I made a fuzz today

[Jero]

To start things off,
A few weeks ago, I built a FuzzRite style fuzz (Mahoney Buzzrite board) with an EHX Mole/Hogsfoot bass boost in one enclosure, with switching for each/both. After using it a bit, I decided that the boost is pretty useless to me, while the fuzz is pretty cool. The boost should simply be called "bass"...nothing else gets through at all. Time to rehouse the fuzz.




I have several old Walco pedals that I got NOS, 1/2 of which didn't work. One that did was the sustainer that is VERY noisy and LOUD, and at first was kind of cool, but in the end . Seen several discussions for mods to these and I know a certain IFL'er has produced modded version of these, yet still, mine, will be used for parts.


ANYways, I digress...The case is just too perfect for a fuzz. Enclosure problem solved for the BuzzRite! Went through a bit of layout trouble, as these Walco enclosures are quite small, and this BuzzRite board is not. Got it worked out nicely in the end, however. I left the led off for now just because I wanted to finish this sucker up (& keeps a bit of that vintage vibe).




I laid the knobs out next to it so you guys could help me decide which ones work best. Think I like the cream ones & the mini chics the most.
BTW, this isn't the end of the Walco pedals. There's a vintage parts SHO in the works for one.

[nbabmf]

The Fuzzrite has a cute little board. Is that one of those eBay kits?

Also, I like your lead dress. Everything is right there, but not messy.

[stanimal]

oh yeah, gorgeous work..... nicely done!

[ifeellikeatourist]

The Fuzzrite has a cute little board. Is that one of those eBay kits?

Also, I like your lead dress. Everything is right there, but not messy.

+1 where did you get that pcb?

[Jero]

Thanks dudes! The board is from Mahoney (was like $18 on ebay, shipped). It's VERY nice, though somewhat large for the simplicity of the circuit. I went into some detail/background in the OP, though I know it's a bit to read (I tend to ramble from time to time). Just to be clear for the skimmers, the bottom "sustainer" is what I completed yesterday. The first 2 pics are what it used to be (buzzrite + hogsfoot).

I'll be re-using that larger PPP enclosure for a woolly mammoth project. The extra foot switch will likely swap transistors or something, haven't quite decided yet.

[sjtele]

Nice job! Those kits/boards are a great deal. I was just about to grab one and have a fun project when I found a used Ashbass Fuzzbrite fo cheap. Mahoney makes some great stuff. I have a Mahoney Acid Tone that I really dig, very similar but a tad less trebly than the Fuzzbrite.

[Jero]

I have a Mahoney Acid Tone that I really dig, very similar but a tad less trebly than the Fuzzbrite.

Sounds like that's what I should have gone with. Have you tried anything else of his?

[sjtele]

Not personally. He also makes a Buzztone, a Jordan Bosstone clone, that I've read good reviews about. Don't think you can beat the quality of his stuff for the price, especially if you find one used. Assuming his Buzzrite is pretty close to my Fuzzbrite it's a treble monster and it nails that 60s garage vibe. But yeh, it can also be hard to tame especially in a live setting. The Acid Tone has a bit more bottom end but only a tiny bit, it's still based on the Fuzzrite circuit. He usually has the Acid Tone on ebay for $89 if you wanted to check it out.

[Scruffie]

I have a Mahoney Acid Tone that I really dig, very similar but a tad less trebly than the Fuzzbrite.

Sounds like that's what I should have gone with. Have you tried anything else of his?

If you're having trouble with the pedal being a bit harsh because of high gain modern silicon transistors (vintage 2N3904 had about half the hFe of modern ones) try changing the collector resistors value (upping them to around 100k can be good) and also putting a small resistance from emitter to ground from around 47 - 100R might help, Or just using lower hFe transistors.

Also if it's noisy and/or picking up radio signals a small cap (in the pF range) from the input to ground can be helpful.

Nice build though btw looks sweet in the Walco case (btw if you want a hand fixing the dead ones PM me)