A variation of the old one knob fuzz. Note that a few cap values and the potentiometer value is unknown.
First, power filter which suitable values should be 47uf or 100uf, I went with a 47uF in the layout.
Second. BC filter cap for Q2 is unknown but my guess is 220pF. This can be sockeded for brighter or darker tone.
Third. Potentiometer value is also unknown but a classic fuzz face/one knob value like 500k works fine.
Built this up a few weeks ago and it sounds fantastic and sounds just like the demos online. I used a BC108B for Q1 and a BC109C for Q2.
And another slightly smaller layout with the internal trimmers moved to the outside for external bias and fuzz controls, suggested by Jesuscrisp.
Isn't this quite bright/thin with the 10nF input cap? Where was this traced from?
ReplyDeleteI was thinking the same thing. Since it's in the Colorsound Fuzz/Meathead/Ritual line, I would think 100nf or higher since it's a doomy fuzz. Colorsound is 100nf, Meathead is 47nf (dark is 470nf) and Ritual is 680nf.
DeleteAlso, the 1K trimmer seems odd if it's in the original. I would think Fuzzlord would just go for 1K like pretty much every other variation since it will more or less max out the fuzz.
DeleteIt is a bit brighter and tighter than Meathead but the two 220pF caps and 22uF cap compensates it a bit. Listen to the demos, it is not as sludgy as a Meathead dark for example.
DeleteI traced it from pictures where the traces is clearly visible and the 10nF cap is connected from the inpit pad and the base of Q1 with no other cap connected except for the 220pF cap across the base and collector.
Yeah the demos never particularly sold me on anything he builds, most of the time they sound like a fizzy mess... I'm sure it sounds alright, still would try to mess around with the input cap value.
DeleteBut the layout may be useful for a 3 knob 1590A fuzzface build (with a C1K pot for fuzz).
Alright so I breadboarded this and I'll eat my words, it's absolutely putting out enough low end with the 10 nF input cap. For the Q2 cap I like 100pf or lower, 220 pF seems to give me some slight midrange honk that I don't like very much. The tone doesn't get MUCH brighter even without the Q2 cap, but it cuts some noise. The bias trimmer can be 10K so it doesn't have any dead range (could also be useful as external pot). Fuzz trimmer has as narrow of a useful range as expected. I guess it's in there to compensate for capacitor gain tolerances or if the user wants to slightly lower the Fuzz amount.
ReplyDeleteLong story short, I'll make this a 3 knob mini pedal. Thanks for the schematic/layout!
Well, I'm in the same boat as JesusCrisp. The 10nf input works fine. Even going lower can work as I tried as 6.8 and 8.2. Going higher with a 22 and 47 got a bit muddy. I socketed most of the caps and both transistors so I can swap those out to test stuff later. Went with the 108B (low 300) and 109C (low 500), I might switch those out to with lower gain transistors I have like some 2n2222s and see what happens. With the bias I found a sweet spot at 5.5V rather than 4.5V. Also, as I was throwing it together I realized I did not have a 1K trimmer but my 2K one worked great and didn't even fart out as I expected.
ReplyDeleteDecent variation to add to colorsound one-knob family.
What is the 100nf on C7 actually doing? It's the only cap that's not in the regular one-knob layouts I've done (C3 is only on the DAM versions in my experience as well).
Thanks for the build reports!
ReplyDeleteI guess a 3 knob layout is needed if you want more versitality from it?
@byrnej.
C7 helps to filter out the highest frequencies in case you have a noisy power supply. Multilayer ceramics is best suited for it but Fuzzlord used a standard 100nF box cap ....
Sorry, the bias trimmer/pot would ideally be 10K not 1K. For a 3 knob version this layout is absolutely fine if the trim pots are omitted and the pot wires are connected from row 12. With 12 rows it can fit into a mini enclosure too (can't justify putting this into anything bigger).
DeleteAnyway, one knob or 3, this is (while nothing new) quite a fun and thick sounding fuzz face clone. Again, thanks for tracing it!
Alright. Added a sligtly smaller 3-knob layout with external controls.
DeleteDawn this sound so good, i've got bc108b n' bc109c, replace the 1k trim by a resistor. Try 47p for Q2 cap but 220p works fine and add a little low end. Increase input cap to 22n is fun too. Thanks a lot
ReplyDeleteI also put an internal trimpot for input cap, it blend for 4,7nf to 47nf
ReplyDeletehttps://ibb.co/tqfQf6d
Thats looks rad! Is it etched?
DeleteYes acid etched, i draw with a fine paint pen the area i doesn't want etched.
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ReplyDeleteSo strange I'm not getting anything else of this (there knob version) I checked and double checked my work 🤷🏼♂️
ReplyDeleteSuccess!!!! Built it but haven't boxed it up, yet. It sounds great and not as sludgy as I thought it would be. Going back-and-forth between socketed 2n2222's and the BC10x's. My last 3 vero builds (different pedals, not this one) were fails so this was a nice win to get something working. Thanks for posting!
ReplyDelete