helpmechris.com

69 Boutique Fuzz Face for Bass

I used the late 60s Boutique Fuzz Face Schematic from GeneralGuitarGadgets and adjusted the caps to let those bass frequencies through. On my previous boutique fuzz face build I used my own perf layout but on this one I used the Andrew Carrell layout that can be found in Aron Nelson’s gallery.

The transistors, sockets, LED and the trim pot are from SmallBear. The box, switch, LED Bezel and jacks are from PedalPartsPlus. Everything else is from Mouser.

Each of my builds has been prettier on the inside… I really worked to keep the wires down in this one but it still ended up looking like the back of a mixing console in there. I learned a lot about what I can do next time to make it beautiful on the inside.

The sound is awesome… Sounds like a real GE fuzz face… Steve at small bear is doing us a huge favor and saving us a ton of time by selling those matched transistors (thanks Steve).

Compared to my other Boutique fuzz face this thing has much more bass response / low end.

With my strat it really has “the fuzz face sound” with some added oomph.

With a Fender Jazz bass it’s warm, punchy and very fuzzy… makes you feel nice.

With a Music Man Stingray it is has lots of edge and a nice buzz and by turning down the input gain (bias knob) a tiny bit it warms up even more.

All in all I’m very happy with this build and I recommend the GGG Boutique fuzz face build to everyone who likes the FF sound.

Tychobrahe Octavia w/ body mod

I used the schematic from GGG on this one and did the Tobias Karlsson body mod. I did the layout my self using DIY Layout Creator by Branislav Stojkovic (cool software).

The transistors, diodes and the stomp switch are from Aron Nelson’s Store. The box, LED+Bezel and jacks are from PedalPartsPlus. dpdt from the shack. Everything else is from Mouser.

This was a fun project. I took me longer to do the layout for a small board than it did to solder… I found out that I really enjoy the layout process.

I should have used a bigger box… the Hammond B style box was a tight fit with that huge radio shack switch and all… I ended up using foam to keep the board from touching the box… really tight fit and no space for a battery.

The sound is awesome. The octave effect doesn’t respond well to notes below the 10th fret (7th on little E) or so but that’s not what it’s about…. I love the Jimi sound and this can really get the “purple haze solo” just right. It’s ugly and beautiful all at once. Put this thing in front of a fuzz or distortion and set the intensity knob about half way… F****** Awesome!

I’ve used this on stage at every gig since the day I built it and I love it every time I step on the switch.

From what I understand there are more versatile octave/fuzz builds like the FTM which I look forward to building, but the octavia really has a special sound. It’s definitely worth the build…. especially if you want the “purple tone”.

A big thanks to everyone who posts their guts out on this forum!!!!!!! Without you I probably wouldn’t be buried in wires and components all the time!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kindest regards,

Chris Brown

This entry was posted on Friday, January 12th, 2007 at 6:25 pm and is filed under Diy Stompboxes, Guitar Gear. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.