According to Electrosmash among other sources Q1c / Q2b should be ~0.7v with a germanium pair in a "perfect" Fuzz Face. With a silicon FF as I understand, Q1c would typically be ~1.2v - 1.4v.
But what about a hybrid fuzz face with low gain silicon Q1 and low gain Q2 germanium (Q2c is at 4.5v)? What is the "perfect" compromise / sweet spot of Q1c / Q2b voltage? In my trials, I am finding with limited si / ge combos with a 33K bias resistor coming in around 1.0v - 1.7v, and can adjust the higher ones down with a 24K.
I think I am finding the best performance with Q1c down a bit, around 1.1v with a 33K resistor.
For example a 2N4123 lands right in that ~1.1v range with a 33K, a 2N2369 as a few tenths higher, but gets closer with a 24K.
Realizing from a purely electronics POV, this is simply Ohms law, but from an audio performance POV, are my ears hearing correctly to bias Q1c slightly lower in this hybrid fuzz, than with a silicon pair? How do we determine the common Q1c / Q2b voltage for both to operate at peak performance?
Secondly, other than having less headroom, what is happening with Q1 when we bias it in the higher end of the range?
Thanks in advance..
But what about a hybrid fuzz face with low gain silicon Q1 and low gain Q2 germanium (Q2c is at 4.5v)? What is the "perfect" compromise / sweet spot of Q1c / Q2b voltage? In my trials, I am finding with limited si / ge combos with a 33K bias resistor coming in around 1.0v - 1.7v, and can adjust the higher ones down with a 24K.
I think I am finding the best performance with Q1c down a bit, around 1.1v with a 33K resistor.
For example a 2N4123 lands right in that ~1.1v range with a 33K, a 2N2369 as a few tenths higher, but gets closer with a 24K.
Realizing from a purely electronics POV, this is simply Ohms law, but from an audio performance POV, are my ears hearing correctly to bias Q1c slightly lower in this hybrid fuzz, than with a silicon pair? How do we determine the common Q1c / Q2b voltage for both to operate at peak performance?
Secondly, other than having less headroom, what is happening with Q1 when we bias it in the higher end of the range?
Thanks in advance..