Mozrite Fuzzrite build and report with pics

Started by Barcode80, October 12, 2006, 10:53:27 PM

Previous topic - Next topic

Barcode80

So, I've built my second successful project. I have actually built more, but the ones i consider successful are the ones that fire up and sound exactly right, and some of mine don't yet :)

here are pics:


Dim picture to show LED lit up :)

Da guts

shows color better

I used a RACO enclosure, one of the ones I posted as an empty shell in the pictures thread. The sound of this pedal is GREAT!!! My only substitution was I used a 1 Meg pot instead of 500k. I used Dragonfly's perf layout, It is superb.

I do have some changes in mind already. The perf is way bigger than necessary for this layout, so I may trim it down. I need to find the source of some radio interference coming through the signal. I may switch enclosures, as the paint got a little messed up (beginner's tip, don't paint before drilling :)) I also need a more permanent mount for the LED, I just have it poked through with no bezel. I don't like bezels, so, I will probably secure it in the back with silicon. I also need to tidy up the wiring and shorten some leads (could be the reason for the interference?). Let me know what you guys think!

EDIT: sorry about the fuzzy pics, I'm having trouble with my camera taking closeups!

petemoore

  Cool, I got a funny Mosrite schematic [iirc] and never could get it to pass signal.
  Congratulations !!
Convention creates following, following creates convention.

doug deeper

ahhh
my all time favorite fuzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
looks good!

Barcode80

okay, i haven't had a chance to shorten leads and such, but i changed the enclosure and cleaned up the look a little, topped off with a pair of shiny chrome knobs. here are pics:





The circuit is hidden by that big black foam pad, used to protect from ground-outs


What do you guys think?

Dragonfly

VERY COOL !!!   congrats on a successful build !

re: radio interference....its fairly common in high gain circuits ...usually putting a 1k-10k resistor on the input of the effect will quiet it...

AC

brett

Hi
nice result.
QuoteMy only substitution was I used a 1 Meg pot instead of 500k.
The original schematic calls for a 350k fuzz pot and IIRC a 33k volume pot.  These values are important because they affect the bass output.  It might be best to keep the total impedance of the two pots somewhere near the original. 
I used a 250k fuzz pot and a 100k volume pot.  The result is very limited bass fuzz (the low E string is very weak).  The tone of mine is somewhat like the brassy fuzz you hear on "Satisfaction".  I think the cutoff frequency is just above low A (250 Hz).

A 500k fuzz pot will let a bit more bass through (cutoff about low E), and a 1M will probably let everything thru (cutoff down at 50 Hz like most pedals).
It's certainly a simple and fantastic circuit, that's for sure.

PS the radio pickup might be due to using high hFE transistors.  The originals would have had hFE about 150.  I used BD139s with great success.
cheers
Brett Robinson
Let a hundred flowers bloom, let a hundred schools of thought contend. (Mao Zedong)

reverberation66

      looks good, I like the square yellow version.  Raco boxes make the bet enclosures if you need something cheap and solid, those things are freakin' heavy duty.  Nice job, yay for perf wiring!!!

Barcode80

okay, upon listening on my full tube rig, this thing sounded blatty as hell. so i checked voltages and i'm only getting the following:

Q1
E - 0
B - .53
C - .59

Q2
E - 0
B - 4.76
C - 4.76

I am pretty sure this is flat out wacky. These can't be correct can they?

brett

Hi
Q2 is wrong.
Check the bias resistor (470k) from the collector.
The base should be 0.6V above the collector (in all audio NPN silicon transistors, always).
cheers
Brett Robinson
Let a hundred flowers bloom, let a hundred schools of thought contend. (Mao Zedong)