DIY Fuzz Face V Dallas Arbiter Original

[CraigSpannier]

What was that near the end? radio?

[MrGuitar982]

What schematic did you use? Where did you buy the transistors?

[CrankCase02]

You do not need a matched set or 'matched pair'. That is only required in circuits where equal loads are shared by two transistors, as in a push-pull output circuit. Fuzz face design is merely one transistor stage overloading the second, so all you need is two germanium transistors that do not exhibit a lot of leakage. I have checked most of mine and they are very leaky. The trick is to have transistors (silicon or germanium) with hfe (gain) of between 80 - 150. Plenty of info on internet.

[ThomasBCullen]

Thanks for editing these videos and now screwing them back together while rolling

[wiplash34]

what is the song at 5.15?

[Charlito93]

@wiplash34 Oh my god, it's speak to me/breath ! Never let this song out of your life and hand ! Good day !

[wiplash34]

@Charlito93

Thank you very much! I was looking for in all my pink floyd albums

[RAVIKUMAR39496]

HOW CAN I SEE ALL GOOGLE BOOKS WITH FULL VIEW ? IS THERE ANY OPTION?

[DragonnHendrix]

both pedals sounds awesome but the original silicon is a little noisy...

[roberG2]

But I'm confused, I had read that the original fuzz used germanium transistors and more modern versions use silicon transistors (I say this because you said that the originial use silicon transistors, correct me if I'm wrong, I'm not an expert). I'm making my own pedal and I want to know exactly what are the original transistors. Greetings from Argentina. Thank you for your time.

[blondegraemey]

They very first used germanium then silicon were introduced towards the end of the sixties. G

[monkeyxx]

I guess I'm really just not a fan of silicon fuzz faces. at least not in the original, simplistic circuit. that was so cool when you started to play Time on the germanium face and the tone was identical to your intro music! Man I love how a germanium fuzz face cleans up withe guitar volume! it's like no other pedal in this regard...unmatched. No tone control though means you need to play with a creamy sounding amp or roll back your treble permanently in the circuit or on your amp's treble

[tosky89]

the clone is better

[InfinityTracer]

the original one sounds more bassy, but your clone is awesome.

[rafasounds2010]

do you know what kind of silicon transistors are these in the fuzzface?

[blondegraemey]

BC108c's I believe. G

[caste0]

Wow, very good video and nice playing ;)

[rjonnz]

nice playing



[smartti1970]

your fuzz face project is awsome how can i get one sounding at least that good ?, it always seems a bit random in buying fuzz,

[thundersteve1566]

Excellent Clone G. Nice job!!

[horlacsd]

germanium fuzz sounds more like tube screamer

[DystopianEmpire01]

It's true, I'm still learning. :)

2 good fuzzes, I'd be proud to have them both.

[DystopianEmpire01]

The silicon is NPN, the germanium is PNP. Brainfart!

[DystopianEmpire01]

PNP,NPN, both? which?

Probably the source of the noise, Best not to use positive ground effects with negative ground ones together=ground loop. Could explain the radio noise too.

[blondegraemey]

Both of these are NPN actually. You will have no problems at all using Pos and Neg ground pedals together as long as they are not powered from the same power supply. Both pedals in the video are powered by batteries anyway so no danger of ground loop hum. G

[sergeramic]

OHHH! there goes the fm radio when volume maxed out!

[diabloviejo]

the sound of your pedal change due to weather conditions?

[blondegraemey]

Extremes of hot and cold can effect the germanium transistors. G

[toxto]

@blondegraemey

Just touching them with your finger can change their gain/beta/hFe quite a bit, just stick one into a multimeter with hFe tester and see it for yourself.

[momaraine]

I want buy!!!

[momaraine]

I want Buy It!

[momaraine]

Where Buy?

[PAULisDEADMANnumber9]

perfect combonation; fuzzface and a vox ac-30. :L

[elevin1972]

Thumbs up from America sir! You, my friend have just about given me the courage to try building one myself!!

[elevin1972]

Thumbs up from America sir! You, my friend have just about given me the courage to try building one myself!!

[vdr200120]

i tried to build this pedal but im just not getting any gain or fuzz out of it. There is sound going through the pedal but the signal is just remaining clean. I bought some random transistors from a shop and i am wondering if that the problem.

[blondegraemey]

Almost certainly. You need transistors of the correct gain: 80/90 for Q1 and 110/120 for Q2. G

[vdr200120]

@blondegraemey

Im also getting a whining noise and whenever i turn the 500k pot up it makes it louder but when i turn it down it mixes in the clean signal. Will the different transistors fix this or is it a problem with the other conponents on the circuit board?

[blondegraemey]

It's impossible for me to say without seeing the pedal. Try some different transistors then check you wiring/soldering etc.

[KedmenecMartin]

@vdr200120

I have the same problem with my NPN SIlicon Fuzz Face, does the transistor gain also matter with silicon transistors versions?

[Muziekschuur01]

Very well done. This comparison.

I was wondering If I was to go with a silicon version or a germanium version. So now I know....

[100roberthenry]

i noticed that your diy fuzz face has no dc socket..is that coz its tip positive?...

thus not wanting to blow up other tip neg...pedals?...

[blondegraemey]

Yes, it is positive ground.

G

[logen99999]

how much does it cost you to build?

[phatsound1]

They both sound good. I like the original's tone more. The clone sounds great but is actually for my tastes is to clear sounding. Not acid enough or dark fat enough . Still sounds great better than most clones I hear on youtube.

[tipetto]

original fuzz face sounds more fat =)

[tuosd]

It was quite a useful demo. Great!

[totalkarband]

Great song the DIY!! Can you send me the schematic??

Kind regards, Rob

[blondegraemey]

It's all over the internet Rob, just google "fuzz face schematic"

[totalkarband]

Thanks, I found.

[KedmenecMartin]

i personally like the silicon version more than the germanium version

[BadChizzle]

Both sound good, depends on what you're doing I guess. You do a nice clean job on your builds man!

Chuk

[lollo1991]

can you tell me a fuzz similar to the DAM Tone Bender to get the early jimmy page sound?thanks a lot

[Taygoo15]

@lollo1991 JMI tonebender there on ebay

[coughlintm]

nice stone free licks.

[SilverSkyline92]

man, your fuzz face clone sounds really good, do you ever get radio interference with your fuzz faces? cause i noticed when i use my dunlop jimi hendrix fuzz face the radio noise becomes unbearable, any tips?

[blondegraemey]

I think it's just a problem inherent with the high gain silicon transistors. The Germanium trannys seem ok. G

[Speackoolm]

@SilverSkyline92 I can hear russian radio from Paris with my dunlop FF :D

[MoonlightShadowlolz]

Me and my band wanted to name the band: Radio Russia because we hear russian radio all the time when we practise haha

[MoonlightShadowlolz]

@SilverSkyline92 dude I have the same problem! with every high gain pedal. But I found a solution. Make sure that your AC power plugs and sockets is grounded

[BlakeC27]

Another great video Graeme. You've gotta love the Fuzz Face be it Ge or Si.

Blake

[StefanPriceUK]

I understand that using a wah in front causes noises because of impedance, but how did Jimi do it?

[blondegraemey]

The 'howling' sound caused only appears if you stop playing. Jimi only clicked his wah on with the fuzz when he was hammering his guitar. Don't forget, Jimi also had his pedals modified by Roger mayer. G

[Weltar]

I prefer original, cause you get a bonus foregin radio stations! Just kidding! They are both nice!

[Ilovemyfender2]

So...you're a Vox type of guy I see. Haha it's good to see some EL84 lovers like me out there.

[Bawdyknocker]

Your copy is much crisper and cleaner, but at the same time, softer and more rounded from those Ge transistors...Very nice!!

[wedrinkmountaindew]

Classic Spinal Tap moment at the end there lol

[shine350]

the one I had used to pick up foreign radio stations too lol

[smurp]

cranking up the arbiter to listen to the radio at the end is classic.

nice demo. I like 'em both.

[AASKICKBUTT]

Is there going to be a video soon on how to make that fuzz pedal? because that woud be awesome.

[blondegraemey]

I wasn't planning on it. I have already posted a video about building a Mk1 Tonebender. Check it out if you get the chance. G

[duafa]

did you do this with the same point to point system that you did on your MK1?

[blondegraemey]

No, this one was on vero board. G

[SagaSudaka]

like the germanium one, the other one too but the first beats it.

[XanderMaas]

Old one was more like thicker and sounded more rigid and though, like you gotta work for it. And yours sounded more open. I like the older one but ypurs is also really good but not my taste

[popomczowzow]

Yours was way clearer and also quieter than the original. It cleaned up better too. But it wasn't quite as grimy and dirty. Less fuzzy too. Quite a bit brighter and slightly more harsh. Not quite as smooth and less gain.

They don't really sound that much alike, but they're both fantastic.

If someone told me I could have either one or the other, I'd yours, club him over the head with it, and grab the fuzz face as well when I'm running away.

[100roberthenry]

can i cook sausages on it?..........

[Sick1982]

a FoezFace? :d sounds like a german clone :d

[catchatubescreamer]

Is that a Fuzz Face at 1:27? LMAO!! :0)

[vazkilzan]

between the differences of the germanium transistor copy fuzz face and the silicon transistor of the dallas arbiter fuzz face, id have to go with the silicon because it was that extra kick in the fuzz and more darker than the bright clean sound of the germanium copy, but i must say they both kick ass.

[jlopez47]

What model of germanium tranny's did you choose for your fuzz face project? I purchased a pair of 2N404A and a pair 2N1309, both germanium pairs. I've heard the original fuzz face used a pair of germanium AC128s.

[blondegraemey]

God I can't remember off hand? They were a matched pair though. The old FF never used AC128s. It was NKT 273s in the vintage originals. G

[jlopez47]

I've learned recently that the AC128s were only rumored to have been used in the original FF's, but that the majority of the originals had NKT275s. I purchased a few supposed NOS NKT275s on ebay just recenlty.

[catchatubescreamer]

Hi G. Your vids are cool and so too is the shelf full of pedals!!

Quick question for you - I've been offered a F/Face the same as yours (which, by the way, I prefer to the Germanium). Need to know quickly how much it's worth?

Cheers, Rock on People!!

[blondegraemey]

Depends on condition. Between £200-£500.

[catchatubescreamer]

Cheers Graeme. After a little haggling I got one for £300. Good condition so I'm a happy chappy. Thanks for the reply and for the top vids. All the best mate. :0)

[PAULOcbi]

why so expensive?? is Dallas Arbiter co.  still in operation??

[blondegraemey]

No, Dunlop make the new FF.

[slogans777]

I had one that I bought in '69 or so. Sat in the closet after I stopped playing in bands. A few years ago, I found the backing plate had come off and a wire had broken so I threw it out. Smart move, eh?

[jwblantCU]

@slogans777 what??? i bet you regret that lol that could have been fixed within 60 seconds ;)

[tjk3052]

Your DIY one sounds much more transparent, I like it better. I built one as a kit and it sounded terrible until I put a set of Ge PNP transistors in it from small bear.

[edmundoatsk8]

te felicito hermano el fuzz que hiciste salio igual que el fuzz face

[cracksmokinbaby]

Original > Yours

[shrylock]

That isn't an original Fuzz Face if it has Silicon Transistors, the originals had Germanium.

[blondegraemey]

That's true but the blue one is an original silicon from 1969/1970. If you listen, I mentioned this on the video. G

[TeleCustom72]

nice sounding FF clone - I like the Ge one best, the Si one is just a little bit too compressed for my liking, though it's nothing you couldn't compensate for if you built an Si version.

[fender1325]

both are cool, but I'd have to say the one you built sounds better in my opinion

[Keijz74]

This would make a nice Velleman minikit.

[husteve]

both sound about the same except the newer one is brighter

[LSFXGuitarFX]

Spot on mate! Nice sounding fuzz you got thr!

I've copied the JH-F1 fuzz face, Check it out if you've got time.

Mine uses BC108 silicone trannies.

Tried a shoot out with the original and they sound exactly the same! If anything i've got more gain on mine.

[Kitarist88]

What kind of silicion transistor are in the original

[davidarlette]

Google it. LOTS of discussion on the web about it. "Personal preference" is right. I love the silicon one, sounds warm and authentic to me like the records, but I own the Ge one. Would swap for sure.

Great video as always. You've got a cool collection, Graeme. Any chance of a Rat demo? Or comparing old and new Dist +?

[blondegraemey]

Could be cool, I would have to pick up an old Dist+ though, mine is an early 90's one. G

[separanets]

Very impressive! I'm also going to build one based on old soviet germanium transistors.

[Keijz74]

It must have a sound of its own too!

[Stratman78]

Got a couple questions for you. What kind of Germanium Transistors did you use? And lastly, what's your opinion about the internal trimpots in order to bias the transistors?

[blondegraemey]

Hi, I used a matched pair of CV7351 NPN germaniums. Honestly, this is THE BEST Fuzz Face I have ever played, I love it! Internal trims to bias the trannys are a great idea. G

[jwblantCU]

@blondegraemey did you use your trimpots on this fuzz? Also, the trimpots are to bias the input voltages to Q1 and Q2 so that both are 4.5V correct?

[blondegraemey]

No, you just want 4.5 at the collecter of Q2 only.

[LesPaulCryBaby]

When I hear that intro song I know this video is good! :) Thanks, keep it up!

[scorpguitar79]

excellent playing bro-youre top notch! I have to say I like your build better-its less noisy and cleaner sounding-love em both though!

[blondegraemey]

Thanks man! G

[sm7tjc]

Thank you VERY much for this clip. Now I know that i have to use germanium transistors in my build. The silicon transistors sound more dull and dead, while the germanium sounds more lively and have more tone. Just have to finish my amp first ( A lot of work when one wants to build everything from scratch :-).

And now over to eBay for some germanium.......

[blondegraemey]

Cool. Check out smallbear electronics online to order a matched set for a FF build. G

[sm7tjc]

Recevied a HOT delivery from Smallbear today. Time to heat up the soldering iron......

[birdiejoehoaks]

i have to disagree, the silicon is much smoother than the germanium.

i suppose its personal preference, but i'd take the silicon anyday.

but that fuzz face is humming like a mother.

of course, on the other hand, the quality of the germanium circuits is really swing and miss, and his seems to be full of win

[ajaxwash]

you can feel eric johnson vibes from that dallas arbiter and the DIY has more of a tighter sound

[whiteflypier]

Great job! what kind of pots are those? linear or log?

[blondegraemey]

The Vol is 500k log. The fuzz is 1k lin. G

[whiteflypier]

Thank you!

[VintageMord]

I like them both, they are just different. The clone seems a lot cleaner, and the Dallas Arbiter is more "Bold". I think I would go for the original, despite the fact that it is very noisy. By the way, that Strat sounds awsome, is it a Vintage one?

[blondegraemey]

Hi, my Strat is an old Tokai from the early 80's. It has Fender Texas Special pickups. G

[jonathanmccoy]

you play so nice, you do really use guitar volume and tone knowbs and pickup selector so so goood ..... your germanium is so much better for rhythm playing but arbiter is better for solos i think....awesome.

[blondegraemey]

Thanks! Nice comments. G

[jonathanmccoy]

your germaniunm fuzz face sounds clear, but the dallas arbiter sounds a little more musical i think.... but nice job ;)

[Leftyguitarplayer123]

What would hapen if u only used one transistor?

[tehfunkyeah]

it wouldn't work the circuit wouldn't be complete, you'd be kinda close to a rangemaster though.

[pedgaladnh]

why do you have 20 wahwahs and like 40 other random pedals in the back? other than that, good job.

[blondegraemey]

I just collect pedals. Check my other videos. G

[jmorrero]

nice sound. what transistor did you use in your diy fuzzface? hfe of Q1 and Q2?

[blondegraemey]

I used a pair of CV7351 germanium transistors. Q1 hfe 80, Q2 hfe 110.

[tojwonkle]

I've been building a very similar fuzz face clone, but stupidly I didnt get a matched pair of transistors and it sounds like absolute shite! Yours sounds great though, good work!

[blondegraemey]

Try to land a good pair. It's worth the effort! G

[ckleinespel]

Great vid ! The Original FF seams to be very noisy though.

[guitarnlax36]

did you buy a kit from buildyourownclone

[blondegraemey]

No, I got the parts together myself. G

[tatzor]

i don't quite understand, did you build this yourself? never seen anything like it before

[blondegraemey]

I built the little square one. The round pedal is an old original. G

[rickysatriani]

did you had no Resistor for your DIY fuzz face?

it sound brighter and cool than mine ( i use BC108 transistor and a couple resistor..)

could you tell me how it does without resistor

thank you ... its a nice video...

its awesome fuzz box

[blondegraemey]

This is a 100% standard FF circuit with no changes.

My guitar has a treble bleed cap across the volume control which retains the highs when I back the vol down. G

[Vdr955]

In your D.I.Y Fuzz Face, are you using PNP or NPN Tranies.

Thanks

[blondegraemey]

I used NPN in this one. G

[Vdr955]

Thanks

[Bwoods612]

is your strat's tremolo stock or is it tredless or something

[blondegraemey]

It's stock. G

[jwblantCU]

@blondegraemey does the NPN vs PNP change the tone any? Or does in mainly apply to the polarity of the caps and battery? Thanks.

[blondegraemey]

The polarity of the transistors does not chance the tone, but you must make sure that all components are wired for correct polarity. G

[orbitbuilder]

@blondegraemey What do you honestly think of my pedals and  demo's? Thanks

[blondegraemey]

Really good from what I've seen. Keep it up! G

[1337mn]

Very helpful, I wasn't sure what to get before, thanks.

[steinsprang]

What kind of effects are used to get the guitar sound from 0:00 to 0:12? Chorus?

[blondegraemey]

It was a patch from my old Digitech GSP 21. The sound is Overdrive, chorus and a slight digital delay. I used a Gibson Explorer into a Vox AC30.

[steinsprang]

Do you have the entire tune available? :-)

[blondegraemey]

I might up-load the video soon.

[odakueffect]

If you use an ordinary "heavy duty" battery instead of Alkaline you get softer sound with more sag like they had in the old days.

It speacially applies to Germanium transistors but makes different with silicon too.

[jwblantCU]

@odakueffect I also hear with old pedals you need to use carbon batteries. With carbon it sounds so much better bc that's what was produced at time of production, therefore, they were made to work with those as opposed to akaline, which wasn't as plentiful then.

[Rasmus2k4]

Excellent demo!

[TheBlackCrayon77]

Your fuzz sounds much better, good job brother.

[antoine5612]

the original FF seems to make more hum noise than the germanium copy when you don't play.

any idea about what causes that?!?

[blondegraemey]

The silicon trannys are higher gain and more prone to interference. G

[ander1968]

Some schematic for this "baby" ? Where???

[blondegraemey]

Do a Google search for Technology of the Fuzz Face. It's all there.

[n2motocross]

Hello,

This is the best demo I have ever seen comparing the two different fuzzes with the diff transistors.

Great job!! I think I prefer the Germanium NKT-275 over the Silicon BC-108 IMHO

[Timbooth45]

Hi there!

I will join the ton of comments who thinks your build is better than the original. The real thing has too much gain for my taste.

Actually just today I bought the components to try and build my on fuzz face, hope it works out okay. Good work.

Cheers

[wowurnotgood]

No LED?

[andrearraiano]

if u can diff a turnd on fuzz from a turnd off, u dnt wnt a led

[wowurnotgood]

yeah but what if u wanna use it live

[gusgda]

Jimi Hendrix´s fuzz face had no led, Eric Clapton´s fuzz face had no led, SRV´s fuzz face had no led, Eric Johnson´s fuzz face have no led, and all of them use it live and if they commit a mistake and starts play the next song with the fuzz face on, you can be sure that they don´t care switch off the fuzz face and restart the song.

PD: Sorry for my english

[plexilespaul]

they are alik but....the original is more mid range and more tonfull and smoother sounding

[HJvKProductions]

Do prefer your fuzz...

If I would ever make one like this I would ask you the scematics ;)

And then I would probaly use germanium, and I would try to tweak some more bass in it for my bass guitar (then we're going in Big muff direction ;) )

Good job!

[blondegraemey]

Hi!

FF schematic is all over the internet. Just do a search. Good Luck. G

[gluca05]

I do prefer your fuzz man

[Ellis307]

that fuzzface sound is fuckin great i just love it, i hate the rly fake modern distortions, but the fuzzface just makes everything sound hendrix-ish and gives loads of tremolo fun with the feedbk lol. does any1 no how myuch one like this wou;ld cost

[ckyvick666]

byoc esv fuzz 95 bucks to build it...but you cant find a better sounding fuzz pedal.

[BronYrAur1]

Your clone does sound very very nice, but I'm afraid to say that the blue Fuzz Face is a reissue. And for anyone who is going to build their own Fuzz Face build a PNP circuit so that you can get matched transistors, for the the life of me I cannot find matched NPN transistors.

[blondegraemey]

Hi, The blue FF is defo not a re-issue. I bought it in the 80's off a guy selling all his old gear ( I also got an old Tonebender from him).

Look at the board: tropical fish caps, old style big resistors and metal can transistors as well as the old style round bottom foot switch and battery holder.

My clone uses NPN trannys. I was lucky to find them on Ebay. Thanks, G

[VHOBSESSED78]

The clone sounds brilliant, and, dare I say it? Better than the Arbiter?!

Would ya consider building me one?

[blondegraemey]

Hi! Sorry I don't build to order Im afraid, I can't find the time! Ask a friend who can solder to help you out, the FF is a real easy build! Good luck and thanks.

[accordiancole]

just finnished building mine after being inspired by this video. doesn't sound as good cause i dont have the greatest transistors, i'm going to try and make a better one with some old ac151's i found.