Univox superfuzz VERO layout?

[rove]

Like the title says, anyone have a vero for the superfuzz?  I have been wanting one of these pedals since I first borrowed one almost 15 years ago, but no way am I paying vintage prices!
I know I have seen a pcb layout floating around...
thanks!
Paul

[tcobretti]

It's pretty complicated for vero.  I thought about doing one recently, but decided it was too much work.  You might be better off buying a PCB, or even transferring the PCB layout to perf.

[rove]

I would gladly buy a PCB, but haven't seen one offered by any of the usual suspects (GGG, tonepad, etc).  Any idea where to get ahold of one?
thanks,
Paul

[tcobretti]

If you post a request in the lounge, somebody will burn you a pcb for pretty cheap.  Basicaudio did a couple for me and did a great job, so you could just pm him.

There's a layout here:
http://members.fortunecity.com/uzzfay/superfuzz2/superfuzz2.html

[slacker]

It's Sunday afternoon and I'm bored, I'll have a go at a vero layout.

[zachomega]

Let me know how this works out. 

-Zach Omega

It's Sunday afternoon and I'm bored, I'll have a go at a vero layout.

[MartyMart]

I built mine on vero, didn't draw it up ( common problem !)
It was about 2 inches X 4, so BB box was big enough.

MM.

[slacker]

Here you go then, unverified obviously



I based it on this schematic http://www.univox.org/pics/schematics/superfuzz2.gif but there's also this one http://www.univox.org/pics/schematics/superfuzz.gif which has some different component values and the added 10k pot. I don't know which one's correct but it should be easy enough to use the component values off either schematic.
I don't know if the 10k pot is critical to the circuit, I guess it's to tweak the differential pair for the best octave.
If needs be I could change the layout to include the 10k pot, I assume it's supposed to be a trim rather than an external control? 

[zachomega]

Somebody let me know if this layout works...Either way, this is an awesome starting point!  You are the man!

-Zach Omega

[tcobretti]

I remember somewhere RG said that the 10k pot is to tune to octave. 

Thanks for the layout!

[slacker]

That's what I thought, I'll add it to the layout, I think it will just mean adding another row.
I seem to remember a recentish thread about the superfuzz where the different schematics and values were discussed, I'll try and find it and see if there's a definitive version.

[MartyMart]

Yup, mine has the afore mentioned trimpot for octave tuning, well worth adding in.

MM

[rove]

Thanks so much, awesome use of a sunday afternoon.  the schematic says to use 2N2222 or 2n3391, interested what transistors those who have built one of these have used...
thanks again!!!
Paul

[slacker]

I've updated the layout to correct a couple of errors and include the 10k trimmer. After doing a bit reading, I've  changed the component values to the one on the hand drawn schematic, http://www.univox.org/pics/schematics/superfuzz.gif as that seems to be the correct one.
Here's the latest version.

[rove]

OK I had a go at this layout last night.  triple checked all the component and track break positions.  the parts subs I used were 2k resistors for the 1k8s as its all i had.  I used 5088s for transistors as the pack of 2n2222s I bought from RS had no 2n2222s in it (all 4401 and 549s).  confirmed pinout on those, and... nothing!  it was really late when I plugged it up and I didn't have the heart to troubleshoot at that time, but I thought my "progress" might prove useful.
thanks again for the layout, I am gonna stick with it and see if I can't get some superfuzz out of this mess... advice welcome!

[slacker]

That was quick, shame it's not working, I'm pretty confident that the layout is correct but I'm double checking it.
The first verison I posted had a error, I'd put a 10uF cap in the wrong place. It was off the emittor of Q4,

It's the cap in red above, not sure what that would do to the circuit but it should be removed.
I normally like to build my layouts before I post them to make sure they build OK and work, if I've got enough components I'll see if I can build this at the weekend.

[rove]

Well the layout may indeed be fine as I am not the most experienced of vero builders and I worked on it into the wee hours...  I have not done any more testing except to make sure that I did indeed use the second posted version of the layout.  Once I figured out I had all the parts here, i went for it.  I will post any further progress.
thanks!

[tcobretti]

It took me 6-7 vero builds before I figured out that troubleshooting step #1 is always to check that no solder is accidentally linking the strips.  Probly 80% of the time that is my problem.  I've gotten much better (a quality iron helped a lot), but if it doesn't work right off the bat, it's almost always because of accidentally linked strips.

[8mileshigh]

Good point, I 've had the same problem in the past.  Other times, I have extra flux between the strips causing a short, well, that what I think the problem was.  Regardless, make sure the board is clean and make sure your work station has enough light.  If you can get it working, it might motivate me to take a stab at it, otherwise, I'd really have to psyche myself to attempt it due to my limited skills/knowledge.

Keep us updated.
Chris

[rove]

thanks for the encouragement.  I fiddled with it a bit more and was able to get a ticking sound to come out that would get faster when I played the guitar, but, alas, no superfuzz.  That said, I am thinking that a little while longer with the bright lights and the iron cleaning up the tracks may get me there, assuming I haven't fried anything in the process.
P