Tuesday 3 August 2021

Blackhawk Amplifiers Valhalla Fuzz V1

Here we have a layout for the first (I think!) handwired version of  Blackhawks take on a Fuzz Face. But it has a few interesting and useful extra things going on. 

First, a passive pickup simulator so you can have a buffer upfront or anywhere in the signal chain. Next comes the fuzz circuit itself which are closely related to a Meathead but with larger input and electrolytic "gain" caps. Next there is two quite large value output caps that are connected to the Bass Boost switch. At the end of the circuit there is a simple but very effective notch filter that gives a wide array of tones, from rumbling bass, scooped mids and sizzly high mids.. The notch filter Tone control can be bypassed with the tone bypass switch and will give a big volume boost with a thick grinding middy fuzz. 

Note that the Bass Boost switch only works when the notch filter is engaged. Also note that I couldn't read the marking on C9 but I'm pretty confident that the value is 220nF.

C9 is now confirmed, 220nF it is


 


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18 comments:

  1. BLACKHAWKAMPS4 August 2021 at 06:48

    C9 is 220nf which was the original one knob fuzz output cap value. You can experiment with this and go lower for a wider extreme between bass boost and non-boost. The original fuzz face output cap value was 10nf so there’s a lot of room to play with it. You can even use a three way toggle with the 220nf and 3.3uf caps on the board but bridge a 10nf like the original fuzz face across the middle.

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    1. Andrew4 August 2021 at 12:05

      Really nice of you to jump in and offer some advice to us DIY folk - much appreciated

      Delete
    2. fuzzhead4 August 2021 at 17:43

      Thanks for stopping by Brooks! Very cool of you to give advices and talk about your own circuits. Not many builders or companies would do that so I repeat what Andy said, much appreciated!

      Delete
    3. Fuzz Mountain6 August 2021 at 14:33

      Amazingly cool of you to jump in with tips for us DIY people. Thank you!

      Delete
  2. Renegadrian4 August 2021 at 09:28

    Is the schem available?! I'd like to see the notch part, if possible. thanks!

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    1. fuzzhead7 August 2021 at 10:58

      Sorry, but I won't upload schematics for any of the Blackhawk Amps layouts...:-/

      Delete
  3. Alamondm4 August 2021 at 13:24

    Thank you BLACKHAWKAMPS For you advise and Welcome to the blog. This is a great community here.

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  4. Sizzorfite5 August 2021 at 02:42

    Would a 42TLo22 be a good replacement?

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    1. fuzzhead5 August 2021 at 07:32

      It might work but probably not as intended. I'm no expert tranformers and inductors but 42TL022 don't match the resistance and the inductance of a 42TL019.

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    2. AlexS5 August 2021 at 13:50

      Maybe the 42TM019 is close enough?

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    3. BLACKHAWKAMPS5 August 2021 at 14:17

      As the secondary is not used, It’s all about the primary impedance when it comes to using a transformer to simulate a pickup in a fuzz circuit. There are several that are also 10k: https://www.mouser.com/datasheet/2/449/Yuetone_XC-600127-1212403.pdf

      Delete
    4. Sizzorfite6 August 2021 at 06:39

      Thanks Guys...

      Delete
  5. marios rappas5 August 2021 at 07:15

    Can you explain me something . On the layout , the input came from primary coil of transformer ( pin 1) and after goes to pin 3 for out from transformer . .. the secondary coil of transformer is non use … on the specs of 42tl19 the resistance of primary coil is 400 ohm …. So if I don’t ad the tr1 like as the layout , where is the difference ? And how it’s use the transformer ? Because the secondary is useless…

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    1. fuzzhead5 August 2021 at 07:36

      Here is a good read.

      http://www.muzique.com/lab/pickups.htm

      In theory I guess you could replace the transformer with an inductor. But the primary coil of a 42TL019 has an inductance at 2,95H! Nearly impossible to find and the size would be....big to say at least.

      Delete
  6. marios rappas5 August 2021 at 11:54

    I thinking for inductor but when I calculate the numbers I see that you say .. is impossible for inductor… now for the transormer simulator are very interesting. and I am now very curious to build the fuzz circuit with and without the transformer, to see how much difference it…

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  7. kramerian6 August 2021 at 11:57

    Tone 3 isnt connect to anything, right?
    I want this! Perf version :P

    Thanks you Anders and BlackHawk!

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    Replies
    1. fuzzhead7 August 2021 at 10:59

      Yep, Tone 3 isn't connected to anything.

      Delete
  8. Sludgerat6 August 2021 at 11:58

    The Valhalla Fuzz is pretty much the only pedal i have bought that always been staying on my pedalboard.
    Brooks is pretty much the reason i cant afford new pedals either because i got into pedal / tube amp building because of looking at his preamps. 😅

    But this one is pretty different to mine, no pickup simulator - also me4001 transistors, but bet they sound good either way!

    Here is a clip on Instagram with it running into a gt120mv and a vh100r - Keep in mind i usually have the pedal at only 1/4th of rotation, so much more gain on tap!

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BxYL9saCkVe/?utm_medium=copy_link

    ReplyDelete

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