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Projects => Tech Help - Projects Page => Topic started by: PhiloB on January 10, 2015, 03:35:14 AM

Title: Fuzz Face
Post by: PhiloB on January 10, 2015, 03:35:14 AM
The circuit sounds pretty good...except when I connect lug1 to ground from the  Fuzz Knob.  I am really perplexed.  I've tried two different pots with the same behavior.  Any ideas.  Circuit seems to run great other wise. 
I have lug 2 going to the negative side of the 22uf cap which goes to ground.
Lug 3 goes to the emitter of Q2 and 100k resistor.

(http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15/01/09/079fd44fb78c52423f52e4df29a768fa.jpg)
Here's the vero I'm using.  I've also compared it against Sabrotones vero

(http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15/01/09/5a040b379067f5137af35abbaa2c3f28.jpg)


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Title: Re: Fuzz Face
Post by: PhiloB on January 10, 2015, 03:00:32 PM
Just realized I didn't describe the issue!  The signal cuts out completely when I connect Fuzz 1 to ground.


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Title: Re: Fuzz Face
Post by: PhiloB on January 12, 2015, 05:45:01 AM
Turns out it was a transistor issue.  Bought the 'Continental' set from small bear which they labeled the measured hfe and leak.  I built the transistor tester from GeoFx and they measured between 10 and 20 hfe.
I had purchased some bulk trannies and put in ones I measured to be within spec.  Now it screams!!
With all the great reports about Smallbear transistors I'd have to say the made an honest mistake. 


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Title: Re: Fuzz Face
Post by: TGP39 on January 12, 2015, 07:05:21 AM
I'm glad you got it going PhiloB.  Was it the OC77's that were out of spec? Steve.
Title: Re: Fuzz Face
Post by: PhiloB on January 12, 2015, 01:52:17 PM
Yes.  Is this THE Steve? ;)


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Title: Re: Fuzz Face
Post by: TGP39 on January 12, 2015, 03:47:19 PM
LOL....no....I wish. I could use the parts.  ;)
Title: Re: Fuzz Face
Post by: PhiloB on January 12, 2015, 04:40:22 PM
LOL.  I talked with one of his guys prior to receiving shipment because of an error I made when ordering and the guy was super helpful.  I've got no beef with Smallbear.  I guess the moral of the story is build yourself a transistor tester.  Don't take others word for it (cause everybody makes mistakes) if you want to avoid wasted time and headaches.


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Title: Re: Fuzz Face
Post by: AntKnee on January 12, 2015, 04:44:27 PM
I need to build this tester, too. I just got a ----load of germ trannies and will need to measure all of them.
Title: Fuzz Face
Post by: PhiloB on January 12, 2015, 05:28:54 PM
Where'd you buy yours from Antknee?
I'm looking for a good source of unsorted bulk.  Id like to do this one time in my pedal building 'career'.  Buy bulk, measure, sort and catalog for future builds.  I have several Ge projects if like to now that I've had a taste.  I'm blown away with what you can do with just the volume knob between 7-10 on the guitar.  It is killer!


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Title: Re: Fuzz Face
Post by: AntKnee on January 12, 2015, 05:55:08 PM
Quote from: PhiloB on January 12, 2015, 05:28:54 PM
Where'd you buy yours from Antknee?
I'm looking for a good source of unsorted bulk.  Id like to do this one time in my pedal building 'career'.  Buy bulk, measure, sort and catalog for future builds.  I have several Ge projects if like to now that I've had a taste.  I'm blown away with what you can do with just the volume knob between 7-10 on the guitar.  It is killer!


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I got mine from a guy in Bulgaria.

http://www.ebay.com/usr/bg2014-manue (http://www.ebay.com/usr/bg2014-manue)

He is known here on the forum. He always tend to send extra parts to fill the space in his packaging, pretty cool! Last time I got like 100 capacitors of various values with my germs.

see this thread:
http://www.madbeanpedals.com/forum/index.php?topic=19240.0 (http://www.madbeanpedals.com/forum/index.php?topic=19240.0)
Title: Re: Fuzz Face
Post by: midwayfair on January 12, 2015, 06:00:08 PM
Quote from: PhiloB on January 12, 2015, 05:45:01 AM
Turns out it was a transistor issue.  Bought the 'Continental' set from small bear which they labeled the measured hfe and leak.  I built the transistor tester from GeoFx and they measured between 10 and 20 hfe.
I had purchased some bulk trannies and put in ones I measured to be within spec.  Now it screams!!
With all the great reports about Smallbear transistors I'd have to say the made an honest mistake. 


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Hmmmm.

These sound very, very close to the hfe you'd likely get if you had the transistors backwards. Did you try flipping them 180 degrees?
Title: Re: Fuzz Face
Post by: PhiloB on January 12, 2015, 08:57:01 PM
I'm pretty sure i did Jon.  There is also a red dot on the can which indicates the emitter on the O77's if I'm not mistaken.


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Title: Re: Fuzz Face
Post by: PhiloB on January 13, 2015, 04:33:42 AM
Just rechecked and they measured 3 and 2 hfe


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