SATURN FIVE FUZZ

[tcobretti]

Yes, that 500k volume pot value won't effect the fuzz much.

I'm pretty sure something isn't right.

[Mugshot]

Yes, that 500k volume pot value won't effect the fuzz much.

I'm pretty sure something isn't right.

YOU are indeed right 

i opened it up again last night and found out i have soldered the 100K resistor across the + and ground instead of + to the collector of Q2. my bad. it does sound massive. but i kinda miss the smoothed out tone i had when no current is getting into the second stage. im thinking of adding a lift switch just for that 

question though: i replaced the 22K resistor with a 1K and let the splat pot control all the resistance (i think you can just omit the 22K resistor). if i connect the splat pot lug 1 to ground i think it effectively becomes a volume control for the first stage, no? im curious on how it will sound wired like that.

and it appears that this is similar to having 2 boosters wired in series. am i right?

[tcobretti]

The lift switch will make the pedal into something like a booster with some of the highs bled to ground by the 220p cap in the middle.  You could make it more of a booster by drawing the output from immediately after the 0.022u cap after the first transistor stage.

I'm not entirely clear on how the splat knob works, but I am pretty sure the 22k resistor crates an minimum amount of splat.  Without the 22k it'll probly clean up more than Andy intended, which is fine if you prefer it that way.  If you connect a lug to ground, it will act like a volume knob between the stages.  As it is, I think it changes the impedance of the first stage, which will affect the tone differently than a volume knob.

Really, you should try both, but the way to do it right is to temporarily wire in a switch so you can A/B both pot configurations to see which you prefer more. 

As for the 2 boosters idea: not exactly.  Very often a fuzz is a booster that runs into 'something' that makes it fuzzy.  That something may be diodes, or a phase splitter that creates an octave effect, or, as in this case, a misbiased transistor.

[Mugshot]

The lift switch will make the pedal into something like a booster with some of the highs bled to ground by the 220p cap in the middle.  You could make it more of a booster by drawing the output from immediately after the 0.022u cap after the first transistor stage.

I'm not entirely clear on how the splat knob works, but I am pretty sure the 22k resistor crates an minimum amount of splat.  Without the 22k it'll probly clean up more than Andy intended, which is fine if you prefer it that way.  If you connect a lug to ground, it will act like a volume knob between the stages.  As it is, I think it changes the impedance of the first stage, which will affect the tone differently than a volume knob.

Really, you should try both, but the way to do it right is to temporarily wire in a switch so you can A/B both pot configurations to see which you prefer more. 

As for the 2 boosters idea: not exactly.  Very often a fuzz is a booster that runs into 'something' that makes it fuzzy.  That something may be diodes, or a phase splitter that creates an octave effect, or, as in this case, a misbiased transistor.

with the second stage not getting any power, i kinda like the highs rolled-off tone i got. after getting this circuit right, i installed a 100pf cap from output to ground on the 1 and 3 lugs of the volume pot to get an approximation of the high-end roll-off i needed. still, this thing sounds massive! and has way too much output hehe.

setting the fuzz knob to about 7-9 oclock i get some fat tones.

i think the splat knob acts like it cuts the signal from the 1st stage before it hits the second stage of the circuit. yes, the 22K sets the minimum resistance. i used 1K in mine to hear what the effect would be. with fuzz knob maxxed (1K resistance only applying), it has a lot of high end.

but this is one impressive fuzz. i really like how prominent it sounds. it doesnt sound too scooped (or maybe not scooped at all), my impression is that it has plenty of midrange which i need. all i can say is wow. thumbs up for this.

hey dragonfly, what other fuzz circuits do you recommend? im thinking of some smooth fuzzes (if there is such a thing) in your gallery. pretty fun and easy builds, and so inspiring 

[tcobretti]

Sadly, I don't think Andy comes around anymore.

[Mugshot]

Sadly, I don't think Andy comes around anymore.

ouch! what gives?

[tcobretti]

I honestly don't know.  I think he had some personal issues that pulled him away, and then I believe he had a bit of bad blood with some dudes.  But seriously, I don't know.

[THOMMO]

The photo didn't load for some reason.Also the sound clip said "error item not found"!

Is it just me? Wouldn't work in IE or mozilla?!?

Jason.

[tcobretti]

These both work for me.

http://www.aronnelson.com/gallery/main.php/v/DRAGONFLY-LAYOUTS_0/album87/album188/Saturn_Five_MP3.mp3.html

[snap]

Sadly, I don't think Andy comes around anymore.

ouch! what gives?

check his current sig and look this: http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=73839.0

[Mugshot]

These both work for me.

http://www.aronnelson.com/gallery/main.php/v/DRAGONFLY-LAYOUTS_0/album87/album188/Saturn_Five_MP3.mp3.html

i see the 22K is not in this schematic, only the 500K splat pot. i recommend to all who want to build this to get rid of this 22K minimum resistance if you want more clean up and more Splat.

above all things, the voice of this pedal is really something. i have no problems cutting in in a loud live band for sure. this is my fu when i am "desperate" to be heard hehe.