Author Topic: making a fx pedal for mate...hopefully (Read 3596 times)

varkunus · « **on:** May 14, 2008, 06:51:34 PM »

Heya well since im doing a GCSE in electronics. I would really like to make a pedal, either for myself (guitar) or mate who plays bass. I was thinking maybe a fuzz face since the diagrams look simple. Could someone give me some advice on a good basic starting point, and should i order any special components like gyranium transistors, or just use to stocks to see if it works. And anyone got any websites with reliable/proof check circuit diagrams? Otherwise its gona have to be *search* fuzz face circuit diagram on google images

Jonny · « **Reply #1 on:** May 14, 2008, 06:58:56 PM »

Not sure, but you could order parts (or just the whole thing) off BYOC maybe? Not sure if that's allowed for your GCSE.

varkunus · « **Reply #2 on:** May 14, 2008, 07:08:17 PM »

no im not doing it for my GCSE since it wont get me enough marks for an A. But i just wana make one for fun? Know anyone that could help me out never know i might end up being the next fulltone

Jonny · « **Reply #3 on:** May 14, 2008, 07:09:33 PM »

Then go BYOC. They have kits from easy to complex but worthy of every minute of assembly.

noodleplugerine · « **Reply #4 on:** May 14, 2008, 11:54:01 PM »

Quote from: varkunus

no im not doing it for my GCSE since it wont get me enough marks for an A. But i just wana make one for fun? Know anyone that could help me out never know i might end up being the next fulltone

I got an A in electronics GCSE, and to be frank, a guitar pedal would be plenty to get an A, as long as you do enough research into designs/ different circuits, etc, market competition, all information very easy to attain, since there are so many circuits about, and so many manufacturers.

Kilby · « **Reply #5 on:** May 15, 2008, 09:52:51 AM »

If you want to build a Fuzz Face (or Tone Blender) then I would suggest buying a matched pair of Ge transistors.

The other option is to build one using Silicon transistors as they are consistant in their specs

Kilby · « **Reply #6 on:** May 15, 2008, 09:53:18 AM »

Duplocate message

Damn I hate the proxy I have to use in work

varkunus · « **Reply #7 on:** May 15, 2008, 04:53:23 PM »

well no ive already started my project, but what i meant is because my teacher does not have any experiance in the subject if anything goes wrong with a more complex design im stuffed. Anyway im making a safe alarm now anyway, with locks, and smart water and automatic arming between non working hours.

Anyway i dont really want a kit, i would like to create my circuit board using PCB wizard or such software, just need decent circuit diagrams for a fuzz face, and trying to know what components will work well? Could i use silicon transistors or will it sound like shitee

Kilby · « **Reply #8 on:** May 15, 2008, 05:43:30 PM »

For a Silicon version try http://www.runoffgroove.com/sili-face.html though there are several others versions around.

The handy thing about Runoffgroove is that you don't need to buy (or etch) any PCBs

Dave Gilmour used the Si version from about 1969 to 1974 and he sounded pretty good (to me). Transistor choice can make a difference in the tone

varkunus · « **Reply #9 on:** May 15, 2008, 08:08:45 PM »

maybe its my noobiness, but whats the 100pF do? I assume its a capasitor/

And also is the GND the input and output?

varkunus · « **Reply #10 on:** May 15, 2008, 08:46:53 PM »

ok ive just designed the circuit using PCB wizard, and im wondering is the GND rail at the bottom posative? I assume it is. So in is for the input jack i guess and vol is where an ounput jack is attached i assume?

HTH AMPS · « **Reply #11 on:** May 15, 2008, 10:10:20 PM »

Quote from: varkunus

maybe its my noobiness, but whats the 100pF do? I assume its a capasitor/

And also is the GND the input and output?

yes, it's a small capacitor - it's function in this circuit is to tame the top end a little and smooth things out. you could omit it from the design and the pedal would still work fine and sound a little sharper. or, you could increase the value to 220pF, 330pF, 470pF etc... for progressively smoother treble. of course, you get to a stage where it will be too smooth/dull.

HTH AMPS · « **Reply #12 on:** May 15, 2008, 10:18:29 PM »

Quote from: varkunus

ok ive just designed the circuit using PCB wizard, and im wondering is the GND rail at the bottom posative? I assume it is. So in is for the input jack i guess and vol is where an ounput jack is attached i assume?

if you're using NPN transistors like in the link above, then your ground would be the most negative end of the voltage source (i.e. battery -'ve to ground, battery +'ve feeding the collectors).

the classic Fuzz Face design is commonly called positive ground since the 'ground' is connected to the battery +'ve and PNP transistors are used.

for simplicity, I'd use the NPN design for a first pedal, it's less troublesome and the transistors are readily available. use transistors that are cheap and easily attainable like 1N3904s - they will sound good in a Fuzz Face circuit too.

HTH AMPS · « **Reply #13 on:** May 15, 2008, 10:25:14 PM »

also, that 100uF cap from +9v to ground isn't necessary if you're using a battery, just leave it out. it's there to smooth the supply out when using wall-wart power supplies.

varkunus · « **Reply #14 on:** May 16, 2008, 07:48:53 AM »

well ive printed off the circuit i designed and taking it to my teacher