jeffwhitfield
Well-known member
So, I actually bought and tried out an EQD Hoof some time ago. I liked it...but not enough to keep it. I dunno what it was about it. I think I was going for a more vintage style fuzz at the time and was seeking out something that had a bit of hair to it...which definitely didn't fit the Hoof. Little did I know that the Hoof was actually a Big Muff in disguise. Between this and the Hizumitas, I'm beginning to think that EQD really likes messing with Big Muff circuits.
This build came together quick easily. Virtually everything is to spec. Only few changes was the use of a tantalum cap and slightly different Germanium transistors. I used 2N1306 trannies instead of the 2N1308 ones the specs called for. Very slight difference that I don't think made much of a change in the sound. Don't think the choice of transistor makes too much difference so long as the hFE falls within a certain range. Newer Hoofs use MP37A trannies so, yeah, they kind of use whatever is available. My guess is that whenever they update the Hoof they change the config a bit to accommodate whatever trannies they're using. Pretty easy faire with a Muff circuit.
Soundwise, it definitely sounds like a Hoof. Definitely has that Muff sound to it...but with a rather dirty quality due to the Germanium trannies. Nice one to add to the Muff collection for sure.
In terms of design, when I saw the name Ungula (which is another name for "hoof"), I thought of horse hoofs. After reviewing a bunch of graphics, I found a set of different horseshoe graphics. Mixed them up and gave it an Old West sort of motif. Simple design but it works.
This build came together quick easily. Virtually everything is to spec. Only few changes was the use of a tantalum cap and slightly different Germanium transistors. I used 2N1306 trannies instead of the 2N1308 ones the specs called for. Very slight difference that I don't think made much of a change in the sound. Don't think the choice of transistor makes too much difference so long as the hFE falls within a certain range. Newer Hoofs use MP37A trannies so, yeah, they kind of use whatever is available. My guess is that whenever they update the Hoof they change the config a bit to accommodate whatever trannies they're using. Pretty easy faire with a Muff circuit.
Soundwise, it definitely sounds like a Hoof. Definitely has that Muff sound to it...but with a rather dirty quality due to the Germanium trannies. Nice one to add to the Muff collection for sure.
In terms of design, when I saw the name Ungula (which is another name for "hoof"), I thought of horse hoofs. After reviewing a bunch of graphics, I found a set of different horseshoe graphics. Mixed them up and gave it an Old West sort of motif. Simple design but it works.