Build Your Own Clone Fuzz Face

Two knobs: Volume & Tone. End of story.

This review is for the Ultimate Fuzz model before the E.S.V. Fuzz replaced it (Extra Special Vintage).

I'm using a late 80's Fender American Standard Stratocaster (with CS '69 pickups installed) with a 1979 Fender Super Reverb.

Now I'm the minority on this one, but the Germanium Transistors that I used on the Ultimate Fuzz clone are the "NTE103" Transistors. WHY THOSE? Well the Cesar Diaz Square Face used the NTE103 Transistors. Unlike the other Germanium Transistors that leak or blow at the speed of light the NTE103's can be played in any temperature, cold or hot, and still sound fantastic. To my ears, they got a great sound, but alot of people may tend to disagree.

With the Ultimate Fuzz engaged, the fuzz is very warm and mid-rangy, just what I'm looking for. And get this, when I roll the guitar volume back around 8, the fuzz cleans up very nicely, but still retains that overdrive character (especially when you dig into the strings, almost touch-sensitive).

Noisy? It's a fuzz face!

The mods that I had done were the following:

1. Adding the 1M resistors (reduces popping when turning on the pedal)
2. Replace the 470ohm resistor with the 1k resistor (more gain)
3. Adding The 47uf capacitor (This is the power filter cap for it will help reduce any AC hum when using a power adaptor)
4. Used a Fulltone 3PDT Switch instead of the cheap blue 3PDT switch.


Right now, I'm going after the Gilmour sound from 1969 to 1972 and this fuzz face is perfect, especially with my Indy Guitarist/Fulltone modified Dunlop Crybaby and the Voodoo Lab Micro Vibe.

I actually bought the Ultimate Fuzz circuit board instead of the kit and got the enclosure from Pedal Parts Plus. What had happened was that I was planning on modifying my 1995 Dunlop Reissue Dallas/Arbiter Fuzz Face to make it look "vintage" with the carbon resistors and NOS transistors (wanted to go Germanium at that time). I ended up royally ******** up the circuit board traces in the fuzz face. In other words, destroyed. A nice sounding Reissue Fuzz Face was now deceased.

For some years, I lost interest in my fuzz face due to my mishap. But then about 3 years ago, I thought about having someone make me a PCB replica of my Fuzz Face. That's when I stumbled upon the Build Your Own Clone website. When I saw that they were selling clone kits of some the greatest pedals that were made, like the Phaser, the Tube Screamer, the Distortion+, the 250, and really reading up on them on the BYOC Fourm, I gave it a shot.

I bought the Ultimate Fuzz PCB from BYOC, bought an enclosure from Pedal Parts Plus (to match the color of the fuzz face, there pedals enclosures come in a variety of colors), sourced out the electric parts from my neighborhood electric store, took the pots out of my fuzz face, and had my local music store (can't name for ID purposes) do the work on it and they did a great job on getting it to work.

After 2 years, no problems. And yes I would gig without it.

Keith Vonderhulls is the man when it comes to his products! If I'm in a jam or need a question answered, he will answer through E-mail. Also the BYOC fourm is highly recommended for anything from mods, wiring, or any kind of problems, the fourm will be happy to assist.

I've been playing for 14 years. Mainly, I'm into classic rock, hard rock, and progressive rock. Some blues and garage rock. If lost or stolen, I would get the BYOC kit instead of sourcing out the parts but I would like to make it into a dual fuzz channel pedal. I can't really compare it to the other fuzz pedals out there but one thing is certain, it's way better than my Sovtek Big Muff Pi which I'm looking to get rid of.

Two knobs, duh.

I've bought several BYOC's and this one isn't on my pedalboard, it's just an extra flavor to have around in the studio. It sounds just like an old fuzz face. Vintage stomp-boxes are neat to look at, but I would never buy one, because these BYOC's have a much better bypass circuit and don't cost nearly as much. Plus, you can make them neat to look at, too, if you take the time to paint them.
If you know what a fuzz face sounds like, then you know what this sounds like.

I built it myself of course.... The components are top-notch, "Boutique" quality.

BYOC has a forum for tech support, mods, etc. It's like a pedal "Community" so you can definitely get help when you need it. I got stuck on the first few BYOC's that I built, and people on their forum helped me get unstuck. It's pretty satisfying to put together a pedal that is professional grade, and yet cheap. I'm more confident about the reliability of the pedals I've built than I am about the pedals I've bought.

I play rock, and I own about 30 pedals. This is a keeper. There are many companies making fuzzes that are virtually identical in circuitry to this. Why not just build your own clone? You learn something, you pay less, and at times you get frustrated in the building process, but when it's done, you feel good knowing you put it together. As long as you've got the time, I highly recommend the DIY pedal scene.

once it's built, there's two knobs - volume and fuzz. couldn't be easier.

i play a gibson sg through a boss tuner, octaver and then a couple of fuzzes into a marshall plexi and 2x12 cab. this pedal is no noisier than any other fuzz i have owned. it works great with my marshall. i play heavy rock a la sabbath, melvins, kyuss and this is a great pedal for that sound. it nails the classic fuzzface tone perfectly - massive low end, tons of sustain, with a range from overdriven to pure unadulterated wall of fuzz. for a diy pedal it puts many other fuzzes to shame.

so far so good!

the website really provides all the info i needed to build this pedal. at times the instructions were a little confusing as they cover both the germanium and silicon versions of the pedal at the same time. seeing as i built the pedal, i can't see them covering the workmanship!!

this is a hard pedal to rate overall, as it is a kit. so, as the rating for the experience of building the pedal it scores a nine. other than slightly confusing instructions it was dead easy - and the parts are of high quality and very well prepared. wiores were cut ti the correct lengths etc.
in terms of how it compares to other pedals, this clone stands very well indeed. i have used an original old germenium fuzz face, and in all honesty this pedal sounded identical. very vintage sounding, plenty of output and that rich, rich tone you only get in a germanium fuzz. if i'd bought this pedal with "zvex" or "analogman" written on it i would still have been delighted, the sound quality is that good. the fact that i got to build and paint it adds to the fun of it. in no way is this a second rate project though, i love the sound and it will definately make my gig bag! i've owned tons of fuzz pedals, and this pedal is as good as the big muff, mayer's fuzz and (shock horror!!) better than the fuzz factory!! i'm sure boutique guys out there could assemble these kits, flog them for $200 and develop a great reputation. at $70 it is an absolute steal, so long as you have basic soldering skills and plenty of patience. in terms of vintage fuzz tone, it's a total winner!!!!!!!!