The FZ-1 used 2, AA batteries to run off 3v, and the FZ-1A used a single AA battery to run off 1.5v. The circuit was designed to be friendly with the wide range of hFE gains and leaky germanium transistors in production at the time. So when you're picking out transistors for Q2-3, either pick leaky high gain or low leakage and low gain (less than what you'd use in a Fuzz Face). Original units were positive ground effects with PNP transistors. I've laid the perfboard side out for positive ground and the PCB side for negative ground. I've also added some extra components to get supply voltage down from 9v to about 1.5v, so you can daisy chain it with other effects (if you're building the negative ground version).
Pages
▼
Friday, June 12, 2015
Maestro FZ-1A Fuzz Tone
I got to see the Rolling Stones a couple days ago and when they kicked into (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction as their second encore, I realized I hadn't laid out the effect responsible for one of the greatest songs of all time.
The FZ-1 used 2, AA batteries to run off 3v, and the FZ-1A used a single AA battery to run off 1.5v. The circuit was designed to be friendly with the wide range of hFE gains and leaky germanium transistors in production at the time. So when you're picking out transistors for Q2-3, either pick leaky high gain or low leakage and low gain (less than what you'd use in a Fuzz Face). Original units were positive ground effects with PNP transistors. I've laid the perfboard side out for positive ground and the PCB side for negative ground. I've also added some extra components to get supply voltage down from 9v to about 1.5v, so you can daisy chain it with other effects (if you're building the negative ground version).
The FZ-1 used 2, AA batteries to run off 3v, and the FZ-1A used a single AA battery to run off 1.5v. The circuit was designed to be friendly with the wide range of hFE gains and leaky germanium transistors in production at the time. So when you're picking out transistors for Q2-3, either pick leaky high gain or low leakage and low gain (less than what you'd use in a Fuzz Face). Original units were positive ground effects with PNP transistors. I've laid the perfboard side out for positive ground and the PCB side for negative ground. I've also added some extra components to get supply voltage down from 9v to about 1.5v, so you can daisy chain it with other effects (if you're building the negative ground version).
How can I add a 1n5818 diode to this for polarity protection?
ReplyDeleteYou can replace the 4001 in the layout with the 5818.
DeleteThanks!! And I assume that if I want to build the the perf board version as a NEG Ground, all I have to do is reverse the diodes correct?
ReplyDeleteYep. Flip the diodes and the 100uF power filter cap.
DeleteJust the 100uf power cap? not the two 1uf caps also?
ReplyDeleteYes those too (I forgot they were there haha)
DeleteI apologize for the many questions, but youve been so helpful! I just ordered some Germ Transistors from SmallBear for this. And they sent me biasing resistors for the trannys.. Which resistors would I be replacing on your layout with the biased ones. He sent me 3. Q1-5.6k, Q2-3k, Q3-15k.
ReplyDeleteReally appreciate your help!
I think those would be the resistor coming off the emitter of Q1 (10k in the layout), the resistors coming off the collectors of Q2 and Q3 (both 10k). You might want to bread board it before soldering components.
DeleteI wish I could publish a photo.. but I just finished this. It came out perfect!.. Sounds incredibly good! Thank you for all your help! You can mark this one as verified!
ReplyDeleteAwesome! Thanks Fred
DeleteI made this circuit a couple of weeks ago. Good to have a circuit where one can use leaky transistors.
ReplyDeleteI also made a mod. I put a dpdt switch there with the output caps. One side hase the 3.3 nF, and the other has 150nF. Overkill! Very meaty, very mean! All different animal.
Built and approved, find a video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lfk0bv88mLk
ReplyDeleteHello friend, would it be possible to work 3 v directly with 2 AA batteries?
ReplyDeleteWhich parts should you exclude or modify?
Thank you very much for this wonderful work.
regards
Jump the 10k resistor connected to the +9v rail and omit D1-3.
Delete
DeleteHello, as always you are a great professional and kind, have a small detail for your work, check your account, I hope you continue doing things as incredible friend.
REGARDS
Thank you very much!
DeleteCan I use a max1044 voltage inverter and connect the ground to ground and negative 9v to negative 9v?
ReplyDeleteSounds fabulous. Finally made my demo to my build: https://youtu.be/XB5pLIur6Jc
ReplyDeleteWould be better to add a bias knob to q2 or q3?
ReplyDeleteThe transistor use AC 128 or AC 125?
ReplyDelete