SteveScott
Member
Looking for some ideas on a mod for the Friendly Fire Fuzz to increase overall volume without changing the core sound.
Friendly Fire Fuzz volume mod
- Thread starter SteveScott
- Start date
Nostradoomus
Well-known member
Is it louder than your bypassed signal? Just want it louder?
SteveScott
Member
It actually is a little less loud than my bypassed signal, but from the demo videos I saw on this pedal, that's the way it is. I'd like to fix that if possible.
Nostradoomus
Well-known member
It should be louder than your bypassed signal, it’s not known to be a huge volume pedal in the first place but that sounds like a transistor problem. Can you take some measurements?
SteveScott
Member
Sorry, I had to go to work, I'll have to pick up on this tomorrow.
SteveScott
Member
I did use different transistors because I couldn't find the 2SC536. I used 2SC945 instead.
BurntFingers
Well-known member
You could try different transistors of a more modern flavour, maybe a 2n2222 set in there. Or splice an lbp1 before the output.
SteveScott
Member
Cool, I can get the 2n2222. Sorry though, what is an lbp 1?
BurntFingers
Well-known member
SteveScott
Member
LMGTFY
For all those people who find it more convenient to bother you with their question rather than search it for themselves.lmgtfy.com
Thanks, I'm familiar with how to use Google.
Nostradoomus
Well-known member
Yeah that’s weak.
An LPB-1 is an EHX Linear Power Booster, a super simple boost circuit not known to colour your sound. If you’re handy with vero they’re a breeze to make if you just need things to be louder.
An LPB-1 is an EHX Linear Power Booster, a super simple boost circuit not known to colour your sound. If you’re handy with vero they’re a breeze to make if you just need things to be louder.
SteveScott
Member
A
Thank you!
Chuck D. Bones
Circuit Wizard
Here are three things to try (in no particular order):
1) Increase R1. First, measure the collector voltage on Q1. For maximum volume, you want it near 4.5V. If it's significantly lower than that, and I suspect it is, increase R1. This will have the strongest effect when FUZZ is maxed.
2) Increase R3. First, measure the collector voltage on Q2. For maximum volume, you want it near 4.5V. If it's significantly lower than that, and I suspect it is, increase R3. This will have the strongest effect when FUZZ is dialed down.
3) Increase C6. This pedal has a huge mid scoop and that will suck the volume out.
4) Decrease C7. OK, four things.
The biasing scheme in this pedal, and it's not unique to this pedal, makes the performance very dependent on transistor beta (HFE). High beta transistors will need to have the bias resistors increased to compensate for the higher gain. High HFE is not always a good thing in vintage-style pedals.
1) Increase R1. First, measure the collector voltage on Q1. For maximum volume, you want it near 4.5V. If it's significantly lower than that, and I suspect it is, increase R1. This will have the strongest effect when FUZZ is maxed.
2) Increase R3. First, measure the collector voltage on Q2. For maximum volume, you want it near 4.5V. If it's significantly lower than that, and I suspect it is, increase R3. This will have the strongest effect when FUZZ is dialed down.
3) Increase C6. This pedal has a huge mid scoop and that will suck the volume out.
4) Decrease C7. OK, four things.
The biasing scheme in this pedal, and it's not unique to this pedal, makes the performance very dependent on transistor beta (HFE). High beta transistors will need to have the bias resistors increased to compensate for the higher gain. High HFE is not always a good thing in vintage-style pedals.
SteveScott
Member
Thanks Chuck. I'll give those a try. R1 is already 2.2m, would changing R2 (and possibly R4) help in the same way?
Chuck D. Bones
Circuit Wizard
Maybe, but you should try what I suggested first. Nothing magic about 2.2M. If R1 needs to be bigger, then make it bigger.
SteveScott
Member
Cool, I'll have to put some resistors in series to make that happen. Maybe I'll start with the 2.2m and then put a 1m pot in series and see what it takes to get the bias right....in the morning.
Chuck D. Bones
Circuit Wizard
What's the collector voltage with R1 = 2.2M?
Maybe you could have been more helpful with '' An LPB-1 is an EHX Linear Power Booster ''LMGTFY
For all those people who find it more convenient to bother you with their question rather than search it for themselves.
SteveScott
Member
Hey Chuck, sorry it took so long to get back to you. If I put my meter on what I believe is the collector and the base, it is reading 2.53v.
Chuck D. Bones
Circuit Wizard
I wanted to know the collector voltage w.r.t. ground. Collector is the middle pin.
