[PedalPCB] Dizzy Tone

[szukalski]

Build Rating

5.00 star(s)

After my experience with the Gnat, I had to try the Dizzy Tone, especially after seeing the number of people swearing by it as their "one" fuzz.

Followed the thread here for the PNP version.

I present to you, the Whirlwind fuzz..



Yeah, I know, bad lighting. I should build the photo box instead of another pedal.. I could probably get better shots but I want to play tonight.

This was one of my first "planned builds" owing to guidance from the usual suspects. I am happy at how the theme played out.

Sounds great, I used some low gain 2N1303, ~40hfe and low leakage, for Q1/2, and something Russian for Q3, ~70-80hfe and moderate leakage. Used a Russian diode as well, ~1.2mV. Was the best from my testing using my diode tester.

This is a beast and a keeper!

 

[jeffwhitfield]

Looks great man! Love the play on the name. "Wirbelwind Fuzz". That's neat.

I need to play around with the transistors in mine. It sounds good...but I bet I can make it better. I used a combination of MP20A and GT402B transistors. They're good...but I have some recent ones that might be better.

 

[szukalski]

Thanks @jeffwhitfield . I took the advice given by BettyWont and used the lower gain ones, it sounds so good that I didn't even bother to try higher gain.

The bigger difference was in the Ge diode. I rang through 8 or 9, and a lower forward voltage worked for me. IIRC it was Chuck who said that it biases Q3, so it may be enough for you to get a better sound. I didn't notice too much change when using humbuckers, but my low-gain strat (which reveals all) got an extra quack in positions 2 & 4 with the diode which I finally selected.

 

[Bret608]

Looks great! I do still love my Buzzaround after all these years. I'm a sucker for anything in this circuit family.

 

[MichaelW]

Oh man that looks awesome, having a hard time keeping up with you man! I have the Gnat on my bench at the moment (at your recommendation), just drilled 3 enclosures. Now I know which one I need to build first

 

[szukalski]

Oh man that looks awesome, having a hard time keeping up with you man! I have the Gnat on my bench at the moment (at your recommendation), just drilled 3 enclosures. Now I know which one I need to build first

I would recommend using the Gnat pcb for a Dizzy if you have a selection of Ge diodes to play with.

It will work better with lower gain transistors and is just as brutal as the Buzzaround, but with more fuzziness and lower end.

You will want both though..

 

[almondcity]

I love my dizzy tone, it's a lot beefier than my buzzaround but also noisier.

 

[MichaelW]

I would recommend using the Gnat pcb for a Dizzy if you have a selection of Ge diodes to play with.

It will work better with lower gain transistors and is just as brutal as the Buzzaround, but with more fuzziness and lower end.

You will want both though..

I have the Gnat working but not completely boxed yet. I have a Ge diode in there in the mid-40's. Gonna try a lower one in the morning. Pretty happy with the trannies I selected. Will post details in a build report.

 

[jeffwhitfield]

Thanks @jeffwhitfield . I took the advice given by BettyWont and used the lower gain ones, it sounds so good that I didn't even bother to try higher gain.

The bigger difference was in the Ge diode. I rang through 8 or 9, and a lower forward voltage worked for me. IIRC it was Chuck who said that it biases Q3, so it may be enough for you to get a better sound. I didn't notice too much change when using humbuckers, but my low-gain strat (which reveals all) got an extra quack in positions 2 & 4 with the diode which I finally selected.

Good suggestion. Gonna try that. I think the diode that's in there, a 1N34A, is somewhere around the 500 range. Got a bunch of others I can play with so I'll try some of them.