Build Your Own: 3-in-1 Germanium Boost / Supa Fuzz / Fuzz Face
Everything you need to build your own 3-in-1 Germanium Boost / MKII / Fuzz Face
In 1965 Dallas Arbiter began producing the Fuzz Face, a two transistor fuzz that would revolutionize the sound of the electric guitar. In 1966 Sola Sound began producing the Tone Bender MKII. The MKII was a variation of the Fuzz Face design that incorporated an additional germanium transistor stage. As a result the MKII has more gain and sustain than its predecessor. The MKII and Fuzz Face share the latter 2 transistors stages allowing both to be merged into one circuit that takes advantage of the common topology. The layout is similar to the Sun Lion but the germanium boost stage has a wider frequency response and it sits at the input of the circuit.
The standalone germanium boost provides a colored boost with three EQ options (bright, mid, and bass). The bright setting gives the pedal a clear and articulate tone and the bass setting provides a full range EQ with more drive. Use it as a standalone to enhance your guitars natural tone or stack it with an overdrive or fuzz for an added layer of germanium warmth and sustain.
The Fuzz side features a hybrid combination of Mullard and New Market transistors. This pedal is tuned for clean-up and provides a wide range of tones when the guitar volume is used in combination with the fuzz and bias knobs. With the bias fully counterclockwise the pedal will provide a trumpet like fuzz and deliver the cleanest tones with the guitar volume rolled back. Turn the bias counterclockwise for gated fuzz tones or set in between for a range of classic Fuzz Face tones.
With both sides stacked and the boost side set to the “bass” EQ setting, the pedal is a true-to-spec MKII that retains the clean-up of the MK1.5 but with considerably more gain and sustain.
No expense spared in selecting parts for this build. The 50's military style eyelet layout and quality components will ensure this circuit will be blowing out your eardrums for years to come! The build document for this kit includes a parts list, detailed layout diagrams, and step by step instructions with pictures. There is also a supplemental overview of popular boutique modifications, vintage variations of the original, and circuit analysis for those who wish to take a deeper dive and explore the inner workings of these classic circuits.
Included in kit:
Instructions to build a 3-in-1 dual Germanium Boost / Fuzz Face / MKII Tone Bender.
New old stock germanium transistors (vintage Mullard, New Market, Texas Instruments, GE). Sorted for gain and leakage and tuned with an amp to sound true to the original.
Polyester film capacitors and high tolerance carbon film resistors
Pre-drilled enclosure (hammered silver stock; color options available)
Alpha potentiometers (volume, fuzz, bias, level)
Vintage style jacks
3-way toggle switch (hi, mid, low - EQ switch)
Heavy duty foot switches (rated 30,000+ cycles)
Eyelet board
9V power jack
LED and bezel
Knobs (silver skirted aluminum, knob options available)/
Everything you need to build your own 3-in-1 Germanium Boost / MKII / Fuzz Face
In 1965 Dallas Arbiter began producing the Fuzz Face, a two transistor fuzz that would revolutionize the sound of the electric guitar. In 1966 Sola Sound began producing the Tone Bender MKII. The MKII was a variation of the Fuzz Face design that incorporated an additional germanium transistor stage. As a result the MKII has more gain and sustain than its predecessor. The MKII and Fuzz Face share the latter 2 transistors stages allowing both to be merged into one circuit that takes advantage of the common topology. The layout is similar to the Sun Lion but the germanium boost stage has a wider frequency response and it sits at the input of the circuit.
The standalone germanium boost provides a colored boost with three EQ options (bright, mid, and bass). The bright setting gives the pedal a clear and articulate tone and the bass setting provides a full range EQ with more drive. Use it as a standalone to enhance your guitars natural tone or stack it with an overdrive or fuzz for an added layer of germanium warmth and sustain.
The Fuzz side features a hybrid combination of Mullard and New Market transistors. This pedal is tuned for clean-up and provides a wide range of tones when the guitar volume is used in combination with the fuzz and bias knobs. With the bias fully counterclockwise the pedal will provide a trumpet like fuzz and deliver the cleanest tones with the guitar volume rolled back. Turn the bias counterclockwise for gated fuzz tones or set in between for a range of classic Fuzz Face tones.
With both sides stacked and the boost side set to the “bass” EQ setting, the pedal is a true-to-spec MKII that retains the clean-up of the MK1.5 but with considerably more gain and sustain.
No expense spared in selecting parts for this build. The 50's military style eyelet layout and quality components will ensure this circuit will be blowing out your eardrums for years to come! The build document for this kit includes a parts list, detailed layout diagrams, and step by step instructions with pictures. There is also a supplemental overview of popular boutique modifications, vintage variations of the original, and circuit analysis for those who wish to take a deeper dive and explore the inner workings of these classic circuits.
Included in kit:
Instructions to build a 3-in-1 dual Germanium Boost / Fuzz Face / MKII Tone Bender.
New old stock germanium transistors (vintage Mullard, New Market, Texas Instruments, GE). Sorted for gain and leakage and tuned with an amp to sound true to the original.
Polyester film capacitors and high tolerance carbon film resistors
Pre-drilled enclosure (hammered silver stock; color options available)
Alpha potentiometers (volume, fuzz, bias, level)
Vintage style jacks
3-way toggle switch (hi, mid, low - EQ switch)
Heavy duty foot switches (rated 30,000+ cycles)
Eyelet board
9V power jack
LED and bezel
Knobs (silver skirted aluminum, knob options available)/
Everything you need to build your own 3-in-1 Germanium Boost / MKII / Fuzz Face
In 1965 Dallas Arbiter began producing the Fuzz Face, a two transistor fuzz that would revolutionize the sound of the electric guitar. In 1966 Sola Sound began producing the Tone Bender MKII. The MKII was a variation of the Fuzz Face design that incorporated an additional germanium transistor stage. As a result the MKII has more gain and sustain than its predecessor. The MKII and Fuzz Face share the latter 2 transistors stages allowing both to be merged into one circuit that takes advantage of the common topology. The layout is similar to the Sun Lion but the germanium boost stage has a wider frequency response and it sits at the input of the circuit.
The standalone germanium boost provides a colored boost with three EQ options (bright, mid, and bass). The bright setting gives the pedal a clear and articulate tone and the bass setting provides a full range EQ with more drive. Use it as a standalone to enhance your guitars natural tone or stack it with an overdrive or fuzz for an added layer of germanium warmth and sustain.
The Fuzz side features a hybrid combination of Mullard and New Market transistors. This pedal is tuned for clean-up and provides a wide range of tones when the guitar volume is used in combination with the fuzz and bias knobs. With the bias fully counterclockwise the pedal will provide a trumpet like fuzz and deliver the cleanest tones with the guitar volume rolled back. Turn the bias counterclockwise for gated fuzz tones or set in between for a range of classic Fuzz Face tones.
With both sides stacked and the boost side set to the “bass” EQ setting, the pedal is a true-to-spec MKII that retains the clean-up of the MK1.5 but with considerably more gain and sustain.
No expense spared in selecting parts for this build. The 50's military style eyelet layout and quality components will ensure this circuit will be blowing out your eardrums for years to come! The build document for this kit includes a parts list, detailed layout diagrams, and step by step instructions with pictures. There is also a supplemental overview of popular boutique modifications, vintage variations of the original, and circuit analysis for those who wish to take a deeper dive and explore the inner workings of these classic circuits.
Included in kit:
Instructions to build a 3-in-1 dual Germanium Boost / Fuzz Face / MKII Tone Bender.
New old stock germanium transistors (vintage Mullard, New Market, Texas Instruments, GE). Sorted for gain and leakage and tuned with an amp to sound true to the original.
Polyester film capacitors and high tolerance carbon film resistors
Pre-drilled enclosure (hammered silver stock; color options available)
Alpha potentiometers (volume, fuzz, bias, level)
Vintage style jacks
3-way toggle switch (hi, mid, low - EQ switch)
Heavy duty foot switches (rated 30,000+ cycles)
Eyelet board
9V power jack
LED and bezel
Knobs (silver skirted aluminum, knob options available)/