Just finished this one and it works well. It’s definitely not your standard “wall of fuzz” type fuzz so whether you like it’s harsh, trebly character is up to you. Playing around with the 1nf cap on the lower right can yield interesting tonal variations, as well as swapping low gain/high gain trannies.
But....I just posted it....that was quick. There is quite a few mods online for the Companion fuzz but Jaime added a few more to the list. Very tempted to build this.
It is a completely different layout but here are the mods I did a few years back. it is fat, loud and gnarly. As with the Terminal the 1nF cap at the tonestack can be changed to a higher value since it can be extreme with Fuzz and Treble controls dimed. https://dirtboxlayouts.blogspot.com/2019/07/shin-ei-fy-2-companion-fuzz-w-mods.html
Also, I built this layout and realized someone must've traced it wrong cos mine sounded weak and lacking gain. Then I read around and found out that the 4n7 cap conecting Q1 and Q2 might need to be a 47nf cap. I replaced mine with a 47nf and the fuzz "woke up" and actually sounds right!
Yeah, 47nF in that spot makes sense, same value as stock FY-2.
Regarding that 10uf cap...not sure is the traced unit had it in the wrong direction or if it is abug in the schematic. Rule of thumb except for a very few exceptions is that positive leg goes to the highest voltage source in this case the base of Q3. negative leg goes to the volume control which is connected to ground. It may work in the both directions but the caps lifespan may be reduced and become noisy when installed wrong.
With the 4,7nf it doesn't sound right to me. The 47nf instead works better indeed. Make sure you pay attention to the orientation of the transistors (look at the 'C' 'B' 'E' letters) I had them the other way around because of the image :P
Yes, I have taken a look at some gutshots and the transistors are TO-92 plastic PN2222 transistors so the pinout differs from metal can 2N2222As. Flipped around Q1 and Q2 and added a note regarding the 4,7nF cap (C3)with a suggestion for a higher value.
A thank you to everybody for tinkering with this and making it sounding good!
Sounded right to me with a 4.7nf in C3. I only have a usable sound with the fuzz pot cranked though. Anything lower than 75% sounds muddy. I tried the 47nf value but it sounded blown out and lo-if. Thanks for the layout fuzzhead. Liked it with MPSA 18’s too btw.
This is a cool fuzz but it never sounded exactly like the demo. According to the pedalpcb version of the schematic it looks like 10uf connected to Level 2 should be flipped.
That's funny because it was mentioned here earlier, and I checked the schemed - and you're correct it's written that way - but it's also definitely 100% wrong - the negative leg should be on level 2 and the positive leg to collector of the 2n3904 since it's biased via the 470k connected to vcc
It looks like C10 is missing from the schematic. There should be a third 100n. I can't see where it should go though...........between the collector and emitter of Q3?
It looks like c10 is an additional decoupling capacitor - likely omitted as "overkill" - it is placed between 9v and ground if you want to add it - E and F 6 should do nice.
I think that I already tried that once before actually (your suggestion). I just dug the circuit out and rigged a 100nf between the C and E of Q3. It sounds like a companion fuzz now. I don't know if it's right (I've mangled this build messing with it for a couple yrs). This is the closest I've gotten to the sound. Oh, and 47n not 4.7n. The gain control works the whole way round now too.
Just finished this one and it works well. It’s definitely not your standard “wall of fuzz” type fuzz so whether you like it’s harsh, trebly character is up to you. Playing around with the 1nf cap on the lower right can yield interesting tonal variations, as well as swapping low gain/high gain trannies.
ReplyDeleteBut....I just posted it....that was quick.
DeleteThere is quite a few mods online for the Companion fuzz but Jaime added a few more to the list. Very tempted to build this.
Ya once I saw it, I jumped right on it. Will definitely look into some mods though.
DeleteIt is a completely different layout but here are the mods I did a few years back. it is fat, loud and gnarly. As with the Terminal the 1nF cap at the tonestack can be changed to a higher value since it can be extreme with Fuzz and Treble controls dimed.
Deletehttps://dirtboxlayouts.blogspot.com/2019/07/shin-ei-fy-2-companion-fuzz-w-mods.html
Where can i find his scheme?
ReplyDeletehttp://effectslayouts.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/CLV-Build-Doc.pdf
Deleteo, thanks, i draw from your pcb...=) https://imgur.com/IyWFoBS
ReplyDeleteo, so that is David made...
ReplyDeleteStrange nice fuzz!
ReplyDeleteDude am I tripping or is the 10uF cap that connects to the 2nd terminal of the volume is backwards?
ReplyDeleteYeah, you might be trippin'...;-):-D)
DeletePositive leg should be connected to the base of Q3 and negative to the Level ctrl....just as drawn.
I dunno man, I looked at the schem and the positive is connected to the level ctrl
Deletehttp://effectslayouts.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/CLV-Build-Doc.pdf
Also, I built this layout and realized someone must've traced it wrong cos mine sounded weak and lacking gain. Then I read around and found out that the 4n7 cap conecting Q1 and Q2 might need to be a 47nf cap. I replaced mine with a 47nf and the fuzz "woke up" and actually sounds right!
DeleteYeah, 47nF in that spot makes sense, same value as stock FY-2.
DeleteRegarding that 10uf cap...not sure is the traced unit had it in the wrong direction or if it is abug in the schematic.
Rule of thumb except for a very few exceptions is that positive leg goes to the highest voltage source in this case the base of Q3. negative leg goes to the volume control which is connected to ground. It may work in the both directions but the caps lifespan may be reduced and become noisy when installed wrong.
Yeah there was some debate regarding the 47nf over at PedalPCB
DeleteReally? I thought it was supposed to follow the signal path, I guess not
Forgot to mention that the lower two transistors sound way better on my build when I reversed them. I used mpsa18s and it came to life.
ReplyDeleteWith the 4,7nf it doesn't sound right to me. The 47nf instead works better indeed. Make sure you pay attention to the orientation of the transistors (look at the 'C' 'B' 'E' letters) I had them the other way around because of the image :P
ReplyDeleteThe correct transistors are P2N2222A (or just flip the 2N2222A 180 degrees)
DeleteYes, I have taken a look at some gutshots and the transistors are TO-92 plastic PN2222 transistors so the pinout differs from metal can 2N2222As.
DeleteFlipped around Q1 and Q2 and added a note regarding the 4,7nF cap (C3)with a suggestion for a higher value.
A thank you to everybody for tinkering with this and making it sounding good!
Can anyone point me to the expected transistor voltage readings for this?
ReplyDeleteSounded right to me with a 4.7nf in C3. I only have a usable sound with the fuzz pot cranked though. Anything lower than 75% sounds muddy. I tried the 47nf value but it sounded blown out and lo-if. Thanks for the layout fuzzhead. Liked it with MPSA 18’s too btw.
ReplyDeleteTry a B25k fuzz pot and mpsa18’s.
ReplyDeleteTempted to try this one tomm
ReplyDeleteFor me i'll stick to 2n2222 lo hfe and
2n5088 on the output !tnx fr Phils
This is a cool fuzz but it never sounded exactly like the demo. According to the pedalpcb version of the schematic it looks like 10uf connected to Level 2 should be flipped.
ReplyDeleteThat's funny because it was mentioned here earlier, and I checked the schemed - and you're correct it's written that way - but it's also definitely 100% wrong - the negative leg should be on level 2 and the positive leg to collector of the 2n3904 since it's biased via the 470k connected to vcc
DeleteSorry - base, not collector
DeleteThat may not be it but something is off. This one pops up in my mind often. It works but not properly.
DeleteYeah, looking at the trace on the actual PCB it looks like it's the - is connected to R8. So that's one typo, there must be another somewhere.
DeleteIt looks like C10 is missing from the schematic. There should be a third 100n. I can't see where it should go though...........between the collector and emitter of Q3?
DeleteIt looks like c10 is an additional decoupling capacitor - likely omitted as "overkill" - it is placed between 9v and ground if you want to add it - E and F 6 should do nice.
DeleteI think that I already tried that once before actually (your suggestion). I just dug the circuit out and rigged a 100nf between the C and E of Q3. It sounds like a companion fuzz now. I don't know if it's right (I've mangled this build messing with it for a couple yrs). This is the closest I've gotten to the sound. Oh, and 47n not 4.7n. The gain control works the whole way round now too.
DeleteI dunno. I lifted it and it sounds similar I guess. I give up.
DeleteFire it up and boom! Sounds the way it should be!
ReplyDeleteCap 10uf to level 2 should be + side.
Tnx dirtboxlayout.