Building a fuzz circuit into a guitar. Cool Present for my 5 year old

[MrForbes]

Ok Folks,

I need some guidance.  My five year old has been asking me since he was 3 for a rock guitar since I have him addicted to the Black Keys (how awesome is that!).  He is 5 now and I think old enough (or disciplined enough since he has some school experience) to tackle learning some guitar under instructed guidance.  Now, I can build guitars.  That's not the problem.  I have lots of parts kicking around for the electronics since i do repairs and restorations.

What I want to do is the guitar will have one humbucker, a single volume and a single tone.  I would like to include a toggle switch to engage a third knob that would control a simple fuzz circuit.  This is beyond my basic wiring knowledge but would be super cool for him.  Not sure how to wire in the twitch to the single input so that when it i one the signal is affected by the fuzz circuit.  Any suggestions or ideas would be greatly appreciated.

and the guitar has to have flames and a skull....but I can handle that part..haha

[davent]

Rather then a seperate toggle switch you can get pots with integrated DPDT switches, you switch by pulling up on the pots knob. You would wire in the effect using the DPDT wired as you would a true bypass switch for the effect. Can't remember where i got the one with solder terminals, maybe StewMac? but Small Bear have them with pcb terminals which in the long run may be easier to negotiate.

http://www.smallbearelec.com/servlet/Detail?no=619

dave

[Jdansti]

I modified a typical single humbucker drawing to add the fuzz bypass switch and to wire the jack so the fuzz will be connected to the battery only when the guitar cable's plug is inserted in the jack. As Dave said, you could use a switched pot.

[MrForbes]

Thanks so much for the replies.  This is perfect.  Yeah I will use the pot suggested.  I will post pics of this project as it progresses.  Again, Thanks.

[MrForbes]

I ordered the switch/pot from Stewmac. It actually had the lowest shipping.  I had to get some other stuff from them so it worked out good. 

The other parts I think I can order from a wholesaler 3 hours from here.  Sounds like they have the stuff i need.  While I wait for parts I guess I get the body made.

[Jdansti]

Looking forward to seeing it!

[chptunes]

Sounds way cool.. which Fuzz circuit will you use?  A Bazz Fuss is the fewest parts count and sounds great.. or, a Fuzz Face variant perhaps?

Can't wait to see your progress..

[davent]

Mr. Forbes, i think i remember reading you're somewhere in the prairie provinces? Do you use Timeless Instruments for guitar building materials?

http://www.timelessinstruments.com/

For guitar electronic bits i've had good luck in the past with GuitarElectronics. StewMac shipping to Canada has always come back to bite me. To get around that i was using a confederate stateside, who my brother was visiting frequently so could avoid the unpleasent Canada shipping surprises.

http://www.guitarelectronics.com/

Take care,
dave

[MrForbes]

Hey Dave,

Yes I know Dave Freeman very well.  That is where I learned.  I have been back to his shop several times and visit a few times a year.  I do get most of my acoustic supplies from him for sure.

Yeah StewMac's shipping is not bad but the border always gets you.  Never fails.  Thanks for the other supplier link.

[MrForbes]

I am just going to use the coloursound clone that is listed on the Beavis Audio site.  Should do the trick.

Sounds way cool.. which Fuzz circuit will you use?  A Bazz Fuss is the fewest parts count and sounds great.. or, a Fuzz Face variant perhaps?

Can't wait to see your progress..

[therecordingart]

I am just going to use the coloursound clone that is listed on the Beavis Audio site.  Should do the trick.

That is a great sounding fuzz...simple and good. You're an awesome Dad...musical instruments make the best gifts.

[MrForbes]

Got all my components!  I will try and build the circuit to the board tonight.  So pumped.

[MrForbes]

Well I got the wrong kind of vero board.  It is not he simple strips and rows.   

I will have to go try and get something different.  The one I got it too confusing to try and figure out how to lay it out.  I still might need some help.

[Jaicen_solo]

That's a good thing, it stopped you putting that generic fuzz circuit into the guitar.

Sack it off and put a Fuzz Factory in there

[MrForbes]

Not sure which circuit that one would be...plus it has to be small since i have to fit it all into one cavity.  The ColorSound Clone can be quite compact if you lay it out right.  Still no luck with proper veroboard.   

[Jaicen_solo]

Not sure which circuit that one would be...plus it has to be small since i have to fit it all into one cavity.  The ColorSound Clone can be quite compact if you lay it out right.  Still no luck with proper veroboard.   

It would be this one:

http://youtu.be/MomzVgL_2KA

Perhaps not what you're looking for, but it's my favourite fuzz of all time.

Ermm, yeah, bit of a Muse Fanatic, sue me! 

http://youtu.be/1M4bgOHxeio

[Jdansti]

^ Nice fuzz, but a bit much to stuff into a guitar, wouldn't you say?   

[Jaicen_solo]

No Wei! Like I said, it's my favourite fuzz of all time!

I've put several into guitars, they can be made very small, less than 2"x2" easily. I've made some with onboard trimmers on a board the size of a 9v battery. I mount the Stab and Gate controls externally and preset gain, comp and volume.

If you're custom building the guitar, it would be worth the time ten minutes it would take to drill an extra hole and route a bigger cavity.