Tim Patterson
Simplest Fuzz Pedal
My version of the "Bazz Fuss" guitar fuzz pedal. I used an MPSA13 darlington pair transistor, 9vDC through a 10kΩ resistor on the collector, a 1N34A germanium diode from the collector to base, 0.022µF input/output film caps and a 100kΩ audio pot to adjust the volume to match the amp. There is no "gain" knob, it's always 100% on! Simple, eh? :)
If you decide to build one there are a bunch of things you can experiment with.. I tried a variety of feedback diodes like the 1N4148, 1N34A, 1N270, 1N914 and even a 1N4001 rectifier diode, as well as various LEDs. I tried both 100kΩ and 10kΩ resistors on the collector, and the 100kΩ works well with other single transistors like the 2N5088, BC547 and MPS2222A, but with a little less saturation. I also tried a number of different value output volume pots, but settled on the A100kΩ.
It gets a nice pleasing crunchy tone with some good saturation. And it really boosts the signal. If you build one start with the volume all the way off or your neighbors will probably complain!
Simplest Fuzz Pedal
My version of the "Bazz Fuss" guitar fuzz pedal. I used an MPSA13 darlington pair transistor, 9vDC through a 10kΩ resistor on the collector, a 1N34A germanium diode from the collector to base, 0.022µF input/output film caps and a 100kΩ audio pot to adjust the volume to match the amp. There is no "gain" knob, it's always 100% on! Simple, eh? :)
If you decide to build one there are a bunch of things you can experiment with.. I tried a variety of feedback diodes like the 1N4148, 1N34A, 1N270, 1N914 and even a 1N4001 rectifier diode, as well as various LEDs. I tried both 100kΩ and 10kΩ resistors on the collector, and the 100kΩ works well with other single transistors like the 2N5088, BC547 and MPS2222A, but with a little less saturation. I also tried a number of different value output volume pots, but settled on the A100kΩ.
It gets a nice pleasing crunchy tone with some good saturation. And it really boosts the signal. If you build one start with the volume all the way off or your neighbors will probably complain!