Saturday 26 January 2013

Fulltone 69

Request.  As everyone knows this is Mike Fuller's version of the Fuzz Face, but it has something that we haven't included in the multitude of Fuzz Face layouts we have on the site so I thought it was worth adding a mojo layout.  Sticking two fingers up at convention Mike called what most would consider to be the bias pot "Contour", and a pre-effect level control "Bias".  So just to confuse matters further the trimmer which biases Q2 is part of the Contour circuit (doh!).  But they all make things sound a bit different so you can call them what you like I suppose.

This is a positive ground effect which can't be daisy chained with your run of the mill negative ground pedals, so consider including the negative voltage inverter circuit to provide the -9V which will make this daisy chain-able (is that a real word?).  That is my favoured way by far to deal with positive ground effects because it also allows you to use the much more consistent PNP transistors and so not have to take a gamble of hit and miss NPN germaniums.

Info from Mike about his original:

This is how you wished your Fuzzface sounded... Fat and Harmonic. And it cleans up like a vintage Fender amp when you turn down your guitar's volume control. The Rolling Stones and the Black Crowes have discovered this trick.

If you love the first 2 Hendrix releases then you'll love this pedal, with 2 Germanium transistors hand-picked and tested for optimum performance. A Contour Knob lets you dial in Midrange, Harmonics and Sustain, also an Input Bias knob that takes out the "woofiness" and gives great Overdrive/Distortion sounds when its level is reduced. An Internal Trimmer allows for adjustment of Clipping Symmetry, Harmonics, and Tracking.

Specifications subject to change at any given moment due to availability... and whimsy.


Alrighty then ...






63 comments:

  1. Verified! Right now, i don´t have germanium transistors, so i used silicon instead and had to reverse them, but it still sounds really great! I'll have to order some germanium ones to try on this fuzz. Thanks!

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    1. Ha! I just love it when you guys build our layouts in a heartbeat after publishing!

      Thanks Luis!
      +m

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  2. Guess I know what I'll be using those two AC128s that I've been sitting on for a few months...

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  3. Hey Mark,
    I hate to be the one to point this out but if you and Miro don't pull your fingers out you won't get to 200 by the end of January :-j

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    1. So you think 100's not enough for one month :D

      I have to say that this got a bit out of hand for me. There were tons of interesting and fairly simple schematics that i found. The list is getting much much shorter. You know, not much point in drawing up another fuzz face with one cap value changed..

      I guess february will be a lot slower month.. I'm thinking 15 to 25 should be ok for one month.
      +m

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    2. Don't worry. I still won't be able to keep up with you. 100 is amazing! I'm assuming you will reach that number, of course! Cheers Mark and Miro, this site has changed my life!

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  4. Hi, i'm sorry if this is the wrong place to ask this. I'm looking to build my first pedal, a bazz fuss, and i will follow this schematic (http://i698.photobucket.com/albums/vv347/harvandheavy/fuzz-distortion/BAZZ_FUSS.jpg) but i want to add an led so i can know when its on/off. Cann anybody tell me the changes i have to do in order to installing the led? Thanks

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  5. http://tagboardeffects.blogspot.com/2012/02/offboard-wiring.html

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  6. I suspect this will be as close as I will get to a Sunbender or Foxrox type fuzz to BRAVO!

    Next up needs to be a Fuller 70s! hehe

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  7. ooops I meant Sunface, not Sunbender

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  8. After checking some gut shots of the fulltone 69, I count 7 resistors and 4 caps, was this layout been traced from a unit? Thanks.
    Check here:
    http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?p=9262621
    http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=481823

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    1. I used the generalguitargadgets scheme. The circuit can obviously be adapted over time, and there are a few things that Mike may have included in that particular vintage pedal which aren't going to make a significant difference to the sound. Looking at the larger gut shot, the additional ceramic cap appears to be right at the input between the input wire and ground. People sometimes use a low value cap like 10p in this position to combat RF noise. As far as the resistors go it looks like he's included a pulldown resistor at the output as well as the input which I omitted because it shouldn't be necessary, the volume pot is doing exactly the same thing. And if he's included an RF cap, then he may have also included a low value resistor (like 100 ohms) in series with either the supply or input, which again can help combat RF noise. Or he may have included a low value resistor in series with the 22u cap to combat oscillation when the gain control is dimed.

      If you're not getting any RF interference, switch pops or oscillation, the additions mentioned aren't going to make a difference to your build.

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  9. Thanks for such a detailed reply! you're doin' an amazing job on this site! Cheers

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    1. Actually that last resistor is just the current limiting resistor for the LED, so no additional resistors for RF

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  10. Just built this one today, but I swapped the polarity of the caps and used some NPN germaniums. A Mullard OC140 for Q1 with Hfe of 80 and 11.4uA leakage, and a Mullard OC141 for Q2, Hfe 134, Leakage 31uA. I even used an old 100nF tropical fish cap for extra mojo. Well this thing really sings, it's the best sounding fuzz face I've built so far.

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  11. I built this with MK1.5 Bender cap values and a 2G301 in Q1 and 2G308 in Q2 and it is freaking AWESOME

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  12. Maybe a dumb question, I built this and it is doa. When using the voltage converter should contour 3 go to the board at -9v or the jack at + 9v?

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    1. -9V from the IC goes to Contour 3 and the -9V connection shown on the board. Normal ground is taken to the +ve ground connection.

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    2. Thanks Mark! Great sounding fuzz!

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  13. I'm actually beginning to notice a bit of oscillation with mine at certain points on the bias control. Should I try like a 10p between input and ground?

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    1. That probably won't sort the problem, the low value cap between input and ground helps deal with radio frequency interference. The best cure I've used for taming oscillation is to put a low value resistor (if you're only getting a small amount with the Fuzz pot in the fully clockwise position, then try a 10 or 22 ohm) in between the Fuzz 2 lug and the board. The puts a bit of additional resistance before the 22u cap which should cure the problem.

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  14. Thanks! I'll give that a try. What's weird is that I don't really notice it when I use it really loud at band practice? Maybe it's because I use an SG there and a Tele at home.. Or maybe I just turn it off when I'm not playing to avoid feedback so I don't notice

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  15. Just finished this with the voltage wotsit and it's a great sounding fuzz.. A definite worthwhile build and throws a great versatile spin on the traditional fuzzface.....

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  16. Just wanted to start out by saying thank you guys so much for this site. You have changed my pedal building life forever. This is my first stab at building a fuzz face style pedal. I built this one using NPN transistors (AC127's) and switched my capacitor directions. The pedal works but sounds pretty nasty. I checked my voltage at each AC127 collector and i am getting 7.5 volts on one and 0.15 volts on the other. Any ideas? Thanks for any help in advance.

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    1. Do you know what gain the transistors are and how much leakage. I've got some AC127's and they're not particularly good.

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    2. I had ordered a group of 10 of them. I unfortunately did not measure the two that i installed yet, but i measured the other 8 in the bag using my voltmeter (i have ordered the parts to make the transistor tester you posted). Two of transistors measured around 200 hFE and the other 6 measure closer to 300. I am not 100% how to measure the leakage. Sorry to take your time on this, i am very new to the world of germanium. I am starting to realize why germanium pedals are not very common to find. Thanks for your help.

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  17. I am getting ready to do this build. I purchased a set of matched pnp germaniums from small bear. He matches and provides the resistor values for the transistors tested in "the fuzz face" circuit. I assume he must be refering to his Bear Face?
    He listed the following values with my set
    R2 22K
    R4 680 ohm
    R5 9.1K (I assume this is the Trimmer pot)
    R6 100K
    Can you help in cross referencing these resistors with the ones in the layout.
    Also, if I want to put the trimmer pot on the outside of the enclosure, Would it be best to use a log or linear pot. And, what is the numbering from the pins on the taper pot on the layout to the lugs on the 10 K exterior pot? Thanks, This site is awesome!

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  18. Also wondering how critical the diode protection is on the power circuit.
    Heat an happen of the wrong polarity applied with out the diode protection
    Thanks
    Ed

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  19. Hi Everyone
    I don't really understand what is meant by -9v to contour 3...
    Can someone help me ?
    Thanks!

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    1. I haven't build this one Xavier, but I imagine you have to solder a wire coming from "-9v" to "lug 3" of the Contour pot, and then, you add another wire from the same "Contour 3" to your -9v power source (battery or 9v DC jack).

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  20. Hi! I have problem with this layout.
    I built this with the voltage inverter charge pump and i get -8 to -9v at Q2 collector (it depends on the trimmer). I did the board twice, i tried this out of the box, i tried different transistors, i checked their orientation but nothing.! The only thing i noticed is that i get a beep in continuity test between -9v and the ground. Is this normal?
    I don't know. I have built more than 90 layouts from this site but that "fuzz" gets me crazy.!! arrrghghghh

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  21. I built mine a little while ago using NOS red dot NKT275's. I also have the original large enclosure version so I was able to compare the clone to it and it sounds exactly like my original fulltone '69.

    here's some pics of it:

    http://johnkvintageguitars.homestead.com/Effects/Fulltone/69/69-01.jpg

    http://johnkvintageguitars.homestead.com/Effects/Fulltone/69/69-02.jpg

    and a pic of my original one:

    http://johnkvintageguitars.homestead.com/Effects/Fulltone/69/fulltone69-01.jpg

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  22. I have an old 69 pedal. It has plain silver casing, volume, bias, contour and fuzz knoobs with The '69 Pedal written on it. Can you tell me what it's worth if anything? Thank you

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    1. Yours must be a really early version, a collector would probably pay high bucks for it.

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  23. http://fuzzquest.blogspot.com/2014/02/fuzzway-67-revisited.html

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  24. Hi! I'm still new to building my own stompboxes and just finished building this with some AC128's and it sounds very nice!
    I added the voltage inverter and added a battery clip (using a DC plug with 3 lugs) . When using the battery it works fine .... but when using a daisy chain adapter the DC in functions as a DC out and seems to power the other pedals in the chain... Also the LED indicator lights up when switching on the pedal even when there is no cable attached. I assume I have to reverse some wires but I would appreciate if anyone could point me in the right direction! Thanks!

    P.S. This site is AWESOME! (and very addictive)

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    1. What wiring scheme did you use for the offboard?

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    2. I used the offboard wiring that is listed on here and adjusted for battery use. I will take some pics when i get home, makes it easier right? Thanks!

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    3. I found part of the problem: I had the board and battery -9v switched (no more building after 01:00 :P ). Re-soldered and now it works with the DC in.

      The LED still lights up when the pedal is engaged with no cables going to the input... the LED also faintly lights up when the - leg is touched. Is that normal?

      Anyway, i think i'll leave it for now.

      Oh, and I've removed the battery clip, it was too tight of a fit anyway. No battery mojo for me i guess.

      Some pics (nothing fancy):

      http://www.flickr.com/photos/dannyvandam/13154069975/in/set-72157642356692863/

      http://www.flickr.com/photos/dannyvandam/13154354474/in/set-72157642356692863/

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  25. what's the difference between this one and the Slight Return version? Slight Return sounds much better i think, but i cant find any schematics of that one on the net :(

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    1. Better is subjective. I bet they are the same circuits, the differences would be there because of tolerances and the inherent characteristics of the transistors used. You could probably grab another "slight return" version of the same pedal and think it doesn't sound as good as the first one you tried or heard.

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  26. Built this one today and it sounds pretty good. I'm using AC125's Q1: 85hfe and Q2: ~120hfe. Quite good amount of gain - I can play it through a totally clean amp and the fuzz doesn't sound weak or thin.

    I'm still kind of getting used to whether I really like the bias and contour controls LOL. Need to get this boxed and play more with it. Thx, Mark!

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  27. Hello From France Mark,

    Built this one this WE and it sounds great !!! Cool vintage tone !
    I just planed to change the 2 transistors for a "High Gain" pair, selected by BanzaiMusic ;-)
    Mine are around 80 for Q1 and 110 for Q2 and I have a "moderate" gain for a fuzz
    thank for your awesome website !
    A question : the output level is low ...
    In all the demos I've seen, "volume" button is at maximum, all over the time !!!
    Is there a way to increase it please ?
    (others builders have they found the same thing please ?)

    Thanks a lot Mark, have a good day
    S.

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  28. Hey. That's normal for this circuit to not be very loud.

    You can increase the output by increasing the value of the 220Ω resistor

    Try 470Ω, 820Ω, 1Κ

    Beware that if you increase it too much you will introduce a lot of excess noise, so increase the value gradually and stop when you have just enough output

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    1. Yeahhh ! Thanks Travis !
      I will try this !
      Increasing the output resistor to obtain correct output level, without increasing the hummmm !
      Thanks a lot
      A nice couple of "high gain" transistors + better output vol, I would be thrill !!!
      Cheers
      S.

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    2. Thank you !!!
      I get back tell you my "experience" :-)
      I tested different values, like suggested by Travis, 470, 820 and 1k
      Output level is much better than original (220 Ohms)
      Sound is not affected
      For now, I have kept the 1k value, but it's just slighty too high ...
      I probably unsolded this one to replace it by the 820, the value I will keep !

      Thanks you again, sounds great !!!!
      S.

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    3. Excellent! Glad I could help :P

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  29. Could anyone who has bulit this circuit post voltage readings of both transistors for me? The readings of an original '69 Fuzz would work, too.

    My pedal works and sounds awesome to my ears. All controls work as they should, based on what I can tell from demos. I was just wondering why I can't bias Q2 collector to anything less than 7V. I tried 4 different transistors there and even with the trimmer all the way down I cannot get it down to 4.5V (supposing the stock/recommended voltage reading should be this - like a regular FF).

    By the way, should the "contour" control interfere with that voltage? Mine works, that is, I get dying batery sounds when I back it off, but as measure Q2 while fiddling with it, I see no changes in voltage reading.

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    1. Problem is solved. I was checking voltages again and I think I just hit something with the tip of the DMM's test lead and the trimpot came to life (?) All of sudden Q2's collector was reading 3V. After a little more testing I decided to tune it up by ear, leaving it by the 5V or so range. Still sounds wonderful. I think I'm retiring my old silicon FF, LOL!

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  31. Is it possible to show exactly how I have to solder the footswitch and the LED because of the positive ground?

    Thank you.

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    1. The footswitch is the same for any effect, the LED will be a bit different, though. Solder the positive leg of the LED to your standard spot on the 3PDT footswitch and solder the negative leg (with a resistor in series to it) to the "-9V" power lug on the 9V jack. So, pretty much like a NPN fuzz, just reverse the LED's legs.

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  32. Built this recently with a matched pair of SFT307 GE transistors, really nice. Thanks for the layout!

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  33. I just built this with two AC128, and man... this is the best vintage sounding fuzz I have ever built. Very good!

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  34. I have a Fulltone 69 pedal in my pedal chain. Intermitently the volume will drop. Using PedalPower to supply power to it. I contacted Fulltone and they asked me if the problem happens with a battery which I tried and it seemed to remedy the problem. Is there a way to get it to work with no volume drop and the PedalPower ?

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  35. hey guys, thanks for this great website and all the contributors.

    This is my first Vero build and I have it all wired up except the footswitch. I am getting sound through it but its very quiet. I have set the trimmer to 4.5v but the middle leg of Q2 is reading -2.0v and the middle leg of Q1 is reading -0.15v.
    Do you think this is a problem with the transistors? Is there something else I haven't considered?
    Thanks

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    1. Turn the trimmer until you read -4.5V at the Collector of Q2, not the middle leg.

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  36. I think maybe the bias and contour controls are mislabeled. The input cap (2.2u) is connected to a bias control (50k). But that’s a contour control. The contour is the bias (1k) which seems low. Bias on a ff is typically 5-10k. The layout confused me. Think that’s what’s going on. Minor detail I guess.

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  38. mounted with 2 Mullard AC128 83 / 123 HFe. Couldn't get less than -4.7V at Q2 collector, but it works.
    Contour know works weird : big loss of volume when turned full clockwise, and full full volume when full counterclockwise. Any thought about that ?
    BIAS = "Input bias" as named on MKII Fulltone pedal I guess.

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