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Average Price: $399
High-end/Boutique
$70
$201+
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Description
The Malekko Heavy Industry B:ASSMASTER is a dynamic instrument that brings the retro vibe of the Maestro Bass Brassmaster octave fuzz into the current era. This pedal offers a delightful blend of octave overdrive and distortion, wrapped up in a modern, noiseless, and manageable unit. Equipped with an expression jack, the B:ASSMASTER allows for meticulous control over your sound. With its three knobs and two switches, you can effortlessly shape the tone, harmonics, and balance between dry and wet mix. This pedal is a rockstar when it comes to delivering fuzzy distortion specifically tailored for basses.
Key Features:
- Inspired by the legendary Maestro Bass Brassmaster octave fuzz
- Provides octave overdrive and distortion in a noiseless pedal
- Expression jack for convenient control
- Three knobs and two switches for precise tonal and overtone shaping
- Perfectly creates fuzzy distortion for basses
Product specs
| Brand | Malekko |
| Model | B:assmaster |
| Finish | Brown |
| Year | 2010s |
| Made In | United States |
| Categories | Distortion Pedals, Fuzz Pedals and Effects |
FAQs
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What type of sound can I expect from the Malekko B:assmaster Octave Fuzz?
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The Malekko B:assmaster delivers a thick, aggressive fuzz with a strong octave-up effect, ideal for bass players seeking a vintage-inspired, synth-like distortion. It's known for its ability to cut through the mix with a rich, harmonic texture.
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Is the Malekko B:assmaster suitable for live performances?
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Yes, the Malekko B:assmaster is well-suited for live performances thanks to its robust build and ability to produce powerful, distinctive fuzz tones that maintain clarity and presence on stage.
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Does the Malekko B:assmaster work well with both active and passive bass pickups?
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The Malekko B:assmaster is compatible with both active and passive bass pickups, providing a versatile fuzz effect that enhances the tonal characteristics of different bass types.
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Can the Malekko B:assmaster be used with a guitar?
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While designed for bass, the Malekko B:assmaster can also be used with a guitar, offering unique fuzz tones and octave effects that can add a distinctive edge to your guitar sound.
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What power supply does the Malekko B:assmaster require?
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The Malekko B:assmaster requires a standard 9V DC power supply, which is commonly used with most guitar and bass pedals, ensuring easy integration into your pedalboard setup.
Videos
ProGuitarShopDemos
Malekko Barker Assmaster Germanium Fuzz Pedal
Reviews
PROS
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Unique balance/blend knob enhances sound versatility
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Voice filters add depth to tone customization
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Cuts through the mix, ensuring presence in live settings
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Offers a distinctive doom sound for bassists
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Germanium version provides a cool fuzz with tweakable settings
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Versatile octave up fuzz feature for varied sound textures
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Slightly compressed dry signal retains low end effectively
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Works well with other pedals for expansive soundscapes
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Eye-catching, unique color scheme and design aesthetics
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Sensitivity control offers dynamic interaction with pedal settings
CONS
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Initial difficulty in taming the sound for some users
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Controls can be confusing to new users
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Requires time to tweak for optimal sound setup
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Malekko Heavy Industry B:assmaster Octave Fuzz.
Comparisons
Features and functionality
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The germanium version of the B:assmaster is noted for its lo-fi yet clean fuzz, adding a unique character to the sound.
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The B:assmaster offers independent fuzz and clean volumes, allowing for precise blending of original tone with the effect.
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The harmonic switches on the B:assmaster allow the fuzz emphasis to be adjusted, tailoring the sound to different tonal territories.
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Mods and upgrades
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Adding a master volume control is recommended to manage the B:assmaster's gain levels effectively, as the default settings can be overpowering.
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User experience
Use cases and applications
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The B:assmaster's complex component count makes it a challenging DIY project, suitable for experienced builders seeking a unique build.
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Critic Reviews
4.5 out of 5
Based on 1 Review and 9 Ratings
Artist usage
Add artist
5:38 into this video, Flea's tech talks about his Malekko B:ASSMASTER: "We have our B:ASSMASTER here, which is Malekko. It’s a great pedal, great fuzz, distortion pedal. That’s his new favorite."
Gerard Way is using the Malekko B:Assmaster Distortion Pedal in this video he posted on Instagram.
"Love this pedal. Another key component to the Hesitant Alien bass tone. Both recorded and live. And it’s called an assmaster and it looks awesome and I had to have it."
During Kings of Leon's performance of WALLS, Matthew Followill can be seen using the Malekko Heavy Industry B:assmaster Octave Fuzz. The pedal is seen on his pedalboard at the 4:37 mark, and then again at the 4:43 mark. The pedal is located at the front left of his pedalboard next to the Whammy V.
On this promotional video Fender made for Mikey's new signature Jazz bass, you can see his pedalboard next to him, which has a B:assmaster on the top right corner
Visible in Stompbox: 100 Pedals of the World's Greatest Guitarists, as can be seen in the quick browse video at 0:08.
in this Instagram post, the Malekko B:ASSMASTER can be seen on the first stair in the middle
When asked "What effects/pedals do you use for the main riff in 'Sun' to get that synthy overdrive sound?", Sam Halliday responds with the Malekko B:assmaster.
The Equipboard source shows Doyle Bramhall II's pedalboard, featuring the Malekko Heavy Industry B:ASSMASTER bass effects pedal.
Munky himself posted an image with it in the studio. Unclear when it’s ever used.
Very visible throughout the video but if you want a timestamp check out 6:52, top right corner of the board, I mean you can't miss it. Explained in the video by Bondy that it was one of the many pedals introduced to him by jackknife. He demonstrates at 04:26 how instrumental it is to songs on The Balance and plays part of the Fluctuate solo with it for the camera. Used for that 'Scratchy fuzz' tone.
Album Usage
The Malekko Heavy Industry B:assmaster Octave Fuzz has been featured on the following albums:
Sun (Live & Smiling from Finsbury Park)
Two Door Cinema Club (2023)
New York in the Rain (Xiu Xiu Remix)
Xiu Xiu (2020)
The Balance
Catfish and the Bottlemen (2019)
Fluctuate
Catfish and the Bottlemen (2019)
WALLS
Kings of Leon (2016)
Hesitant Alien
Gerard Way (2014)
Fading West
Switchfoot (2013)
Hello Hurricane
Switchfoot (2009)
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Malekko Heavy Industry B:assmaster Octave Fuzz, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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