Get the Fuzz Face Build Guide here: www.patreon.com/posts/get-your-fuzz-104534073 Ever wanted to build your own pedal from scratch? We analyse the classic Germanium Fuzz Face circuit, choose components, draw a point to point layout, and construct a thick, crunchy Fuzz in this Gain Appreciation episode. Buy a pre-made Fuzz Face here: thmn.to/thocf/lyvrungp8n This video was made possible by funding from supporters on Patreon. More details on how Science of Loud implements product promotion - www.csguitars.co.uk/disclosure #fuzzpedal #gainappreciation #scienceofloud More from Science of Loud: Support on Patreon: www.patreon.com/csguitars Join Science of Loud Discord - discord.gg/uJHFgJRunb Buy Science of Loud Merchandise - www.csguitars.co.uk/store Website - www.csguitars.co.uk Contact - colin@csguitars.co.uk ___________________________________ *Description contains affiliate links. Purchasing using one of these links will generate a small commission for Science of Loud at no additional cost to you.*
@@jeffoberg772 Hendrix used a Germanium one first, then switch to Silicon. But either style of Fuzz Face will give you those great clean tones when rolling down the volume.
I learned I was wrong all along. The increasing of gain with fuzz pot doesn't work by increasing the resistance, but by decreasing it! Now the Roger Mayer mods makes every sense to me now!
"And I almost had an acid fire in my flat in the process" is definitely the second-most-impressive DIY incident I've heard of that took place in a Glasgow flat... Keep 'em coming Colin, there's better explanations of electronic circuitry here than I got doing modules on electronics as part of a mech eng degree at university!
1) In the late 1990s, Mike Fuller identified the "optimal" transistor hfe values for a germanium Fuzz Face as roughly 80 for Q1 and roughly 120 for Q2. But bear in mind that is what he, and users of his Fuzz Face workalikes enjoyed. But it's a good place to start. 2) Many builders - hobby and commercial alike - will choose to use "charge pumps" (like the ICL7660, MAX1044, or LT1054) with PNP fuzzes. This inverts the +9V from a shared power supply, to turn it into -9V, allowing the user to simply plug in a cable from their +9V power brick, without any issues. 3) Zachary Vex came up with a very clever trick in his Woolly Mammoth pedal. It is essentially a silicon Fuzz Face, tailored to bass players. Normally, there is a 100k feedback resistor from the emitter of Q2 to the base of Q1. If one *increases* that resistance, one can get glitchy "velcro" fuzz, depending on the resistance value and Q2 gain setting, that he labels as the Pinch control. It can be a lot of fun. I have not tinkered with shaping the spectral content of the feedback, but I suspect it might be worth tinkering with. The Jimi Hendrix Fuzz Face, from Dunlop does some spectral shaping. 4) Anyone interested in making their own Fuzz Face, or derivative, is encouraged to read RG Keen's now-classic document "The Technology of the Fuzz Face" on his www.geofex.com website. 25 years old and still just as valid.
@@erikvincent5846 I could say the same thing, Erik! But, like they used to say about Chickenman: "He's everywhere! He's everywhere!" :-D Colin runs a good show, but like all such shows, you can't pack *everything* into them. So I try to plug up some small holes now and then.
Dude! I am building a breadboard silicon fuzz face like RIGHT NOW! What are the odds? Better so, I was struggling with the bias, so this was actually useful!! Cheers Colin, you the man!
I found myself having to pause the circuit segments to fully process all the physics at work . I feel like that speaks positively to the detail in Colin’s diagrams and commentary.
Those circuit sections with annotations are absolutely designed to be paused so you can take your time over them. The video has to keep up the momentum to ensure watch time stays high and people don't leave the video prematurely, but that doesn't afford me the luxury of giving the audience time to fully comprehend the detail on screen. So I have made them in such a way that pausing will reward those with investment in what's being described.
Point-to-Point does make the most sense for a simple, one-off build. But let's be honest, knowing it looks that cool on the inside is the main appeal. Excellent work, my dude
That's not point to point. That's turret board. Go look at an old Gibson GA-40 from the 1940s. Those are point to point. This is turret board. Completely different.
This is fantastic. Not just the sound - I'd be interested in a "and here's one straight from the fridge!" vid to see how temperature affects the germanium - but the build process as well. I know that this one took a lot of time and effort, so thank you so much for putting it together!
Gave you a like simply for the "i'll git yer fing money," a freakin great laugh. The info is a bonus. Great video, generally a really good take on the germanium fuzz principles. And the tones at the end, what I remember of fuzz boxes in the 70s, as a teen. Then I got my first Boss OD1 and overdrive became my jam.
Nice, I will learn/steal the placement of the fuzz control 🤗 I found variable resistors (trim pots) helped me a lot for my first breadboarded germanium messy overdrive. Bit more room for my ignorance to run and play in.
Awesome! I built a couple of the mod kits pedals and they are point to point as well. I think from an educational standpoint, you can visualize what’s going on.
You should try building an amp-in-a-box pedal and attach its output to a simple 18-20W power amplifier board. There are lots of really good JCM800-like schematics and I think it would sound tremendous through a large cab! Awesome video! Building pedals is a very satisfying thing to do!
Something worth mentioning is that using the built-in transistor testing circuit on a multimeter on germanium transistors can be very inaccurate, because germanium transistors have significant leakage, often too much for a good circuit, and that leakage just looks like more gain (i.e. a higher hfe) to the built-in testing circuit. Geofex has a great article on building and using a simple and cheap testing circuit to sort out good transistors from bad ones and accurately measuring their gain on their website. Also, you'll want to be careful to only heat the transistors for as long as necessary to solder them, and make sure you orient their legs properly before doing so to prevent the need to de-solder and re-solder them, as germanium transistors are far more sensitive to heat than their silicon counterparts, and may deteriorate if exposed for too long, leading to excess leakage.
Really enjoyed hearing and seeing the way fuzzes are made and reasons why. Also that Patreon tier segment made me laugh out loud 🤣 maybe I should take that approach in talking bout it.
Glad you're back, really interesting, informative and digestible video, I'd be curious to know how the "Scott Face" sounds through different amps. Also "Quantum Mechanical effect of temperature on germanium semi conductor devices" is my rock and roll phrase of the week! How about a bucket brigade next?
Interesting video. I would like to see more pedal building videos. Regarding your fuzz: Instead of putting a plate with some writing I would frame a bit of tartan and put in on there using the screws. That would also fit your guitar you built for the crimson guitars' challenge.
This is absolutely brilliant! I only asked for more pedal videos like a week ago so I'm very happy this is already here! I'd love to see more pedal design videos, I'm very curious about time based effect design, but I'm sure thats a way off yet, in the near future it might be good to be shown the design differences between fuzzes/dists/ODs, I know you've coveredthe differences before but I thought it might be interesting kind of building off this fuzz face and showing how distortion design evolved? Idkc
I built my own fuzz box when I was 14 (1970) - it is just a simple 2-transistor Schmitt Trigger - I used 2 x AC127 Germanium transistors. If a 14 year old can do it anyone can :D
Would love to see that Ritchie Blackmore Overdrive pedal you teased the idea for when you demo'd his tape recorder setup. Either way, though, this was a great video!
Your videos gave me the fundamentals of understanding a signal path. Alongside building my own pedals you helped me kick start my amature electrotechnical hobby. The blues driver video was awesome in complementing the experience of building my own (modded) blues driver. Great job! Of all the guitar gear youtubers I connect to your videos the most, beacause of the combination of your academic background with your hobby. By the way, I used the octagonal pedal enclosure for a Sunn Model T Preamp pedal. ;)
In my opinion the fuzz face is the most versatile fuzz, such a simple design but it does everything. The big muff can be overbearing at times. My personal favorite is the king tut. Honorable mention is the whooly mammoth, which is another super versatile pedal. Especially if you want a modern big fuzz type tone.
@ScienceofLoud yeah, I needed to replace a switch on mine, so I botched that, while so converting it to true-bypass. Its never worked right. It now needs gutting and rebuilding.
Excelent Fuzz Colin! Congratulations. It sound very vintage. ¿Does it cleans well at lower guitar output? I certainly would like to see more of these pedals. Its great idea for DIY projects. Cheers! and Thanks.
I'd like to see a take and explanation on the weird italian fuzz wah (or Wau as some are branded) from the 70s, theres a bunch released under different brand names.
This is a video explaining something I had always wondered, but never thought to ask -- why do people like fuzz pedals, and how do they get such good sounds out of them when everything I do sounds absolutely awful? (The answer: 'its probably your pickups and the rest of your rig')
this a great breakdown Mr Colin! i like that you took time explaining some mechanical elements as well. there is just more than the schematics! as an electrical engineering student, i am wondering what are your thoughts on the frugal yet powerful Bazz Fuss, its topology is only 1 NPN Transistor + 1 Resistor (common emitter), 1 Diode in the feedback loop (forward from collector to base), and just enough capacitors. [also maybe a gain/volume knob] how can you explain the sound it makes? it's so intriguing! have a great day!
@@ScienceofLoud do it 😊 maybe I’ll tackle it one day to have one myself. I thought BOSS was pretty protective of those circuits didn’t know there was a clone opportunity
Great vid (as ever) and great sounding pedal. I'm not much of a fuzz fan, what else was in your signal chain, or was it basically guitar to fuzz to amp?
i recently tried making a pedal from an old speaker amplifier i made way back in 9th grade elementary school and kept for some reason but it dint work, might just be broken
Does the overshoot _sound_ like softer clipping? It looks like resonance, but I suspect most cabs can't very accurately reproduce anything that high in frequency. I bet it'd be wild with a gentle low-pass around 5k!
Get the Fuzz Face Build Guide here: www.patreon.com/posts/get-your-fuzz-104534073
Ever wanted to build your own pedal from scratch? We analyse the classic Germanium Fuzz Face circuit, choose components, draw a point to point layout, and construct a thick, crunchy Fuzz in this Gain Appreciation episode.
Buy a pre-made Fuzz Face here: thmn.to/thocf/lyvrungp8n
This video was made possible by funding from supporters on Patreon.
More details on how Science of Loud implements product promotion - www.csguitars.co.uk/disclosure
#fuzzpedal #gainappreciation #scienceofloud
More from Science of Loud:
Support on Patreon: www.patreon.com/csguitars
Join Science of Loud Discord - discord.gg/uJHFgJRunb
Buy Science of Loud Merchandise - www.csguitars.co.uk/store
Website - www.csguitars.co.uk
Contact - colin@csguitars.co.uk
___________________________________
*Description contains affiliate links. Purchasing using one of these links will generate a small commission for Science of Loud at no additional cost to you.*
That pedal reminds me of the face of a dog. You could call it the "Fuzz-Puppy". The two patch cables plugged in look like the dog's "ears".
"And I get yer fooken monay!!" HAHAHA
"...and I'll get your f*cking money" hahaha loved that
That's how to do a Patron promo. Mint.
A Germanium Fuzz Face with single coils and the volume rolled down on the guitar gives you a killer clean tone! That's how Hendrix got his clean tone.
Hendrix preferred silicon Fuzz Face according to Roger Mayer, who built and maintained Hendrix’s pedals.
@@jeffoberg772 Hendrix used a Germanium one first, then switch to Silicon. But either style of Fuzz Face will give you those great clean tones when rolling down the volume.
Electrons/gaps energy levels in a video on the fuzz face...I love you man.
All the stuff you were talking about in this trailer, is why we're here. Building circuits is fun
I learned I was wrong all along. The increasing of gain with fuzz pot doesn't work by increasing the resistance, but by decreasing it! Now the Roger Mayer mods makes every sense to me now!
"And I almost had an acid fire in my flat in the process" is definitely the second-most-impressive DIY incident I've heard of that took place in a Glasgow flat... Keep 'em coming Colin, there's better explanations of electronic circuitry here than I got doing modules on electronics as part of a mech eng degree at university!
1) In the late 1990s, Mike Fuller identified the "optimal" transistor hfe values for a germanium Fuzz Face as roughly 80 for Q1 and roughly 120 for Q2. But bear in mind that is what he, and users of his Fuzz Face workalikes enjoyed. But it's a good place to start.
2) Many builders - hobby and commercial alike - will choose to use "charge pumps" (like the ICL7660, MAX1044, or LT1054) with PNP fuzzes. This inverts the +9V from a shared power supply, to turn it into -9V, allowing the user to simply plug in a cable from their +9V power brick, without any issues.
3) Zachary Vex came up with a very clever trick in his Woolly Mammoth pedal. It is essentially a silicon Fuzz Face, tailored to bass players. Normally, there is a 100k feedback resistor from the emitter of Q2 to the base of Q1. If one *increases* that resistance, one can get glitchy "velcro" fuzz, depending on the resistance value and Q2 gain setting, that he labels as the Pinch control. It can be a lot of fun. I have not tinkered with shaping the spectral content of the feedback, but I suspect it might be worth tinkering with. The Jimi Hendrix Fuzz Face, from Dunlop does some spectral shaping.
4) Anyone interested in making their own Fuzz Face, or derivative, is encouraged to read RG Keen's now-classic document "The Technology of the Fuzz Face" on his www.geofex.com website. 25 years old and still just as valid.
Hi Mark. Funny seeing you here. 😅
@@erikvincent5846 I could say the same thing, Erik! But, like they used to say about Chickenman: "He's everywhere! He's everywhere!" :-D Colin runs a good show, but like all such shows, you can't pack *everything* into them. So I try to plug up some small holes now and then.
keep making diy pedals... fantastic job!!! hello from Chile!!!
Dude! I am building a breadboard silicon fuzz face like RIGHT NOW! What are the odds?
Better so, I was struggling with the bias, so this was actually useful!! Cheers Colin, you the man!
I found myself having to pause the circuit segments to fully process all the physics at work . I feel like that speaks positively to the detail in Colin’s diagrams and commentary.
Those circuit sections with annotations are absolutely designed to be paused so you can take your time over them.
The video has to keep up the momentum to ensure watch time stays high and people don't leave the video prematurely, but that doesn't afford me the luxury of giving the audience time to fully comprehend the detail on screen.
So I have made them in such a way that pausing will reward those with investment in what's being described.
Yes!.... more pedal builds please.
A tremolo (or any modulation) pedal would be fun.....
Well, fun for us lol
Point-to-Point does make the most sense for a simple, one-off build.
But let's be honest, knowing it looks that cool on the inside is the main appeal.
Excellent work, my dude
That's not point to point. That's turret board. Go look at an old Gibson GA-40 from the 1940s. Those are point to point. This is turret board. Completely different.
Acid Fire would be a cool name for the pedal
I think you are right!
Let's call it Acid Fire.
Good to see you back
This is fantastic. Not just the sound - I'd be interested in a "and here's one straight from the fridge!" vid to see how temperature affects the germanium - but the build process as well. I know that this one took a lot of time and effort, so thank you so much for putting it together!
Keep the beard growing. It's looking mighty.
Loved your animated potentiometer, and the whole video
Great job, clean layout, sounds fantastic!
That's all I've gotta say about that.
Great video on explaining the circuit! also massive props for the Budgie riff!
please.. more videos like this!!! greeeeat!! hugs from Brazil!
Gave you a like simply for the "i'll git yer fing money," a freakin great laugh. The info is a bonus. Great video, generally a really good take on the germanium fuzz principles. And the tones at the end, what I remember of fuzz boxes in the 70s, as a teen. Then I got my first Boss OD1 and overdrive became my jam.
Oh, and you're either an OD1 guy or a Tube Screamer guy, there can be no end to "the war" 🤣 but we all love fuzz.
Nice, I will learn/steal the placement of the fuzz control 🤗
I found variable resistors (trim pots) helped me a lot for my first breadboarded germanium messy overdrive. Bit more room for my ignorance to run and play in.
OMG that thing sounds DIRTY! I LOVE it!
Awesome! I built a couple of the mod kits pedals and they are point to point as well. I think from an educational standpoint, you can visualize what’s going on.
Keep growing that beard Colin!....and build some more circuits!
I would like to see a wah video. That's my go to pedal. Cool video
You should try building an amp-in-a-box pedal and attach its output to a simple 18-20W power amplifier board.
There are lots of really good JCM800-like schematics and I think it would sound tremendous through a large cab!
Awesome video! Building pedals is a very satisfying thing to do!
Something worth mentioning is that using the built-in transistor testing circuit on a multimeter on germanium transistors can be very inaccurate, because germanium transistors have significant leakage, often too much for a good circuit, and that leakage just looks like more gain (i.e. a higher hfe) to the built-in testing circuit. Geofex has a great article on building and using a simple and cheap testing circuit to sort out good transistors from bad ones and accurately measuring their gain on their website.
Also, you'll want to be careful to only heat the transistors for as long as necessary to solder them, and make sure you orient their legs properly before doing so to prevent the need to de-solder and re-solder them, as germanium transistors are far more sensitive to heat than their silicon counterparts, and may deteriorate if exposed for too long, leading to excess leakage.
Really enjoyed hearing and seeing the way fuzzes are made and reasons why. Also that Patreon tier segment made me laugh out loud 🤣 maybe I should take that approach in talking bout it.
In a world where everyone thinks we're smelly lying shills, blunt and brutal honesty might be the answer.
@@ScienceofLoudhahaha yea brutal honesty this way gets the point driven with that hilarious bit of enthusiasm
Brilliant as always! Love to see more of this! Cheers from across the pond!
Awesome episode. The pedal sounds great. I would love to see more videos like this.
Colin, keep growing your beard! A Hoop Jumper in Alabama...
Glad you're back, really interesting, informative and digestible video, I'd be curious to know how the "Scott Face" sounds through different amps. Also "Quantum Mechanical effect of temperature on germanium semi conductor devices" is my rock and roll phrase of the week!
How about a bucket brigade next?
Interesting video. I would like to see more pedal building videos.
Regarding your fuzz: Instead of putting a plate with some writing I would frame a bit of tartan and put in on there using the screws. That would also fit your guitar you built for the crimson guitars' challenge.
Yes, please make more videos like this. I would LOVE to see your build of a Wah pedal
sounds cool af on both guitars! great build!
This is the best Patreon pitch I’ve ever seen.
Loved the video and would love to see some more like it. Keep up the great work!
10:22 Haha I've never been so willing to give my money away. I fuching love this video,
Cheers 🍻🍻
Love the videos! 👍
Thanks for the video, one of the best and most succinct I've seen about fuzz 😁👍
Awesome pedal, awesome tone, awesome video!
A silicone FF was one of my first builds. I took the enclosure off for another pedal. Im going to rehouse it cuz i do really like it
This is absolutely brilliant! I only asked for more pedal videos like a week ago so I'm very happy this is already here!
I'd love to see more pedal design videos, I'm very curious about time based effect design, but I'm sure thats a way off yet, in the near future it might be good to be shown the design differences between fuzzes/dists/ODs, I know you've coveredthe differences before but I thought it might be interesting kind of building off this fuzz face and showing how distortion design evolved? Idkc
BREADFAN!!! Long live Budgie.
Science Of Loud works great abbreviated as SOL in branding for either the Spanish word for "sun" or the English acronym "shit outta luck".
You're a clever sod you are :)
That pedal sounds mega!
I built my own fuzz box when I was 14 (1970) - it is just a simple 2-transistor Schmitt Trigger - I used 2 x AC127 Germanium transistors. If a 14 year old can do it anyone can :D
This is a great video. More like this, yes.
This would be a cool series, dude, I'm interested to see more builds from you
Very cool video. I've been thinking about getting into building a simple pedal. Thanks for this.
Oh, and the beard looks good, keep it up.
Ooh, a bit of Breadfan by Budgie there (8.50), nice one. Greeting from Wales.
Would love to see that Ritchie Blackmore Overdrive pedal you teased the idea for when you demo'd his tape recorder setup. Either way, though, this was a great video!
More please, this was great - mind you, all of your videos are!
Your videos gave me the fundamentals of understanding a signal path. Alongside building my own pedals you helped me kick start my amature electrotechnical hobby. The blues driver video was awesome in complementing the experience of building my own (modded) blues driver. Great job! Of all the guitar gear youtubers I connect to your videos the most, beacause of the combination of your academic background with your hobby.
By the way, I used the octagonal pedal enclosure for a Sunn Model T Preamp pedal. ;)
Kickass video, love the idea of point-to-point wiring for a fuzz!
What an informative video, ta Colin 🤘🏻
Would love to see more pedal builds! Perhaps even an amplifier build someday! Tube or solid state! Either would be very cool!
Sounds killer
appreciate the work!
In my opinion the fuzz face is the most versatile fuzz, such a simple design but it does everything. The big muff can be overbearing at times. My personal favorite is the king tut. Honorable mention is the whooly mammoth, which is another super versatile pedal. Especially if you want a modern big fuzz type tone.
I need to rebuild my Cry Baby. So, get your arse in gear and make all of the mistakes so I don't have to.
Reworking my Wah is long overdue. I'm missing playing with it - they are so much fun.
@ScienceofLoud yeah, I needed to replace a switch on mine, so I botched that, while so converting it to true-bypass. Its never worked right. It now needs gutting and rebuilding.
@thepostapocalyptictrio4762 not sure what I'm doing yet. I got it when I was 17 and I'm 44 now. I'm just gonna rip the guts out and start again.
I just made myself a silicon fuzz face with no potentiometers, just fixed resistors setting the volume at maximum and the Fuzz at about 9 out of 10.
That wah video would be interesting
This is excelent! You made it look easy, and I know from experience that's it's quite a challenge to get this right.
Everything is easy as long as you don't make any mistakes
Makes me want to design and build my own valve fuzz box 😬
Wow, I'll have to watch this again when I'm sober.
I would love to know more about quantum mechanics and why you should put your fuzz face in the freezer!
Awesome 🤘🍻🤘
Bravo
This looks as good as my home made mountain dew
Excelent Fuzz Colin! Congratulations. It sound very vintage. ¿Does it cleans well at lower guitar output?
I certainly would like to see more of these pedals. Its great idea for DIY projects. Cheers! and Thanks.
Excellent video.
I'd like to see a take and explanation on the weird italian fuzz wah (or Wau as some are branded) from the 70s, theres a bunch released under different brand names.
Sweet
This is a video explaining something I had always wondered, but never thought to ask -- why do people like fuzz pedals, and how do they get such good sounds out of them when everything I do sounds absolutely awful? (The answer: 'its probably your pickups and the rest of your rig')
Ryan at 60 cycle hum says to keep your beard. And i agree.
I've heard that fuzz faces improve the more that you grow fuzz on your face. Granted, I'm also in need of a trim.
this a great breakdown Mr Colin! i like that you took time explaining some mechanical elements as well. there is just more than the schematics!
as an electrical engineering student, i am wondering what are your thoughts on the frugal yet powerful Bazz Fuss, its topology is only 1 NPN Transistor + 1 Resistor (common emitter), 1 Diode in the feedback loop (forward from collector to base), and just enough capacitors. [also maybe a gain/volume knob]
how can you explain the sound it makes? it's so intriguing!
have a great day!
I'm trying to come up with a joke about fuzz faces and you growing a beard
Awesome video, but I’ll admit, I’m missing the post credit out-takes. 😊
make your own hm2
Probably the last pedal I need right now is yet another HM-2 clone, but for some reason I'm still very tempted to execute on this idea.
@@ScienceofLoud do it 😊 maybe I’ll tackle it one day to have one myself. I thought BOSS was pretty protective of those circuits didn’t know there was a clone opportunity
Collin, since you know so much about pedal circuits, why don't you try making your own pedal from scratch?
Amazing vedio, could you do a treble booster too?
Ryan says to grow your beard. I just want a free pedal, hence me being a messenger and hoop-jumper minion. :o)
60 Cycle Ryan wants me to encourage you to keep growing your beard.
You should grow a massive beard and make a line of pedals btw it’s great to see you back
60 Cycle Hum Ryan says "Keep growing your beard"
🤘
keep growing that beard!
Great vid (as ever) and great sounding pedal. I'm not much of a fuzz fan, what else was in your signal chain, or was it basically guitar to fuzz to amp?
Just guitar into fuzz into amp (into tape delay at the end)
Nothing else needed to get a good tone from this - it's a classic sound for a reason.
Hey, what happened to the outro bits? Those were classic.
i recently tried making a pedal from an old speaker amplifier i made way back in 9th grade elementary school and kept for some reason but it dint work, might just be broken
Does the overshoot _sound_ like softer clipping? It looks like resonance, but I suspect most cabs can't very accurately reproduce anything that high in frequency. I bet it'd be wild with a gentle low-pass around 5k!
More fuzz! More beard!
Guess “Who’s back in the saddle again”!
Ryan says to keep growing your beard lol
Easiest path to DIY Fuzz is to keep growing your beard.
Make your own version of a Boss MT-2???