What is a simple fuzz or distortion effect?

nos0323 · Post by **nos0323** » 17 Jul 2011, 02:58

Sorry I'm new to this forum and a total noob in the world of stompbox making...I've never made a stompbox/effect pedal before.

I was wondering if anyone could give me schematics to a simple easy to make fuzz or distortion pedal (idk what to call it).
I have experience in handling wires and a friend who has experience in electronics will be helping me out in reading schematics and stuff.
He has made robots and stuff before that actually work so im sure he can help me out (:

Thanks so much for helping me out and i apologize if this sort of topic has been posted before.

DrNomis · Post by **DrNomis** » 17 Jul 2011, 03:04

nos0323 wrote:Sorry I'm new to this forum and a total noob in the world of stompbox making...I've never made a stompbox/effect pedal before.

I was wondering if anyone could give me schematics to a simple easy to make fuzz or distortion pedal (idk what to call it).
I have experience in handling wires and a friend who has experience in electronics will be helping me out in reading schematics and stuff.
He has made robots and stuff before that actually work so im sure he can help me out (:

Thanks so much for helping me out and i apologize if this sort of topic has been posted before.

Check out the Electra Fuzz, or maybe the Fuzz Face schematics, they are pretty simple to build, try doing a search of FSB for them....

.Mike · Post by **.Mike** » 17 Jul 2011, 04:13

The Bazz Fuss is a common "first fuzz."

2 capacitors, a transistor, a diode, a resistor, and a potentiometer.

Build v2. It's lots of fun.

http://www.home-wrecker.com/bazz.html

Mike

ckyvick · Post by **ckyvick** » 17 Jul 2011, 05:25

+1 on these, you can also start off with a kit from byoc, ggg, or mammoth if you want to make sure you get all the correct parts

DrNomis · Post by **DrNomis** » 17 Jul 2011, 06:04

Madbean sells some really cool kits for stompboxes on his website, here's the url if you want to check it out:

http://www.madbeanpedals.com/

ckyvick · Post by **ckyvick** » 17 Jul 2011, 06:20

DrNomis wrote:Madbean sells some really cool kits for stompboxes on his website, here's the url if you want to check it out:

http://www.madbeanpedals.com/

He only sells pcbs, or did he start doing kits recently?

Other pcb places I would recommend along with madbean:
guitarpcb.com
musicpcb.com

DrNomis · Post by **DrNomis** » 17 Jul 2011, 06:35

ckyvick wrote:
DrNomis wrote:Madbean sells some really cool kits for stompboxes on his website, here's the url if you want to check it out:

http://www.madbeanpedals.com/
He only sells pcbs, or did he start doing kits recently?

Other pcb places I would recommend along with madbean:
guitarpcb.com
musicpcb.com

Oh, I assumed that he did sell kits....

Just thought I'd post the link to his website here anyway....

Nocentelli · Post by **Nocentelli** » 17 Jul 2011, 07:39

nos0323 wrote:I was wondering if anyone could give me schematics to a simple easy to make fuzz or distortion pedal (idk what to call it).

The Colorsound One Knob Fuzz is a great first build. It's essentially a Fuzzface derivative with a single control for volume (the fuzz control is omitted and effectively set at maximum). It's a good starter project because it only has one pot to wire, the parts are all easy to obtain, it sounds great, and there is a handy step-by-step tutorial by Andrew Carrell here with pretty much all the info you'll need:

http://www.aronnelson.com/gallery/main. ... O.jpg.html

stringsthings · Post by **stringsthings** » 20 Jul 2011, 22:15

nos0323 wrote:Sorry I'm new to this forum and a total noob in the world of stompbox making...I've never made a stompbox/effect pedal before.

I was wondering if anyone could ....

wonder no more !

.... first, before you dive into the world of schematics, you'll need a soldering iron ... ( and solder ) ... as others have suggested, A) a kit with online instructions and all components included or B) a low-parts count DIY project will give you the best chance for success ... while it is tempting to start with the 13 knob super-spectacular-fuzzee-distorto-sound-like-your-favourite-guitar-player pedal ( available at all fine music stores

), chances of a successful first build will decrease as circuit complexity increases ...