When rolling down the strats volume pot the Fuzzface or faceless fuzz have a different "taper roll off" of when the "clean up glassy" starts to occur, any reasons why?
I'll try to keep this as simple as possible: In this case of this pedal (and most fuzz pedals with bias trimmers), we are adjusting the bias on the 2nd transistor. Without getting into too much detail about AC/DC voltages, what the bias setting is doing is setting the reference point for where the signal originates. If you think of the 9v of power that is being fed into the pedal, you can set that reference point anywhere between 0v and 9v (the signal will clip at either extreme) so when people say to set the bias at 4.5v, what they are really saying is to set it in the midway point which in theory gives you the most headroom and symmetrical clipping. Now its a little bit more complicated than that given the first transistor of a fuzz face is biased so that the signal is clipped asymmetrically first and then proceeds to the second transistor. Ultimately, what happens sonically in adjusting the bias on the second transistor is the lower the voltage the more gated/splatty the effect, and the higher the voltage the more smooth sounding. You'r ear will tell you what you like best.
@@dominionelectriceffectsco Also I think he might have meant any reasons why resistors, capacitors and inductors don't need to be biased while transistors do need to be biased? AC voltage is really a Time Varying DC voltage
That's a good question. As a general rule the bias adjustment pot is really there to help adjust the bias to your particular climate on average and not to be constantly adjusted. I would say as a general rule any germanium fuzz is going to start becoming less than optimal at temperatures of approaching 30 degrees Celsius. They are all different so some are better/worse than others. So hot stages or outdoor summer gigs you're almost always better to use silicon for peace of mind.
@@dominionelectriceffectsco Thank you! I’m in Hawaii so I guess germanium wouldn’t be a choice. I actually tried to ask about your BC183 option and what gain range those transistors fell in, on your recent Instagram post. I’m into all the typical fuzz face tones, like Hendrix, SRV Sayce and trying to decide between the BC183 or BC108. I like a fuzz that has really nice cleanup, but at the same time I like the warmth and chewyness I hear in germanium examples. My current fuzz is the Dunlop Hendrix JHF1. I’m slightly leaning towards your BC183 Faceless Fuzz. Are the case colors tied to particular transistor choices, or are we able to pick? Thanks!👍🏻
Germanium to me is best suited for indoor applications in temperature controlled rooms. It can work in others but it’s more unpredictable (part of its charm). Bc183 and Bc108 is mostly a matter of gain - 108 being higher. I normally recommend 183 as a good middle ground in all applications. The color of the pedal is determined by its transistor variant.
@@dominionelectriceffectsco Just placed an order for the BC183L! Really looking forward to it. Forgot to add a T-shirt into my cart, I’ll have to wait until next time. Thanks for the help and responses!🤙🏻
When rolling down the strats volume pot the Fuzzface or faceless fuzz have a different "taper roll off" of when the "clean up glassy" starts to occur, any reasons why?
How do they differ?
This might be a dumb question but, what does Biasing a fuzz pedal actually do?
I'll try to keep this as simple as possible:
In this case of this pedal (and most fuzz pedals with bias trimmers), we are adjusting the bias on the 2nd transistor. Without getting into too much detail about AC/DC voltages, what the bias setting is doing is setting the reference point for where the signal originates. If you think of the 9v of power that is being fed into the pedal, you can set that reference point anywhere between 0v and 9v (the signal will clip at either extreme) so when people say to set the bias at 4.5v, what they are really saying is to set it in the midway point which in theory gives you the most headroom and symmetrical clipping.
Now its a little bit more complicated than that given the first transistor of a fuzz face is biased so that the signal is clipped asymmetrically first and then proceeds to the second transistor.
Ultimately, what happens sonically in adjusting the bias on the second transistor is the lower the voltage the more gated/splatty the effect, and the higher the voltage the more smooth sounding. You'r ear will tell you what you like best.
@@dominionelectriceffectsco Also I think he might have meant any reasons why resistors, capacitors and inductors don't need to be biased while transistors do need to be biased? AC voltage is really a Time Varying DC voltage
What would you say is the max temperature that your germanium version can operate in?
That's a good question. As a general rule the bias adjustment pot is really there to help adjust the bias to your particular climate on average and not to be constantly adjusted.
I would say as a general rule any germanium fuzz is going to start becoming less than optimal at temperatures of approaching 30 degrees Celsius. They are all different so some are better/worse than others. So hot stages or outdoor summer gigs you're almost always better to use silicon for peace of mind.
@@dominionelectriceffectsco Thank you! I’m in Hawaii so I guess germanium wouldn’t be a choice. I actually tried to ask about your BC183 option and what gain range those transistors fell in, on your recent Instagram post. I’m into all the typical fuzz face tones, like Hendrix, SRV Sayce and trying to decide between the BC183 or BC108. I like a fuzz that has really nice cleanup, but at the same time I like the warmth and chewyness I hear in germanium examples. My current fuzz is the Dunlop Hendrix JHF1.
I’m slightly leaning towards your BC183 Faceless Fuzz. Are the case colors tied to particular transistor choices, or are we able to pick?
Thanks!👍🏻
Germanium to me is best suited for indoor applications in temperature controlled rooms. It can work in others but it’s more unpredictable (part of its charm).
Bc183 and Bc108 is mostly a matter of gain - 108 being higher. I normally recommend 183 as a good middle ground in all applications. The color of the pedal is determined by its transistor variant.
@@dominionelectriceffectsco Just placed an order for the BC183L! Really looking forward to it. Forgot to add a T-shirt into my cart, I’ll have to wait until next time. Thanks for the help and responses!🤙🏻