More fuzz out of a Fuzz Face?

Started by DWBH, July 14, 2009, 09:29:20 AM

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Dai H.

well (maybe this is obvious and you've already tried), but have you tried the "normal" circuit with big input (2u2) cap, etc.? (Maybe I am wrong, but) *I think* I sort of know what you mean by sounding too much like a distortion. Do you mean (you want it to be) sort of slower, fuzzier, mushier, and not so tight sounding? Maybe what you're plugging the fuzz into could be a factor as well?

petemoore

#21
So I built a silicon Fuzz Face. I've been experimenting with resistor values and transistors (in the 200-300 hfe range)
It sounds like a distortion, or a crunchy overdrive, and I'd like to obtain more fuzz.
Any tips?

  Just the ones that work for you. The FF is a particular circuit. Particular about everything, what's in it, what's outside it.
  Just things to try on your rig:
  Make Q1 less gainy that Q2, try lower gain transistors.
  "Bump" the gain...add a 250 or 500 ohm to total resistances of a 1k [if the pot actually measured 1k, that'd be a 250 - 1250ohm gain pot range using a 250ohm fixed stop resistor].
  Rebias after Q swaps.
  The voicing suggestions [let bass in to better 'swamp' the circuit, cut bass at the output] are good.
  The original, old school method: have output tubes that are already near an 'edge' use the FF's boost to help distort them, making the 'internal distortion' of the FF a smaller portion of the overall distortion characteristics.
  The guitar volume control [use it] value, to some degree, and especially the pickups change the sound to a great amount. I have a treble 'boost' [bleeds treble by the guitar volume pot] which helps me dial in the FF tone, with a 'big' input capacitor, quite a range of tones from mostly treble boost to thick-wool at 10.
Convention creates following, following creates convention.