mosrite fuzzrite build: cap substitution?

[scott_v]

Going to build a silicone mosrite fuzzrite...
Just wondering if anyone knows what i should expect soundwise if I substitute the (2) - .002 uF caps for either smaller ones (.001 uf) or slightly larger (.0047 uf) and how it may affect what i hear, i just don't have any .002uf caps on hand, i guess i could just put two .001uf caps in parallel but i only have 3 of those... one short, so i certainly need to do some shopping/ordering!

schematic


Thanks!

Scott

[John Lyons]

Use two .001 caps in parallel at you'll get .002.
Put two .0047 caps in series and you'll get .00235 (close enough).

[superferrite]

Scott, just an FYI if you haven't run into it on the SEARCH functions:
The 470k resistors are usually to big for modern Si transistors.  Try something smaller (47k, 22k, even 10k) or you might not get any sound at all.
And Q1 works best as a high gain, Q2 as a low gain, the reverse of fuzz faces.

I'm just sayin!  I had a hell of a time getting my Fuzzrite to sound good, and now it is my fave go-to sixties fuzz.

[scott_v]

well, it worked and used the 470k's and i did read about in the other topics that and was sorta confused as i thought that was referencing the germanium-types... anyways its a BEAST of bees with ice picks sound, more intense than any of the sound samples of the original i've heard.  I used a 500k and 50k pots... it is plenty loud and sounds "real treble-hurt ugly" if i crank the distortion pot past 10 or 12 o'clock ( i think its sounds best or most usable completely minimal at 7 o'clock to about 9 o'clock) and just too overwhelming w/ the distortion fully cranked.  I've only used it thru my puny fender solid state amp, kinda worried that it will be way too grating thru my twin reverb (clean and bright amp).  I used 2N4401 trannies for Q1 & Q2 (i believe they have a lower Hfe, around 80 which is lower than 2N3904s) i wonder if i should change Q2 to get a more usable tonal range on the distortion, or try a pull down resistor on the emitter of Q2?

i have to look back thru the similar topics again... i'd like to get rid of some treble or increase the bass response... so possibly increase the .05 cap on Q2's base, or increase the .002 cap on Q2 or both .002 caps???  

Now seeing that Gus's Rite Fuzz uses only 0.1uF caps and has emitter to ground resistors (100R) on both Q1 & Q2 wonder if thats a direction to take...