GGG shinei companion fuzz fy-2 clone

[Scruffie]

Yeah the 2SC356 is the same transistor.

A nice and simple easy fix for the volume drop is just to connect the volume lug 2 to the fuzz lug 2, that works for alot of people.

Second way to sort the volume drop... try changing the 10k resistor to 33k and the 15k resistor to 47k and the 0.1uF to 0.047uF at the end of the schematic, this is the section that causes the mid scoop and works by bleeding the signal so that's where alot of the problem lies.

2N4401 and a 2N3904

Yeah different transistors probably will work, but if you're trying to stay original then those fixes should work (although I suppose changing the values isn't really original either... i'd try the volume & fuzz connection first)
The original transistors were just some cheap ass japanese ones they probably had to hand, the gain on them varys hugely (datasheet lists them as 60 - 960hFe) so if you matched a high hFe pair you'd probably be alright or socket them out if you can't be bothered.
I might breadboard the circuit up and see if I can come up with an 'improved' version if anyone's interested.

[Mudfuzz]

Yeah the 2SC356 is the same transistor.

A nice and simple easy fix for the volume drop is just to connect the volume lug 2 to the fuzz lug 2, that works for alot of people.

Second way to sort the volume drop... try changing the 10k resistor to 33k and the 15k resistor to 47k and the 0.1uF to 0.047uF at the end of the schematic, this is the section that causes the mid scoop and works by bleeding the signal so that's where alot of the problem lies.

2N4401 and a 2N3904

Yeah different transistors probably will work, but if you're trying to stay original then those fixes should work (although I suppose changing the values isn't really original either... i'd try the volume & fuzz connection first).

True and I will admit I wasn't. I read good things about using either of the ones I went with and split the difference. I like mine, it kills for bass. I keep meaning to mod it though by disconnecting the contour control and putting in a input control instead.

[stoph]

Hi all, thought I'd report back.

I tried the Volume to Gain "hack" and it totally changed the sound of the fuzz. Made it quite top endy, as well as changing the operation of the fuzz knob, seemed to make it go the opposite direction...? I've wired the knobs exactly like the original, not sure if the GGG wiring is different...?

Gonna try and test out my friends original, see what the resistors are on the outgoing side of the pedal...other than that it will have to be the boost circuit I think

It's a real shame about the volume drop as the sound of the fuzz is awesome! Kinda got a phaser type sweep to it too that triggers on the attack of the note.

I'll keep trying and report back.

Chris

[LPDude]

Thee GGG kit has a built in boost stage so there is no volume drop. On GGG's project pages they have the schematic for the Stock FY-2 and the boosted version. I have built both. Definitely a volume drop with the stock version. The boosted version is just the stock Shin-Ei with a boost added after the volume knob. The boosted version is great. Much more dynamic sounding then the stock version.

[Scruffie]

Hi all, thought I'd report back.

I tried the Volume to Gain "hack" and it totally changed the sound of the fuzz. Made it quite top endy, as well as changing the operation of the fuzz knob, seemed to make it go the opposite direction...? I've wired the knobs exactly like the original, not sure if the GGG wiring is different...?

Gonna try and test out my friends original, see what the resistors are on the outgoing side of the pedal...other than that it will have to be the boost circuit I think

It's a real shame about the volume drop as the sound of the fuzz is awesome! Kinda got a phaser type sweep to it too that triggers on the attack of the note.

I'll keep trying and report back.

Chris

That's a shame, i've heard good reports of that fix but oh well! Can't win 'em all.

Did you try the other mod I suggested of altering the Mid Scoop section? That may work better for your purposes.

Or of course as LPDude suggests, you can always stick a boost in front... but then your messing with the design, up to what you want out of it I suppose.

I'll have to breadboard the circuit soon and see what I can come up with.

[LPDude]

Or of course as LPDude suggests, you can always stick a boost in front... but then your messing with the design, up to what you want out of it I suppose.

I'll have to breadboard the circuit soon and see what I can come up with.[/quote]

You don't want to put a boost in front. Boost before dirt adds some volume but mostly just adds more dirt. Boost after dirt adds volume.

The way GGG has the boost added to the circuit is just the same principal as adding a boost pedal after the fuzz except it is built into the fuzz pedal.

This is what GGG has to say: "Heavy Duty Raw Fuzz Tone. This project now includes a transparent booster stage on the output to greatly increase the volume output without altering the sound of the fuzz."

Here is a link to the schematic with the boost stage clearly visible: http://www.generalguitargadgets.com/pdf ... sc_bst.pdf

[LPDude]

I built the Shin-Ei with the boost stage but made the boost stage separate and footswitchable so you could get the stock FY-2 Sound, boosted fuzz which you can blend with a combination of the fuzz volume and boost knobs, or just use the boost on it's own to boost an amp or other pedals. It is a great, transparent clean boost.

[LaoWiz]

LPdude,

I perfed one up this week. Spent a couple of weeks playing around with it on a breadboard. Tried boosting in front, back and both. Decided to lay it down stock but added the mid scoop mod. It sounds awesome, but I wish I would have added the boost to the back end and put it on a switch. Still room in the box so maybe I'll get to that someday. But your build is probably the best way to go about it, in case volume loss is too much. BTW, I finished a Scrambler this week, as well. Really fun to run the Companion into it, with the Scramber's blend about half way. Totally nice and nasty....

[LaoWiz]

LPdude,

I perfed one up this week. Spent a couple of weeks playing around with it on a breadboard. Tried boosting in front, back and both. Decided to lay it down stock but added the mid scoop mod. It sounds awesome, but I wish I would have added the boost to the back end and put it on a switch. Still room in the box so maybe I'll get to that someday. But your build is probably the best way to go about it, in case volume loss is too much. BTW, I finished a Scrambler this week, as well. Really fun to run the Companion into it, with the Scramber's blend about half way. Totally nice and nasty....

[timhulio]

The volume drop is killer. I've modded a few of these with tiny LPB-1 boards to boot the effect into the 21st century. Used to hate the sound of this effect, but now love it like a brother. Even prefer it to other gritty fuzzes like the FZ-1(A)

[LaoWiz]

Here's my Companion. I built it without the boost on the end but wish I would have. Other than that it sounds fucking great. The middle knob is a 5k pot to vary the mid scoop filter on the end of the circuit. When the scoop is omitted (knob all the way up), a lot of the volume loss from the scoop is regained. Still, I would like it a touch louder.

What I have found is that 3904s and any other plastic case transistor sounded like shit in here. I used BC109B and BC108B for Q1 and Q2. Sounds WAY better IMO. More buzzy. I am currently building two for a couple of friends but am adding the boost on the end of the circuit. But instead of using a 3904, I am using a metal case 2222A. Again, sounds way better. I also tested out different capacitor types. I used ceramics for the most part and some vintage caps from my local surplus store for the 1000, 2000, and 3000pf spots.