DIY Fuzz Face guitar pedal | LoHi Sounds

Hello hello everybody! For our next video, we'll build the Bold As Love Fuzz, based on the Fuzz Face, originally manufactured by Arbiter Electronics until Dunlop took over in 1993 . A truly iconic pedal and one of the most famous fuzz pedals used by Jimi Hendrix, Pete Townshend, David Gilmour etc.

Enjoy!

Schematic:

Components:
Resistors
33k
470R
100k

Capacitors
2x 10uF
2,2uF
22uF
10nF

Chip:
TC1044S

Pots:
1KB Fuzz
500KA Vol
10KB Bias (trim pot)

Transistors PNP Germanium:
Started with 2x AC126 with hFE 90-100 and 100-110. Switched to two NOS-transistors, 2SB178 with hFE 70-80 and 100-110.

[michaelinglis]

Anyone who decides to build this should really replace the 470R (470 ohm) resistor with a 1k variable resistor (trim pot). It allows you to control the output of the pedal without negatively effecting it's tone. It just makes the pedals volume control much more useable since it has more volume to work with.

[michaelinglis]

I just built a fuzz face almost identical to this one with a TC1044Scps charge pump that I used instead of the recommended max1044 even though I have both. But it's in an enclosure with an NPN silicon treble booster. So it's basically a reverse analogman Sunlion. For the fuzz face I used two Germanium PNP NTE102'S at first (Q1 had an hFE of about 80 and Q2 of about 103.4) and it was ok but it was a little too warm. So next I sourced an NTE102A (hFE = 134) that I put into the Q2 position and it sounds perfect now. It's got just the right amount of high end without loosing the full bottom end. And adjusting the bias for less voltage at Q2's collector makes a great gated fuzz tone and raising the voltage makes it warmer until you get really high at which point it's a smooth non gated Velcro type fuzz tone . So to be clear now Q1 is about 80 hFE and Q2 is about 134 hFE. I also replaced the 470R (470 ohm) resistor since the pedals output volume was lower then I wanted. I put a 1k variable resistor (trim pot) in its place and cranked it all the way to 1k and the pedal has much much more output and along with the volume knob that made the pedal dramatically more versatile. I highly recommend to anyone who builds a Fuzz Face to either use a 1k - 1.5k resistor instead of the 470R or a 1k-1.5k variable resistor.

[Mindartcreativity]

Damn! Unbelievable that Dunlop asks 150 bucks for such a simple circuit, let alone in a big unusable enclosure. When COVID19 is over and all parts are again available, I'll try a DIY Fuzz Face build.

[kidcapsule]

I just started building pedals and this is the type of video that’s been missing on YouTube! Very well produced. Right level of detail and getting to the point quickly.

[KarlSimonOscarFrisk]

Came from reddit, glad to follow this kind of content!

[DenariusHaveNarius]

I'd recommend building a Marshall Supa Fuzz instead (or afterwards). Basically adds a transistor stage to the fuzz face type circuits. Much more forgiving of transistor specs. Fuzz faces can vary quite a bit depending on the transistors used.

[Bad.At.Guitar]

You have the best videos for making guitar pedals I've ever seen! They are informative enough to fully recreate what you're doing but also made in a way that doesn't bore to death. Keep it up!

[zochamlianatlau-]

Really well made vid! FYI as a fellow builder sanding the cut edges of the stripboard is always aesthetically pleasing :D

[sonicobsessions]

Man i need more content. Maybe build a modulation or time based event

[cadflo]

Is there another video showing all the specific wiring? specially on the ones from the audio output, the dc in and the stomp switch. Thnx

[rainor]

awesome build. looking forward to seeing the Klon + KOT clone pedal. You should try mic'ing up your amp or recording DI so we can hear the pedal's sound better

[sonicobsessions]

Man i need more content. Maybe build a modulation or time based effects

[m.arcelobarreto]

Hey, thanks for this video, it was so clarifying. I learned more in less than ten minutes than in four year of my school LOL.

Do you guys are intended to continue the videos? If so I'll be honored to be the first patreon of the channel! Keep the good work, you guys are amazing.

[JusAequum]

Love your video! The pedal sound great too.

[Diabolo]

Nice thought. But showing the wiring on the board would be sweet!

[the_nondrive_side]

The trim pot needs to be accessible. I've got a tone stack blend cap adding a .47uf to cut some bass for when your wanting that.

[alvin]

Man sound awesome....your channel and tag boards effect site is a killer..please keep these project coming..Meanwhile i want to ask you that i found interesting circuit on the web but in PNG
format, could you please explain how to get it to correct scale to print this.once again thank you for the lesson.

[Selahmescudi]

such a good taste. Good quality video and explanation.

I would support you on Patreon if you would continue with the project. Go ahead!

[Gatecreeper]

Love this, very good video my dude. Would like it if you did a legitimate tutorial!

[julianotutida]

Great job! Where did you buy yours 2sb178? I tried musikding and bitsbox too but didn't find, can you help me? Thanks