Fuzz options

[Kipper4]

I have bit the bullet and ordered some AC128's (matched off the bay) to make a fuzz.
I also have some BC109's in stock that i really like.
I've been l;ooking at schematics and i know less now than when i started looking.
Which to build.
I you tubed fuzzes for inspiration and i really liked the sound of the Mayer axis fuzz in a couple of vids.

Jimi Photon is no help what so ever. LOL

Which do you like for these transistors?

I really like the Weezer fuzz sounds btw.

[midwayfair]

How many transistors did you get? You have a breadboard, right? Fuzzes can be breadboarded in a matter of minutes, and you can play with so much stuff once they're there. If you have some generic silicon transistors hanging around, you can take the Ge ones you got and go nuts with hybrids

Here's the ones I'd breadboard:

Fuzz Face
Two-transistor Tone Bender
Screwdriver/Lunar Module (Lunar is all 109s)
Big Muff
Bosstone (find Alex's "Boss T-Bone")

Three-transistor Tone Bender
Buzzaround (I really, really liked this with a low-gain silicon in Q2)
Harmonic Percollator (you'll need a trash germanium PNP)

I could go on ... resign yourself to the notion that you will not build "just one" fuzz. Hell, most of us can't build "just a couple" of any single fuzz.

[Govmnt_Lacky]

Jimi Photon is no help what so ever.

BLASPHEMY!!!!!       

[midwayfair]

Jimi Photon is no help what so ever.

BLASPHEMY!!!!!       

I have to say, if I were trying to decide just one fuzz to build, Jimi would be the least helpful guy ever. He's got some sort of ADD that only applies to fuzz pedals. (Oooh, fuzzy!)

[digi2t]

Jimi Photon is no help what so ever.

BLASPHEMY!!!!!        

Yeah, I gotta admit too, my bro`s like a squirrel in a blender when there`s a fuzz in front of him!  Fuzz Age IV.

I could go on ... resign yourself to the notion that you will not build "just one" fuzz. Hell, most of us can't build "just a couple" of any single fuzz.

Truer words were never spoken.

Just ask Jimi. 

[nocentelli]

BC109c = lunar module, best fuzz I ever built. Build the five knob deluxe version, there are loads of great sounds available.

[Kipper4]

I like the look and sound of the lunar module Deluxe although i might need a hande deciphering the schematic a bit fellas.
That ones on the list.

[midwayfair]

I like the look and sound of the lunar module Deluxe although i might need a hande deciphering the schematic a bit fellas.
That ones on the list.

Here's the breakdown:
BJT input buffer/gain stage with gain control and a treble bypass
"input cap" blend between a small-ish cap and large cap sets the total bass going into the fuzz stage
FUZZ FACE with fuzz knob and a couple modifications, namely some treble filtering
First-order treble cut tone control
Standard volume control

Easy build .. basically bullet proof. This goes for the Screwdriver, too, except it's a MOSFET input stage.
JMK PCBs sells, or used to sell, a PCB that fits in a 1590A or a 1590B with board-mounted pots.

[Kipper4]

i noticed on the input theres 2 caps in paralell one is marked with value the other is not?

[nocentelli]

5n6 and a 220n (with 4n7 to ground).

I have a verified vero layout if you're into that. The screwdriver looks great as well, but I think it uses a germanium transistor which has put me off building it so far.

[pinkjimiphoton]

I have bit the bullet and ordered some AC128's (matched off the bay) to make a fuzz.
I also have some BC109's in stock that i really like.
I've been l;ooking at schematics and i know less now than when i started looking.
Which to build.
I you tubed fuzzes for inspiration and i really liked the sound of the Mayer axis fuzz in a couple of vids.

Jimi Photon is no help what so ever. LOL

Which do you like for these transistors?

I really like the Weezer fuzz sounds btw.

two fuzzes to start with...

first, a fuzzface. use pots to bias the transistors, have a google for "brit face" mod (or pm me if ya needs it) and learn to love your volume pot.
it's the iconic fuzztone, you can dial in anything on a fuzzface once it's set up right (my toneblaster is similar, but has an extra gain stage putting it in the tonebender school...it's on the forum somewhere) right from your guitar.

the other iconic fuzz every one should have, really, imho is tim escobedo's ugly face. make sure ya build it with the lfo and tone knob options. in-farking-sane. ANY fuzz sound is possible.
many impossible sounds are possible!! true... yes... FUZZY GOODNESS!!

BUT DON'T LISTEN TO ME, I LOVE THE SOUND OF BROKEN THINGS!! (

[Kipper4]

Jimi i hear you brother.
Sound advice.
I love broken things too.
I'll be googling those before bedtime cheers buddy mucho appreciated.

[Canucker]

I've read in interviews that early weezer fuzz was a Big Muff....which I'm not really picking out...I can totally hear it in the heavier Smashing Pumpkins stuff though.

[Thecomedian]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8h6GMbzPgI

you can hear it in the very first strum

[Canucker]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8h6GMbzPgI

you can hear it in the very first strum

Never played mine with the distortion turned down that far 

[Kipper4]

Subtle is the new in your face.
Check out the matching shell suits (track suits) beyond cool.
Thanks for that.
I guess most people will eventually build a muff and i know i will have to oneday.
Thanks guys

[Thecomedian]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8h6GMbzPgI

you can hear it in the very first strum

Never played mine with the distortion turned down that far 

that's how hendrix was. turn the fuzz to max and it sounds like you're playing a bee's nest with strings attached.

[Canucker]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8h6GMbzPgI

you can hear it in the very first strum

Never played mine with the distortion turned down that far 

that's how hendrix was. turn the fuzz to max and it sounds like you're playing a bee's nest with strings attached.

I usually set my to hornet!

[Kipper4]

I built two std fuzz faces
One NPN with BC109's
the other PNP still waiting on my AC128's to arrive. I think they're on the slow boat.

I tried some PNP's i had left over from a compressor (IIRC) just to check the circuit. IT works

I really like the silicone (BC109) NPN Fuzzface.
Reading a little more i decided to investigate the voltage of the Q2 collector
Findings
Q1 collector 0.6>0.7volts
Q2 collector 4.6>4.75 volts


do i need to tweek both of these to get them both around 4.5v or as near as i can get them or am i confused and could possibly tweek just Q2 buy temorarily installing a pot until i determine the needed resistor value.
Or is what i've got close enough?

I have to say it sounds good a little bit nasaly when the fuzz knob is flat out and i maybe need to change the taper as most of the action happens in the last 20% of the turn.

I love the control you have over the distortion with the guitars volume knob.
It sounds better with single coils to my ears.
I must admit i havent run it through the tube amp yet so humbuckers may sound better then.
It sustains well too. even with some reverb from the tank it sounded half decent.

Share you favorite settings please and combinations
thanks
Rich

[nocentelli]

Q1 collector 0.6>0.7volts
Q2 collector 4.6>4.75 volts


do i need to tweek both of these to get them both around 4.5v or as near as i can get them or am i confused and could possibly tweek just Q2 buy temorarily installing a pot until i determine the needed resistor value.
Or is what i've got close enough?

I have to say it sounds good a little bit nasaly when the fuzz knob is flat out and i maybe need to change the taper as most of the action happens in the last 20% of the turn.

I love the control you have over the distortion with the guitars volume knob.
It sounds better with single coils to my ears.

- The 4.5v wisdom is for Q2 collector only - I'd adjust it to what sounds best to you and not worry about the exact voltage. You'll probably find what sounds best is around, but not necessarily bang on 4.5v.
- A reverse log pot is often recommended for the fuzzface gain control, but I find 1k linear is fine.

I also think fuzzfaces suit single coils better too: I like a tonebender MKII type circuit with my humbucker guitars, but great sounds can be had from all combinations - A lot depends on the amp you're using them with.