Wampler Velvet Fuzz [traced]

[stagolee]

Yes that's right. Although I noticed in another schematic there is a 1k resistor between the fuzz and plexi sections. So I added that at the input lug of the plexi switch (just after the fuzz master volume) and this helped some. I think it's just a loud circuit, lord knows the crunch box is. There is more balance now, but I'm wondering if log pots on all the levels might also help. Note that the master volume is a linear on the referenced schematic.

... And as I review my own post it seems I am way off base. The added 1k resistor can't be doing much when there is already a pot to the input of the plexi side right? So the issue might just be the difference in "clean" levels of the crunch box and plexi drive circuits.

... And to answer your question more directly, yes the fuzz section sounds too loud when nothing is stacked after it.

[crw414tele]

When I built mine , I found the fuzz side to be louder also but I use it only as a boost so it's overall volume is limited by the pedal it goes into.My understanding [ only guessing ] that this volume is part of the way the fuzz is created as the circuit isn't very fuzzy on it's own and it was originally wired straight into another circuit, not separate as we have it now.
I also only run my volumes at about 50% and adjust from there , but i prefer a smoother/lighter fuzz sound

[stagolee]

That makes sense. I just need to play with it some more. I am definitely happy with the stacked tones. Will play it side by side with a Wampler version soon. Thanks again for all the guidance.

[jalmonsalmon]

Hey all...
I made a schematic in diptrace that is based off of Intripped's schematic way back over here http://www.freestompboxes.org/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=22737&start=40#p229930
Only reason I did it was so I can use diptrace to make a board and if anyone can check my work, would be great!
I checked and double checked everything and the only issue I see could be the DPDT connections and I am thinking about maybe trying a 3PDT instead and having it on a footswitch to change up things.
I am a noob at doing schematics and any pointers is welcomed!
EDIT: the V+ from R24 is on the same net as the R21/C1 junction so the power is good I forgot to flag that part with another V+
THANKS!

[jalmonsalmon]

Oh also forgot to connect C12 to R13...
woops! LOL... Hate being a noob haha

[jalmonsalmon]

I redid another layout and will build this as soon as I get everything and keep everyone posted...
I settled for the 3PDT board mounted toggle switch and will cram this thing inside a 1590b
I am only interested in one setting but nice to have both on the toggle.
I think with my layout I can actually cram it all inside a 1590b laying horizontally with 2 stompers...
or at least a 125b

[gght]

I am wondering if the "booster" section would work in front of a BSIABv2.

Anyone willing to guess??
Thanks!

[indyguitarist]

I am wondering if the "booster" section would work in front of a BSIABv2.

Anyone willing to guess??
Thanks!

It will, but it may get noisier -

[maoriente]

I have built this with the plexi/fuzz switch option.

The Plexi by itself sounds killer, but when either fuzz is engaged there is a noticeable amount of hiss induced. The tight fuzz is the worse of the two.

Is this added noise "normal"?

I've tried 3 LM386N-1, all about the same amount of noise.

I'm getting added hiss from the Big fuzz as well, but not as much. I'm using a MPSA18 biased at 5v. I tried a bunch of those and a few Bc550Cs. Again, not much difference in noise levels.

So my conclusion is either the noise is "normal", or I need a larger lot of transistors and LM386s to try.

Anybody else experience the same hiss?

[indyguitarist]

I have built this with the plexi/fuzz switch option.

The Plexi by itself sounds killer, but when either fuzz is engaged there is a noticeable amount of hiss induced. The tight fuzz is the worse of the two.

Is this added noise "normal"?

I've tried 3 LM386N-1, all about the same amount of noise.

I'm getting added hiss from the Big fuzz as well, but not as much. I'm using a MPSA18 biased at 5v. I tried a bunch of those and a few Bc550Cs. Again, not much difference in noise levels.

So my conclusion is either the noise is "normal", or I need a larger lot of transistors and LM386s to try.

Anybody else experience the same hiss?

You're going to have to sort through jfets. Also, layout is critical for noise.

[maoriente]

Thanks Indy!

What though me was with the fuzz inputs bypassed, the "plexi" engine sounds great...and quiet, so I had assumed the jfets were fine as is.

I ended up increasing the big fuzz C10 from 4n7 to 10n, which tamed the hiss a bit without killing the fuzz.

I also added a LM386 noise reduction trick I read about by adding a 10k and 4n7 in series from pin 5 of the LM386 to pin 1, again this seemed a good compromise of hiss reduction without weakening the fuzz to much.

I will try a few more jfets to see if I can reduce the hiss without the other modifications.

[jhergonz]

I have built this with the plexi/fuzz switch option.

The Plexi by itself sounds killer, but when either fuzz is engaged there is a noticeable amount of hiss induced. The tight fuzz is the worse of the two.

Is this added noise "normal"?

I've tried 3 LM386N-1, all about the same amount of noise.

I'm getting added hiss from the Big fuzz as well, but not as much. I'm using a MPSA18 biased at 5v. I tried a bunch of those and a few Bc550Cs. Again, not much difference in noise levels.

So my conclusion is either the noise is "normal", or I need a larger lot of transistors and LM386s to try.

Anybody else experience the same hiss?

You're going to have to sort through jfets. Also, layout is critical for noise.

Hi! Iknow this thread is years ago ... but I'm really curious about this one. I'am electronics literate so please help me out. when you say "Sort" the JFETs, how exactly do I need to sort the Jfets? I really want to learn, please guide me. Thank you in advance.

[Nocentelli]

You're going to have to sort through jfets. Also, layout is critical for noise.

Hi! Iknow this thread is years ago ... but I'm really curious about this one. I'am electronics literate so please help me out. when you say "Sort" the JFETs, how exactly do I need to sort the Jfets? I really want to learn, please guide me. Thank you in advance.

As I understand it: The J201 (and 2N5457s and similar JFETs) tend to have widely varying specs, so each JFET might/will require different bias resistors (specifically the drain in this case) to get the 5v or whatever voltage is required for the pedal to sound good/how Brian intended it. In the Velvet fuzz, the JFET drain resistor is 15k but using a random J201 will probably not give 5v (or whatever) and may also sound terrible. You could use a trimmer (e.g. 20-50k) to get the required voltage out of most parts straight out of the bag, but if it's a good distance away from 15k it may not sound too much like the og pedal. What it boils down to is either:

a) Use a trimmer on each JFET
b) buy a large quantity of JFETs, then plug them into the circuit and until you find three close to 4.5-5v with a 15k resistor
c) same as b), but find three that will bias with a standard value resistor close to 15k, (8k2/10k/12/15/18) <- what i did.

Since through-hole JFETs are going obsolete (J201, 2N5457 at least) and becoming increasingly expensive, if not actually particularly rare, for option b) and c) you may need to look into using surface mount (smd) jfets and adaptor boards, although I see that tayda are still selling through-hole for cheap enough to buy a handful to try out (though the smd are way cheaper):

https://www.taydaelectronics.com/catalo ... lt/?q=j201

Whatever you end up doing, if you haven't already bought a small breadboard, a pair of jack sockets and a bypass switch to try it out circuits, get it now.

There's a thread about the plexi drive and biasing here, and diystompboxes is generally a good source of information, if a little tricky to search (i find google searches for pedal related stuff often directs there anyway):

https://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/ ... c=115814.0