Tone Bender MK 1.5 and Fuzz Face Circuit Breakdown, Comparison, and Modifications

[@cloudconnect]

Might seem tedious for some, but this is pure gold guitar science.

[@catface101]

The output cap and pot create a high pass filter. The combinations in this video are 500k + 10nf = 31hz HPF (remember, high pass = low cut) 250k + 10nf = 63hz 100k + 10nf = 159hz 500 + .082u = 3hz 250 + .082u = 7hz 100 + .082u = 19hz 500 + .47u = 0.67hz 250 + .47u = 1.3hz 100 + .47u = 3.38hz And if you half the resistance you can double the capacitance so 500k pot + 10nf cap is the same as 100k + 47nf is (near enough) the same as 10k + 4.7uf. So if you're working with odd values that don't exist anymore, you can work around it

[@Poly6Groove]

Newbie’s question here, if increasing the volume corresponds to raising the shunt (to ground) resistance of the pot, hence lowering the the resistance in series with the cap and output, does it mean that increasing the volume will cut more bass? By my calculations, when the volume is maxed, the series output resistance is very low, essentially behaves like short circuit, and then by the frequency cutoff formula I’ve got an extremely high cutoff frequency, which means that the entire audio frequency’s spectrum is being cut. Where is my mistake?

[@dogdays7120]

@@Poly6Groove The output pot is wired as a potentiometer (a voltage divider), not a rheostat. Changing the output volume has no effect on the pots value to ground. It remains a constant 100K or 500K. Your wiper is picking off the desired potential or voltage (signal) to send to the amp.

[@IronheadStakebreaker]

I really appreciate how much work went into this.

[@bobsbarnworkshop]

Interesting demo and experiment. From being an EE technician in industry 35 years and also a guitar player, I’ve designed and built lots of pedals and crossovers. Many of the components you changed only effect the frequencies outside the bandwidth of a guitar, so therefore have little effect on the overall sound. The input capacitor value and output cap are almost inconsequential. The R3 value is in series with the resistor controlling current into the collector of T2 creating a voltage divider. R3 value is again small in relation to the other series resistor making it’s value pretty much irrelevant unless you change it’s value more drastically. The total collector resistors verses the emitter load controls the gain of T2 more importantly. I’m not saying you can toss in any values laying around, collector current and base bias voltage and transistor type are probably more important in changing frequency rolloff and tone. The only definite way to test the results would be an audio spectrum analyzer with a tracking signal generator. That will create a graphical output showing exactly which frequencies are effected. Thanks for the efforts you went to, to hear subtle tone changes!

[@ronrumsey3205]

Very well done, sir! THIS video is exactly what I was looking for. Sound comparisons are okay but a mix of schematics, circuit analysis, and circuit implimentation/demonstration is just exactly what I needed! Thank you!

[@thomaswilhelm3384]

When servicing these early fuzz faces, I noticed that 5, 10, and 20% tolerance carbon composition resistors where commonly used. After listening to this video, I can understand why this circuit is so flexible. It’s like adding toppings to the pizza to tweak your flavors.

[@generalleigh7387]

Great way to say.

[@dmoore0079]

Not only that, but the germanium transistors had quite a bit of thermal drift, which would change the bias. Their Hfe was often quite variable also. I think those two characteristics would often make two separate Fuzz Faces or Tone benders sound slightly different despite having the same circuit.

[@alanhaynes418]

I have about a thousand NOS Carbon resistors - nearly every one of them has drifted significantly from spec, I have measured and tagged them all at their current value, and they have moved very little in the last few years. They DO sound different to metal film or Carbon Composite resistors and I use them in my builds for boosts. fuzz and distortion whenever I can.

[@robnic52]

Very informative video, thanks, well researched and presented. The fuzz circuit comparisons all sound way over-driven. Fuzz circuits have a sweet spot, found by gradually dialling back the guitar volume. Turn the amp up if needed to compensate but that creamy, smooth Hendrix sound has none of the fly-in-a-jamjar grainy nasal bubbling tones I'm hearing here. Sorry but fuzz can sound fabulous, when not overloading the circuit with too strong an input signal. That narrow sweet spot is why many of today's players are not so excited by fuzz. Clean boost pedals or gross overdrive effects aren't so fussy about input volume. In fact without effects, just turning the amp up and the guitar down sounds great. More dynamics responsive and the notes just bloom.

[@digitalchris6681]

Agree. Basically once your circuit is producing a square wave due to being overdriven, it doesn't matter much what minor tweaks you do to the circuit.....

[@siniestrodrmortis5906]

So good the explain and test of differents values and tones of changes on circuit, Thanks and cheers from Argentina. I made my own Fuzz with (AC128) germanium recicled components of old chassis, and I love the sound of result...... Alchemy and keep in work, to be or not to be!

[@CerusicoVolante]

I really don't know anything about guitar pedal circuits, but as a fuzz lover I found this video brilliant and entertaining. Thanks.

[@the_kaleido]

This video is amazing man thank you so much! Honestly this explains so much about the two fuzz circuits and it is extremely informative! Please keep doing vids like this, I for sure will be watching all of them!

[@roosterross2802]

This is an INVALUABLE video, thanks for all your efforts here!

[@MutantShredder214]

Colin! I really enjoyed this video! This was very educational. It really demystified the sounds of the two pedals. The variations you can get by just swapping a few components are quite dramatic. My favourite combination was the C1 = 5uf, C3 = 0.47uf, R1 = 150ohm, R2 = 1kohm.

[@INSIDEOUTGUITARwithColinSapp]

Thanks, Aaron! That combination has a ton of exciting harmonic content across the entire frequency spectrum. Glad you enjoyed the video. Thanks for participating in the geekery with me!

[@watchmangamer4380]

​​@@INSIDEOUTGUITARwithColinSapp Hey man, can I understand why the R2 in the 1k configuration sound so noisy and got this "bubbling" sound? And what is the reason for it not having this problem in the said configuration?

[@burt2800]

Dude this is brilliant. Love this kind of video and I really appreciate the hard work that went into it.

[@doctorfuzzzdirtbox]

The "all up" combo was my favortie and was drastically different. I was watching the whole video thinking "so it basically sounds the same" until that one came up. Particularly R2 seems to make the biggest impact. Great video!

[@muddrock]

mine too

[@florabee9283]

I liked the small resistor values combined with large capacitors

[@nicksternberg579]

Nice video. It's important to note, however, that some of the earliest 'MK1.5's' actually came with 500k level pots, and some of the earliest Fuzz Faces also have 5μF input caps instead of 2.2μF. The only real difference is that the Fuzz Face is biased slightly colder (possibly in response to how a lot of 'MK1.5's' sound awful in hot weather).

[@jejealin]

El mejor video sobre FUzz face Diy que se ha hecho hasta ahora!!!!Gracias!!!!

[@masonianbund]

This is a great comparison video! Right at 16:21 I made the “stanky rock face.” 🎉

[@boldstrike]

Best video on YT about FF and TB so far. Epic job. To make it better just play Jimi riffs, this way we use our ear memory to compare sounds. 👌

[@peevonb7070]

This is just what I needed. Best information for the fuzz face diyer. Thanks!

[@robinjgill]

This is really, really good. Thanks very much. I look forward to breadboarding it.

[@robinjgill]

Listened through a good soundcard and headphones. Often I can't tell the difference but I think the sound was beefier and louder at C1= 5Uf C3= .47Uf R1=150K R2=1K Pot= A500K

[@edsavage6214]

Awesome video! IMO changing R2 around made the most differences, that'd be a great feature to put on a switch!

[@qddk9545]

This was a very educational video, but you skipped one very important thing. Normally you would measure that hfe (voltage gain) of the transistors to have a relation of 1 : 1.2 on Q1/Q2 to get the best sound. On germanium ones people use a hfe from 80 - 100 for Q1, and a hfe from 100 - 120 for Q2. On BC108 there are 3 hfe selection A, B and C. Commercial pedals often use BC108C, which can give an uncontrollable result. I think you should try selected BC108A to get at better result. Silicium ones can be made to sound very good.

[@eaahartAR]

More like this please.... Excellent presentation.

[@hoboroadie4623]

This is Top Grade content, way above my pay grade, I'm going to have to watch it a few times to get it straight. 😸

[@shabangschmagoigal2091]

This is a fantastic video, I have some questions. I am new at pedal building. At 1:27 you use silicon transistors. What changes must be made to the circuit to accommodate silicon? Later in the video, you use a .1 uf input capacitor. Is this the best choice for a 70s Punk, mids and treble sound? Is there a better choice for this? On the same token, I appreciate anything you can tell me to help me get a 70s overdriven AC30, Sex Pistols type sound. Does lowering the value of R1 add more bass? I'm unsure I understand what is happening there. I'm having similar issues with r2. Thank you for any help you can offer. This is a great video and I really appreciate the time and effort involved. I'm learning a lot.

[@dannap8831]

this is a great video I love it. Thanks!

[@DanielAraujoNazar]

Great content, thank you so much! I just build a Fuzz Face from a kit and the resistor specified by the kit supplier was 100k, which is kinda in-between the options shown here, and I love how it sounds. Q1 was biased to 0.7v on the collector. I also mounted different output caps in a switch, so I can tailor the bass response to whatever setup I'm using.

[@martynreed835]

I've learnt a hell of a lot from your video. Thank you.

[@stephenchow5161]

thanks for this. i was going to breadboard and do the very same experiment. yours is much more elegant. subbed

[@ALtheDoctorWho]

Great video I would love to put a box together with all the variables including a volt meter to measure bias voltage. It would be interesting to find out what my real favorite setting would wind up to be playing in a group. I remember seeing some groups playing on TV live and I got the feeling some Guitarist were not happy with how the bender cut through the mix. Back in the day around 67 A friend of mind gave me a orpheum fuzz box that someone had tried to rewire.It used a 9 volt battery but I pedal my uncle bought from sears used 2 1 1/2 volt AAs so that came up to 3 volts. in a matter of an hour or so the pedal would crap out. It was only $14.00 I am sure it used the same components. I was not much more happier with the Orpheum when I got it working. However I can appreciate the subtleties of the pedal today. Thank you for making and sharing this video with us.c];-)

[@newblueeyes]

Please keep making videos like this!

[@7171jay]

This video seems like it should have way more views than it has. Maybe I'm biased as I am about to build a Fuzz Face. Thanks for doing this... While there are obvious differences in the different component values the differences are subtle enough that I'm less worried about it and will go with stock FF values but with a variable R2. If for some reason I don't like what I hear I am now better armed with some ideas of other things I might change.

[@andygurley1382]

Hey there! Love this video. I’ve been breadboarding fuzz faces for the last few months. How is your variable cap/resistor box wired? That seems like a real time saver

[@wawazonzon24]

this was sweet and informative, thank you very much!

[@swankmotee]

Excellent video with usable tweaks!

[@JAMEYSIMMS]

The differences are subtle, alterations of the low end, nature of the fuzz is the same.

[@handwoundpickups6555]

Amazing video thank you so much. 👍

[@rgr4929]

Wow!! Fantastic video! How can the volume pot affects so much?? Are they all fully cranked?

[@generalleigh7387]

This is great, thank you so much for sharing.

[@jalmonsalmon]

I might add that this type of circuit excels when you run them into a marshal that is starting to break up instead of using a clean platform. Then you can use your volume control on your guitar to go from clean to MEAN. :-)

[@matthewwilliams7735]

Why not use the original germanium transistors as intended? Cool vid informative and man how I love a good fuzz face.

[@claudiosuarez1256]

Great video ! 👏😃

[@slooberslodge]

brilliant video but you should have played the same sound file instead of live guitar no?

[@crimson_sun7274]

Very interesting! Haw would you say the different values affect clean-up?

[@stephenchow5161]

also please do the same with the three transistor topology!

[@catandtheostrich]

So - I'm curious, you used silicon bipolar transistors, which don't have the high leakage current that old Ge transistors do. These circuits, if I understand them, rely on that high leakage current for their biasing - that must change the sound a lot - right?

[@qddk9545]

No, you want as low leakage as possible. Leakage will show as amplification on a standard DMM. Read the Keeley explanation.

[@PexiTheBuilder]

Volume pot shouldn't affect anything if its full volume, because then its just shorted, but was it on full volume?

[@TheseDazeAudio]

well done

[@66Gollum]

Thank you so much for this!! I'm doing the same right now, trying to understand and getting really confused.. so I'm starting to search here. I would like to know, how I could make really big changes, for example I#m trying to avoid the crackeling hights, but I found no good way

[@joelbloggs8212]

5 or 4.5 bias is half the battery. voltage.

[@tedwan]

Please build pedals 🙂

[@station63themood70]

Amazing

[@lupitacanobbio5520]

awesome 1111

[@BracliCreations]

McLuvin it!

[@simonkormendy849]

Changing R1 from 47k to 33k is going to affect how Q2 is biased as well as changing R3.

[@fmartini86]

Pro Tip: Use your Headphones with this Video. ;)

[@simonkormendy849]

You also forgot to mention that R1 in the Tonebender Mk 1.5 is 47k and in the Fuzz Face circuit R1 is 33k.

[@INSIDEOUTGUITARwithColinSapp]

Thanks for watching! R1 was first mentioned in the video at 3:50 and then explained and compared with three different values starting 6:55

[@spencerarjang383]

Pedal masterrrrr sheeeeesh

[@riffwizardsupreme]

17:33

[@AndreaAustoni]

Would have been useful if you'd used a loop or at least played the same exact riff. Playing something different each time totally defeats the purpose for me, which is too bad because you went to great lengths to compare the mods.

[@dancehallc]

Can’t use a looper into a 2-transistor fuzz and expect it to sound right. It should be connected directly to the guitar.

[@alekskoniaev44]

Супер видео. Но автор не менял транзисторы... Кто интересуется, советую германиевые транзисторы ГТ 311А - hfe15-180, ГТ311И - hfe 100-300, для N-P-N. На таких я собрал Fuzz Face. Есть еще ГТ-313 P-N-P. Они не такие древние, как МП и П серии.

[@a.a486]

english, international language

[@paulperry7091]

@@a.a486 google, international translator: Super video. But the author did not change the transistors ... Who is interested, I advise germanium transistors GT 311A ​​- hfe15-180, GT311I - hfe 100-300, for NPN. On these I assembled Fuzz Face. There is also GT-313 PNP. They are not as ancient as the MP and P series.

[@larrylorenzen2449]

The Jordon Boss Tone sounds so much better than any of these circuits!!

[@BullyMaguire4ever]

Nah, but it is also cool.

[@JOOODYJOOODY]

It all sounds awful

[@qddk9545]

This was made with all pots on full tilt, wait until you turn down your guitar volume, and the fuzz will clean up nicely, but mostly when using germanium transistors.

[@JOOODYJOOODY]

​@@qddk9545 there was a great opportunity here to learn something but everything presented was equally terrible.. this bears no relationship to the fuzz face that Jimi Hendrix owned for the sound he got.. this sound is horrifically and wishfully forgettable.. maybe buffering circuit would have helped.. it's very difficult looking at your circuit to even see what went wrong.. something has deviated so far from the original design that no benefit can be derived.. a circuit should be set up in stock form and then modified one component in values at a time.. what is presented here is a failure in chaos.. can anyone say that anything was learned here? Truth bears no relationship to the fuzz face owned by Jimi Hendrix and the sound that he got.. if I was you I would start over and not finish until you got it right.. someone who got it right... kzbin.info/www/bejne/gp2bZZRvptl5f6ssi=jLmRMVxl9zajuLEz

[@teenageslaves]

Beauty is in the ear of the beholder...