Fuzz Face DIY pedal BC108

I always passed on the fuzz pedals hype, thinking it was something to do with the fact that Hendrix used it and nothing more. I did try a few in the past, but always opted for a warmer overdrive type pedal.
Since I got into building my own pedals I started a looking into building a fuzz face, as it is a very simple circuit...I was not impressed by my first few attempts...until I read this excellent article by R.G. Keen on his website www.geofex.com about picking transistors and biasing properly.

http://www.geofex.com/Article_Folders/fuzzface/fffram.htm

Also check out the general guitar gadget version of the fuzz face, where It replaces the 8k2 resistor with a 10K trim, that allow you to bias the transistor properly, also useful to 'tune' by ear if you wanted to do so:

http://www.generalguitargadgets.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=101&Itemid=26

http://www.generalguitargadgets.com/pdf/ggg_ff5_lo_npn.pdf

Another great site to find out about different versions of many fuzz pedals is fuzz central: this is the page about the Dallas Arbiter fuzz face:

http://fuzzcentral.ssguitar.com/fuzzface.php



So after trying a few different combinations I decided to go for a silicon late 60' early 70's fuzz face, similar to what Hendrix used in his last few albums, using two toneful BC108...funnily enough I found out Eric Johnson uses a silicon fuzz face as well, with a BC183, very similar transistor to the one I used.

Of course the finish had to have something to do with Jimi, so I found a great picture and printed the graphics on a adhesive vinyl sheet...I love the results...straight on my pedalboard!


Check out the video for a sample of different sounds this pedal can make!