PNP negative ground version -
V2
Based on the germanium transistors version of the historic Fuzz Face, it is
here set in every possible way and with some changes and additional options. It is available with PNP and NPN circuits, PNP with polarity inverter or, for
oscillation lovers, with negative ground. It may be considered as the most versatile Fuzz pedal with both humbuckers and single coils. Always very balanced on most of vintage and modern tube
amps. Nexihum has tested it with a huge variety of germanium transistors, each of them reacting in a different way. It can be made in order to get a sharper or milder
distortion.
The circuit originally had two simple controls: volume and fuzz. Several
pedal manufacturers have implemented it to their liking; Nexihum has added a middle control and, in some versions, bass and treble controls, which allow a better definition of the mid
frequencies. Distortion is always raspy, rich in both harmonics and sub-harmonics. The guitar's volume and tone controls become very responsive while passing from a clean to a distorted sound,
thus retaining a good quantity of highs, always useful when the guitar's volume is reduced. In some versions it is possible to add a SAG control, causing a more evident raspy-hoarse sound, which
becomes more vintage and interesting on rhythm chords. For those who love experimenting with distortion clipping, it is possible to add an optional germanium diode (soft clipping) or silicon
diode (hard clipping).
On the PNP negative ground version, setting both the Gain and Burst controls
to max, oscillation will be triggered. It will suffice to turn those controls down a little in order to eliminate this effect. Noise addicts can have a lot of fun reducing the guitar's volume
that, interacting with Gain and Burst controls both set to max, will give sounds, whizzes and noises similar to those produced by a Theremin.
