Dunlop reissue fuzz face mod report

[theblueark]

I recently modded a Dunlop reissue fuzz face for a dude. It came with Dunlop's new-trying-to-be-old Germanium transistors which sucked so horribly.

The great thing is the rest of the circuit is fine, and it comes with 2 bias trim pots, one for each transistor (Yay!).

I ordered a pair of transistors from smallbear (the cheapest ones he had at $11). And they were FANTASTIC. I just dropped them in, biased by ear, and the tones were just gorgeous. Thank you so much Steve!

[joegagan]

i love fuzz face reissues, because the shape is classic, like a strat or les paul.

glad you got it sounding good too!

[jimbob]

I thought of doing the same many times. Also- I agree that Steve at Smallbear really does provide some great transistors.

[omarvolta]

yes he does! My fuzz face and tone bender with transistors from small bear sound terrific! Soon i may be ordering some for a buzzaround clone since i can't find any nkt213 anywhere.

[jlullo]

what dunlop Fuzz Face has Ge's in it?


*edit* ... sorry, just noticed that the red ones have Ge's.... i never knew that!

[drewl]

+1000 on the Small bear germs in my MKII

so, nothing could be done to make the stock transistors sound good?
just curious.

[theblueark]

From geofex:

"Later, Dunlop bought the FF trademarks and began manufacturing the FF as a reissue. Dunlop actually arranged for new manufactured "NKT275" germanium devices to be made for them, and is shipping these in its latest reissues. Reports are that these are OK sounding, much better than the ill-fated JH series. "

Those were the germanium transistors that came stock. The newer "NKT275". I suspect they have too much gain, but I didn't measure. They were really harsh, almost like a silicon fuzz. Lots of upper end bite. I tried tweaking a few values here and there, but it just didn't sound right.