Help with Ge Fuzzrite

[sengo]

Hey guys, I built a Ge Fuzzrite based on this schematic http://eu11.stripper.jp/pulcino/blog/archives/000013.html

At first I used the Fuzz Face Germs available through smallbear, but they didn't get quite fuzzy enough (by the way, nailed the "Satisfaction" tone), so I ordered two of the hot Germs from smallbear that are rated over 200hfe. Now this thing gets really fuzzy, but it seems to have too much treble as well. It's somewhat ear piercing, and comparing it to other clips I've found, and to In-a-gadda-da-vida, It has more treble than the originals. I tried replacing the .002uf caps on either side of the tone control with slightly larger caps, but that seemed to remove a lot of the fuzz while adding some bass, making the whole thing sound muffled.

Does anyone know of an effective way to fix this? I uploaded a clip, forgive me for my lousy guitar playing

http://www.supload.com/listen?s=XA2M66L45ISD

All thoughts are welcome,

Nick

[foxfire]

you can try increasing C1. increasing the input and output caps are a safe place to start.

[8mileshigh]

Nick,

Did you build it on a breadboard ?  Polaris used lower gain transistors for his and it sounds very musical and much less screachy than mine does so it wouldn't hurt to swap parts and tweak.  Regardless, yours sounds pretty darned good as is, it sounds like authentic Butterfly fuzz to me.  Anyway check out his sound clip. His tone is pretty fat but the P-90's play a huge roll in that.  I've only tested mine with the telecaster so far.

http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=61556.20 

What are the readings on your transistors ?

Chris

[sengo]

Thanks for the replies guys. Changing the input cap to a larger value helped a bit, but wasn't quite getting me there. Thanks for that link Chris, after reading that I replaced the high gain Q2 with a low gain Russian transistor rated at 38hfe. That totally made the difference! It sounds almost identical to that clip now, and I'm hoping that would just be the difference in guitars and amps, plus playing ability (I pretty much can't play for my life).

I think I love this pedal now, It's going to get off the bread board now.

Are you still interested in the voltages for the transistors? If you are I'll figure them out when i get a chance.

Thanks for the help guys,

Nick   

[8mileshigh]

Nick,

I have some low gain Russian transistors in the basement just collecting dust.  I should go down and give them a try and see how they sound.  Too many ideas, not enough time...

Chris

[8mileshigh]

Nick,

I tried a Russian GT402  (42hfe) for Q2 and it also worked like a charm for me.  Sounds "far out"   
I'm happy I found a use for these & may also try them in a rangemaster when I get a chance.  Sounds "far out" compared to the screechy version I built.

Chris

[sengo]

I'm glad to hear it worked out! Sounds like a transistor with low hfe for Q2 is the ticket.