New BYOC Fuzz Pedal

[duhvoodooman***]

Buildyourownclone.com is about to roll out a new fuzz pedal, a clone of the classic Univox Super Fuzz. While perhaps not as well known as the Fuzz Face, Big Muff Pi and Tone Bender vintage fuzz pedals, it's still got quite a reputation among vintage effects mavens. Probably its most famous proponent was Pete Townshend of The Who, who used one for the better part of ten years. Big, nasty fuzz tone, with a bit of octave effect, though not as strong as an Octavia pedal. Here's a pic of a couple of different versions of the original:



There's some more info and a couple of clips posted HERE. I don't care for the death metal style stuff at the begnning of the MP3, but later on it calms down and you can get a better idea of what it really sounds like. Not for the faint of heart--definitely an extreme fuzz!

Anyway, we BYOC forum moderators get first shot at beta testing the new BYOC kits, so take a wild freakin' guess who has a beta kit coming? Should arrive next week. I'll post some progress pics and impressions of the completed pedal, when available....

[tunghaichuan***]

DVM,

I used to own and original back in the '80s. It was the blue/orange version. I think I bought it for $30-$40 and was probably lucky to get $40 for it when I sold it. I wish I still owned it now

Personally, I didn't like it back then. I never could get a sound out of it that I liked. But then again I'm not really a fuzz kind of guy. It will be interesting to see how BYOC implements it. Who knows, maybe my tastes have changed enough that I would like it.

tung

Buildyourownclone.com is about to roll out a new fuzz pedal, a clone of the classic Univox Super Fuzz. While perhaps not as well known as the Fuzz Face, Big Muff Pi and Tone Bender vintage fuzz pedals, it's still got quite a reputation among vintage effects mavens. Probably its most famous proponent was Pete Townshend of The Who, who used one for the better part of ten years. Big, nasty fuzz tone, with a bit of octave effect, though nothing approaching an Octavia sound. Here's a pic of a couple of different versions of the original:



There's some more info and a couple of clips posted HERE. I don't care for the death metal style stuff at the begnning of the MP3, but later on it calms down and you can get a better idea of what it really sounds like. Not for the faint of heart--definitely an extreme fuzz!

Anyway, we BYOC forum moderators get first shot at beta testing the new BYOC kits, so take a wild freakin' guess who has a beta kit coming? Should arrive next week. I'll post some progress pics and impressions of the completed pedal, when available....

[marnold***]

Definitely fizzier than the more murky Fuzz Face. Can't say I'm all that enamored with that clip. I'm still interested to see how it turns out for you. When it comes to fuzz, the question must be asked: germanium or silicon?

[duhvoodooman***]

Silicon NPN bipolars--six of 'em. No wonder the thing has gain & distortion out the wazoo.

It's not my favorite fuzz style either, but "opinions vary widely" when it comes to effects in general and fuzzes, in particular--or so it seems to me. But since this was an opportunity to add a cool (and free!) vintage fuzz pedal to my collection, I couldn't pass it up. This fuzz apparently has lots of fans, so if I don't like it, I can always sell it to someone who does!

[marnold***]

It's not my favorite fuzz style either, but "opinions vary widely" when it comes to effects in general and fuzzes, in particular--or so it seems to me. But since this was an opportunity to add a free vintage fuzz pedal to my collection, I couldn't pass it up. This fuzz apparently has lots of fans, so if I don't like it, I can always sell it to someone who does!

Hard to beat free! Who knows? You might just fall in love with it.

[duhvoodooman***]

Got the beta kit yesterday and populated the PCB last night. Straightforward build and nicely laid out, but quite a few components for a fuzz. Should finish it up tonight.

The physical layout of this pedal is quite different from the "traditional" BYOC kit. I understand that it's representative of the new direction Keith Vonderhulls wants to be taking with his pedal kits. The I/O jacks are mounted on the top side of the enclosure, along with (Spuds will LOVE this) the AC adapter jack. Will make it easier to daisy-chain on a single power adapter.

I'll post some pics, if Keith is comfortable with that (I've asked & am waiting for his answer). It is, after all, a beta design and things could change before the commercial release, so he may not want pics getting out yet.

[duhvoodooman***]

Just heard back from Keith, and he doesn't mind, so here are two photos. The first is the completed PCB "fit up" with the hardware, but not soldered in yet, and the second is just a PCB closeup:

[marnold***]

'Bout as subtle as a punch in the face, eh?

[duhvoodooman***]

There are times when a punch in the face is exactly what's needed. Sonically speaking, of course. No reference to any volume swell thread postings stated or implied....

[duhvoodooman***]

OK, here are a couple of pics of the fully assembled pedal:



Sounds pretty damn good, but definitely a pedal-to-the-metal fuzz. I like the heavily scooped tone setting mopre than the mid-boosted one--huge, rumbling bottom end. I'm still playing around with the trimpot some. I can get excellent fuzz/sustain, but the octave effect isn't very noticeable. Not as much as I've heard on some video clips, anyway. Need to dial it in a bit more.

As far as the pedal build goes, I really like this new layout. I think Keith has a real winner with this new design. Smooth build, no glitches found in the kit, and everything functions perfectly. I'll try to post a sound clip in the next day or two.

[tunghaichuan***]

Very good work, DVM. That pedal looks great and looks like a winner. I like the uber-clean layout. :

tung

Sounds pretty damn good, but definitely a pedal-to-the-metal fuzz. I like the heavily scooped tone setting mopre than the mid-boosted one--huge, rumbling bottom end. I'm still playing around with the trimpot some. I can get excellent fuzz/sustain, but the octave effect isn't very noticeable. Not as much as I've heard on some video clips, anyway. Need to dial it in a bit more.

As far as the pedal build goes, I really like this new layout. I think Keith has a real winner with this new design. Smooth build, no glitches found in the kit, and everything functions perfectly. I'll try to post a sound clip in the next day or two.

[duhvoodooman***]

Tung got me started thinking about how I'll finish this pedal, so I started noodling on the Who/Townshend connection of this vintage effect and came up with a basic concept. Now I just have to decide how I want the graphics to look. I've got that pretty well defined, but I'm undecided on the font to use for the word "FUZZ". Take a look at my 4 candidates on the graphic attached, and let me know which one you like:



Haven't decided if I'll paint the pedal white, as these mock-ups show, or some other very light color, like perhaps a cream or very light blue, or maybe even my "standard" silver metallic. Open to suggestions....

[Algonquin]

There are times when a punch in the face is exactly what's needed. Sonically speaking, of course. No reference to any volume swell thread postings stated or implied....

: 'And that's all I have to say about that'


As for the pedal, my preference would be #2 as well.

[duhvoodooman***]

Thanks, guys--looks like a pretty clear concensus on #2. That was my preference, too!

Thanks for that link, Robert. :

Here's the winner, full size:

[sunvalleylaw]

'Bout as subtle as a punch in the face, eh?

Yep, I agree, but I like it! A fuzz should distinguish itself from other overdrive/distortion/dirt pedals, and that sound certainly does. I guess I am of the mind that a Fuzz pedal is not about subtlety. My fuzz I already own also is not so subtle. I will be interested in hearing clips of the "as-built" pedal when you are done.

[Robert****]

I like #2 and #3. Here are a few more cool looking fonts - http://www.bittbox.com/freebies/5-ex...-grunge-fonts/

[Tone2TheBone]

I'm late to the party but it's ok cause I liked #2 also.

[marnold***]

Here I am! #2 as well, so I guess it's all good!

[oldguy]

Number 2 was my choice also, nice looking graphic, the layout on the pedal was super clean also. Nice work, Vood!: