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Tone Bender variation

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6/14/2000 1:29 AM

Tone Bender variation

I have been following some comments that the mark 2 professional didn't sound the way some people expected. I spent a good time with mine and came up with part values that worked for me. My pedal starts to distort where my fuzz face leaves off. Because it responds so well to the guitar volume, it is easy to dial in less fuzz. I used PNP germaniums and drew up a schematic. Gus, and Jack will notice their influences on my selections. The tone is very much like a fuzz face, but does not get mushy as you increase the fuzz knob. The notes remain clear. Full chords can be played and every note is audible. Even Maj9/dom7 etc. If you'd like to see the schematic, post a note and I'll email them out together. If anyone wants to post it on their page feel free to do so. Mark

6/14/2000 1:46 AM

marrk,
I'd like to see the schematic. I built a mkII and a 69 clone at the same time and way prefer the 69. Used correctly matched PNP germaniums and all. The mkII has plenty of sustain but chords are useless with it. I actually prefer the 3 knob tonebender over the mkII. Any pointers to getting a better tone(tried all the trimmer suggestions) would be much appreciated.
Thanks for your willingness to share,
jason

6/14/2000 2:00 AM
Gord	Marrk, I would love to see the schematic. I also think the FF is better. I'll post my mods on it soon, see how they compare. Thanks. Gord

6/14/2000 2:04 AM
aron	Mark, Where are you reading these comments? I really like mine but I did make a few modifications. I'd like to see your schematic. Aron

6/14/2000 3:48 AM
chuck	id like to see your schematic too. i was just about ready to build the mk-II w/ the trimmer mods in it. expecting it to sound better then the 3 knob one from what ive been told. thanks. chuck

6/14/2000 5:44 AM

My schematic? It's up on my page. look for the Hot Fuzz: http://www.firebottle.net/stompbox/schematics.html I can't speak for others, but I love my version with the trimmer mods. I think it's leaps better than the Fuzz Faces I have built and I have built a bunch of them. I imagine it would be so easy to bypass the input transistor and get a "normal" Fuzz Face out of the same board. In fact, R.G. is making a super board that can do the Hot Fuzz and a super Fuzz Face all on the same board. FWIW, I really like it a lot better than the 3 knob tone bender. Aron

6/14/2000 9:10 PM

The other Tonebender sounds more like the "Aqualung" (Jethro Tull)/Early Zep sound to me. Very cool, but not the pedal I reach for first. My favorite fuzz is still the Fuzz Face. I used 2n527's in the TBII. Q1 reads 75 with my meter, Q2 and Q3 read about 90 each. Aron, I tried your mods and enjoyed them. The thing really screams. I shot for a fat, dark, sustaining sound and think I achieved it. The drawing is on the way. Mark

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