Fuzzhead Fx Box of Germanium Mk. II

An updated version of a project I was tinkering with a couple of years ago. The idea was basically to find some use for some low leak USSR germaniums other than in Fuzz faces, Rangemasters and Tonebenders, And to do a germanium version of Zvex Box of Rock. Some biasing tweaks was necessary since BJT Ge's is a completely different animal to MOSFETs but the cap values in the signal path is more or less identical. Couldn't resist to add Boost switch so you can use it as a fuzz as well...and decrease the value of the low pass filter cap in the tonestack to 12nF since I found it a bit muddy with 22nF.

First version was positive ground but I used normal power supply for this version since I have to many unused MP38A transistors but other fairly low gain and low leak NPN germaniums should work as well.

 

Infanem Driving Notion

Schematic and info avaiable at Deadend Fx

**Edit 220421* Deadend Fx recently traced this circuit and it turns out that the initial traace and schematic posted at Ilovefuzz forum had some bugs. Layout below is based on the most recent trace. Notice that it is highly recommended to so socket Q6 and Q7 since you'll likely need to go through a bunch of transistors to make the fuzz section operate properly. See voltages in the build doc above.

DAM GT-73 Graveyard Tramp

A cool sounding Fuzz Face derivate. Note that the value of the volume potentiometer is unknown but we found out that 250k or 500k sounding good. Also, the fuzz control is wired backwards per original but if you want a normal counter clcokwise control, just swap 1 and 3 lugs and use a 1kC pot. OC82D transistor might be a bit hard to come by so try others that suits your taste.

 

God City Instruments Uno Fuzz

There is two layouts of this one, one stock with one control. Since it begs for modifications I added a second layout with four pots for more control:

• 100K resistor at the output is replaced with a 100k volume control.

• 33k/68k before Q2 is part of a fixed Big Muff style tonestack so they are replaced by a tone control.

• The tonestack itself has a very deep and quite narrow mid scoop so a Shape pot is added to blend in some more mids via 27nF cap. 

Stock layout 

 

...and four knob layout.

God City Instruments Socialist Jr

God City Instruments Not Okay

Catalinbread Formula No. 55

Spaceman Effects Atlas III Booster

Schematic and info HERE

 

Mighty Nut - ENGL Powerball Pre Amp Emulator Lead Channel

Schematic and info HERE

I added the" Low Mode" as well hence the additional Mode switch.

And by request, a layout with a Klon buffer before the main circuit.

Marshall PAL 800 JCM Emulator

Menatone King of the Britains

Lovepedal Karl Fuzz

Menatone Pig

Arbiter Treble & Bass Face

Spaceman Effects Aphelion

Schematic and info at DeadendFx

 

Xotic Bass RC Booster

Wampler Tweed '57

Frantone Hi Ball Overdrive

BJFe Silver Bee

Kasha Amplifiers Overdrive

Xotic Soul Driven / Aion Thulcandra

With "Bass mod" by Aion Electronics. Original has internal DIP switches to select different bass frequencies but is here moved to the outside and converted to a pot. 

Xotic AC Booster