fuzz face

[gtangas]

Hi Guys

I want to build a nice fuzz, but i´m confused with the several ways to chosse, fuzz face, fuzz factory, hipster, etc..

i like what i have heard from silicon fuzz face using some bc108 seems nice...

Do i have to find some trans with matched HFE? 

suggestions are wellcome!

Thx
Sergio

[jkokura]

HFE ratings matter much more with GE transistors, not as much with silicon transistors.

If you're looking for a good, beginner level fuzz that's not to hard to make a mistake with, the muff Fuzz is a super simple, great sounding fuzz. The lunar module is a great fuzz too, very tweakable, but unfortunately I'm out of that PCB currently.

Jacob

[aballen]

In think the Hipster is a great beginner fuzz, even in. 1590a it is a pretty easy build.

Great sounding Si Fuzz

[gtangas]

i was looking in to the hipster. simple, with bias control and bc108...

[garfo]

i can suggest the hipster with bc 183 instead of bc108.it is a little bit darker,you won't regreat it.since it is silicon just choose a smaller value for q1 and a bigger(lets say with plus 50 of hfe) for q2.

[hammerheadmusicman]

i would suggest socketing both transisitors, and doing some experimenting, i built one and it sounded good, but i would suggest trying as many as you can in different combos! Great little circuit, was great for me to learn a little more about transistors..

George

[gtangas]

i can suggest the hipster with bc 183 instead of bc108.it is a little bit darker,you won't regreat it.since it is silicon just choose a smaller value for q1 and a bigger(lets say with plus 50 of hfe) for q2.

so just to confirm:

Use q1 e q2 with the same trans but different hfe?

Thx

[jimilee]

Why just one? That's like having only 1 guitar,they make so many different ones just cause!

[hammerheadmusicman]

when i did it it was a 'mix n match' situation, it wil sound different with different combo's.. experiment, with whatever suitable parts are in your collection

[fuzzymuff]

 Check out a fuzz face variant by Gus Smalley.  The schematic is from the 90s and a very underrated build IMHO.  Very dynamic sounding fuzz and very responsive to your playing.   Refer to Jimi Hendrix Live in Monterey or Winterland the hear how this pedal is close to sounding like.

[Rados]

Why just one? That's like having only 1 guitar,they make so many different ones just cause!

Thanks for the schematic fuzzymuff, I'm going to try and do this one myself.

[DevinHenry]

i can find anything compareable to phentermine which is available over the counter here, the hipster with bc 183 instead of bc108.it is a little bit darker,you won't regreat it.since i started using it is silicon just  alternative here smaller value for q1 and a bigger(lets say with plus 50 of hfe) for q2.

You are right the hipster with bc 183 instead of bc108 is way better .. I like it a lot.

[Muadzin]

Fuzz Faces are annoying finicky beasts, especially the germanium ones. Which is highly ironic considering they are simple parts wise. Which is why I stuck to silicon versions. If it was good enough for David Gilmour its good enough for me.

[FranklinAarons]

Hi Guys

I want to build a nice fuzz, but i´m confused with the several ways to chosse, fuzz face, fuzz factory, hipster, etc..

i like what i have heard from silicon fuzz face using Agoc Travel some bc108 seems nice...

Do i have to find some trans with matched HFE? 

suggestions are wellcome!

Thx
Sergio

Yes you have to find some trans with matched HFE because it is important for the fuzz face. It is very important really and you can choose hipster for that. It will be nice.

[nocentelli]

/quote]
Yes you have to find some trans with matched HFE because it is important for the fuzz face. It is very important.....

I don't think it is necessary to "match" transistors for a fuzzface (i.e. sort through a whole bunch of transistors to find a pair with identical hFe). Matching hFe transistors are needed in SOME circuits, e.g. for the "long-tailed pair" used in a superfuzz to generate the most prominent octave-up sound, but this is not the case for a fuzzface.

Some experienced builders will recommend particular hFe values for Q1 + Q2 for specified transistor types that they claim sound good, and some vendors even sell germanium transistors in pairs, supposedly pre-tested and chosen for the fuzzface, but these are not "matched".