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Friday 4 April 2014

Frantone The Sweet

Although this isn't your usual muff clone, you can certainly tell where the inspiration came from.  This pre-dates the EQD Hoof, but like that pedal this uses NPN germanium transistors for Q2 and Q3 but with schottky diodes here instead of LEDs.  I can't find any information at all about the FS25444 838 Q4 transistor, but it is definitely NPN bipolar, and looking at a gut shot on the Frantone web site it's an old style TO106 style case like the 2N5133 that are much sought after for Big Muffs, or the ME4003 that I know a few people on here use.  Anyway just try anything for that and let us know your results.

Info about the great sounding original:

Truly insane fuzztone!
 Over the top in every way using the classic tone of germanium transistors.  This is the longest sustaining and smoothest sounding all-transistor fuzztone you will ever own.  I have designed many fuzztones, including the 2000 New York City Big Muff for Electro-Harmonix, so believe me when I say that this is the most extreme one I have ever made.  It's tone is indescribable.  The full bottom and crisp highs will astound you, and the endless sustain will make you cry like a baby.   But don't take my word for it.. try one for yourself!

All new Frantone effects come with full signal bypass and status light!

Each one of The Sweet fuzztones is hand-made in
the USA by Frantone and features:

    Tough cast aluminum case
    Black Epoxy Enamel finish
    True bypass switching
    Green indicator LED
    Steel LED bezel
    Switchcraft jacks
    Custom White Bakelite knobs
    Hard mounted PCB
    External power jack
    All teflon hook-up wire
    Really cute clear feet






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17 comments:

  1. Brownpedals4 April 2014 at 14:21

    NICE! Is the way D5 is connected to the ground (via the 100uF elco) correct?

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    1. IvIark4 April 2014 at 14:28

      It's a reverse polarity protection diode in series with the supply. I never include parallel ones between 9V and ground, they don't make sense to me without a fuse.

      Delete
  2. Stephanus 11120244 April 2014 at 16:58

    Too bad those transistor dont exist here.

    btw dude, you need to change the 'Copyright © 2010-13' to 14. This awesome site is going stronger now! cheers

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    Replies
    1. IvIark4 April 2014 at 17:28

      Use any NPN silicon, you could just use an MPSA18 for Q1 and Q4, and any NPN germaniums you can find for Q2 and Q3. Thanks for the heads up on the footer.

      Delete
    2. mirosol4 April 2014 at 21:13

      Too bad the footer doesn't take php...
      +m

      Delete
    3. hitokirimnb7 April 2014 at 18:16

      Would I be able to use NPN silicon for Q2 and Q3 until I can order some germaniums?

      Delete
    4. IvIark7 April 2014 at 18:22

      Yes, no problem

      Delete
  3. Travis4 April 2014 at 19:30

    Can anyone comment on the effect of leakage in this or the Hoof circuit?

    All of my NPN germanium is at least somewhat leaky. Mostly 150ma or more and they just go up from there at higher temps

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  4. Stephanus 11120245 April 2014 at 04:24

    Thanks Mark for the swap

    Yea, too bad miro haha

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  5. johnk5 April 2014 at 18:51

    you can tag this one verified! the only thing that I'd highly recommend changing is the gain pot to an audio taper 100K since all of the gain is bunched up at the beginning of its rotation.

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    Replies
    1. IvIark5 April 2014 at 19:06

      Excellent, thanks John, and for the feedback on the pot. What do you think of it?

      Delete
  6. johnk5 April 2014 at 19:38

    it's a pretty nice muff style fuzz with a lot of low end.

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  7. johnk5 April 2014 at 21:58

    BTW, I used a 2N2369A with an hfe of 56 for Q4.

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    1. IvIark5 April 2014 at 23:21

      Thanks John. Did you try anything else too? Just wondering if pretty much anything can be used in there.

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    2. johnk6 April 2014 at 00:30

      I first tried an NTE108 which is another low hfe NPN, but I think the 2N2369 souns a lot better.

      Delete
  8. Eric11 April 2014 at 04:03

    What are the alternatives for the trannies? I'm having a hard time finding subs. Any info is appreciated, especially if anyone has any links to buying the actual trannies.

    Thanks for posting this!!

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    Replies
    1. IvIark27 April 2014 at 01:18

      Hi Eric, sorry I missed this one. Any NPN germanium for Q2 and Q3 and any NPN silicon for Q4. I can recommend the Russian germanium transistors which can usually be found for reasonable prices. The MP38A's are nice.

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