How hard would it be to build this fuzz?

[JVanDe7]

Please see the attached schematic. How hard would it be for me to build this fuzz? I have done a BYOC FuzzFace clone. I've also modded a Crybaby for true bypass, removed the input buffer, and swapped a few of its resistors to get the gain and volume where I wanted it.

 

Thank you.

 

(I used to own one of these pedals [Maestro MFZ-1] but I didn't like the fact that it was so old and delicate. True bypass addition to the circuit would be a huge plus of course).

[kyrreca]

Is that the FZ-1?
You could use this vero layout.

Shouldn't be to hard if you have some soldering experience.

[JVanDe7]

It's the MFZ-1 by Maestro. Not the same pedal. Thanks for the link though.

 

After looking at that site, I came up with these though, it appears as if someone has "improved" the design slightly somehow (can't tell exactly what they did since i'm a novice, looks like they changed the pot values and some resistor values maybe?, are these smart moves?) and done all the leg work. SO, can I use these? Does anyone see any potential problems? What would I need to do basically? (I've never had to start from scratch before).

 

I can tell what most of the parts are and I put a list together on Smallbear. Couple questions though...

 

1. The 2.2 50v caps look like they are supposed to have a positive side, but Smallbear only carries Radial Electrolytic 50v caps that are NON polarized. Is it ok to use these or should I seek out the specified caps?

 

2. The jacks for input/output, do they need to be stereo or mono or one of each?

 

Sorry for the rookie questions, and thanks for any help you can provide.

[smrz]

I can tell what most of the parts are and I put a list together on Smallbear. Couple questions though... 1. The 2.2 50v caps look like they are supposed to have a positive side, but Smallbear only carries Radial Electrolytic 50v caps that are NON polarized. Is it ok to use these or should I seek out the specified caps? 2. The jacks for input/output, do they need to be stereo or mono or one of each? Sorry for the rookie questions, and thanks for any help you can provide.

 

 

1. Yes. Non-polarized caps will work fine...I'm surprised though, that the small bear caps aren't polarised.

 

2. You generally want a stereo in so that you can disconnect power when the guitar cord isn't in the jack. Here are some wiring diagrams:

 

http://www.tonepad.com/project.asp?id=35

[JVanDe7]

Thanks for the answers. Yeah, they have polarized caps but not 50v radial ones.

 

Anyone else care to take a stab at explaining what the "improvements" might do to change the sound of the pedal? As I mentioned, by looking at the original schematic and comparing it to the "improved" one, it seems he changed the "drive" pot to a 10k linear, whereas the original called for a 100k linear pot. Also the volume pot has been changed to a 100k audio pot from a 25k audio pot. Also some of the cap and resistor values are different.

 

I'm nervous, but this should be a fun experiment, even if it never works. I have good soldering skills and my BYOC fuzz I built from a kit turned out well and was nice and neat. Is it likely that I can do this using some perfboard? I've never used it before.

[JVanDe7]

bump.