It produces a characteristic high distorted sound called fuzz. It was introduced in 1966 by arbiter electronics, which later became dallas arbiter. But again, he would have been using vintageoutput pickup. The kit contains all the parts to make either the pnp or npn version of a dallas arbitor fuzz face.
The simplicity of the circuit has caused much debate and lore, but two transistors, three capacitors and a couple of resistors still sounds like magic. Before a clean amp, it can cut quite nicely though thanks to the germanium transistors, it is never as annoying as various other distortions, but before an already distorted sound, the sun. Discontinued but can be found, usually half the price of the dallas. Silicon transistors provided for a more stable operation, but have a different, harsher. This is most accentuated with singlecoil pickups, like those on a stratocaster, but you can do it with a humbucker as well. The fuzz face is a distortion guitar pedal designed in london by arbitrer electronics ltd in the autumn of 1966. The early ac128 and sf363e fuzz faces are probably only a myth. My recently sold early 2000s dunlop fuzz face had nkt 275s in it too. Producing a thick, distorted, fuzzy tone, this pedal adds grit to any signal, creating something akin to the. An early adopter of the fuzz face was jimi hendrix, who used it on songs such as fire and love or confusion. The fuzz face is very sensitive to playing dynamics, so you can get many shades of gain with slight variations on the guitars volume knobs. The original germanium fuzz face has a warm fuzzy distortion that is easy to tame. Ivor arbiter took the round shaped enclosure idea from a microphone stand and it was the first pedal including a. Pete townshend used a dallas arbiter fuzz face fuzz pedal on stage for a brief period in 1968.
The dunlop fuzz face is ruggedly constructed to the original germanium pnp transistor design and vintage specs. The original fuzz face is constructed to the vintage specs, with the original germanium pnp transistor design. Dunlop fuzz face guitar effects pedal musicians friend. Oh and another thing about humbuckers and fuzz faces. The only photos showing its use are from august 1968. The fuzz face is an effects pedal for electric guitar, used also by some electric bass players. This may be the original unit that spawned them all. I go over some of my most favorite fuzz pedals, and offer some tips to make it useable in different settings. Ivor arbiters sound city music shopwhich catered to swingin londons rock royaltysold the first arbiter electronics versions in 1966. Uk company arbiter electronics released in 1966 what would be one of the most beloved guitar effects of all time, the fuzz face. Dallas arbiter fuzz face from 1970 in rare aqua blue color. The kit contains a pair of low gain npn silicon transistors and a pair of low gain pnp silicon trasistors that sound great in this stompbox.
The arbiter fuzz face clone uses the classic circuit that is known and loved by many, and everybody loves a classic. This poor guy had been put through the ringer over the years. This is the classic fuzz box used by jim hendrix, eric johnson, and more. The ac128 and the nkt275 transistors found their way in, the former, which is reported to be a low quality transistor, and the latter, are very similar. Still others claim that the arbiter fuzz face, the first run of the unit had sf363 transistors in it see 1992 guitar player mag. Built to the exact specifications of the original dallasarbiter fuzz face. This is my fanpage dedicated to the awesome dallasarbiter dunlop fuzz face fuzzface. The debate that will start on this thread is, did hendrix use a germanium or silicon fuzz at woodstock and did hendrix use a roger mayer modified fuzz face or a stock fuzz face. Vintage germanium nkt275 and silicon bc183 and 108 fuzz face. When connecting the arbiter fuzz face clone circuit to your multimeter as shown in the photos below your meter will read 4. Denis cornell fuzz face, made by the man who redesigned the original fuzz face circuit for dallasarbiter, circa 1970.
According to gear journalist rg keen, the fuzz face circuit consists of two transistors, four resistors, three capacitors, and two controls. The fuzz face is a fuzz pedal used primarily for electric guitars, and sometimes bass. Original pots are removed becouse they were in very bad condition and now are replaced with original parts made by omeg in uk. Early fuzz face circuits employed several different types of germanium transistors. Fuzz face guitar effect pedal schematic diagram the original schematic isnt exaclty what is shown above, it had a pretty complicated switching system that has been simplified certainly nothing has been missing dont get worried and a different grounding setup. Fuzz face diy germanium ac128 transistor jimi hendrix tone. Uses nos nkt 275 germanium transistors and sounds killer. Dunlop dallas arbiter fuzz face thomann united states. Fuzz face effects circuit diagram circuit schematic. This is a modified diagram and simpler than the original fuzz face diagram. A micro trimmer is added on the bottom side of pcb board for fi. The sound of eric johnsons favorite fuzz tone in a pedal designed around johnsons personal collection of fuzz face pedals created by fuzz face master engineer, jeorge tripps handselected bc183 silicon transistors provide extrahigh gain unique look includes custom 6869 knobs and a vintagestyle. The most important components are the transistors, germanium will get you the classic 60s sound where silicon goes towards a 70s sound.
For the fuzz face circuit to be optimally biased, the collector of q2 needs to be at 4. The jimi hendrix signature fuzz face is a pretty faithful reproduction of a fuzz face he used at a concert in hawaii rainbow bridge, iirc. The dallasarbiter fuzz face has been around since 1966, and it shows no signs of dying any time soon. Theres some good reading on analogmans site about the fuzz face circuit. The fuzz face, as the name implies, is a classic fuzz pedal, so named because the circular shape of the pedal, coupled with the combination of knobs switches and manufactures name create a smiling face. In 1993, dunlop manufacturing took over production, and this is where the fuzz face is made today. You will find apparently two identical designs of the fuzz face. Germanium transistors are what were used in the very first dallas arbiter fuzz faces. The classic fuzz box used by jimi hendrix and other legendary rockers of the 60s and 70s. Fuzz might have proved a means of imitating a cranked tube amp early on, but has long since established its own thingsomething that even cranked tubes cant match. I secured the remaining finish and rebuilt the circuit using as much of the original parts i could, and then supplementing with my stash of nos.
We designed the face the fuzz with a few key changes to make it more useful to the modern musician. In an attempt to recapture the predallas arbiter fuzz face sound, ivor arbiter recently reissued his original mid60s fuzz face. Find great deals on ebay for fuzz face arbiter and vintage fuzz face. In 1967 or 1968, the brand changed to dallas arbiter, but the circuit remained the same. The effector book 10th anniversary fuzz face custom made by jeorge tripps.
Silicon transistors were used in later editions of the pedal. I think it is safe to say the fuzz face is one of the top five or ten most famous and influential guitar effects of all time. Check out analogmans sunface pedal or phoenix custom electronics fuzz pedal, both are very well made copies of the fuzz face circuit. Fuzz face, 1st run 1993 dallasarbiterengland discussion in the effect effect started by thekid, jan 24, 2015. The original fuzz face used nkt275 transistors made by a british company called new market. Cheaper alternatives to vintage dallas arbiter fuzz face. Later units bear the dallas arbiter, dallas music industries ltd. Dallas arbiter fuzz face diy germanium ac128 youtube. Popularized by jimi hendrix, this pedal has been used by david gilmour, eric clapton, pete townshend and more recently, eric johnson.
The paint was flaking pretty bad and the insides were a mess. A list of all the components needed to build up synthroteks arbiter fuzz face clone. Mxr jhw1 authentic hendrix 69 psych series fuzz face distortion pedal bundle with blucoil slim 9v power supply ac adapter, 10ft straight instrument cable 14in, 2x patch cables and 4x guitar picks. Original arbiter fuzz face nkt275 red dot 60s vs our tribute to fuzz face charged white dot nkt275. The 90s red dot models are supposed to sound better. In one q1 and q2 had been pnp germanium ac128 or nkt275 types. Dallas arbiter fuzz face replica complete kit kits. Thekid most honored senior member strattalk supporter. Book depository books with free delivery worldwide.
Building a germanium fuzz face guitar pedal hackaday. It is designed to produce a distorted sound referred to as fuzz, originally achieved through accident such as broken electrical components or damaged speakers. This is the classic fuzz box used by jimi hendrix and other legendary rockers of the 60s and 70s. I will say i liked my 2000s fuzz face with no smile slightly better than the newer ones with the smile.
In one q1 and q2 had been pnp germanium ac128 or nkt275 types, in the other they had been npn sillicon bc108c types. Ive had some very nice compliments about my strange ability to play the guitar. Through this designs past youll find all kinds of different variations in the basic original circuit, from pnp germanium to npn silicon, and a countless number of fuzz pedals that are based on it. Arbiter was famous for selling ringo starr a black oyster pearl ludwig kit in 62, which he hastily inscribed with the beatles across the front to make the sale, complete with the dropped t logo that became part of rock history. Ruggedly constructed to the original germanium pnp transistor design and vintage specs. The reason for this is that it actually predates the original arbiter fuzz face production began 1965. Other dunlop jhm5 jimi hendrix fuzz face pedal limited edition pcs worldwide 4. This is the circuit diagram of fuzz face mods, guitar effect pedal. Arbiters fuzz face mimicked the maestro fuzztone, but in a simple even simplistic design. The dallas arbiter fuzz face has one of the most instantly recognizable tones in rock history.
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