Having the same problem with Fuzz Face and Wooly Mammoth

[JebemMajke]

My gain pots somehow work like voltage regulators??

FF schem http://img842.imageshack.us/img842/3811/fuzzface3.gif , with slight mods, placed 10k ohm resistor right before C1, C1 is 10 uf, C2 is 22uf, Placed a 0.01 uF cap between R3 and R1, R2 1k Ohm, C3 is 1 uf, Vol pot is 250 k, and i've placed 2 matched germ diodes right before vol pot
Wooly schem http://elkit.web.id/wp-content/uploads/ZVEX_Woolly_Mammoth.jpg
Both pedals sound awesome on both bass and guitar. But on both gain pot works like a voltage regulator. Transistors are BC 549c's.

[joegagan]

these circs work well without mods, maybe try adding the mods after getting them sounding good?

side note, you mention diodes on the FF, are they series, or diodes to ground?

[joegagan]

everything you mention sounds like a biasing issue. fuzzes are like clocks, even when mis-biased, they are correct twice a day.

[JebemMajke]

I ve modded FF so it doesn't lose any bass, and used some things from ROG-s Sili Face in order to make it stop hissing, which it did, and 1 k ohm to see if it will give me more volume, 250 k pot because i didn't have any 500 k. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lRKubY9oOyI/SxZ6OKIu78I/AAAAAAAAA8k/DBkgeLqCGK8/s320/Diodes3-pp2-12-09.jpg This is the way I've placed diodes in FF.

[petemoore]

  Mighty strange way shown in above link...12v ?
   I'd say pull the diodes or look at the Lava Rim schematic, be sure there's a DC block to the diodes or they'll 'pull' on the amplifier bias.

[JebemMajke]

Without resistors and 12 v. It the same as lava rim's, but without a trimpot to the ground.

[JebemMajke]

Update, changed transistors in WM and the problem went away, now Im using 2222a for Q1 and Bc 108 a for q2. The thing is silent when Im not playing, drive is good, pinch works great. I ve even tried it at full volume and drive near my computer and a TV both on. Those thing usually give me at least some noise, but not with these transistors. Love it. Cant wait to box it and try it with my band. FF still has some issues, I will try different transistors with it. Hope that will help.

[JebemMajke]

FF is still giving me problems ... My 1k pot started working backwards??? I m kinda losing my mind here and am about to give up this DIY for good. I've triple checked schematics. Removed diodes. I love it when it works ... but hate it most of the times ... I ve took fuzzcentrals schem and edited it in paint just for u guys to see what values i ve used and to tell me if i was doing something wrong ... maybe my 1k pot is dying ... i don;t know anymore ... Help guys plz. http://www.mediafire.com/?os1gl8v9vn7uc3n

[JebemMajke]

... @#$%in dead resistor ... 33k resistor broke in half, don't know how, but i ve replaced the bastard and the FF is a killer. Roars on bass and sings beautifully on guitar. It has enough treble on the bridge pickup and a ton of sustain on a bridge pickup. Sort of a clean-ish fuzz when using both pickups. Sounds a lot better when used with tube amp. With bass it shows its deep bottom. When engaged bass doesn't become mid loaded, it stays as deep as it was. Reacts really well on dynamics, haven't slapped and popped it yet, will do tomorrow. And as with most FF u can control gain with your volume. Amazing how it turned out, plus it has some mojo from that 1uf cap which i took from an old russian tube tv, cap is big as my dpdt switch. Boxed it and still works. I more than happy, and now finally i can go to bed and have some rest. Good night.