Getting a Superfuzz working right

[Mark Hammer]

I made myself a Univox Superfuzz clone a while back.  The only mod I had was the use of a 3-way toggle to select Si or Ge diodes or no diodes at all.  The thing fuzzes wonderfully in both the tone-switch positions and produces lots of output.

But I never really heard the octave up I was expecting.  I made the version with the 10k balance trimpot between the bases of the two mirrored transistors used for the octave section, and frittered around with it, but I never really spent much time.  Finally, I sat down the other night and really listened to the sound as I adjusted the trimpot and eventually nailed a sweet spot.  I say "a" sweetspot because it will be different for every pedal.  Lo and behold, it went from being a fuzz to being an octave fuzz.  It's like rediscovering this thing, and I'm enjoying it.

The other thing I found out was that if I picked between the bridge and bridge pickup with the drive set moderately and the guitar turned down just a hair, I was getting all those delightful sitar-like tones I used to get from the Tim Escobedo "Jawari" pedal I gave to a friend's son.  Indeed, basically, that's what the Jawari is: a low-parts octave fuzz that loses octave energy quickly, yielding an interesting filtered sound.  The 2-position tone switch also provides interesting variations on the basic "dying drone" sound, as does the 3-way diode-select switch.

I'm pleased for a few reasons.  First I like the sound (immediately started playing Eric Burdon's "Monterey" and the Yardbirds' "Heart Full of Soul").  Second, there is still enough output in the Superfuzz, while producing this sound, to provide a volume boost if I want.  Third, I have a Mouser transformer to spare now for other projects, instead of needing to use it for the Jawari all over again.

As octave-generating fuzzes go, I still prefer the Foxx unit for a robust octave sound over both the Superfuzz and Tycho Brahe, but all 3 produce something distinctive and useful.  The Superfuzz can get those sitar-like tones better than the other two.

[reb]

Cool.
I always think of the Pete Townshend ripping it up on The Rolling Stones Rock & Roll Circus when I step on it.  "you are all forgiven"

[RDV]

No trimpot in mine but tons of octave and ring mod type sounds. I used 2n2222 with the metal cans and Ge diodes.
I've found that different pickups make completely different sounds through the SF. My favorite is the Gibson LP Jr. Special I have with P-100 pickups, a match made in Heaven. Regular HBs and Strat-style singles not so much.

RDV

[RDV]

Here's a sample of my SF in action.

RDV

[Monotremata]

Cool.
I always think of the Pete Townshend ripping it up on The Rolling Stones Rock & Roll Circus when I step on it.  "you are all forgiven"

Haha and dont forget the Isle of Wight Festival, Live at Leeds, Woodstock, etc..

Same reason I just bought a PCB for one off John Lyons.. got tired of seeing them go for over $400 on ebay especially as ugly as they are!