Pedals

[gallery ids="1932" link="media"] Parts ListR1=33KR2=330ΩR3=8.2KR4=100K C1=2.2nFC2=0.01μF Q1=BC109Q2=BC108 VOLUME POT=A500KΩFUZZ POT=B1KΩ

[gallery ids="1925,1926,1927"] Parts ListR1=10KR2=82ΩR3=2.2KR4=150KR5=1K C1=100nFC2=220pFC3=220nFC4=10μF Q1=BC109Q2=BC108 POT=A500KΩ

This article was sparked by a number of different recent occurrences - I’m obviously a big fuzz fan and consider these sorts of things all the time - with no less than 135 fuzz pedals now in my Fuzz collection or Fuzz Tone Library as I like to call it. In a series of conversations with Sof Tebboune of Expresso FX, the subject came up as to why I happened to have one or several fuzz pedals from one builder while none from another builder of equal if not greater presumed stature/renown. As with many things, pedal acquisitions are a...

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I have tried to be as varied and expansive in my selections here - while still including most of the usual suspects too. Understandably there is something of an overlap with my Potent Pairings article - that research is obviously still valid. I personally have nearly 60 Fuzz Face type pedals, but only include 18 of my own, 19 if I count my original Constellation OC41 variety. I’m still a huge fan of this genre, and will undoubtedly acquire a few more in time - even though I really do not need to. Readers will know that Sof at Expresso FX is...

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Audio preamplification transistorsex : NKT275 (Fuzz Face, 1966-67) These are the most common germanium transistors. They were designed for audio pre-amplification circuits in consumer and mid-range equipment, where they quickly replaced the tubes. They are distinguished by a gain which can reach 200, and a maximum frequency of about 1MHz. Pedals made in 1966-68 first operated with black glass models like OC75 and then encapsulated glass like OC76 and OC81 … As the AC125 and AC126 by Philips / Mullard were a bit expensive, cheap versions like the NKT275, and some SFTxxx had their hour of glory before being forgotten, then rediscovered...

The TO1 standard was the first all-metal case used for germanium transistors when the black glass models were abandoned around 1964. This concerns European series like ACs, industrial series ACYs, ASYs, ASZs, the british NKTs and the japanese 2SAs…In the USA, there are larger JEDEC standard cases (TO5 box) or smaller (TO18 box) as the european TO1.Transistors manufactured in Eastern Europe used an elongated version of the TO1 case : some ACs, SFTs manufactured under license, and the national productions in the East. The TO1 dimensions were not strictly followed by all manufacturers, which can seem surprising nowadays. From another...

BackgroundI already tried making a fuzz face before, but back then it didn’t fit my playing and my gear very nicely so I sold it. However, after discovering love for Les Paul and more vintagy tones, I decided to give fuzz another chance. I liked the way Bonamassa fuzz sounds on youtube clips and even more I liked the idea of Russian germanium transistors because they are cheaper an according to fellow DIY-ers much more consistent than what’s left from the western world germanium transistor supplies. So I got a standard Fuzz Face PCB made using the nice and compact...