Arbiter Fuzz Face Effects Pedal - Silicon Transistors

RE: Arbiter Fuzz Face Effects Pedal - Silicon Transistors

Jhgonas77 — Wed, 07 Jan 2026 01:26:08 GMT

can you do this shceme with 3pdt switch?

RE: Arbiter Fuzz Face Effects Pedal - Silicon Transistors

Jhgonas77 — Wed, 31 Dec 2025 02:37:15 GMT

Please Andy can you update your drawing by adding a Led Lamp and a 3DPT switch since newbies are using these also with 9v power supply because theres new isolated ones with low noise.

RE: Arbiter Fuzz Face Effects Pedal - Silicon Transistors

Andy Betts — Sat, 09 Sep 2017 08:50:51 GMT

Hi Jon, This is all really interesting and I'm learning so much.... I must get myself an Oscilloscope, that is definitely on my "must buy" list. I've been scouring EBay for a reasonably priced one, as new they're quite expensive and for a hobbyist probably not worth spending loads of money on yet.

The transistors have arrived, many thanks Jon it's much appreciated. I'll etch another board and this time i'll solder in a transistor socket so that I can swap out the transistors easier. then I can do a proper A/B test of the transistors and maybe do a short video to show how they perform in the circuit with a guitar..... I'n very much curious as to how they'll affect the fuzz effect... Really looking forward to this.

I've been hoping to post 2 videos actually, the power boost demo, and this fuzz face demo... I've been really Ill the last week so haven't really been in the right place to do that, but hopefully i'll get both done this weekend as i'm starting another project now that will be taking a bit of my time, I've also started writing the blog post for this new project (You've probably seen some of the videos that I've linked in the new blog in my content) Well, this new project is going to be a goodun, so I'm investing time into it. However, i want to get these demos posted so that I can concentrate on this new project.

RE: Arbiter Fuzz Face Effects Pedal - Silicon Transistors

Andy Betts — Wed, 06 Sep 2017 13:02:49 GMT

Just for completion, I've been given a copy of the Arbitor issue 2 PCB layout. This was the layout for the silicon Fuzz Faces from around 1968 onwards.

[View:/resized-image/__size/620x386/__key/commentfiles/f7d226abd59f475c9d224a79e3f0ec07-1a00eebe-802d-44b2-96c1-f6f1a310578f/4201.contentimage_5F00_188038.png:620:386]

RE: Arbiter Fuzz Face Effects Pedal - Silicon Transistors

Andy Betts — Wed, 06 Sep 2017 12:54:55 GMT

Many thanks Jon... You're very helpful.

Just to recap, these are NPN germanium, so no need to use the PNP germanium schematic...... I can use the silicon one

RE: Arbiter Fuzz Face Effects Pedal - Silicon Transistors

Andy Betts — Wed, 06 Sep 2017 08:42:21 GMT

Hi jon,

as a matter of interest, there's a nice discussion regarding Hfe of transistors here....

What transistor hFE(s) for a high gain Fuzz Face?

Might be a good read [View:/resized-image/__size/16x16/__key/commentfiles/f7d226abd59f475c9d224a79e3f0ec07-1a00eebe-802d-44b2-96c1-f6f1a310578f/contentimage_5F00_1.png:16:16]

RE: Arbiter Fuzz Face Effects Pedal - Silicon Transistors

Andy Betts — Wed, 06 Sep 2017 07:04:06 GMT

That's great Jon...... For your information here is the schematic for the PNP germanium fuzz face circuit.

[View:/resized-image/__size/353x271/__key/commentfiles/f7d226abd59f475c9d224a79e3f0ec07-1a00eebe-802d-44b2-96c1-f6f1a310578f/contentimage_5F00_188033.gif:353:271]

RE: Arbiter Fuzz Face Effects Pedal - Silicon Transistors

mcb1 — Fri, 01 Sep 2017 08:21:59 GMT

I'm sure I have some germanium transistors lurking in a box, hiding in a drawer somewhere.

I'm sure there will be some .. damn I'll need to go digging tomorrow .... however I might find other stuff I wasn't looking for.

I'll let you know if I find some.

mark

RE: Arbiter Fuzz Face Effects Pedal - Silicon Transistors

Andy Betts — Sun, 27 Aug 2017 05:30:11 GMT

I have a few projects coming up, and over time they will get increasingly harder.... I will be posting here as its a chance for me to document what I'm doing.... Also the support of you guys is great, and I'm sure I'll hit upon more issues and snags going forward.... I need an oscilloscope

RE: Arbiter Fuzz Face Effects Pedal - Silicon Transistors

jw0752 — Sun, 27 Aug 2017 03:14:32 GMT

Hi Andy,

Thanks for continuing your blogs on the foot controls. Back in the 60's I was the repair guy for several local bands and I got the opportunity to work on some of this type of equipment though I can't remember many specifics. The work was heavy on mic cables and guitar cord repairs with an occasional amplifier, speaker, or pedal. Keep up the great work.

John

RE: Arbiter Fuzz Face Effects Pedal - Silicon Transistors

DAB — Sat, 26 Aug 2017 18:19:18 GMT

Nice post.

I encourage you to share these posts at element14.

There are a number of musicians on the site and many others like me who just like to see new things.

DAB