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