Are there any DIY projects similar to the "wooly mammoth"

[Hiwatt25]

First let me say, I love Zvex and I own a fuzz factory.  That being said, are there any common DIY projects around with a similar kind of fuzz?  I'm not asking for a clone or nothin' like that but if there is something with the same feel, I'd like to try it out. I've been getting into fuzzes lately and if I had a dozen of them, it'd be okay with me.

Thanks!

[analogguru]

"Wooly Mammoth", what is this ?

Is this something like a Roger Mayer Classic Fuzz with a 500k poti in series with the 100k feedback resistor (for Pinch) and an EH BigMuffPI-style tone control ?

analogguru

[calculating_infinity]

   Time to build a roger mayer classic fuzz...

[theblackman]

is that a general thing that will work with feedback loops on distortion/fuzz circuits?

[analogguru]

Time to build a roger mayer classic fuzz...

If you really like to build the classic fuzz then don´t forget to add an extra 10nF from the base of the first transistor to ground against radio-frequecies.  The value seems to be a liitle bit high, but for Bass this is not really a problem.

For better bass-response you can also increase the capacitor at the slider of the fuzz from 25µF to 100µF.

And if you need more volume, take the signal directly from the collector of the second transistor.

If you need a schematic for the classic fuzz, you can find it here:

Roger Mayer Classic Fuzz schematic

for bass you don´t need germanium transistors, so you can also use (low-gain) silicon-transistors and reverse the polarity.

A 10kOhm resistor in series with the 47k trim-poti will help you to adjust the right operation-point.

If you dont like electrolytics and you prefer more film capacitors, then change the electrolytic at the input to a 220n film capacitor.

is that a general thing that will work with feedback loops on distortion/fuzz circuits?

yes, but if the resistance gets to high (depending on the gain of the second stage) the unit will not operate correctly.

The principle is nothing new and from the mid-60´s, you can see this also in the:

Kadent Treblefuzz schematic

analogguru

[calculating_infinity]

Time to build a roger mayer classic fuzz...

If you really like to build the classic fuzz then don´t forget to add an extra 10nF from the base of the first transistor to ground against radio-frequecies.  The value seems to be a liitle bit high, but for Bass this is not really a problem.

For better bass-response you can also increase the capacitor at the slider of the fuzz from 25µF to 100µF.

And if you need more volume, take the signal directly from the collector of the second transistor.

If you need a schematic for the classic fuzz, you can find it here:

Roger Mayer Classic Fuzz schematic

for bass you don´t need germanium transistors, so you can also use (low-gain) silicon-transistors and reverse the polarity.

A 10kOhm resistor in series with the 47k trim-poti will help you to adjust the right operation-point.

If you dont like electrolytics and you prefer more film capacitors, then change the electrolytic at the input to a 220n film capacitor.

I lub yous!     Thanks for the schem!

[tcobretti]

"Wooly Mammoth", what is this ?

Is this something like a Roger Mayer Classic Fuzz with a 500k poti in series with the 100k feedback resistor (for Pinch) and an EH BigMuffPI-style tone control ?

analogguru

This is a pretty good guess.  It is a Silicon FF with a couple of very unusual controls.  The secret trick is the Pinch control, and I haven't seen anything quite like it in a FF.

The Pinch control kinda messes with the bias of the transistors, so I might experiment with Tim Escobedo's Many Faces of Fuzz til you find one that works for you.  It won't be a Wooly Mammoth, but it won't be entirely unlike it.

http://www.geocities.com/tpe123/folkurban/fuzz/fuzzyfaces.html

IMO, the ultimate bass fuzz might be Dragonfly's Dirty Sanchez, but sadly most of the info about it was pulled some time back.  If you root thru the layout galleries you might be able find something, though.  It had a grittiness to it that reminded me of the WM that was somewhat  Pinched.