Zvex - Fuzz Factory [traced]
- Scruffie
- Opamp Operator
I used Silicons and tested it next to my actual Fuzz factory, not enough difference to worry over, but also, it'll take near any germaniums so that's always an option.ckyvick wrote:it would work just not the way germaniums would. You can get some cheap ge's that are perfect for this circuit from a number of sources(capsnsuch.com)westarttodrift wrote:Can you conceivably swap out Silicon Transistors and make an otherwise stock Fuzz Factory? If so, which SI transistors work best in the circuit?
- Jaicen
- Breadboard Brother
Agreed, there's very little difference between Ge and Si in this circuit, they're both very bright.
That said, some leaky Ge I tried did sound particularly nice, but in the context of a band, you literally will not be able to tell the difference.
FWIW, 2N3906 sound just fine.
That said, some leaky Ge I tried did sound particularly nice, but in the context of a band, you literally will not be able to tell the difference.
FWIW, 2N3906 sound just fine.
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- Joined: 15 Oct 2010, 22:22
Okay cool, thats what I was thinking of throwing in there. Thanks!Jaicen wrote:Agreed, there's very little difference between Ge and Si in this circuit, they're both very bright.
That said, some leaky Ge I tried did sound particularly nice, but in the context of a band, you literally will not be able to tell the difference.
FWIW, 2N3906 sound just fine.
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- Joined: 24 Nov 2010, 08:17
Hi, I am going to start and build the FF as my first DIY stompbox, as I think it is relatively simple and a cool effect.I don't want to wire a DC jack in my pedal, since I only use batteries and I am using this layout: http://www.matsumin.net/diy/jisaku1/fuz ... layout.gif
How can I wire the battery to the pot and the LED so that I don't have to wire the DC jack? Also, what should be the forward current and the voltage for the LED? Also, what should be the power rating for the resistors? I was thinking 1/2 watt would be okay.
Thanks in advance!
How can I wire the battery to the pot and the LED so that I don't have to wire the DC jack? Also, what should be the forward current and the voltage for the LED? Also, what should be the power rating for the resistors? I was thinking 1/2 watt would be okay.
Thanks in advance!
- Renegadrian
- Solder Soldier
1/4W resistors and you save space. they are fine for all battery powered circuits.
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- Joined: 24 Nov 2010, 08:17
Another quick question, as you know I am quite a noob with these projects so I still need some experience. Would 16V electrolytic capacitors work or do I need one with a higher working voltage?
- Renegadrian
- Solder Soldier
go for them, or 25v - same as above.
- Scruffie
- Opamp Operator
Well spotted, I missed it off.tekilap12 wrote:capitor 100nf?? dont see, C1 C2 C3 wher is " + " ??
AC128 how i nkow who is C, E, B ?
I've added the C&E for each transistor now, you would have had to have checked the schematic to find out.
If you look at C1,2,3 you'll notice that one side is slightly shaded, that's the negative
Updated Layout:
- azrael
- Cap Cooler
So, people who have built this pedal...Did you have to switch around sets of Germaniums to find ones that would work properly in the PNP negative ground position?
If so, I'm thinking about building it "upside down" with positive ground config, with a 2N3906, and a charge pump so I can run it with negative ground effects.
If so, I'm thinking about building it "upside down" with positive ground config, with a 2N3906, and a charge pump so I can run it with negative ground effects.
- ckyvick
- Resistor Ronker
^Why build it with npns and positive ground? the npn ges are usually more expensive
Ive built a few with different pnp germaniums and honestly i couldnt tell much of a different with any set.
Ive built a few with different pnp germaniums and honestly i couldnt tell much of a different with any set.
- Scruffie
- Opamp Operator
Well normally, converting PNP Germaniums to Negative Ground would cause all sorts of issues like oscillation, motorboating etc. But in this case... that sound is basically encouraged for the pedal, so you may aswell just use any Ge PNP, don't really need to find the 'right' ones to make it work.azrael wrote:So, people who have built this pedal...Did you have to switch around sets of Germaniums to find ones that would work properly in the PNP negative ground position?
If so, I'm thinking about building it "upside down" with positive ground config, with a 2N3906, and a charge pump so I can run it with negative ground effects.
- azrael
- Cap Cooler
^Huh, okay. That's interesting. I've tried the negative ground PNP transistor arrangement before, in a fuzz face using some Japanese transistors, and i was getting motorboating and oscillation, even at low gain settings.
Hoping to be able to replicate these settings I found...
Hoping to be able to replicate these settings I found...
I dunno, just trying to think of a config that wouldn't cause any problems. Plus I have some NPNs.ckyvick wrote:^Why build it with npns and positive ground? the npn ges are usually more expensive
Ive built a few with different pnp germaniums and honestly i couldnt tell much of a different with any set.
- Hides-His-Eyes
- Tube Twister
The fuzz factory is "designed" to oscillate and do weird things. Vex tries to use that as a selling point.azrael wrote:^Huh, okay. That's interesting. I've tried the negative ground PNP transistor arrangement before, in a fuzz face using some Japanese transistors, and i was getting motorboating and oscillation, even at low gain settings.
That said, running NPNs in positive ground will lead to all the issues that running PNPs in negative ground would.
Testing, testing, won too fwee
- ckyvick
- Resistor Ronker
The point of this circuit is to cause problems which makes the oscillations and crap noises that people want out of the pedal.azrael wrote:I dunno, just trying to think of a config that wouldn't cause any problems. Plus I have some NPNs.
Honestly save your npns for a circuit where you could really use a nice negative ground fuzz. If you want this circuit to not make crap noises/sounds just make an npn mkii tonebender... Mindbender here:
http://fuzzcentral.ssguitar.com/mkII.php
- azrael
- Cap Cooler
Oh, I actually already build NPN Silicon MKIIs. Love that circuit!
So the "crappy" method of PNP negative ground is actually WHY it's so different than a Tonebender, even though it's essentially the same idea (boost in front of Fuzz Face).
Gotcha!
So the "crappy" method of PNP negative ground is actually WHY it's so different than a Tonebender, even though it's essentially the same idea (boost in front of Fuzz Face).
Gotcha!
- ckyvick
- Resistor Ronker
Yeah, if you compare the two the factory uses the input boost as an npn si tonebender, then makes the fuzz face section pnp negative ground with a few mods/tweaks for added control over the squealing.azrael wrote:So the "crappy" method of PNP negative ground is actually WHY it's so different than a Tonebender, even though it's essentially the same idea (boost in front of Fuzz Face).
- RnFR
- Old Solderhand
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it is possible to do the neg ground thing with pnp's. you just have to have the proper decoupling and layout. i do it all the time and it works fine. it's the lack of power rail decoupling that causes the oscillation in the fuzz factory, not necessarily the use of pnp's in a neg gr circuit. this kind of thing can cause motorboating at times, as some circuits are more prone than others(actually the tonebender is one of them) but that's not what's happening in the fuzz factory.
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