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Hi,

I've completed this build and it sounds.... fine. Too much fuzz for me. I'm wondering if there's a way to tame it a bit? Can I just change the bias, or is there a better method? Ideally I'd love some sort of internal variable resistor that I could futz with.

Thanks!

Too much fuzz? This doesn't compute.

C3 and R5 are what control the fuzz level. It has been hardwired as if it were a pot set to full turn clockwise. It is possible to modify it, but given the physical lack of space, the implementation may be a little difficult. If you were to install a "fuzz pot", you would remove C3 and R5. You would replace R5 with a B1k pot. You would insert lug 3 of the pot into the R5 eyelet closest to the transistor. You would insert lug 1 of the pot into the other eyelet. You would then connect the positive lead of C3 to lug 2 of the pot and the negative lead to ground (or the round C3 eyelet).

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Thanks. What do you suggest I try if, for example, I want roughly half the fuzz I’m getting “stock”? Just a change the R5?

Have you tried just adjusting the bias trimpot to see what you can achieve that way? As the pot is dialed up (CW, I think, but I may be wrong), the output should get louder and rounder sounding but lose some fuzz character. Maybe that would get you where you want to be.

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Thanks -- will give that a try.

You can hardwire it for half, but it's not just as simple as changing R5. R5 must always be 1k. C3 would normally be connected to the wiper of a pot. The "fuzz level" is determined by where C3 lies within the R5 series resistance. If you wanted to hardwire it for half, you would need to replace R5 with two 500 ohm resistors in series. This gives you your 1k total resistance. You then connect the positive end of C5 to the middle of the series resistors and the negative end to ground.

Full fuzz = C5 > 1K
3/4 fuzz = 750ohm > C5 > 250ohm
1/2 fuzz = 500ohm > C5 > 500ohm
1/4 fuzz = 250ohm > C5 > 750ohm
minimum fuzz = 1k > C5

_________________
*patience is a virtue*

Please do not PM me. email is prefered. keith@buildyourownclone.com

That makes sense -- thanks Keith!