Hey, thank you for this layout, it was a fun one to build ! The Fuzz War side sounds as it should, but I am not sure about the treble boost. I triple checked my build and didn't spot mistakes. With the boost at max, I barely get unity volume. If I decrease the boost, I quickly drop far below unity. Is it how it should work ? There isn't many demos showing the boost side on youtube. I know some DBA circuits rely a lot the transistors HFE. Maybe I should try another 2n5088 for Q5, or try to tweak the 910k and 180k resistors values ?
While I haven't played a real one I've talked to several people who have and they said that with the boost knob dimed it reaches unity just like yours. Boost section isn't a treble boost in normal sense, it is more like tone shaper....an active reverse beta high pass filter sort of. I find the boost knob a bit retundant since I always leave it dimed and I often thinkt that it could be replaced with a 100k resistor or trimmer.
I haven't tried this but you could try a higher value for the boost control? 250k or 500k?
Playing with 910k/180k might work but I'm not sure how since the bias setup is really unorthodox to say at least.
Hey all - I built this one up a while ago and, like most folks here, thought the boost was a little underpowered sounding. I experimented with a couple of the resistors around Q5 and found that if you raise the value of the 180k resistor going from the emitter of Q5 to around 430-470k you will get a much louder, gnarlier analog octave distortion that is bigger than the base fuzz tone. I actually used a 500k pot and limited it with a 27k resistor, because any higher than that and the signal cuts out. I've never played an original of this pedal but after watching several demos, I think this small modification gets you MUCH closer to what Jon Dwyer uses in Thee Oh Sees, sonically anyway.
Chris & Anders, have you tried the stock circuit with BC549C's (hfe around 580) - its a beast and the boost is loud, well above the Fuzz War volume. It's not gated also, sounds fab!!!
Hi all, I know this is an older thread but I'm just getting around to building this after having the layout for years! A couple of notes relating to the original DBA version. In the boost section they use a MPSA05G transistor. I will let you know how I go with the build, as I have an original to compare with ;) It is definitely a stand out pedal for me. It isn't a regular fuzz war with a boost. You can achieve similar sounds but the dynamics are different.
Hey, thank you for this layout, it was a fun one to build ! The Fuzz War side sounds as it should, but I am not sure about the treble boost. I triple checked my build and didn't spot mistakes.
ReplyDeleteWith the boost at max, I barely get unity volume. If I decrease the boost, I quickly drop far below unity.
Is it how it should work ? There isn't many demos showing the boost side on youtube.
I know some DBA circuits rely a lot the transistors HFE. Maybe I should try another 2n5088 for Q5, or try to tweak the 910k and 180k resistors values ?
While I haven't played a real one I've talked to several people who have and they said that with the boost knob dimed it reaches unity just like yours. Boost section isn't a treble boost in normal sense, it is more like tone shaper....an active reverse beta high pass filter sort of. I find the boost knob a bit retundant since I always leave it dimed and I often thinkt that it could be replaced with a 100k resistor or trimmer.
ReplyDeleteI haven't tried this but you could try a higher value for the boost control? 250k or 500k?
Playing with 910k/180k might work but I'm not sure how since the bias setup is really unorthodox to say at least.
Thanks for the advice, maybe I will try another pot, or maybe I'll just get lazy and leave it that way :)
DeleteHi there, awesome layout! Is the junction J8 a join?
ReplyDeleteThanks.
J8 is two links in a shared hole A.K.A. a "doublelink".
DeleteThanks so much for the quick reply. Cheers
ReplyDeleteHi there fuzzhead, where do the other side of the LEDs go?
ReplyDeleteBoth of the LED anodes is connected to a current liminting resistor. The other side of the resistor is connected to 9v.
DeleteOK thanks, so like a 2K2 resistor in line to +9V?
ReplyDeleteGot it working - Sounds really really good.
ReplyDeleteHas any one tried a 250K or 500K pot for the boost to get a bit more volume?
Hey all - I built this one up a while ago and, like most folks here, thought the boost was a little underpowered sounding. I experimented with a couple of the resistors around Q5 and found that if you raise the value of the 180k resistor going from the emitter of Q5 to around 430-470k you will get a much louder, gnarlier analog octave distortion that is bigger than the base fuzz tone. I actually used a 500k pot and limited it with a 27k resistor, because any higher than that and the signal cuts out. I've never played an original of this pedal but after watching several demos, I think this small modification gets you MUCH closer to what Jon Dwyer uses in Thee Oh Sees, sonically anyway.
ReplyDeleteThanks Chris for that mod. I will definitley try it out next time I build this!
DeleteChris & Anders, have you tried the stock circuit with BC549C's (hfe around 580) - its a beast and the boost is loud, well above the Fuzz War volume. It's not gated also, sounds fab!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip! Will definitely socket and try out the BC549Cs...
DeleteHi mate, is there a schematic for this one? cheers!
ReplyDeleteThere is a similar layout and schematic here https://pcbguitarmania.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Death-by-Fuzz-IV-Overlord-Building-Docs.pdf
DeleteHi all, I know this is an older thread but I'm just getting around to building this after having the layout for years! A couple of notes relating to the original DBA version. In the boost section they use a MPSA05G transistor. I will let you know how I go with the build, as I have an original to compare with ;) It is definitely a stand out pedal for me. It isn't a regular fuzz war with a boost. You can achieve similar sounds but the dynamics are different.
ReplyDelete