Fuzz Face question

[LJN]

Hi. I have a question regarding the fuzz face. I built the si version, and was very dissatisfied with the fuzz control, or lack there of. My question is this. Is it possible to put an extra boost stage at the front like a tonebender mk II?

[Ben79]

Yep, then add a few pots and you've got a Fuzz Factory.

But when you say you're unhappy with the fuzz control, do you mean there is little actual control or not enough fuzz?  I don't think I've ever run a FF without the fuzz on max.  If I was gonna build one I would lose it altogether.

[LJN]

Thanks, but I like to be able to adjust the amount of fuzz to some degree. The problem is that it gets almost no fuzz until the last few degrees of rotation of the fuzz pot. When it gets there, it just sounds too muddy for my taste. I'd like to extend the useful range of the fuzz control, is all. Thanks again.

[galaxiex]

Which version did you build and from where? Did you "roll your own" or buy a kit?

Got pics of the pedal/circuit? -or- a link to what you built?

Helpful to know *which* FF you are talking about... 
I understand it's the Si version but there are at least 3 or more versions of that....

[LJN]

I used the schematic from fuzzcentral. It's the arbiter version. It sounds very authentic, so I don't suspect any errors in the schematic. It's just the behavior of that fuzz control that I don't like. I've seen demos of the tonebender mkII, and the attack control on those seems to have a wider useful range.

[galaxiex]

So it's this one then?

http://fuzzcentral.ssguitar.com/fuzzface/fuzzfacenpnschematic.gif

If so... try changing the "fuzz" control to a 1KC instead of the 1KB.

The *C* stands for reverse audio taper. The pot they show is a Linear (B) type pot.

The *C* type pot will spread out the usable range of the control.

Edit; if you can't find a *C* taper pot you could try an *A* taper (audio taper) pot, but either one should be easy to find..

Small Bear Electronics has a *W* taper 1K pot. This is the same thing as a C taper (reverse audio) pot.

http://smallbear-electronics.mybigcommerce.com/alpha-16mm-single-gang-reverse-audio-w-solder-terms/

[LJN]

Thanks. I'll check into it.

[J M Fahey]

Argentine "stuff is hard to find here" trick:  if you can't get a 1k C (antilog) pot, which is as rare as hen's teeth, use an easier to find 1k A (Log) one, but wire it backwards  and label the scale 10 to 0 (meaning clockwise is cleaner and counterclockwise is dirtier)  .

After the initial Cultural Shock  you'll get used to it  ... and it really is smoother to adjust 

I do that all the time, for example on Parametric Mid controls where I'd need 2 x 100K C / Log pots for frequency , same on homemade bench test oscillators.

Works like a charm.

[phatt]

Argentine "stuff is hard to find here" trick:  if you can't get a 1k C (antilog) pot, which is as rare as hen's teeth, use an easier to find 1k A (Log) one, but wire it backwards  and label the scale 10 to 0 (meaning clockwise is cleaner and counterclockwise is dirtier)  .

After the initial Cultural Shock  you'll get used to it  ... and it really is smoother to adjust 

I do that all the time, for example on Parametric Mid controls where I'd need 2 x 100K C / Log pots for frequency , same on homemade bench test oscillators.

Works like a charm.

Arrrh-so,, You very smart falcon man, (Said with a Chinese accent)
Thanks that is very handy to know I can see how that would work.
I'll store that one firmly in my memory banks
Phil.

[LJN]

Thank you both for the replies. As soon as I can get my hands on the 1k A pot, I'll give it a try. I need to do some work on this one anyway. It acts like it has a couple of bad solder joints in it. Thanks again.