fuzzrite again, build report

[8mileshigh]

Sorry for those how have had to endure this topic being beaten to death but I just finished my perfed version of Andrew's veroboard layout of the Fuzz rite with pop protection, power supply filter and reverse polarity protection.  It didn't work first shot and I didn't have time to debug because I had to take my kids to see Harry Potter.  While watching the movie, it occured to me out of no where what the problem was and I had it running only minutes after we got home.  First off , I had bought a clone off of Ebay which was identical to the schematic that was posted here recently and this model had very low collector values of 0.6 v  I liked the way it sounded until I got Dargonfly's version with the 2N2222's running.  The new clone blows away the old, it's got more bite and sustain but still it's only got 2.7 collector voltage on both trannies and not the 4.5 that everybody speakes about.  Has anybody else built this one ?  This is my fourth build this month but I'm very much a newbie that is very much out of control 

http://aronnelson.com/gallery/album17/MOSRITE_FUZZRITE

One another note, the fuzz/depth pot doesn't appear to chage the character of the fuzz at all so I think the pot is broken.  Do pots fail frequently ?  I figure if it wasn't wired properly, it wouldn't work at all.  Another thing, I used a linear pot for the volume because log pots can't be found up hare and it appears to work perfectly, not backwards like the pot in my Rangemaster. Anyway, this has been my most rewarding build yet because I'm so thrilled with the way this thing sounds.  It's got its own unique sonic signature, just ask my wife 

Chris

[brianwenz]

Hello Hello---
      The "4.5"  rule really was meant mainly for a Fuzz Face- style circuit  [and even then, use your ears to fine tune it.]   Lots of other fuzz circuits have many different  collector voltages.
Brian.

[Herr Masel]

Hello, so are you liking the fuzzrite? Would you recommend building it? I am looking for something pretty nasty but unfortunately I don't have as much time on my hands to experiment, not as much as I'd like!

[MartyMart]

For something "FAT" and "Nasty" try Dragonfly's recently posted "Hot Tamale" fuzz
easy to build and a very rewarding sound 
Use a switchable input cap for a "thinner" version.

MM.

[8mileshigh]

Herr,

Yes, I'm loving the Fuzzrite, I wouldn't call it nasty, I think I'd go one step further and call it filthy but it's probably not as fat as the Tamale, the Fuzzrite has lots of bite/treble but in a good way.  Want something that nails that 60's psychedelic fuzz tone ?  As I said, the Dragnofly version sounds better and more agressive that the Fuzzrite samples at Tone Frenzy, think of it as a Fuzzrite on steroids or maybe ephidrine 

Chris

[8mileshigh]

Brian,

Thanks, every little bit of info helps, I appreciate it !  So what about pot failure, does it happen frequently ?  Just curious .....

Chris

[Mark Hammer]

Okay, so now do either or both of two things:

1) Build a Shin-Ei FY-2 and compare.

2) Stick a passive midscoop before the output level pot, as on the FY-2 and see how you like it.

These two devices bear a strong family resemblance..

[8mileshigh]

Mark,

We'll do, the Shin-Ei FY-2 Companion will be my next build as soon as I can find transistors.  I hope it doesn't sound as cheesy as its name    I need to find a store in Montreal that has a decent selection of parts, I'll try a few tomorrow after work.

Chris

[Dragonfly]

Mark,

We'll do, the Shin-Ei FY-2 Companion will be my next build as soon as I can find transistors.  I hope it doesn't sound as cheesy as its name    I need to find a store in Montreal that has a decent selection of parts, I'll try a few tomorrow after work.

Chris

the FY2 tends to be better with a bit higher hfe transistors...at least from all the recent reports...more output, more fuzz....search the forum for some suggestions...
andy

[Mark Hammer]

Mark,

We'll do, the Shin-Ei FY-2 Companion will be my next build as soon as I can find transistors.  I hope it doesn't sound as cheesy as its name    I need to find a store in Montreal that has a decent selection of parts, I'll try a few tomorrow after work.

Chris

I may have a pair of 2SC536 I can spot you.  If you're in Ottawa, give me a shout.

[8mileshigh]

Mark,

Thanks for the nice offer, not sure when I'll make it up to Ottawa though, I'll keep you in mind.  BTW, did you know amp guru Doug Brash, I wash shocked to find out he passed away, didn't even know he was sick   He overhauled my Bass Master a few years ago, still sounds amazing.

Anyway, I replaced the 500K depth pot on the clone and it fires on all cylinders.  So very cool !    I'm psyched !

Chris

[Mark Hammer]

Well then PM me with your surface mail address and I'll see if I can find a pair in the parts bin and stick 'em in an envelope.

Doug Brash did some work for me too.  Helluva nice guy.  Since he was officially retired, and VSW was a "hobby" business, I thought the note on his site earlier this year simply indicated he was taking the summer off to travel or something.  I had no idea he was so sick until I saw the obit in the paper a couple of days after he died..

It's rather ghoulish to ponder, but I wonder what happened to all his inventory.  Part of me wants to contact his widow, but another part of me feels it's in bad taste.  Given that he was a fairly meticulous type, though, I'd be very surprised if he hadn't made arrangements to sell off stuff or at least provide his wife with instructions on how to dispose of it.  Sad loss.

If we ever get another one of those Ottawa Valley DIY summit together, you'll have to get your ass over here.