Man this video is VERY informative for someone like me, who is an avid lover of fuzz pedals (even though I only own 3 or so), especially seeing just how many different evolutions they went through and how they sound through different pickup sand settings. Nice job building all of those and putting this together man!
wow..... this is THE fuzz comparison video. In fact in may be the best all round pedal comparison ive seen period. Really helped me work out the one Im after. I know i like the buzzaround, but have been trying to work out the right tone bender for me for some time. mk2 it is. Awesome. I know this video is old and Im probably way behind but I will subscribe and catch up. Cheers!
Was a great year, both PhilX and myself were born in it. He practiced more and started younger. I'm workin' on it (just a light year behind). Lovin' the Tonefiend's brilliance.
Me, as well. I am turning into a wah and fuzz chasing junky. After a few years playing with just a shitty peavy vypyr, a crybaby classic cgb95f with a loose (didnt realize it was loose) scratchy pot, and a basic boss od, i finally upgraded to some tech 21 sans amps, a cheap donner stylish fuzz, and soldered a new pot to my wah and learning about all the different upgrades and mods one can do with a wah, and recently acquired a fulltone 69 mkii germanium, and now i am hooked. I am about to buy some used wahs to mod, and build some fuzzes. I am dying for a maestro, a tone bender or 3, and some fuzzrites. Chasing that eddie hazel tone/s.
According to Mark Lewisohn's Abbey Road studio notes and a quote from engineer Ken Townsend, that fuzz wasn't a commercially available model, but was built by staff engineers at Abbey Road. It wasn't intended to be used with a bass, but that's what happened on Monday, 8 November 1965.
Mad props for building all of these fuzz boxes true to spec, using the proper germanium transistors and biasing them correctly. Props, also, for making such a great video comparing them. (Nothing worse than 5 minutes of talking between sound clips.) But.... raise the action on that Strat. It has enough fret buzz to be it’s own fuzz box. ;-) Otherwise, great video! I’ve never been a big fan of fuzz boxes, and have only built a few when people have REALLY wanted them, but there are a few in this video worth investigating. A few of them, when driven hard, sounded like the classic square wave synthesizers of the late 70’s. I really dig that sound. From one pedal builder to another..... GREAT JOB!!!!
Joe is the best! He leaves no stone unturned. With all the rage about fuzz lately, and the ensuing confusion over what is fattest, cleanest, dirtiest, better, worse...etc...ends right here! this video isn't just a review. This is fuzz 101, fuzz history, and fuzz philosophy all in one video. Thanks, Joe!
A labor of love! Love of FUZZ! Thank you so much for all of the work you put into this video. I really liked the format with pictures, music, and typed comments. Your sense of humor is great too.
Awesome work. Nice riff and playing, funny words. This is the fuzz video i've been waiting to see. Loved the Pep box, the Syd's selmer and the buzzaround. Sure i'll end up struggling to wire myself some of this fuzzes and the harmonic percolator, which i had used in pluggin for a bass line once, but really had little to do with what i hear in your vid
+tonefiend by joe gore i admire both of your tastes in tone because those are my favourites too. If you ever make that glorified buzzaround i would buy it.
+tonefiend by joe gore I meant to say I would buy one of those altered selmer buzz tones. With your mod it comes alive! Im not sure if this is even possible but it would be great to add some lard somehow to it. Im stealing your adjective for fuzz tone. "Lard" is a keeper.
Joe, i read here or in your page that you got big amounts of transistors so i wanted to ask you if you would sell me the correct ones to make a few of these pedals here. Also, i'll love to get those for a triangle muff if you have them, i think it's the best sounding one i heared in videos
Wow - thanks for the support. I probably learned more about pedal building from making this video than from anything else. It was definitely the most labor-intensive video I’ve ever shared!
Great video. Just built a Univox Superfuzz clone with a friend and we are now thinking to go back in time a little bit more. Thank you so much for your hard work. It is highly appreciated.
Thanks for doing this Joe, I keep coming back to it. I am close to completing a set of germanium fuzzs myself, but I have used the transistors used in the original units. OC75/2G381 Mk1, 2G309/OC75/OC44 Zonk, OC75 and SFT337/363 MK1.5/Vox Italian, NKT275 and AC128 Fuzz Face, ACY41 Pep, OC75 and OC81D MKII, OC75 MKIII, NKT213 Buzzaround and SFT308/352 Dizzytone, OC71 Carlsbro Fuzz, Sekova 2SB178. I might be fooling myself, but I swear the different transistors have different qualities and sound different. For example I think the OC75s in the MK1.5 circuit are a big part of what makes them sound more like Tone Benders than Fuzz Faces. It would be really interesting to do a mojo transistor shoot out in the style of your 12 fuzz shoot out to help find out for sure.
Hi Joe, thanks for replying. I agree the hFE of the transistor is important, I also think the leakage is hugely important and often overlooked. Compensating for a leaky transistor by adjusting the bias resistors will only get you so far in my experience, the timbre and the feel of the fuzz will not be quite the same. I think those of us who have built several pedals also realise that the originals had transistors with values that don't always correspond with the established rules you will find online, low gain does not always give a weak sound. I did do a test a few years ago with the Range Master circuit, I tied a yellow jacket OC44, a black glass OC44 and an AC128 with very close gain and leakage values (I have a DCA55), there were clear differences. I seem to remember David Main saying he did not like the yellow jackets because of the sizzling top end. I preferred them, the black glass is much smoother and less wild to my ear. If I can find the time I will repeat the experiment with a larger sample of different transistors. I don't think mojo transistors are worth 100 bucks each and have never paid anything close to that, but I do think they play a role in the overall sound and it is a bit of fun to hunt them down!@@joe_gore
Thanks for listening, Larry. Yes, this required more work than any of the 100+ video I’ve posted. But it was totally worth it! I learned so much, and I’d probably never have started selling my own pedals if I hadn’t learned so much from the process.
@@joe_gore Joe, Your work and this video in particular, are extremely helpful. Thank you again. You are right, "It is completely worth it." --- So much so, that I am going to watch all of it again today. No, really.
Awesome video. Really elaborate and thorough. Great for us younger dudes to learn the difference between the different classic circuits. Thank you, man.
tonefiend by joe gore Been trying to find something that sounds like your FZ1 clone but no clones that I’ve come across sound as authentic. Do you have any company names or vendors in mind you can suggest for me. I’ve been searching for this tone for so long but don’t have the money to buy an actual vintage FZ1 :(
Hi, What pedal is best for 60's classic fuzz, That trebley sharp lacking in gain sound that was admittedly more popular in the mid 60's before things when all heavy metal
Hats off to you! What a fantastic demo of these pedals, who would have thought it even likely to happen! Great insights into these pedals, and thanks for making this most instructive video. I have subscribed and will be back to give this video some more time so I can take it all in. Bravo!
That is the great thing about doing projects like this, just like what you’ve learned from building these pedals. When we do productive efforts like this, you learn more than you can be taught! So yes, I’m sure you did get a while new perspective on your pedals as the consumer this time. That’s what’s great about writing music, and just going by how much you can enjoy the piece, which by the way, hats off to your creative playing and use of loops! Thanks and will keep an eye out on your channel
The main problem is the low impedance at the input of the Fuzz Face . I calculated it about 8k impedance which is lousy( ie the FZ-1a is closer to 50k if my math is right). The effect should change the signal GOING INTO the pedal, not the signal SOURCE. At that low Z, it uses the guitars pickup as part of the circuits load, which kills the high end from the guitar. Great video, though!
Impedance is certainly a main reason. Driving it w 600 ohm active source doesn't seem to be the answer either, tho it changes if not improves the sound. The transistor might need loading that an active device doesn't give. An interstage audio transformer seems like it might work well , but I ve never tried one. 150K in for the driver effect, 10K out to the fuzz. Its on my projects list w a million other things
Great video! thanks for all the work you put into it and for sharing so much good information for each one of the models. Certainly the best video about fuzz models out there.
what a fuzz library you have put together., I'm going to build a mark one small box tone bender like yours, I'm a Marshall amp guy and I want that sound sone times. Great History in these circuits.
@@joe_gore I have been watching and listing Ng to video and surprised how much I like the sound of the mark one. I'm going to start collecting good capacitors and transistors for this.
@@DANTHETUBEMAN You know, back when I was editor of Guitar Player (but before I knew anything about DIY electronics) I'd always heard that the MkII is the ToneBender to have. But now that I've explored and listened a bit, the MkI is fave by far, followed by the MkIII. (And of course, I love the so-called Mk1.5, which was renamed and repackaged as the Fuzz Face.) Not that you asked, but I have a strong opinion about germanium transistors: Any two properly functioning germanium transistors of equal gain (hFe) will sound VERY similar. Only chumps pay hundreds of bucks for particular transistors such as NKT-275s.
@@joe_gore this was a good video on the sound differences, I don't know if that was a remarkable set of components, but I think a good simple set helps the circuit, th-cam.com/video/SkzHNpQ7QCA/w-d-xo.html
#9, #9, #9, #9... All fuzz is good fuzz, from Maestro to Fuzz Factory. Enjoyed the variety of tones, yes-- but the variety of riffs, noodling, modes and styles proved what a Renaissance man you are. EXCELLENT VIDEO, five fuzzy stars! ☆☆☆☆☆
Many thanks for this invaluable video. Great work! Making your fuzz builds for comparison??? Very few would even think of attempting that! Brilliant!!! OH YEAH! Great demo riff too!!!! :-)
Sweet! Have been searching for the perfect fuzz pedal for my playing since last autumn. Realised it had to a germanium one. And from this video I narrowed it down to a MK III. Well, a silicon Fuzzrite clone would suite as a compliment... VERY informative and cool video. THANKS!!!
Awesome review! I have an Electro Harmonix OD germanium. It has the NKT275 transistor in it. I just bought it, so I’m getting used to it but what other types of fuzz would sound good with bass guitar? I’m in a Pink Floyd tribute and I read that roger used Dave’s Dallas Arbiter germanium for certain songs like the beginning of brick2 and the middle part to echoes. I’d appreciate any input from you guys. Thanks!
Back in the day, I bought a Maestro FZ1 for $35. from a classified ad in a Detroit newspaper. I loved the unit but not the AA battery setup so I put in a 9 volt which totally transformed the pedal into a raging fuzz with incredible sustain. I sold it for a lot more than my purchase price. I now wonder why it didn't fry with the extra voltage......your thoughts?
As long as the electrolytic capacitors could handle 9V, you wouldn't have fried the pedal. Actually, for the FZ1, it the electrolytic coupling capacitors wouldn't have even seen the full 9V. The rest of the parts will operate just fine on 9V. Actually, if you swapped all of the electrolytic caps in almost any fuzz pedal with higher voltage capacitors, you could run the pedal at 18v, 24v, 30V even, but as you go higher it depends on how much juice the transistors can handle.
The dallas arbiter fuzz face can sometimes get lost in the mix because it is only half of a duo. The dallas rangemaster adds the treble to the mix and helps it cut through better. Cheers.
Hey Joe, I can't tell you how much I've enjoyed this video over the years. Was your MK1 as difficult to build as people say it is? I'm trying to build one myself, but I think my AC128's are too high gain, cause I'm getting way too much oscillation. Did you have similar problems? Any advice for tweaking or understanding this circuit?
If I could only have one, I'd go for the Mk3 Tonebender. It's the most versatile imo. More control, variety and gain than many of the others. Plus, it can match with different pickups and amps better than many of the others.
"All 30 transistors heard in the video are new-production AC-128s from the same vendor. Basically, the cheapest, easiest to find germanium transistor. In my experience, all properly functioning germanium transistors of equal gain sound surprisingly similar, and I tend to be extremely skeptical of claims to the contrary. :)" Hello Joe, thank you so much for this video, like always is really well done and the way you present the pedals is brilliant. I have to say that I also thought that "Germanium transistors of equal gain sound surprisingly similar" but after trying a lot of different types I completely changed my opinion. Frequency response in different transistor types can vary a lot, hfe, leakage and biasing is just one part of the equation, and different transistors do really have a different tone to a level that some of them I really dislike and wouldn't build a fuzz pedal with them. Please check out this 2 videos, the difference is frequency response is obvious: th-cam.com/video/GYOMjPmtMi4/w-d-xo.html th-cam.com/video/pQzQZ0RdzTg/w-d-xo.html Please let us know what you think Thanks Best Regards
I agree,I don't think you get much if any difference in tone using different types of germanium transistors,however I do feel there's is a difference when you use different types of germanium diode (obviously this is only applicable in circuits that use diodes for clipping),..I feel you can hear subtle differences in the way sustained notes break up and how they interact at high volumes (feedback).
+tonefiend by joe gore, Hehe no worries man,I'll be sure to check you pedal out :-)..as someone who makes and designs things myself,i really think experimenting with diodes (within a clipping stage) is one of a few original ways of bringing something new tone wise to a fuzz ..when I started making fuzz boxes I would always hear so much about germanium transistors and how one type is much better then the other,but from my actual experience,there isn't anything really in it and if there is is minimal,.in fact I found,(more so with a fuzz face!),what type of 9v batts you used had much more of an effect on how it performed then what type of germanium transistor you happend to have in it!.
I have a bit of fondness for one transistor fuzzes,especially when you use them with the crunch channel on the amp!!...also you can use these as booster/fuzz booster circuits within something else,...it looks and sounds like a cool pedali was just wondering if you have throught about putting a switch on for selecting different input caps??,I think this kind of thing works well to give you some extra frequency opinions when you use the pedal like this within a band context.
Great job, Joe! I am a 1.5 guy for sure, but I have oc75 transistors in mine. Thank you for spending the time required to build these pedals and putting on the shootout!
Hey Joe, Fantastic Comparison of some Great oldie but goodies!!! You absolutely Nailed it!!! Thank You for this video and your efforts in putting it together...It really brought back some fond memories of a ground floor era i grew up in. P.s. Had a lot of those pedals over the years, a shame i let them go, but i still have my Baldwin/Burns Buzz-around, it's still my favorite Fuzzy-Was-E pedal of all time.
***** hahaha Talk about a fortune Joe. We'd all be rich if we knew now-back then! I remember the Baldwin like it was...'Yesterday'. It had a layer of dust on it from sitting by a heater duct in this funky little music shop that was a Baldwin Piano distributer. Had four or five RangeMaster's also. Everyone of those were a little different from the other, they were usually about 20 bucks or less back then. haha. *Butt*... My BIGGEST MISTAKE'S were... 1959 L.P./Burst(750.00)(*1969). 1958 ES-175D(400.00)(*1975)... and Ron Ashton's custom(MC5) 300Watt Marshall PA head with 4x15 pre-Rola Greenback's with the offset Bottom(450.00(*1976). Sold or traded ALL!!! Who Knew? **P.s. At very least, i had the pleasure of having played them. Take Care, Joe. **P.p.s. Jim McCarty had a 1954 Strat-1959LP/Burst and Jimi Hendrix's Dove, all stolen when Jimmy returned home from a Tour date. Talk about a Fortune!!!
***** No Sir! In my book i won more than lost some by having owned and enjoyed those Gems. :>) "Won't get Fooled Again" But...Probably won't get the chance to!--hahaha
Outstanding video! If you have time listen to some early Seeds songs and see if you can identify the pedal. I know Jan Savage was mostly using a Mustang and/or Jaguar. Out Of The Question is one that stands out.., and of course Pushin' Too Hard 🙂
Joe, I'm going to guess Vox on Pushin' Too Hard and Mosrite on others like Out Of The Question. I never got to meet Jan in the 19 years I played with Sky ( and Daryl in studio) but I wish I had known about you when we were recording in late 90's & 2000's.
@@joe_gore Ha! I like that and never heard it before. Sounds like Sky 😀...no I'm no expert and you're probably right. I was just going on the fact that in mid '66 when they recorded PTH they were being sponsored by Vox but Jan would have used whatever was available for the sound he got. He used Fender (mostly Mustang) being a surf guitarist by training ( Sky hired him for that reason - thinking it would adapt well with Psychedelic and other genre's). Yeah, Sky and I spent the better part of 5 years writing songs for the new Seeds. Daryl came down for two sessions and about 6 songs. Rick was willing but couldn't get away from his Union job. Jan was MIA at the time but later played 3 or 4 gigs with a touring Seeds band in '03 with Sky.
Hey Joe! Great work! Is it my imagination does the Pep Box sound shimmery and amazing with a low-gain setting on the Strat? There's a very cool, bubbly ambience to the distortion. It happened somewhat with a couple of the other builds as well. The equipment utilized and the signal chain are great. It's hard to separate if it's the Pep, Strat, and low-gain guitar setting or the entire chain from instrument to recording. What do you think?
Well, that was pretty much nothing compare to what you did... I wonder, though, how much transistor specs (HFE) influenced the sound as well. You must had some low and high values, I guess ?
@@joe_gore Late response, but thanks for saying that. The code on the transistor doesn't matter. I've built two MK3s, one with actual OC75/OC76s and one with three Japanese transistors I got for free at hamfest, on a little circuit board, and they sound identical. The only difference in the pedals is that one uses the other bias resistor combo (680k vs 220k), which apparently doesn't noticably change the tone. Old MK 3s and 4s used both combos. Russian and Japanese transistors are good value!
Wow! tanks a lot for this!... I´m realy diggin the selmer whit the extra capacitor, where can I find the schematic? THIS IS GONA BE MY FRIST DIY PROYECT! that much I´m diggin it!
28:27 Neat trick I missed it the first time or two. Just scored a hand made "Dentone" B/B Buzzaround clone--"Carbon Comp -AC128". (2010). It's going to be fun to learn it. Should keep me busy for a minute and I do have fresh flatwound Curt Mangans on it. They're not the super smooth type and are stainless. Really liking 'em.
@@joe_gore Excellent, I'll bust out the soldering iron! Just built a Si one, but if the many differences in the schematics mean anything, it's a very different beast: pedalparts.co.uk/docs/FuzzRiteV3.pdf Thanks for the very quick reply and for making this outstanding video - I'll also build a Buzzaround next week because of it!
Wow, man. Great video, and I am really REALLY impressed with the Sola Tonebender Mk1. I have looked up the schematics on www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=93691.0, but there is a debate on what the voltage divider resistor of Q2 should be. Which value did you use? Any chance you could remember? I am definitely building myself a TB MK1! Thanks for the video and tips to come, kind regards!
TMI OVERLOAD!!!! Thanks, Joe, this is a most informative clip, I've just gotta let it sink in. I'm digging the possibilities, I guess I'll have to get down to the shops and put some of these together! I suspect Denmark St. was constantly full of people grumbling about not enough of these being shipped, I hope that tiny enclave of burgeoning musicians had patience to wait months for an order! (I was a 70's kid, and ordering things in the 80's & 90's was labourious to contend with at times) TA! :)
I am certain eddie hazel used a fuzzrite for a few of his songs, like 'open our eyes', the original 1970 parliament version of 'red hot momma', ect, and possibly 'friday night august 14' and 'funky dollar bill', which i would unsurely assume it was a germanium fuzzrite giving his ability to clean up with his strat volume knob, especially for funky dollar bill, but i am not certain because i dont know how well the silicone fuzzrite cleaned up with the strat volume. But on the 1970 red hot momma, it is cranked all the way up, and is very dirty, and it sounds like a fuzzrite to my ears. Could be dead wrong, though.
Good job ! Great to hear the tone of the original circuit to compare with pedal builders modern interpretation of the original. BTW didn't Vox do their own Tone Bender ?
I think you might have got the zonk machine wrong. for what i've read, the bastard relied on a deffective first transistor that biased itself with his own leak. thus by using meassured non-deffective transistors you got that stinking tone. I mean, I believe it should sound similar to the tone bender mk 1 in theory, right? I don't wanna finish the comment without saying that this video is an amazing comparison, great work!!
Question: weren't these designed to be stuck in to a fairly high gain situation to begin with? I mean there weren't a lot of amps...i'm just wondering if there's a difference between what you're using with a 'clean' tone and what people were using these pedals for back in the day in front of a cranked tube amp that was already distorting naturally. Some of these thinner sounds could provide a lot of high end to cut through in a scenario like that. I understand your use is more modern, even with some nice vintage gear, but wouldn't a fair trial be to use them as intended?
Nah, im just getting into pedal building, and fuzz pedals seem like a good experimenting base. I actually meant to ask if these are ready-made pcb's (like madbean etc) or if you just copied original schematics etc :)
11 (!!!) downvotes for this awesome comparison video?? i don't get it. appreciate the work and passion that went into this. it's for free, dorks.
Great concept married to a wonderful graphics treatment. One of your best, thanks Joe!
This is one the best examples; if not, the greatest examples of fuzztones and the historical context of each type. Roots!
Man this video is VERY informative for someone like me, who is an avid lover of fuzz pedals (even though I only own 3 or so), especially seeing just how many different evolutions they went through and how they sound through different pickup sand settings. Nice job building all of those and putting this together man!
wow..... this is THE fuzz comparison video. In fact in may be the best all round pedal comparison ive seen period. Really helped me work out the one Im after. I know i like the buzzaround, but have been trying to work out the right tone bender for me for some time. mk2 it is. Awesome. I know this video is old and Im probably way behind but I will subscribe and catch up. Cheers!
1966 must have been a wild year
Widely considered the best year in English-language pop music, since WWII at least. The closest contender for the title is probably 1967...
Was a great year, both PhilX and myself were born in it. He practiced more and started younger. I'm workin' on it (just a light year behind). Lovin' the Tonefiend's brilliance.
A lot of acid!
Excellent and concise presentation. Love a channel that gets right to the point , not endless apology for why they suck.
Getting a bad addiction, and this only enhances it.......... MK 1 next on my list
Me, as well. I am turning into a wah and fuzz chasing junky. After a few years playing with just a shitty peavy vypyr, a crybaby classic cgb95f with a loose (didnt realize it was loose) scratchy pot, and a basic boss od, i finally upgraded to some tech 21 sans amps, a cheap donner stylish fuzz, and soldered a new pot to my wah and learning about all the different upgrades and mods one can do with a wah, and recently acquired a fulltone 69 mkii germanium, and now i am hooked. I am about to buy some used wahs to mod, and build some fuzzes. I am dying for a maestro, a tone bender or 3, and some fuzzrites. Chasing that eddie hazel tone/s.
According to Mark Lewisohn's Abbey Road studio notes and a quote from engineer Ken Townsend, that fuzz wasn't a commercially available model, but was built by staff engineers at Abbey Road. It wasn't intended to be used with a bass, but that's what happened on Monday, 8 November 1965.
Your Selmer Buzz Tone circuit sounds amazing. Really caught my attention. Great vid all around!
well done! I think this is the most educational fuzz video on the internets!
Mad props for building all of these fuzz boxes true to spec, using the proper germanium transistors and biasing them correctly. Props, also, for making such a great video comparing them. (Nothing worse than 5 minutes of talking between sound clips.) But.... raise the action on that Strat. It has enough fret buzz to be it’s own fuzz box. ;-) Otherwise, great video! I’ve never been a big fan of fuzz boxes, and have only built a few when people have REALLY wanted them, but there are a few in this video worth investigating. A few of them, when driven hard, sounded like the classic square wave synthesizers of the late 70’s. I really dig that sound. From one pedal builder to another..... GREAT JOB!!!!
I really liked #2 the most. Sounded great with both strat & humbuckers, and at any level of gain. Great video dude.
Lot of effort went into this, thanks man very informative.
Joe is the best! He leaves no stone unturned. With all the rage about fuzz lately, and the ensuing confusion over what is fattest, cleanest, dirtiest, better, worse...etc...ends right here! this video isn't just a review. This is fuzz 101, fuzz history, and fuzz philosophy all in one video. Thanks, Joe!
A labor of love! Love of FUZZ! Thank you so much for all of the work you put into this video. I really liked the format with pictures, music, and typed comments. Your sense of humor is great too.
@@joe_gore I just peeked at your Tonefiend page - I have 3 black cats 😝
Awesome work. Nice riff and playing, funny words. This is the fuzz video i've been waiting to see. Loved the Pep box, the Syd's selmer and the buzzaround. Sure i'll end up struggling to wire myself some of this fuzzes and the harmonic percolator, which i had used in pluggin for a bass line once, but really had little to do with what i hear in your vid
+tonefiend by joe gore i admire both of your tastes in tone because those are my favourites too. If you ever make that glorified buzzaround i would buy it.
+tonefiend by joe gore I meant to say I would buy one of those altered selmer buzz tones. With your mod it comes alive! Im not sure if this is even possible but it would be great to add some lard somehow to it. Im stealing your adjective for fuzz tone. "Lard" is a keeper.
i would too
Joe, i read here or in your page that you got big amounts of transistors so i wanted to ask you if you would sell me the correct ones to make a few of these pedals here. Also, i'll love to get those for a triangle muff if you have them, i think it's the best sounding one i heared in videos
Most excellent! Great job Joe! Totally enjoying your DUH, Cult and Porkolator ❤
Wow - thanks for the support. I probably learned more about pedal building from making this video than from anything else. It was definitely the most labor-intensive video I’ve ever shared!
Great video. Just built a Univox Superfuzz clone with a friend and we are now thinking to go back in time a little bit more. Thank you so much for your hard work. It is highly appreciated.
Thanks for doing this Joe, I keep coming back to it. I am close to completing a set of germanium fuzzs myself, but I have used the transistors used in the original units. OC75/2G381 Mk1, 2G309/OC75/OC44 Zonk, OC75 and SFT337/363 MK1.5/Vox Italian, NKT275 and AC128 Fuzz Face, ACY41 Pep, OC75 and OC81D MKII, OC75 MKIII, NKT213 Buzzaround and SFT308/352 Dizzytone, OC71 Carlsbro Fuzz, Sekova 2SB178. I might be fooling myself, but I swear the different transistors have different qualities and sound different. For example I think the OC75s in the MK1.5 circuit are a big part of what makes them sound more like Tone Benders than Fuzz Faces. It would be really interesting to do a mojo transistor shoot out in the style of your 12 fuzz shoot out to help find out for sure.
Hi Joe, thanks for replying. I agree the hFE of the transistor is important, I also think the leakage is hugely important and often overlooked. Compensating for a leaky transistor by adjusting the bias resistors will only get you so far in my experience, the timbre and the feel of the fuzz will not be quite the same. I think those of us who have built several pedals also realise that the originals had transistors with values that don't always correspond with the established rules you will find online, low gain does not always give a weak sound. I did do a test a few years ago with the Range Master circuit, I tied a yellow jacket OC44, a black glass OC44 and an AC128 with very close gain and leakage values (I have a DCA55), there were clear differences. I seem to remember David Main saying he did not like the yellow jackets because of the sizzling top end. I preferred them, the black glass is much smoother and less wild to my ear. If I can find the time I will repeat the experiment with a larger sample of different transistors. I don't think mojo transistors are worth 100 bucks each and have never paid anything close to that, but I do think they play a role in the overall sound and it is a bit of fun to hunt them down!@@joe_gore
The history of the fuzz ! ... An exceptional presentation, great video, thank you, be blessed ! 😘
Subscribed and shared ! ...
@@joe_gore I think a lot of people really appreciated your effort, this video remains a very valuable one !
i love the pep box!! amazing work! cant stop watching this
Super rad video, thanks for taking the time to do this🤘🏼
No prob! This was the funnest gear video I've ever made. :)
Valuable demo. Lots of work to produce this. I appreciate it.
Thanks for listening, Larry. Yes, this required more work than any of the 100+ video I’ve posted. But it was totally worth it! I learned so much, and I’d probably never have started selling my own pedals if I hadn’t learned so much from the process.
@@joe_gore Joe, Your work and this video in particular, are extremely helpful. Thank you again. You are right, "It is completely worth it." --- So much so, that I am going to watch all of it again today. No, really.
Awesome video. Really elaborate and thorough. Great for us younger dudes to learn the difference between the different classic circuits. Thank you, man.
Just discovered this and wanted to know if you sell these. I'm interested in the FZ1. Love it
tonefiend by joe gore Been trying to find something that sounds like your FZ1 clone but no clones that I’ve come across sound as authentic. Do you have any company names or vendors in mind you can suggest for me. I’ve been searching for this tone for so long but don’t have the money to buy an actual vintage FZ1 :(
Hi, What pedal is best for 60's classic fuzz, That trebley sharp lacking in gain sound that was admittedly more popular in the mid 60's before things when all heavy metal
Kristian Kriesel You talking Stones Satisfaction type sound?
Wow!!!! Killer demo/illustration. Thanks for doing this!
I guess you're right. I admire your playing, from lute pieces to this stuff. My hat is off.
That was amazing... very aducative!! Tks for taking the time to put this together... 👊🏻
"Sounds like a whoopee cushion!
For perverts only."
Losing my shit (so to speak) at work, hahahaaha
Hats off to you! What a fantastic demo of these pedals, who would have thought it even likely to happen! Great insights into these pedals, and thanks for making this most instructive video. I have subscribed and will be back to give this video some more time so I can take it all in. Bravo!
That is the great thing about doing projects like this, just like what you’ve learned from building these pedals. When we do productive efforts like this, you learn more than you can be taught! So yes, I’m sure you did get a while new perspective on your pedals as the consumer this time. That’s what’s great about writing music, and just going by how much you can enjoy the piece, which by the way, hats off to your creative playing and use of loops! Thanks and will keep an eye out on your channel
The main problem is the low impedance at the input of the Fuzz Face . I calculated it about 8k impedance which is lousy( ie the FZ-1a is closer to 50k if my math is right). The effect should change the signal GOING INTO the pedal, not the signal SOURCE. At that low Z, it uses the guitars pickup as part of the circuits load, which kills the high end from the guitar. Great video, though!
Impedance is certainly a main reason. Driving it w 600 ohm active source doesn't seem to be the answer either, tho it changes if not improves the sound. The transistor might need loading that an active device doesn't give. An interstage audio transformer seems like it might work well , but I ve never tried one. 150K in for the driver effect, 10K out to the fuzz. Its on my projects list w a million other things
This is awesome. As soon as I have fixed my Mayer spec Fuzz Face build I will attempt my Tonebender Mk3 kit.
Great video! thanks for all the work you put into it and for sharing so much good information for each one of the models. Certainly the best video about fuzz models out there.
what a fuzz library you have put together., I'm going to build a mark one small box tone bender like yours, I'm a Marshall amp guy and I want that sound sone times. Great History in these circuits.
I’m glad you found it useful, Dan! You will LOVE that pedal. Instant “Ziggy Stardust” tone. :)
@@joe_gore I have been watching and listing Ng to video and surprised how much I like the sound of the mark one. I'm going to start collecting good capacitors and transistors for this.
@@DANTHETUBEMAN You know, back when I was editor of Guitar Player (but before I knew anything about DIY electronics) I'd always heard that the MkII is the ToneBender to have. But now that I've explored and listened a bit, the MkI is fave by far, followed by the MkIII. (And of course, I love the so-called Mk1.5, which was renamed and repackaged as the Fuzz Face.) Not that you asked, but I have a strong opinion about germanium transistors: Any two properly functioning germanium transistors of equal gain (hFe) will sound VERY similar. Only chumps pay hundreds of bucks for particular transistors such as NKT-275s.
@@joe_gore this was a good video on the sound differences, I don't know if that was a remarkable set of components, but I think a good simple set helps the circuit, th-cam.com/video/SkzHNpQ7QCA/w-d-xo.html
#9, #9, #9, #9... All fuzz is good fuzz, from Maestro to Fuzz Factory. Enjoyed the variety of tones, yes-- but the variety of riffs, noodling, modes and styles proved what a Renaissance man you are. EXCELLENT VIDEO, five fuzzy stars! ☆☆☆☆☆
Many thanks for this invaluable video. Great work! Making your fuzz builds for comparison??? Very few would even think of attempting that! Brilliant!!! OH YEAH! Great demo riff too!!!! :-)
Sweet! Have been searching for the perfect fuzz pedal for my playing since last autumn. Realised it had to a germanium one. And from this video I narrowed it down to a MK III. Well, a silicon Fuzzrite clone would suite as a compliment... VERY informative and cool video. THANKS!!!
Awesome review! I have an Electro Harmonix OD germanium. It has the NKT275 transistor in it. I just bought it, so I’m getting used to it but what other types of fuzz would sound good with bass guitar? I’m in a Pink Floyd tribute and I read that roger used Dave’s Dallas Arbiter germanium for certain songs like the beginning of brick2 and the middle part to echoes. I’d appreciate any input from you guys. Thanks!
Back in the day, I bought a Maestro FZ1 for $35. from a classified ad in a Detroit newspaper. I loved the unit but not the AA battery setup so I put in a 9 volt which totally transformed the pedal into a raging fuzz with incredible sustain. I sold it for a lot more than my purchase price. I now wonder why it didn't fry with the extra voltage......your thoughts?
As long as the electrolytic capacitors could handle 9V, you wouldn't have fried the pedal. Actually, for the FZ1, it the electrolytic coupling capacitors wouldn't have even seen the full 9V.
The rest of the parts will operate just fine on 9V. Actually, if you swapped all of the electrolytic caps in almost any fuzz pedal with higher voltage capacitors, you could run the pedal at 18v, 24v, 30V even, but as you go higher it depends on how much juice the transistors can handle.
The dallas arbiter fuzz face can sometimes get lost in the mix because it is only half of a duo. The dallas rangemaster adds the treble to the mix and helps it cut through better. Cheers.
Hey Joe, I can't tell you how much I've enjoyed this video over the years. Was your MK1 as difficult to build as people say it is? I'm trying to build one myself, but I think my AC128's are too high gain, cause I'm getting way too much oscillation. Did you have similar problems? Any advice for tweaking or understanding this circuit?
Hey Joe... where you going with that gun in your hand
One of the best videos on pedals ever. Thank you!
Thanks for posting this very informative audio video demo.
Nice video!🙂
On a sidenote: Do you know how the Beatles got that fuzz bass sound on "think for yourself"? I've read mk.1.5 but I'm not sure.
If I could only have one, I'd go for the Mk3 Tonebender. It's the most versatile imo. More control, variety and gain than many of the others. Plus, it can match with different pickups and amps better than many of the others.
Wow, comprehensive is right! great demo/review/master class/ you get my drift Thanks!
One of the best vids I've ever seen
Watched this for like the 4th time. Still the best fuzz video online! I'd love to see more coming! ;)
"All 30 transistors heard in the video are new-production AC-128s from the same vendor. Basically, the cheapest, easiest to find germanium transistor. In my experience, all properly functioning germanium transistors of equal gain sound surprisingly similar, and I tend to be extremely skeptical of claims to the contrary. :)"
Hello Joe, thank you so much for this video, like always is really well done and the way you present the pedals is brilliant.
I have to say that I also thought that "Germanium transistors of equal gain sound surprisingly similar" but after trying a lot of different types I completely changed my opinion. Frequency response in different transistor types can vary a lot, hfe, leakage and biasing is just one part of the equation, and different transistors do really have a different tone to a level that some of them I really dislike and wouldn't build a fuzz pedal with them.
Please check out this 2 videos, the difference is frequency response is obvious:
th-cam.com/video/GYOMjPmtMi4/w-d-xo.html
th-cam.com/video/pQzQZ0RdzTg/w-d-xo.html
Please let us know what you think
Thanks
Best Regards
+MrCacciLLo
And thanks so much for your reply Joe, and for all your work. Love your videos and your playing!
I agree,I don't think you get much if any difference in tone using different types of germanium transistors,however I do feel there's is a difference when you use different types of germanium diode (obviously this is only applicable in circuits that use diodes for clipping),..I feel you can hear subtle differences in the way sustained notes break up and how they interact at high volumes (feedback).
+tonefiend by joe gore,
Hehe no worries man,I'll be sure to check you pedal out :-)..as someone who makes and designs things myself,i really think experimenting with diodes (within a clipping stage) is one of a few original ways of bringing something new tone wise to a fuzz ..when I started making fuzz boxes I would always hear so much about germanium transistors and how one type is much better then the other,but from my actual experience,there isn't anything really in it and if there is is minimal,.in fact I found,(more so with a fuzz face!),what type of 9v batts you used had much more of an effect on how it performed then what type of germanium transistor you happend to have in it!.
I have a bit of fondness for one transistor fuzzes,especially when you use them with the crunch channel on the amp!!...also you can use these as booster/fuzz booster circuits within something else,...it looks and sounds like a cool pedali was just wondering if you have throught about putting a switch on for selecting different input caps??,I think this kind of thing works well to give you some extra frequency opinions when you use the pedal like this within a band context.
Great job, Joe! I am a 1.5 guy for sure, but I have oc75 transistors in mine. Thank you for spending the time required to build these pedals and putting on the shootout!
@@joe_gore awesome!
Hey Joe, Fantastic Comparison of some Great oldie but goodies!!! You absolutely Nailed it!!! Thank You for this video and your efforts in putting it together...It really brought back some fond memories of a ground floor era i grew up in. P.s. Had a lot of those pedals over the years, a shame i let them go, but i still have my Baldwin/Burns Buzz-around, it's still my favorite Fuzzy-Was-E pedal of all time.
***** hahaha Talk about a fortune Joe. We'd all be rich if we knew now-back then! I remember the Baldwin like it was...'Yesterday'. It had a layer of dust on it from sitting by a heater duct in this funky little music shop that was a Baldwin Piano distributer. Had four or five RangeMaster's also. Everyone of those were a little different from the other, they were usually about 20 bucks or less back then. haha. *Butt*... My BIGGEST MISTAKE'S were... 1959 L.P./Burst(750.00)(*1969). 1958 ES-175D(400.00)(*1975)... and Ron Ashton's custom(MC5) 300Watt Marshall PA head with 4x15 pre-Rola Greenback's with the offset Bottom(450.00(*1976). Sold or traded ALL!!! Who Knew? **P.s. At very least, i had the pleasure of having played them. Take Care, Joe. **P.p.s. Jim McCarty had a 1954 Strat-1959LP/Burst and Jimi Hendrix's Dove, all stolen when Jimmy returned home from a Tour date. Talk about a Fortune!!!
***** No Sir! In my book i won more than lost some by having owned and enjoyed those Gems. :>) "Won't get Fooled Again" But...Probably won't get the chance to!--hahaha
fantastic job ..!!
Syd Barrett did not use a Selmer buzz tone. Used tonebender mk II
Outstanding video! If you have time listen to some early Seeds songs and see if you can identify the pedal. I know Jan Savage was mostly using a Mustang and/or Jaguar. Out Of The Question is one that stands out.., and of course Pushin' Too Hard 🙂
Joe, I'm going to guess Vox on Pushin' Too Hard and Mosrite on others like Out Of The Question. I never got to meet Jan in the 19 years I played with Sky ( and Daryl in studio) but I wish I had known about you when we were recording in late 90's & 2000's.
@@joe_gore Ha! I like that and never heard it before. Sounds like Sky 😀...no I'm no expert and you're probably right. I was just going on the fact that in mid '66 when they recorded PTH they were being sponsored by Vox but Jan would have used whatever was available for the sound he got. He used Fender (mostly Mustang) being a surf guitarist by training ( Sky hired him for that reason - thinking it would adapt well with Psychedelic and other genre's). Yeah, Sky and I spent the better part of 5 years writing songs for the new Seeds. Daryl came down for two sessions and about 6 songs. Rick was willing but couldn't get away from his Union job. Jan was MIA at the time but later played 3 or 4 gigs with a touring Seeds band in '03 with Sky.
...I said '66. It was '65 when it was recorded. I don't know if Vox was sponsoring them yet then 🤔
The John Lennon revolver one sounded like "Think For Yourself" what a badass tone
Thank you for this fantastic shoot out ! Rock On !!!
Ooh i love this vid. So informative and visual. No distractions 👍 tnx
Hey Joe! Great work! Is it my imagination does the Pep Box sound shimmery and amazing with a low-gain setting on the Strat? There's a very cool, bubbly ambience to the distortion. It happened somewhat with a couple of the other builds as well. The equipment utilized and the signal chain are great. It's hard to separate if it's the Pep, Strat, and low-gain guitar setting or the entire chain from instrument to recording. What do you think?
your Zonk sounds wrong I've played a few originals they were crazy great
#1. Maestro FZ-1 clone - 1:31
#2. Sola Tone Bender Mk. 1 clone - 1:56
#3. Hornby-Skewes Zonk Machine - 2:26
#4. Sola Tone Bender MK 1.5 - 2:54
#5. Dallas Arbiter Fuzz Face - 3:22
#6. Wem pep box rush - 3:51
#7. Sola Tone Bender Mk II - 4:20
#8. Mosrite Fuzzrite - 4:49
#9. Orpheum Fuzz - 5:18
#10. Selmer Buzz Tone - 5:47
#11. Sola Tone Bender mkII - 6:16
#12. Baldwin-Burns Buzzaround - 6:45
Well, that was pretty much nothing compare to what you did... I wonder, though, how much transistor specs (HFE) influenced the sound as well. You must had some low and high values, I guess ?
@@joe_gore who produces those things nowadays? I can't believe I have to pay a pair of it 20$ on ebay. Why capitalism don't apply here?
@@joe_gore Late response, but thanks for saying that. The code on the transistor doesn't matter. I've built two MK3s, one with actual OC75/OC76s and one with three Japanese transistors I got for free at hamfest, on a little circuit board, and they sound identical. The only difference in the pedals is that one uses the other bias resistor combo (680k vs 220k), which apparently doesn't noticably change the tone. Old MK 3s and 4s used both combos.
Russian and Japanese transistors are good value!
They all sound great to my ear, its the graphics that make all of that tonal difference you know😏
Wow! tanks a lot for this!... I´m realy diggin the selmer whit the extra capacitor, where can I find the schematic? THIS IS GONA BE MY FRIST DIY PROYECT! that much I´m diggin it!
joe. this is the best thing ever posted on the fucking internet ever. righteous!
Great Riff. Great describe. Great demo. I will take #7 Sola Bender 1.5.
The world needed this, thanks!
28:27 Neat trick I missed it the first time or two.
Just scored a hand made "Dentone" B/B Buzzaround clone--"Carbon Comp -AC128". (2010). It's going to be fun to learn it. Should keep me busy for a minute and I do have fresh flatwound Curt Mangans on it. They're not the super smooth type and are stainless. Really liking 'em.
Joe, would you mind sharing the Ge Fuzzrite schematic you've used? Thanks!
@@joe_gore Excellent, I'll bust out the soldering iron! Just built a Si one, but if the many differences in the schematics mean anything, it's a very different beast: pedalparts.co.uk/docs/FuzzRiteV3.pdf
Thanks for the very quick reply and for making this outstanding video - I'll also build a Buzzaround next week because of it!
very well done comparison.
Did you ever develop your ideas for the Pep Box circuit?
Your boxes look even cooler than the originals!
Wow, man. Great video, and I am really REALLY impressed with the Sola Tonebender Mk1. I have looked up the schematics on www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=93691.0, but there is a debate on what the voltage divider resistor of Q2 should be. Which value did you use? Any chance you could remember? I am definitely building myself a TB MK1! Thanks for the video and tips to come, kind regards!
seems some of pedals are not biased properly.
And some have extremely weak gain/fuzz.
thanks! incredible effort all round.
TMI OVERLOAD!!!!
Thanks, Joe, this is a most informative clip, I've just gotta let it sink in.
I'm digging the possibilities, I guess I'll have to get down to the shops and put some of these together!
I suspect Denmark St. was constantly full of people grumbling about not enough of these being shipped, I hope that tiny enclave of burgeoning musicians had patience to wait months for an order!
(I was a 70's kid, and ordering things in the 80's & 90's was labourious to contend with at times) TA! :)
I really love the TB MK1.5 Where did you get the schematic for it?
Duly noted. Thanks!
I am certain eddie hazel used a fuzzrite for a few of his songs, like 'open our eyes', the original 1970 parliament version of 'red hot momma', ect, and possibly 'friday night august 14' and 'funky dollar bill', which i would unsurely assume it was a germanium fuzzrite giving his ability to clean up with his strat volume knob, especially for funky dollar bill, but i am not certain because i dont know how well the silicone fuzzrite cleaned up with the strat volume. But on the 1970 red hot momma, it is cranked all the way up, and is very dirty, and it sounds like a fuzzrite to my ears. Could be dead wrong, though.
Great, great, demo. Thank you very much.
какое шикарное исследование! спасибо!
excellent! thank you very much
tonefiend by joe gore it is a very detailed and rich review, enlightening and helpful. So, my pleasure 👌🏻
Great stuff, thanks! Been looking forward to this! What strings are on that strat?
So in depth and Fuzzformative THANK YOU !
Tremendous job!
Good job ! Great to hear the tone of the original circuit to compare with pedal builders modern interpretation of the original. BTW didn't Vox do their own Tone Bender ?
Great work ! What transistors did you use in your buzzaround ?
Love the mk1! Great job
I think you might have got the zonk machine wrong. for what i've read, the bastard relied on a deffective first transistor that biased itself with his own leak. thus by using meassured non-deffective transistors you got that stinking tone. I mean, I believe it should sound similar to the tone bender mk 1 in theory, right?
I don't wanna finish the comment without saying that this video is an amazing comparison, great work!!
@@joe_gore This is an original Zonk. th-cam.com/video/oJfb0D5wFzU/w-d-xo.html
@@joe_gore Haha! It is not an every day driver, that is for sure, but it has it's charms in my opinion.
That mk 1-5 sounds amazing after a buffer
Question: weren't these designed to be stuck in to a fairly high gain situation to begin with? I mean there weren't a lot of amps...i'm just wondering if there's a difference between what you're using with a 'clean' tone and what people were using these pedals for back in the day in front of a cranked tube amp that was already distorting naturally. Some of these thinner sounds could provide a lot of high end to cut through in a scenario like that. I understand your use is more modern, even with some nice vintage gear, but wouldn't a fair trial be to use them as intended?
great vid - thanks so much for sharing!!!
great video, thank you.
Man, I know you had some help and all that... But do you know that you are amazing?
everything was great ,cool video thanks. i am a fan of the farty sounds of the maestro
really COOL!.great demo..&great playing.thanks!!!.i LOVE the fUZZ.
Very good! Fuzz knowledge!!!
Super..cheers! Gotta get me some Buzzaround
the original tone bender MK1 was my fave for its depth and clarity. I wonder which gore pedal has all that tone covered?
Where can we get the schematics for these???? :D Cool presentation!
Nah, im just getting into pedal building, and fuzz pedals seem like a good experimenting base.
I actually meant to ask if these are ready-made pcb's (like madbean etc) or if you just copied original schematics etc :)