Turn my FF5 into something more crazy...

[gutsofgold]

I just built a FF5 (fuzz face from GGG), a 70's boutique version. I used BC108/BC109 in the 200-300 hfe range and it has a very smooth feel to it. Any guesses why? Ideas on how I can get something more spitty/crazy sounding?

[GibsonGM]

It's actually probably correctly biased and operating in the 'more linear' region of the transistors.  You could try playing with the bias, by replacing 1 or more resistors with trim pots. That will surely make it splatty!  Search the forum for "FF Bias" or something like that. 
If you linked to the schematic, someone will tell you exactly which resistors to replace with trimmers...also at GEOFEX, there is an article on the History of the Fuzz Face which describes what each part does.

[petemoore]

  Yea, link to the schematic.
  8k2 is no way for Q2CR to go through life....IMJO, a trimpot [20k] or trimpot + Stop resistor [say 6k8 +10trimpot] makes it easy to dial in the bias of the circuit.
  If your transistors got very lucky the circuit will bias right with a fixed Q2CR...otherwise..adjustable bias is a great feature..
  Then take the 1k and 'bump it up' from ground, splice in, say a 200 or so resistor to increase gain.