Two Ungula builds, one with Cleft Mod
After trying a couple kits, my first serious build that I tried was the Ungula fuzz. It didn't go well. I didn't fork up the cash for a pair of 2N1308 transistors and just tried to 'figure it out' using similar transistors. I really wish I would have used sockets, because I ended up destroying several transistors as I swapped out different types. I ended up getting frustrated and put this on the shelf until I had a little more experience.
A few months later I built a Greengage, and was able to solve a voltage issue that was killing my signal flow through an IC. With the knowledge of how to use a multi-meter & audio probe to troubleshoot the circuit, I decided to re-visit the Ungula.
I figured out that my transistors were backward, and the crappy old wire I was using kept falling apart. I also completely burnt out the socket for my LED's anode, so I had to solder a little jumper from the positive terminal to the LED itself. I used MPSA13 transistors, which are called for in the Cleft mod, but for the rest of the components, I stuck to the original design. So it isn't a true Ungula, it isnt really a Cleft, kindof a hybrid. It is now the HOLY FUZZ. I originally picked up the Holy Fuzz off Craigslist, it was an extremely modded Fuzz Face clone, but I never liked the way it sounded. It was un-usable on a pedalboard, just out of control noise. I gutted the enclosure, and stuffed the Ungula in there. Good move. I also moved the I/O jacks to the top.
The Holy Fuzz sounds really good. Its still very similar to the EQD, but I didn't put much time into comparison. Its a controlled and direct Fuzz, not a lot of noise and scream. The Tone & Shift knobs give it a lot of range.
With two pedals working, I decided I wanted to try another one, and see if I could do a really clean build. This time, I went full Cleft Mod (mostly because I already had MPSA13's, a pair of 2N1308's go for $10 on eBay). I bought all the right parts, some better capacitors, PCB mount pots, and a pre-drilled enclosure. The Clefted Ungula went right together, no problems at all! Plugged it in, and I had FUZZ! I don't plan on painting the enclosure (because, uh, I'm like that), but I popped on some red knobs & a red DC jack. It was a fast and smooth build, and I'm super excited with how clean it turned out.
The Clefted Ungula also sounds really good. I didn't put much time in comparing it to a Hoof, but I'm really happy with it. Super tight fuzz, lots of tone control, lots of gain. Sounds good on guitar & bass. A fun build, the board has a simple layout without any ICs to solder. The plans are top notch. It just leaves me wanting more, I finished two more pedals after this, just bought 5 more projects from PedalPCB!
I always thought the Hoof sounded a little thin, I'd like to get a more booming sound like a green Big Muff that consumes a large frequency range. If there are any suggestions on how to get a little more out of it, please let me know.
Cleft Mod
After trying a couple kits, my first serious build that I tried was the Ungula fuzz. It didn't go well. I didn't fork up the cash for a pair of 2N1308 transistors and just tried to 'figure it out' using similar transistors. I really wish I would have used sockets, because I ended up destroying several transistors as I swapped out different types. I ended up getting frustrated and put this on the shelf until I had a little more experience.
A few months later I built a Greengage, and was able to solve a voltage issue that was killing my signal flow through an IC. With the knowledge of how to use a multi-meter & audio probe to troubleshoot the circuit, I decided to re-visit the Ungula.
I figured out that my transistors were backward, and the crappy old wire I was using kept falling apart. I also completely burnt out the socket for my LED's anode, so I had to solder a little jumper from the positive terminal to the LED itself. I used MPSA13 transistors, which are called for in the Cleft mod, but for the rest of the components, I stuck to the original design. So it isn't a true Ungula, it isnt really a Cleft, kindof a hybrid. It is now the HOLY FUZZ. I originally picked up the Holy Fuzz off Craigslist, it was an extremely modded Fuzz Face clone, but I never liked the way it sounded. It was un-usable on a pedalboard, just out of control noise. I gutted the enclosure, and stuffed the Ungula in there. Good move. I also moved the I/O jacks to the top.
The Holy Fuzz sounds really good. Its still very similar to the EQD, but I didn't put much time into comparison. Its a controlled and direct Fuzz, not a lot of noise and scream. The Tone & Shift knobs give it a lot of range.
With two pedals working, I decided I wanted to try another one, and see if I could do a really clean build. This time, I went full Cleft Mod (mostly because I already had MPSA13's, a pair of 2N1308's go for $10 on eBay). I bought all the right parts, some better capacitors, PCB mount pots, and a pre-drilled enclosure. The Clefted Ungula went right together, no problems at all! Plugged it in, and I had FUZZ! I don't plan on painting the enclosure (because, uh, I'm like that), but I popped on some red knobs & a red DC jack. It was a fast and smooth build, and I'm super excited with how clean it turned out.
The Clefted Ungula also sounds really good. I didn't put much time in comparing it to a Hoof, but I'm really happy with it. Super tight fuzz, lots of tone control, lots of gain. Sounds good on guitar & bass. A fun build, the board has a simple layout without any ICs to solder. The plans are top notch. It just leaves me wanting more, I finished two more pedals after this, just bought 5 more projects from PedalPCB!
I always thought the Hoof sounded a little thin, I'd like to get a more booming sound like a green Big Muff that consumes a large frequency range. If there are any suggestions on how to get a little more out of it, please let me know.
Cleft Mod
Last edited:
