Sizzle vs Fizzle

[Ventura]

We all use a lot of different descriptors when discussing tone. Fact is, most "outsiders" would think we speak an entirely different language what with "mids", and "bite", and "flub", and "chewiness", and "glassy", and..... Well, you get the idea.

But the one "adjective" I've always found interesting is the term "fizzle" and "sizzle".

I'm a fan of "sizzle". To me - to make sure we're speaking the same lingo here - it's that touch of pronounced higher end overtones when things are getting souped up and cranked in the kerrang, chew, crunch, or lower-high gain settings of most channel changing beasts out there. It's a sweet sound to me. Lively and breathing, reminds me of a crack of lightning.

Conversely, I've heard people complain about amps having "fizzle", and to me this is when things lose focus, girth and grind at higher levels. It gets dull.

But interestingly, I've heard people use these terms interchangeably, and to me, they're very very different.

Your thoughts on these two words?

 

[thegame]

Better ask Snoop Dogg for the definitive word on the subject.

 

[hellaboogie]

for shizzle not down with the fizzle

 

[Mailman1971]

Your thoughts on these two words?

Stock Mesa Dual Recto....."fizzle"
FJA Modded Dual Recto....."Sizzle"

I laughed about these 2 adjectives for the past 6 years.

Better ask Snoop Dogg for the definitive word on the subject.

"Fo shizzle Squizzle my Nizzle...."

 

[steve_k]

Fizzle = Fucking Sizzle.

 

[Heritage Softail]

Fugly...

That bitch is so fugly, when she was a baby her momma sat her across the street and fed her rocks...

I hear ya V.

The high gain on this DSL has sizzle, but push that boos button in and it over compresses and goes to fizzle..

 

[D-Rock]

I too love sizzle in my high gain tone. Some call it fizz or fizzy.

But fizz has a negative connotation to me. To me it means fizz is like a continual buzz, annoying and constant.

Sizzle is spicy, supercharged gain with a real zap to it. Kinda like the lightning strike you mentioned.

Now fizzle, has a definition that is both a sound and an action. I think of it as #2 personally.
1. To make a hissing or sputtering sound.
2. To fail or end weakly, especially after a hopeful beginning.
3. A failure; a fiasco.

 

[Ventura]

I like what I'm reading so far, Gents

 

[steve_k]

I like what I'm reading so far, Gents

Technically, the fizzle will come from unusable gain, over-saturation, extremely clipped signal. Basically, the OT is falling to pieces and becomes un-articulate.

 

[Heritage Softail]

Would that overcooking be why when ou get that perfect tone and gain, a boost almost seems to take away from the quality, not add?

The MKIIC does not like any boost I own when it is dialed in just right.

 

[Shark Diver]

My high end hearing is gone. I hear nizzle.

 

[steve_k]

Would that overcooking be why when ou get that perfect tone and gain, a boost almost seems to take away from the quality, not add?

The MKIIC does not like any boost I own when it is dialed in just right.

Yep....overloading the front-end of an amp. The IIC doesn't need any help. If you are running an EQ through the loop, use that to boost. One of the programmable EQ's would work well. Program it for a normal rhythm tone, then boosted for leads. If you are running W/D, boost the wet amp. A modded Marshall with a second master works well for this and is what I prefer to do, that way I don't muck around with the perfect tone of the IIC+.

Steve

 

[Ventura]

My high end hearing is gone. I hear nizzle.

I like what I'm reading so far, Gents

Technically, the fizzle will come from unusable gain, over-saturation, extremely clipped signal. Basically, the OT is falling to pieces and becomes un-articulate.

Agreed, or the tubes don't dig that amount of saturation (ie: KT88s sound disgusting when pushed too hard).

Ya, sizzle to me makes the amp sound - without sounding too corny - HOT!! It's got a searing high end that's not ear-fatigue like, or shrill and screechy. It's just hot sounding and has this metallic zip to it that I dig. It's like the amp is breathing...

Cool.

And, if I may - the above comment also makes total sense to me due to the fact that I don't groove to OD or dirt in front of a high-gainer. It shouldn't need it.

Diggin' the comments here

 

[Heritage Softail]

My high end hearing is gone. I hear nizzle.

I like what I'm reading so far, Gents

Technically, the fizzle will come from unusable gain, over-saturation, extremely clipped signal. Basically, the OT is falling to pieces and becomes un-articulate.

Agreed, or the tubes don't dig that amount of saturation (ie: KT88s sound disgusting when pushed too hard).

Ya, sizzle to me makes the amp sound - without sounding too corny - HOT!! It's got a searing high end that's not ear-fatigue like, or shrill and screechy. It's just hot sounding and has this metallic zip to it that I dig. It's like the amp is breathing...

Cool.

And, if I may - the above comment also makes total sense to me due to the fact that I don't groove to OD or dirt in front of a high-gainer. It shouldn't need it.

Diggin' the comments here

Yeah V. I have been actually learning a few things on here. Somebody, not sure who, started talking about the compression characteristics of the higher gain channels, compared to slightly boosting a lower gain channel. Trying to get a tad more gain but keeping the dynamics. Not sure about all amps, but a few I have respond well to that. None of the high gain channels do, or at least to my ears.

 

[nevusofota]

The amount of sizzle matters in the type of music you play. Bands with cookie monster vocals need plenty of sizzle, maybe even fizzle. Joe Bonamassa or Neil Schon need no sizzle or fizzle.

 

[Ventura]

The amount of sizzle matters in the type of music you play. Bands with cookie monster vocals need plenty of sizzle, maybe even fizzle. Joe Bonamassa or Neil Schon need no sizzle or fizzle.

I don't completely agree. Cookie Monster music can be done with gear or with a computer, and in my humble position, I wouldn't probably know the difference. It's all one big aural mess of sonic vomit, most of the times. So sure, let 'em crank up the fizzle or whatever.

But some of the most searing leads I've heard JB wail out have had plenty of sizzle coming from 'em. The top end gets independently characteristic on its own, it comes to life, sounds electric and alive.

 

[gtr31]

I like some sizzle .not to the point of frying bacon but some sizzle on high end presence is cool a la Soldano

 

[fek]

When I think of crunch I hear Cantrell's Spider Bite in my head. That tone sounds like glass crunching under a sledge.

 

[D-Rock]

When I think of crunch I hear Cantrell's Spider Bite in my head. That tone sounds like glass crunching under a sledge.

LOOOVE that tone.

 

[Heritage Softail]

Crunchy?

Old Cinderella, Gypsy Road. Not super gain, just some crunchy goodness.

Maybe that would be KFC classic where JP Sreamin for Vengance is extra crispy.


And EVH would be Popeyes Cajun Spice? It is darker looking...