Fuzz Standard - Ibanez Standard Fuzz Clone

[PedalBuilder]

The Ibanez Standard Fuzz is an interesting variation on the Univox Super Fuzz. The two circuits are largely identical, with the following changes:

1. The Super Fuzz's complex two transistor input stage is replaced with a simple JFET amplifier;
2. The phase splitter transistor is biased using a collector-base feedback resistor, rather than a voltage divider;
3. A few resistor and capacitor values are changed. See the schematic for more details

These changes add up to a significantly nastier, gnarlier fuzz with a more intense octave effect. I made a few minor changes to the circuit (the schematic is at the bottom of the post). I added an A100k pot wired as a variable resistor between the mid-scoop filter and ground, labeled Tone Change. Turning the Tone Change control up decreases the resistance between the filter and ground, which increases the depth of the filter. When turned all the way down, the midrange is kept largely intact. There is a significant volume drop as the mid-scoop increases, so adjustments to the Tone Change control need to be accompanied by changes to the balance control. I also added a C5k pot between the collector of one of the octave generator transistor, labeled Octave. This control lets you dial in the intensity of the octave effect. Turned all the way down, there is no noticeable octave effect. As you turn up the knob, the intensity of the octave effect increases.

As far as PCB design, I skipped the trimmer for tuning the octave generator, as I used transistors with matched hFE and VBE and tested the circuit on the breadboard before building it. I also used a new variation on my over-voltage and reverse polarity protection PCB, which uses only SMD components.

The enclosure is a gray 125B from Tayda, UV printed with a double pass of white and gloss varnish.

 

[Hal Harvey]

Nastier and more intense octave?!



I guess I need to build yet another super fuzz.

Your build is fucking great too of course

 

[Feral Feline]

HOT DAMN that pedal looks G O O D !

Many thanks for the breakdown of the mods and mucho appreciado for the schematic.


I've compared the schematics of the Univox SF with the Ibby Standard before, but your 2nd bullet point on how the two fuzzes differ brings my previous myopic observations into focus.
Cheers!

 

[jwin615]

Very cool! Well done!
Was this one of the early Macon circuits? There was the original OD850 which was supposedly muff-ish/superfuzz-ish in its design. Curious if they're tweak versions of the same layout maybe ?

 

[PedalBuilder]

Very cool! Well done!

Thank you!

Was this one of the early Macon circuits? There was the original OD850 which was supposedly muff-ish/superfuzz-ish in its design. Curious if they're tweak versions of the same layout maybe ?

Nope, the Standard Fuzz is a very different circuit, much more of a modified Super Fuzz. The OD850 is a modified Big Muff that has a reworked tone stack and output stage, as well as some atypical component values (330pF filter capacitors, 180Ω emitter resistors, 1µF coupling capacitors). I'm going to have to try it out, so thanks for putting it on my radar!

 

[Guilherme Collateral]

Whoa, incredible work and write-up!

 

[szukalski]

Love your work. The new IO module looks great!