Fuzz Face Transistors

[Schappy]

Im looking at buying some PNP germanium transistors from Smallbear for a fuzz face build.

They have several options ranging from $11-$18.

I need a little advice on which ones to chooes.

[Keysershades]

Buy some AC128 low gain if you wan't true vintage Fuzz Face.
But you should read this before getting in to the Fuzz Face, http://www.geofex.com/article_folders/fuzzface/fffram.htm

Simon

[Electric Warrior]

I have yet to see a vintage Fuzz Face with AC128s. If they exist they're rare as hen's teeth. They usually had NKT275s

[jasperoosthoek]

Hi! (my first post btw )

I built two germanium Fuzz Faces in the past (about 4 years). Both were based on transistors and suggested resistor components from Small Bear. It was too long ago  for me to remember which transistors I bought exactly for both units and I have deleted the email. Most importantly they sounded very consistent and truly like a FF. I definitely would advise anyone to get them from Small Bear. The added security is worth the money IMO.

Only the cheapest and the most expensive ones are non-American. That means you would pay more for American quality. But apparently the continental versions are the most sought after. I'd just get a good American one, say the 13 or 14 dollar units. That's most probably what I did. On the other hand I don't see any reason why the cheapest ones (still 11 dollars for 2 transistors...) would be any less. That's the best slightly educated guess I can give you. Do you think the extra security of maybe getting something better is worth the money? That's up to you.

If you never used a Fuzz Face before: It does not operate like any normal effect that was designed after it, very interesting things happen with a Wah: Listen to the album recording of Voodoo Child (apart from the intro and the verse parts). The fist solo starts with wah+fuzz, second just fuzz. Be sure to use single coils, preferably parallel and volume turned completely up.

Jasper

[kupervaser]

You can put anything you like in there. As long as you bias it properly. I used so many different germanijm transistors from all over the world with prices from 0 till 5 eu per unit and they all sound almost the same if they fit the requirments and are biasd properly.

Just google how to bias fuzz face or something like that, there are tons of info how to do it.

[therecordingart]

I bought a handful of AC128s from an eBayer in Germany. We'll see how this turns out.

[jrod]

I bought a handful of AC128s from an eBayer in Germany. We'll see how this turns out.

Yeah, please let us know how these test out!

Im looking at buying some PNP germanium transistors from Smallbear for a fuzz face build.

They have several options ranging from $11-$18.

I need a little advice on which ones to chooes.

I have purchased the "All American" set from Small Bear and they sound great!

[Schappy]

Ive built a Tonebender with matched set from smallbear and it sounds great.

I was just wondering the reason for the price difference but it looks like it is a supply/demand issue and not a performance issue.

[jrod]

Ive built a Tonebender with matched set from smallbear and it sounds great.

I was just wondering the reason for the price difference but it looks like it is a supply/demand issue and not a performance issue.

You got it!

[CynicalMan]

Here's what the site says about the sound:

"# Did you say CHINESE??

Absolutely. Thousands of these were sitting unused for decades in warehouses in Shanghai, and I have a large lot of 3AX31C (PNP). They sound a bit more trebly to me than my U.S.-made stock, but I don't hear any "mojo" that would justify a huge price difference compared to other types. I suggest that you take any on-line hype with a large dose of soy sauce. However, they are very good quality, and suitable for any of your favorite classic builds."

[zombiwoof]

Here's good info on AC128's:

http://www.jacquesstompboxes.com/ac128.htm

The "good" ones are the ones in the larger package, the first one he shows.  The ones in the smaller can don't sound the same in a fuzz face IMO.  I have a couple of the ones with the large heat sink package (version two on his page), and with one of those in my FF along with a 2SB176 it has a good sound.  I previously used 2N404's, and while they biased up fine, they just didn't have the nice sustaining punchy sound I wanted.  So different germaniums will sound different in a Fuzz Face.  The real NKT 275's are also the ones in the larger can, but those are harder to find, getting expensive, and there are a lot of fakes out there.

My conclusion is, if you don't want to go through trying a bunch of different transistors to find some that will sound good, just get some tested pairs from Small Bear.   It will save you some money and frustration in the long run.  I spent a bunch of money buying transistors until I found ones that sound good, and I ended up with some tested ones I bought from a seller on Ebay, but you are taking your chances when you go that route, too.  While there really isn't any "Mojo" to transistor types, there will be differences in how they will sound in that circuit.

I also would suggest you substitute trimpots or even external pots for biasing the transistors, because the bias will drift with temperature changes.  I have an internal trimpot in place of the 33k resistor, and I'm in the process of putting an external pot in place of the 8.2k resistor, to do quick adjustment before I use the pedal.  In both cases, use a small value resistor in series with the bias pot.

Al

[skrunk]

smallbear's low gain mixed bags are pretty good value,
I've got them a few times, usually a mix of oc75, chinese 3AX31C, 2N1305 etc. in separate bags with the hfe written on each.
great for Q1 and Q2 in tonebenders and buzzarounds.