onboard Series switch, perfect for going from split-signal parallel
settings to blended series sounds with the push of a button. Need your bass
licks and solos to stand out even more? Kick on the octave-up footswitch and go
crazy — you’re guaranteed to make a lasting impression!

Gamechanger Audio Plasma Pedal High
Voltage Distortion Pedal

While Gamechanger
Audio’s Plasma Pedal high-voltage distortion pedal is sure to make a
certain seminal Australian hard-rock band more than happy, it’s the Plasma
Pedal’s unique approach to distortion that makes this stompbox stand out among
its peers. By converting audio signals into a beam of “high-voltage”
electricity contained in a xenon-filled vacuum tube, the Plasma Pedal generates
a sound all its own, complete with lush harmonics and out-of-this-world
artifacts that enrich everything from rhythmic bass lines to improv soloing and
more. On the surface, you get a flexible set of controls to nail that perfect
girth and grind with a Blend knob to mix wet and dry signals to your
preference. With its top-quality sound and stylish good looks, the Plasma Pedal
is ready to make bold statements on pedalboards of all kinds.

Electro-Harmonix Deluxe Bass Big
Muff Pi Bass Fuzz Pedal

With a Bass Big Muff Pi in tow, you’re guaranteed to inject
your playing with highly saturated and musical fuzz! The Electro-Harmonix Deluxe Bass Big
Muff Pi bass fuzz pedal builds on the Big Muff Pi’s illustrious
history with player-focused optimizations. You still get the standard Volume,
Tone, and Sustain controls, perfect for Bass Big Muff Pi purists who are
looking for that crunchy, wooly tone of the original. Tap into the Deluxe Bass
Big Muff Pi’s additional features, and you’ll quickly access a world of endless
sonic possibilities. Sweetwater players always appreciate distortion pedals
with a built-in noise gate, and the Gate function on this pedal works as
advertised — this powerful feature silences electrical noises with stellar
results. Kick on the Crossover section, and the Deluxe Bass Big Muff Pi
transforms into a tone-sculpting dynamo with a variable lowpass filter for
rounding off the dry signal and freeing up more room for the high-frequency
fuzz. And, since this stompbox boasts a -10dB pad built right in, it’s more
than capable of handling active and passive pickups of all kinds.

Source Audio Aftershock Bass
Distortion Pedal

Words can’t do the Source Audio Aftershock bass distortion
pedal justice — it’s an absolute screamer! Inside this
full-throttle dirt box are three different overdrive engines to cycle through:
Tube, Heavy, and Fuzz. While the Tube and Heavy settings serve up tasty
tube-inspired overdrive and scooped distortion respectively, we’re here for one
thing and one thing only: the fuzz! The Aftershock’s Fuzz setting is a sound to
behold with an incredible amount of booming low end and blankets of
overwhelming fuzz just waiting to be unleashed. Four knobs are all it takes to
channel the beast inhabiting the Aftershock, with standard Drive, Level, and
Tone controls joined by a Clean knob to blend your dry and wet signals to
perfection. Best of all, the Aftershock is fully compatible with the free Neuro
Desktop Editor and Mobile App, giving you instant access to EQ and stereo
routing options as well as a free library featuring dozens of presets
downloadable directly to the pedal. Speaking of presets, the Aftershock can
save up to 128 different presets when paired with the Neuro
Hub — all of the distortions you desire can be found in a single pedal!

Pro Co Fat Rat Selectable MOSFET
Clipping and Boost Distortion Pedal

Though labeled as a distortion pedal, Pro Co will be the
first to admit that their Fat Rat selectable MOSFET clipping
and boost distortion pedal conjures some of the filthiest
saturated fuzz tones imaginable. While possessing everything that makes the
original such a sought-after stompbox for doom and drone musicians everywhere,
the Fat Rat brings its own unique MOSFET clipping circuit into the picture,
slightly smoother in the upper midrange while pumping out the warmth and
richness of a tube amp. Need to fill out the low end some more? Switch to the
Fat setting for an instant bass enhancement that increases the low-end
response. A pair of mini toggles make it a breeze to swap between the Stock and
new modes featured on the Fat Rat, letting you experiment with different sounds
and mix and match settings until you finally capture that tone you’ve been
chasing.

JHS Muffuletta 6-way Fuzz Pedal

Four knobs. Six fuzzes. One pedal. In many ways, this is a
satisfactory summary of the JHS Muffuletta 6-way fuzz pedal,
with simple controls that feel right at home with fuzz aficionados and
first-time pedal buyers alike. That said, the Muffuletta is a formidable entry
on this list — you get five of history’s most coveted fuzz tones as well as
JHS’s 2015 fuzz, a fantastic setting for bassists thanks to its lower
compression and gut-punching power. It all starts with The Civil War, which
leverages prominent mids and a lower gain level to deliver a brighter, cleaner
tone than other comparable fuzzes. The Russian cuts out some low end and
clarity, while the Pi jacks in those aggressive fuzz sounds made famous by its
inspiration. The Triangle increases the low end and articulation of your
instrument, while the ’73 Ram Head relaxes the gain slightly and scoops the
mids for a deeper, darker overall tone. It’s all the fuzz you crave and so much
more!

Way Huge Pork and Pickle Smalls Bass Overdrive
Pedal

What do you get when you combine Way Huge’s iconic Pork Loin
overdrive with the Russian Pickle fuzz? The Way Huge Pork and Pickle Smalls bass
overdrive pedal, of course! This pint-size version of the Pork and
Pickle cuts down on pedalboard real estate while maintaining the versatility
and exceptional tone of the original, allowing you to run the British-flavored
Pork Loin preamp into either mode to generate one-of-a-kind overdrive and
furious fuzz. Going between overdrive and fuzz is as easy as flicking a switch,
and Clean Blend and Clean Tone knobs balance the clean and effected tones
however you see fit. Internal controls unlock even more sonic options with the
Pork and Pickle, including Level, Curve, and Presence settings to further
explore and shape your sound.

Analog Alien Alien Bass Station (ABS)
Compressor / Amp Generator / Fuzz Bass Pedal

Analog
Alien’s Alien Bass Station packs enough features under the hood to serve as
the core of your tone in both studio and stage settings. This multi-effects
pedal boasts a trio of footswitches to toggle on Limiter, Amp Generator, and
Gamma Fuzz stomps with independent settings for each to dial in a wide range of
bass tones. The Limiter and Amp Generator functions control your dynamic range
and enhance your instrument with a tube-like warmth respectively. Once you lock
in your sound, kick on the Gamma Fuzz to channel everything from dirt-tinged
groove to destructive fuzz, all controllable via two knobs. The Alien Bass
Station is a fantastic choice for bassists looking for more than just fuzz in a
single pedal — it’s perfectly capable of serving as the centerpiece for your
entire rig!

Fender The Trapper Fuzz Pedal

With two distinct voicings onboard, Fender’s
The Trapper fuzz pedal takes you from gentle sustain to molten-hot fuzz in
a flash. On the softer side of things is the Calm voicing, perfectly capable of
barking when necessary, with an optional high octave for adding tasteful
harmonics and textures to your playing. Switch over to the Possessed voicing,
and things start to heat up considerably. You get an instant gain increase as
well as an aggressive noise gate that responds to your instrument’s controls on
top of shared Tone and Contour controls for each voicing to easily incorporate
The Trapper into any setup. Just like all of Fender’s other pedals, The Trapper
is housed in a rugged and reliable aluminum enclosure accented with LED-backlit
knobs, adding more than a dash of style to your pedalboard.

Jackson Audio FUZZ Modular Fuzz Pedal

If you consider yourself a connoisseur of the fuzz pedal, then
the Jackson
Audio FUZZ modular fuzz pedal is a must-have for your collection. Not only
does the stock version sound incredible — but Jackson Audio’s growing list of
analog plug-ins also can instantly transform the FUZZ into a time-tested
vintage model! Obsessed with those Page- and Gilmour-esque tones? Turn to the FUZZ
Page Mark II and Goat Head plug-ins to infuse your tone with unmistakable
flavor. Interested in both modern and classic styles? Throw the Modern FUZZ
Deluxe plug-in into the FUZZ for two different types of clipping in one. Once
loaded in, a surgically precise 3-band EQ finds the perfect balance of Bass,
Middle, and Treble settings with a built-in octave-up effect for even more
tonal options and a Blend knob for punching in the perfect amount of grind.

Tech 21 dUg Pinnick Signature Bass
Distortion Pedal

If it’s good enough for King’s X’s dUg Pinnick, then it’s
more than enough for Sweetwater’s discerning bass players! The Tech 21 dUg Pinnick Signature bass distortion
pedal compresses Pinnick’s Ultra Bass 1000 signature head into
a rock-solid stompbox, complete with EQ and compression options. Those familiar
with Pinnick’s bass tone in King’s X can safely assume that his signature pedal
packs a wallop — it’s fully capable of delivering fuzzy brutality while fitting
comfortably in a backpack. Even better, it does all of this with complete
clarity! Kicking on the Mix switch engages both Drive and Chunk settings,
slicing cleanly through dense mixes with a throaty growl reminiscent of a dimed
bass amp. And, since the dUg Pinnick Signature boasts an XLR output, you can
run its exceptional tone directly to a PA system.

MXR M84 Bass Fuzz Deluxe Pedal

The MXR M84 Bass Fuzz Deluxe pedal is a fantastic addition to any player’s arsenal, pumping out waves of frothy, velvety fuzz akin to highly lauded vintage models yet optimized for bass guitar. Simple controls for Tone and Fuzz make it easy to dial in the perfect amount of saturation and low end with Wet and Dry knobs to fine-tune both signals into your preferred sound. One of the most crucial aspects of the M84 Bass Fuzz Deluxe is its tonal preservation — unlike some distortion pedals designed initially for guitar, this impressive pedal maintains the core of your bass’s sound at any setting.

EarthQuaker Devices Hoof V2 Germanium
/ Silicon Fuzz Pedal

It’s dirty, doomy, and destructive; but, most importantly,
it sounds fantastic on bass guitar! Through some form of sonic sorcery, our
friends at EarthQuaker Devices summoned the Hoof
V2 germanium / silicon fuzz pedal into existence, a hybrid of germanium and
silicon transistors that delivers beautiful, organic-sounding fuzz. This
combination provides you with the best of fuzz and overdrive in a single pedal,
complete with smooth and rich sustain as well as a vintage sound. Boosting and
shaping your sound is easily achieved with the Hoof’s Tone and Shift controls, and
true-bypass operation preserves your tone when the pedal is disengaged. Many of
us at Sweetwater are huge fans of EarthQuaker’s soft switches — these silent
switches do a significantly better job than standard switches at minimizing
mechanical noises during live playing and recording sessions.

If it isn’t evident by now, we love fuzz pedals at
Sweetwater! While having 14 fuzzes thrown at you is sure to make the decision
more difficult, we hope that this list aids you in forming a better idea of the
style and sound you seek while identifying the tools to make it happen. If
you’ve made your decision and are ready to rock — or if you need help whittling
down the choices — then give your Sweetwater Sales Engineer a call at (800)
222-4700. They’re just as excited as you and are fully prepared to
make your fuzz-drenched dreams a reality!