Build a Guitar Pedal in 10 mins! (Fuzz)

Learn how to build a simple fuzz effect for your guitar in less then 10...actually, 7 mins :)
Buy a 7 min fuzz pcb or kit!

Complete 7 min fuzz kit:

[DiyguitarpedalsAu]

Dont forget to check out my 7 min fuzz kit, thanks for supporting my channel and store!

[garrettsmith]

I watched this video 7 years ago and now I have a masters degree in electrical engineering. Thank you!

[graemenias]

Been building my own pedals for a few years now. One of the first ones I made completely from scratch was a Bazz Fuss clone and its still one of my favourites, such a ridiculously simple circuit but an epic sound! Just goes to show sometimes less really is more. I built mine into a 1590A enclosure on a custom-designed PCB with a few modifications. Here are my recommendations for component choices:

Change the transistor to a BC108C
Change the diode to a 1N4001
Change the resisor to 100k
Change the input cap to 100nF film
Change the output cap to 10uF electrolytic
Add a volume control at the output using a 100k log pot
Add a 1M pulldown resistor at the input to stop it popping when the bypass switch is operated

[DiyguitarpedalsAu]

Awesome! Those capacitors are dc blocking and also filtering capacitors. The lower the value, the less bass into the effect. If you want to increase bass, increase the value, its that simple! I will be uploading a new 10 min video in the next few weeks for a super simple dirt pedal. Stay tuned for that one and thanks for supporting my channel!

[jacobbuxton]

I actually tried altering some of the components, I used the .47 uf capacitor and a 1 uf capacitor and a different resistor. The pedal sounded awsome, different than the bazz fuss but it still had a great sound to it. Thank you so much for you awsome 10 minute videos!

[DiyguitarpedalsAu]

There was a thread about this recently. Apparently no polarised cap belongs in the signal path (even though designers still do it). A 1uf film cap can replace that electro if you have one. If you use the electro you need to connected the negative to the 'most negative' side of the circuit. I had to guess and pick the guitar input. Or use a film cap :D

[DiyguitarpedalsAu]

Not sure about fuzz control, but a volume control is super simple. Look up a few schematics for the bazz fuss and you will see the potentiometer to ground ont he output of the circuit.

[timurt]

Thanks! Finally I built my first pedal! My dream come true :D

[DiyguitarpedalsAu]

You could use a spdtA SPDT on the 9v+ input to turn the pedal on/off. Or you use a DPDT and wire it true bypass (without an indicator LED). Check out offboard wiring on tonepad for some schematic or offboard wiring.

[americannerdproject]

I've found that this pedal sounds a lot less muddy if you use a .047 uF ceramic capacitor for the input, instead of the electrolytic. It filters out a lot of the bass, making it much more suitable for the guitar, plus it not polarized, so there's one less thing to worry abut.. If you're making for a bass, I'd probably tick with the 2.2uF, though.

[DiyguitarpedalsAu]

Np Marco. Not sure what changes youd need to make but start by ditching the darlington, use something like a 2n5088. Also lose the diode. I would breadboard the circuit and tweak it until you get something that works. You'll probably learn alot about electronics in the process as well! Good luck.

[brunosalgado]

You are tottaly responsible for my addiction in trying to make pedals! My wife is going to kill you.... :). If some day I'll be lucky enough to go to Australia, I will search you, and force you to teach me in person!!! And then I WILL force you to drink beer untill we pass out :D  (lololololol)  If you ever need something from Portugal don't be afraid to ask. I think I owe you that. Thank you very much for giving me another great pleasure. Keep the good job.   

[slowneutron]

Simple circuit, right? Pretty straight forward. My first pedal build. I figured that since I just successfully built a pocket oscilloscope, a 5 component fuzz pedal would be a piece of cake on a breadboard. Yeah, it would have been if I had not been such a blind knuckle-dragging fool. Had the diode reversed. 2 hours of pounding my fists and howling at the moon. Well, I figured out my blunder and the circuit works perfectly. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and I apologize for sharing my stupidity.

[RobynTapps]

IF YOUR PEDAL DOESNT WORK... ok i see a lot of people (my self included) using substitute transistors and there pedals not working properly, the MPSA13 is a darlington transistor.. most of the transistors i see people using ARE NOT DARLINGTON! in order to get it working you will need to use 2 transistors and make a darlington by:
connecting (1)collector to (2)collector and (1) emmitter to (2) base

the base of (1) will be base, the combined collectors will be collector and the (2)emitter will be emitter..

[DiyguitarpedalsAu]

The 10 min build videos are popular and if i run across any more circuits that would make a good candidate i will definitely add a video for it! Cheers!

[DiyguitarpedalsAu]

Its been suggested that direct 9v into the front of your amp "shouldnt" hurt it. You should definitely leave your amp volume down very low when you test any pedal electronics as risk of ear damage if something disconnects etc. I've been building them for 5 years sitting infront of a 100w fender twin and it only happen once (a delay with run away repeats that went bizerk).

[DiyguitarpedalsAu]

It was originally designed for bass (bass fuzz -> bazz fuss). You might want to experiment with the input and output caps. Increase their size. 1uf perhaps.

[flapjack]

Had you not said "Bazz Fuss" aloud, I would have been totally convinced that the caption was supposed to say "Bass Fuzz", and your fingers had a moment of dyslexia. hahah

[DiyguitarpedalsAu]

Awesome ismael! Sounds like you have a nice build and thanks for sharing your experience & findings!

[thaironynarazaki]

Here in Brasil is so difficulty to get some eletronics like this MPSA13 in the stores, shit man!!!