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Just finished my 3rd attempt at a Fuzz Face build and am getting decent fuzz but horrible noise problems every build.

I thought it was cheap wire or cheap DPDT for the first 2 builds so I did a re-make with quality wire and 3DPDT but still got static/feedback howl/radio interference/buzz noises.

I breadboarded it and had no probs, it sounded great, but when put it in a stompbox they keep making terrible noises. Mainly on thicker fuzz settings, lower fuzz isn't so bad.

I've tried it with A1K and B1K fuzz pots because the Beavis breadboard project suggested a B pot and sounds good breadboarded but my problem seems to be elsewhere.

I've done some BYOC's that worked out fine, but my first vero attempts have so far sucked.

Has anyone had similar probs or success building from this layout, or can you sight any components that are usually different values?
Can anyone suggest a better layout that has just fuzz and volume pots?
Can anyone suggest what might be causing my noise problems or where these problems usually come from?

Check all your grounds. I think I had issue like that with a FFace some years ago.

Alrighty, will do.
Thanks

Are you using ceramic caps? Those little buggers are like radio antennas... Try a box cap instead...

stanimal wrote:Are you using ceramic caps? Those little buggers are like radio antennas... Try a box cap instead...

No ceramic caps but I'll keep that in mind for my next build.
I do seem to have a knack for making guitar pedal radios.

How about some pictures? The problem might be something that is obvious to an experienced builder.

Top and bottom of the board (to make sure you did the vero right), and a shot of the whole thing in one picture (including the wiring).

[img][/img]

Mike wrote:How about some pictures? The problem might be something that is obvious to an experienced builder.

Top and bottom of the board (to make sure you did the vero right), and a shot of the whole thing in one picture (including the wiring).

Thanks Mike
The underside vero shot isn't great but hopefully these photos might help.

[img][/img]

You can add a resistor in series with the input capacitor, and also add a capacitor between the base and collector of the first transistor. The value of resistor should be kept low to keep from artificially raising the input impedance of the circuit, and the value of the capacitor should be chosen to filter out radio interference in your area.

Most likely you're getting AM radio interference, which is in the 3-30MHz range. If you use a 150 ohm resistor and a 470pF capacitor that starts filtering RF at 2.25MHz, which ought to take care of the problem.

It is also not a bad thing to add a pulldown resistor to reduce POP when using a true bypass switch.. something between 1M & 2.2M

hope this help

Another thought - what are you using to power this pedal - battery? External power supply? Something more interesting and esoteric? In the case of the external supply, you'd be surprised how much noise can be eliminated if you splurge on a decent regulated power supply. Depending on the pedal, the difference can be like night and day.

I agree on the radio filter, though. I'm about 2 miles away from an AM tower that has a range from Nova Scotia to Bermuda - just about everything I've built or play is ending up with a version of fuzzhead's rf filter suggestion in it - it's either that or run the risk of tuning in the Orioles game every time I plug in...

Hope this helps.

t.