Changing FF Fuzz Pot to Rev Audio

[zombiwoof]

While thinking of tweaks to my Fuzz Face, I have seen that some people advocate using 1k Reverse Audio for the Fuzz pot.  After reading the GEO pot article again, I got the idea to simulate reverse audio in the existing pot using a tapering resistor.  My question is, would this also change the value of the 1k pot, and thereby affect the function of the Fuzz control?. Also, in regard to the value of the tapering resistor (as per the GEO article), he says the the value of the added resistor should  be "b=1/4 or 1/5" ("b" being the ratio of the pot value to the value of the added resistor).  Would I be correct to figure that the tapering resistor for the 1k would then be 4k or 5k, or am I figuring this incorrectly?.

Thanks,
Al

[John Lyons]

Yes, changing the taper will change the total resistance.
Yo0u can always use an audio log pot wired backwards (outer lugs reversed) to get an reverse log taper.
This of course make the control works backwards...

If you have a 5K Linear pot and a resistor set up to make the pot reverse log you should be in the ball park.
What I would do is get a 5k pot and wire another 5K temporary test pot across the wiper and top lug (or whichever outer lug that makes it anti log...tired here...). Then you can find the right taper and feel for the 5K fuzz pot. When you find a good resistance on your test pot, measure it and solder in a fixed resistor of that value.

John

[zombiwoof]

Yes, changing the taper will change the total resistance.
Yo0u can always use an audio log pot wired backwards (outer lugs reversed) to get an reverse log taper.
This of course make the control works backwards...

If you have a 5K Linear pot and a resistor set up to make the pot reverse log you should be in the ball park.
What I would do is get a 5k pot and wire another 5K temporary test pot across the wiper and top lug (or whichever outer lug that makes it anti log...tired here...). Then you can find the right taper and feel for the 5K fuzz pot. When you find a good resistance on your test pot, measure it and solder in a fixed resistor of that value.

John


What I was considering was using the existing 1K pot and doing the tapering resistor thing. You've answered my question about whether this would change the overall value, but I need to know two things:

1)  Will the change in overall resistance be detrimental to the sound of the FF?, and...

2)  Using GEO's assessment that the ratio of the existing pot value to the value of the tapering resistor should be 1/4 or 1/5, am I right to see this to say that the tapering resistor for the 1k pot should then be 4k to 5k, or am i misunderstanding this?  I just want to mimic the reverse audio taper as per the GEO findings, that will be good enough for me.  In the FF, using reverse audio is supposed to give better control of the fuzz control in the higher positions, and I believe I have a 1k linear in there now.  I have to look at my pedal to be sure, if it's not linear I may just reverse the connections as you have suggested.  I'd still like to now if I'm understanding his calculations anyway.

Thanks,
Al

[tcobretti]

I'm pretty sure you are going to want a resistor that is R/5 or R/6 where R is the value of the pot.  So, 1000/5=200 ohms or 1000/6=167 ohms.