Classic fuzzes?

Harry Klippton

Harry Klippton

Not Interested
I like trying fuzz pedals, and I'd like to check out as many classics as I can. I've built lots of fuzz faces, both germanium and silicon, a bosstone, tychobrahe octavia, superfuzz, and a couple big muffs. I've built a couple tone benders (ge mkii, some silicon version from madbean) and there are a lot more tone benders I'd like to check out.

Here are a few off the top of my head that I haven't tried: fuzzrite, fozz tone machine, Roger mayer octavia. What else do you recommend?
 
Here are a few fun ones:
  • Rosac Nu-Fuzz—it's an improved silicon Fuzzrite designed by the inventor of the Fuzzrite. You can build one on the PedalPCB Loft Fuzz PCB if you change some resistor values
  • Tone Bender Mk. I/Zonk Machine—these are probably the most difficult fuzz pedals to build, but they're worth the effort. They stand out in a mix better than most other fuzz pedals, too.
  • Tone Bender Mk. III—despite the name, it has nothing to do with the Tone Bender Mk. 1, 1.5, or 2. This blog post by @andy-h-h has a lot of great info. The Buzzaround and Elka Dizzy Tone are some other variations on the same core circuit.
  • @Ginsly's Triple Germanium Fuzzrite—I've got this on the breadboard and it sounds delightfully nasty.
  • Shin-Ei Companion Fuzz—another nasty, biting fuzz in the same vein as the Fuzzrite.
  • Roland Bee-Baa—stupid name, fantastic tone.
 
Mentaltossflycoon said:
These were the first two that I thought of also. Get 2 gnats and build both a buzzaround and an elka dizzytone. I've only built the tweaked version from moonn, the stoner bee, but the bee baa also rules.

Does the Prunes and Custard count? Love me some P&C.
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I built a dizzy tone. I didn't like it initially but I was playing it yesterday and I was kinda digging it.

What's the prunes and custard?

Coda said:
Fuzz-Rite (Ge and Si), Zonk I and II, Fuzz Factory…
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I always forget about the fuzz factory. Putting that on my list
 
the kay fuzztone (third man bumble buzz), mxr blue box ... the devi stuff ... escobedo stuff like the pwm and uglyface ... I can't remember who came up with it but there's a DIY project called the tequila buzz that's pretty great for sketti western style fuzz. someone really should make a pcb that doesn't come from oshpark
 
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Second the BrasMaster. I love a good BM. And the BrassMaster too!🤣
It's a really unique topology with the whole rectified AC carrier thing. Can't say I seen that used in anything other than BM clones/mods. Would love to see a Barker Assmaster or a Diabolik PCB one day.
When you build it, make sure you match Vf of the rectifier diodes in the bridge modulator section. Usually 4148s IIRC. I can send some 3392s if needed if you want to be accurate on the transistors.
 
Foxx Tone Machine is the best octave fuzz! Definitely build one.

I’ll also second the Shin Ei Companion for JAMC wall-of-noise goodness. Though I would definitely recommend rewiring the “Fuzz” (actually more of a Tone) pot as described here: https://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=59290.0
It’s fairly useless in its stock configuration.

I haven’t gotten round to building my boards yet, but the 3 old Roland fuzzes that Aion sell PCBs for: Antipode, Argus, and Ibex (the aforementioned Bee Baa) sound pretty interesting in the clips I’ve heard.
 
From an old Popular Electronics magazine, I found this article for a "Fuzz Box" build. It uses unusual -3V/+1.5V supply rails.

Fuzz_Box-1978-06_Article copy.png

After breadboarding it at the original supply rails, I bumped it up to twice that value and found that with an LM308 & OC44 BJT it still works great.

741 Fuzz Box BB 1.jpg
And here's the schematic I've worked out. (And with @rwl's help, a PCB layout.)

741_308_Fuzz_Box_Schematic_Final.png
 
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Love those old magazine circuits!

Of the ones already mentioned, several favourites...
  • Prunes & Custard
  • Brass Master
  • Dizzytone
Not necessarily in that above order.



NOT YET MENTIONED BUT KILLERS, IMO:
  • BAZZ FUSS
  • ACOUSTIC 360
Bazz Fuss, so simple but so good AND tweakable.
For the 360, recommend stock for guitar or Moosapotamus-version for bass.
 
Oh! And there's the TL431 Fuzz Circuit. An obscure fuzz circuit that only requires a reference diode as the only active component in the circuit. At certain settings, this thing sounds like a torn speaker. In any case, an interesting fuzz with a unique fuzz characteristic.
(The 2N3904 BJT shown in the circuit schematic is completely optional and not required for the circuit to work.)
This is another circuit that @rwl assisted with the PCB layout.

TL431-Fuzz_Torn-Speaker_Final.png
The original TL431 fuzz is just dirt simple.
TL431_Fuzz_Schematic_Basic.png
 
Feral Feline said:
Maybe explore more obscure stuff, too, such as the Montarbo Sinfhoton, the Earth Sound Research GRAPHIC Fuzz, Umi Buzztone, Heathkit TA-28, Roland Funny Cat, Wyllie Moonrock and others to breadboard...

You never know what will resonate with you.
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Moonn has a board for the sinfhoton. The controls are a little odd but it certainly doesn't suck.

moonnelectronics.bigcartel.com

Aglio e Olio

Aaaaaand another obscure circuit you need in your life This time it come from italy in the late 60s This PCB lets you build a clone of the Montarbo...
moonnelectronics.bigcartel.com moonnelectronics.bigcartel.com
 
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