What is the difference between Distortion, and Fuzz?

Norman86

So maybe it seems like a stupid question...
But i have to ask, because i havent yet been able to hear the difference?
Especially between distortion and fuzz!

Or maybe i havent heard the right clips to hear a difference?!

Thanks!

Mr-M

Go here and read: http://www.guitarforum.co.za/effects/the-ultimate-fuzz-thread/

On page two I did a post with some good examples of fuzz. Here is the explanation of fuzz from my post: "As opposed to other distortion guitar effects pedals, a fuzzbox boosts and clips the signal sufficiently to turn a standard sine wave input into a waveform that is much closer to a square wave output. The sound of almost creating a square wave gives a "Rough around the edges" effect that creates the classic fuzz tone. This gives a much more distorted and synthetic sound than a standard distortion or overdrive. Fuzz sounds also tend to have lower Mid frequencies than other distortion types."

Watch the videos in that thread of the Smashing Pumpkins, the Black Keys, the White Stripes and the Rolling Stones for an idea of fuzz. That should be a good education. ?

Mmmhmm...fuzz... 8)

Norman86

Thanks Mr T ?
Always helpful as usual!!

AlanRatcliffe

Pretty well explained by Mr T already. I'll add some of my own rubbish into the mix:

All overdrive, distortion and fuzz effects are - technically speaking - distortion (a deformation of the waveform by clipping off the top part of the wave), but we guitarists like our distortion, so we subdivide them, giving them different names for their different sonic characteristics.

Overdrive - is a smoother sound, more the way a valve amp distorts. It varies in amount depending on how hard you play (play softly, the sound is clean, but the harder and louder you play the more overdrive you get), so is dynamic. It also transitions smoothly from clean to clipped. The clipped wave is rounded off a little to make the sound smoother and "warmer" - called "soft" clipping.

Distortion - is a bit harsher sounding and "rough edged" than overdrive. It clips the waveform more abruptly - called "hard" clipping . Has less playing dynamics.

Fuzz - is the most extreme sounding distortion effect and has no dynamics at all. The clipping is extremely hard turning the signal into a near square wave.

This is what a distorted wave will look like with hard and soft clipping:

singemonkey

Or you can describe it like:

Overdrive: Stevie Ray Vaughn

Distortion: Metallica

Fuzz: The main riff in the Stones' Satisfaction and most live Hendrix you've ever heard.

Jack-Flash-Jr

Modern fuzz: