Questions about Dallas Fuzzface

[user]

Hi everyone. I want to build the Dallas-arbiter Fuzz face http://fuzzcentral.ssguitar.com/fuzzface.php 
The question is, the ac 128 transistor being a pnp, can i use this pedal in series with other 'normal' NPN negative ground pedals?
If not, can i use any other npn transistor to build it without sounding too fuzzy or distorted?
I just want a slight breakup hendrix tone for blues stuffs without sounding too extreme like a devi-ever fuzz pedal.
What should i do?
thanks for ur time

[jayp5150]

Serues in the signal chain, yes. In your power daisy chain, no.

You just need a dedicated power supply (or use a battery).

The in and out jacks don't carry DC, so there's no issue there.

Have fun.

[user]

Thanks for the help. Cleared the issues 

[user]

More questions
Is matching transistors compulsory?
What happens if i don't 'match' the two transistors i will be using for this pedal?
And what are the advantages of using matched transistors?

[zombiwoof]

Just about everything you need to know is here:

http://www.smallbearelec.com/HowTos/FuzzFaceFAQ/FFFAQ.htm

Al

[Joe Hart]

More questions
Is matching transistors compulsory?
What happens if i don't 'match' the two transistors i will be using for this pedal?
And what are the advantages of using matched transistors?

The transistors aren't really "matched" so much as "should be in the correct gain ranges." And having them in the correct gain ranges just makes it sound like a "good" classic Fuzz Face. Of course, what is "good"?? People have had great success with transistors out of the "normal" gain ranges -- the circuit just tends to not sound like the idealized Fuzz Face. But that can be very cool, too! I would strongly recommend breadboarding the circuit and trying all kinds of different components and seeing what works for your guitar/amp/ears. Good luck and I hope this was helpful!
-Joe Hart

[petemoore]

  Hi everyone. I want to build the Dallas-arbiter Fuzz face http://fuzzcentral.ssguitar.com/fuzzface.php 
  Something like that built here, Fuzzface testperfbed allows all the variation I could tweek myself blue with.
  The question is, the ac 128 transistor being a pnp, can i use this pedal in series with other 'normal' NPN negative ground pedals?
  Always test for non continuity between +/- before connecting the power supply. Otherwise create a direct short condition, ugly.
If not, can i use any other npn transistor to build it without sounding too fuzzy or distorted?
  "Fuzzy was a buzz decsribed here as high frequency clipped signal, the FF, certain speakers and any guitar amplifier is capable of that. One thing that did stay in my perma FF's, is the treble control across the volume control, simple variable R [pot], and Capacitor Vr/C to ground there. Considering to try the stupidly wonderful tone controls there though [AMZ notebook].
  I just want a slight breakup hendrix tone for blues stuffs without sounding too extreme like a devi-ever fuzz pedal.
  Doesn't everyone. What a rigs-mahns-dude...I was reading about old Fender stratocaster pickup wire guages, magnets and...failing to find any weakness in these enourmous transformers. They only sound through speaker, and the amp seems so different whenever I change even the settings, let alone the actual amplifier. I had good to miserable results through certain ones IME, and have the FF onboard at all times, the indicator often glows.
What should i do?
  For fuzzface and you want to know ? the testboard alone...making it on perfboard, will familiarize you with the small, sensative to what's where [hfe/leakage/resistances/capacitances] in the high gain, clipping, two transistor feedback loop voltage amplifier.
  The solid construction will allow many tweeks without the worn out breadboard syndrome, allowing other circuits such as pre-fuzz-boosters to be tried out here.
  8PIN IC socket for transistors, left/right, the fourth socket lug at collector open or connected to collector for excellent voltage probe point.
  IC sockets for input and out caps for sure.
  To try reverse polarity [NPN/PNP] socket the polarized components [ACBypass electrolytic].
  5k6 + a 10k trimpot for Q2 collector resistor, most of the transistors I like fell in this range anyway [5k6 through 15k6], this range allows easy to dial in closely/fine tuning of the trimpot.
  Make the 100k feedback resistor as 150k, then you can parallel it to any lower value with resistor [or pot] piggyback methods.
  Same thing but I found 33k to be a good thing to leave in there.
  The ''470'' [sometimes shown as 330ohm through 1k2]...make that a 1k2 [leave about 3/8'' or 1/2'' lead above board] and parallel as needed to trim volume output, see Fuzzcentral, a capacitor across this resistor.
  Might as well put in the YAFF Q1E resistor [also AMZ].
  For the parts populating, I used a larger board to start with, looped many of the leads through two perfboard holes, twisting or otherwise soldering these wires to 2 pads for extra rigidity, having sockets with 4 legs per side is sturdy...
  Alternatively the input and output capacitor values can be reduced when splicing another capacitor in the offboard wire creating 2 seriesed caps there.

[user]

thank you..i will try that

[Gus]

petemoore

How does the Yaff Q1e resistor do?   Look at the collector value of Q1.