What kind of resistors sound best in fuzz pedals like TB mk2

[signalpaths]

What kind do you guys use for Fuzz pedals?  Metal film for less noise or Carbon for more grit???  Ive built tubescreamers using both and honestly I thought the carbons sounded better.  The films were really shiny and bright and not in a good way they sounded  artificial.  Will this be the case with the tonebender as well??  Just curious about the  opinions of more experienced mk 2 builders.

thanks

Eric T

[Pushtone]

From what I have learned resistors don't have a "sound".

I've only heard folks discussing the noise difference between resistor types.
There was an old post that summed this up so well but I can't find it so I will reproduce it here.

Carbon comp = Hisssss
Carbon film = Hissssss
Metal film = Hisssss


How can you be sure the resistors are the reason for the difference you are hearing?
Are you 1000% certain the other components are the exact same tolerances?
I've built two pedals at the same time with the exact same components and they come out sounding slightly different.
My feeling is its the sum of the parts that make for subtle differences in tone.

But hey, this DIY and the advantage is yours. If YOU like the sound then thats it. Enough said.

[Skreddy]

Yeah; experiment.  And if you end up preferring carbon comps, just enjoy it and don't tell anyone.  You'll get made fun of.

[DougH]

I'm usually more afraid I'll get made fun of for using carbon comps...

I use surplus parts and I can get most of the resistors in carbon film. Some values though are only available in carbon comp. I find carbon films generally "good enough" wrt noise issues.

[signalpaths]

I dont mean carbon comps i mean carbon film!!!!!!!!


Guess i shoulda clarified but Im not making any mojo argument here.

ERic

[Dragonfly]

What kind of resistors sound best in fuzz pedals like TB mk2 ?

Ones of the proper values.

Thats about it really. Some people prefer one type over another, but thats just a "personal preference" thing, so there really is no other answer to your question besides "ones of the proper values". For instance, I guarantee I can find you plenty of people who like MF's in Tube Screamers, even though you dont. I can also find you AT LEAST as many that couldn't hear a difference one way or the other. Some people can hear it, some can't. Some people prefer one thing, others dont. Theres no "general consensus, and quite honestly, who am I to tell someone they can or can't hear something...I'm not wearing their ears !

So yeah...one of the proper values. Thats the #1 most important thing.

[signalpaths]

Thanks Dragonfly thats very helpful.


Eric t

[Dragonfly]

Thanks Dragonfly thats very helpful.


Eric t

I can be useful sometimes. 

[mac]

Given the currents and voltages in the TB MKII, noise could be very low for some resistors, so all 3 kinds could sound the same.
Anyway I always use metal film.

mac

[signalpaths]

thanks mac,
good stuff

Eric

[DDD]

They say carbon resistors in the tube circuits with enough voltage drop across the resistor can add some juice to the sound. And there's no any "carbon mojo" in the 9-Volt powered circuits.

[mac]

Q1 collector current is about 0.1-0.2mA, almost the same for Q2, near 0.5mA for Q3, but you need a trimpot there.
Maybe resistors higher than 100k can add some noise. Not sure.

mac