Fuzzlandia: A Place For Fuzz

 So I've always loved this circuit. I heard an original only once and it was marvelous. The even harmonic rich fuzz was out of this world, and if you let a chord or note sustain just about anywhere on the guitar neck, it would feed back.  After bread-boarding both versions, I decided to stick with version 2 on the schematic above. That version with the diode shunt to ground and the capacitor on the input seems to sound closer to what I remember. Version 1 sounded too splatty on power chords and on the lower strings. Also the added 1k resistor in line with one of the clipping diodes seems to add some harmonic content and a little more volume. Version 2 on Bread-Board For Q1 I used a Russian MP16b Ge (52 hfe, 58ua leakage), and for Q2 I used a 2n2222 Si (250 hfe). I used 91k for r1 and r4, 680k for R5. I used a 220pf for the cap on the input and the diodes I used are labeled 1n34a but aren't germanium, they are silicon. They do however have a lower voltage drop than than typical...

 PART 1 - INTRODUCTION:        So, As pedal builders, no matter how long we've been building, we eventually run into one of those circuits that make us climb the walls. For me it is the Tone Bender Mk I.         Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love the circuit! I love the way it sounds, that raspy goodness! I love the way it feels when I play through it, the attack, the decay, and the squishyness! I love everything about it, except trying to build one. Trying to find a set of germanium transistors that work with each other in the circuit is pure torture!        This series will document the building of a Mk I Tonebender/ Zonk Machine from start to finish. The goal is to have a comprehensive guide for others to use in the building of this sacred circuit. A what to do, and what not to do.        FREAK OUT!