First Build - Cherry Pi (Muffin Fuzz - Stomp '75)

gtfields13

New member
Build Rating
5.00 star(s)
I finished my first DIY pedal from a PCB today, and am really excited about how it turned out.

For small background, I messed around a little bit like 40 yrs ago, building a fairly primitive fuzz circuit from a 70's Popular Electronic article (Craig Anderton's Optimum Fuzz). I just have to say how much the world has change - all in a good way for a hobbyist builder. Back then, I had to buy parts at Radio Shack and my pedal was all wired up on bare PCB, I never even tried to put it in an enclosure...

After gaining some free time (empty nesting) I decided to get back into DIY effects, and discovered the world of low cost PCBs. After using AI to learn more about the major variants of fuzz circuits, I decided I wanted to build a Big Muff Pi clone. I bought a Muffin Fuzz PCB here, and after more internet sleuthing picked the Stomp '75 build.

In the 21st century, I was able to order my parts online (Mouser), order a pre-dilled case from Thailand (Tayda) and build my circuit in just handful of sessions. The ease was eye-opening, and I am definitely going to do more!

Today I powered it up for the first time - had red-light at go, and when I put a guitar to it, I had NO problems. Beautiful fuzz from the first chord. I am jazzed that the project worked right out of the chute. I think the distortion type is exactly what I wanted - I can go from clean to distorted, can sweep the tone, and adjust the gain beautifully.

With a metallic flak red case, I have to call my pedal the Cherry Pi.

Next up for me is a Klon Centaur clone, to put in front of this baby. I also socketed the transistors and diodes in this build, so I am going to open it up and see how different diodes or transistors change the sound. I also am really happy with the build and may try making some other variants of this board.
Cherry Pi PCB.jpeg Cherry Pi Case.jpeg
 
Klon into Big Muff sounds awesome! Glad you like this one and welcome. I sold on a '73 Ram's Head I had built a while back (needed funds to finish up a wah build) so should really do another Muff at some point soon.
 
Back
Top