Fuzz factory problems

[rosscocean]

I'm having some trouble with a Fuzz Factory clone. I'm getting the bypass signal and fuzz but the fuzz isn't how it should sound. It's quite muffled, the drive pot doesn't do anything, the gate seems to work ok (its kinda all or nothing but I think that's due to another problem) and the stab kind just turns it down. The volume pot works as it should.

I've checked the off board wiring a couple of times and check the caps orientation against the schematic I have.

I'm using these AC128 transistors - http://markhindes.easywebstore.co.uk/AC128-Small-metal-case-Germanium-Transistor_A28K0.aspx I'm not sure what the pinout is. Do all AC128s have the same pinout?

I've used this vero layout - http://www.aronnelson.com/gallery/main.php/v/Renegadrian/FactorydeFuzz666+my+mods.png.html

I will do the standard debug stuff tomorrow and post here but I think it's probably the transistors (i've not used germaniums successfully yet).

I'm I right in thinking that this pedal should be wired with neg to ground?

Thanks in advance
Ross

[rosscocean]

Sh*t.... Upon looking at the vero layout I've realised I may have missed the cuts under some of the components, I printed the layout in black and white at work. I'll check those when I get home.

Still not sure about the pinout though if anyone can help it would be smashing.

Cheers
Ross

[rosscocean]

I did miss the cuts under the resistors. I've got it's working now... Kind of. It doesn't seem to work like the YouTube demos I've been watching.

The stab and comp pots dont seem to do anything, the drive seems to feedback when turned up high, unless the gate is up high (regardless of the stab setting) and the gate turn the signal down a lot when fully clockwise.

I can get some good fuzz sounds and the feedback stuff but no gated fuzz sounds.

I have used 4.7k pots for the vol and stab instead of 5k, would that make a difference?

Cheers

[tubelectron]

Hello rosscocean,

I have made sometimes ago many trials about the FzFy, starting from an original model I had in hands :

1 - the original pedal has an unusual behavior compared to FF for example, I mean some settings gives weird sounds, so you need to be somewhat accustomed...

2 - I never really met exactly the sound of the original, particularly the smooth decay some low settings offers.

3 - 4,7K or 5k doesn't change anything, or may very subtle.

4 - AC125, 126, 127, 128, 132 all have the same pinout - check on the web. The red/orange dot is the collector, or the tab is the emitter, depending on casing. The order is EBC. The original had ZVEX609 transistors (unknown specs to me).

A+!

[LucifersTrip]

I did miss the cuts under the resistors. I've got it's working now... Kind of. It doesn't seem to work like the YouTube demos I've been watching.

The stab and comp pots dont seem to do anything, the drive seems to feedback when turned up high, unless the gate is up high (regardless of the stab setting) and the gate turn the signal down a lot when fully clockwise.

I can get some good fuzz sounds and the feedback stuff but no gated fuzz sounds.

I have used 4.7k pots for the vol and stab instead of 5k, would that make a difference?

Cheers

Do you have the correct gains for the AC128's?  Here's the recent thread where I asked about the gains.
http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=87177.0

I didn't use AC128's...I used another set of GE's, 2N1301's with Q2 = 65, Q3 = 96, and I got similar results to the
original FF...though not exact.

good luck

[rosscocean]

I've had another play today and I think the stab is backwards compared to the zvex version. I'm a lot happier with it today. The comp pot doesn't seem to be as obvious as the YouTube demos, but that doesn't bother me so much. I'll check using a DMM at some point, I've never done it before.

Does anyone one else sit down to tweek a pedal and end up just playing for an hour?!

The ac128s are 80 and something in the low hundreds.

Ross

[deadastronaut]

Does anyone one else sit down to tweek a pedal and end up just playing for an hour?!
Ross

yep!.many hours sometimes..at least its a sign that you like it!...

i have also built/tried some where they get about a minute to impress my very fussy ears though!!!..
and then get scrapped if they dont pass the test......needless to say i breadboard everything first now!!!!.