Sun Jul 02, 2023 7:02 am
Thu Oct 05, 2023 7:35 pm
Sat Oct 07, 2023 8:47 am
digi2t wrote:Validation build of a ss/bs Fuck OD clone. Added another pot for finer sag (depth) control across the threshold and drive settings. On the original, I found the sag to weaken (less snap crackle pop) as you dialed up the drive, so the extra control corrects that. Very interactive now.
Sat Oct 07, 2023 7:46 pm
Thu Oct 12, 2023 11:01 pm
digi2t wrote:Validation build of a ss/bs Fuck OD clone. Added another pot for finer sag (depth) control across the threshold and drive settings. On the original, I found the sag to weaken (less snap crackle pop) as you dialed up the drive, so the extra control corrects that. Very interactive now.
Wed Dec 27, 2023 4:34 pm
Wed Dec 27, 2023 5:19 pm
Thu Dec 28, 2023 6:17 pm
Mon Jan 01, 2024 7:19 am
Tue Jan 02, 2024 12:30 pm
TheTransient wrote:Nothing special, but its my first diy pedal in a while. Years ago I built a couple of Rat pedals and subsequently tore them apart, had the populated stripboards sitting in a box. Decided the other day that I wanted a Rat again, so I dug out one of the stripboards and drilled out an enclosure for it. Didnt customise the enclosure in any way as I was trying to get it finished quickly. Sounds pretty good
Thu Feb 08, 2024 6:34 pm
Sun Feb 25, 2024 10:08 am
Sun Feb 25, 2024 4:16 pm
fuzzonaut wrote:Some interesting stuff from Moonn.
First, a PCB that's supposed to recreate the Honey Special Fuzz, a Japanese thing from the late 60ies, it seems.
No idea what they were on while designing this, I mean you have 13 transistors, 2 transformers and a shitload of other components in there and all you get as far as potentiometers go, is a volume control at the very end of all that circuitery!
It's 2 things (if I'm not mistaken):
- a fuzz circuit, à la Superfuzz and
- an autowah (?)
The toggle switch let's you choose the routing, so to speak:
- up = left foot switch kicks in both: fuzz into wah (right footswitch does nothing)
- down = left footswich kicks in fuzz only, right footswitch activates wah only, while taking the fuzz out
At least, I think that's what's happening ...
The fuzz is pretty beefy and cool, the wah is kinda wonky, but then, I have zero experience with wah circuits, so what do I know?
I tried a lot of transistors in the wah section to get a presumably nice wooshy movement. I also fiddled with the transistors of the output section to get more volume because it got just a bit over unity when dimed. But that didn't really help, so I just added a LPB-1 (on vero) after it and now it roars!
Mon Feb 26, 2024 8:46 am
digi2t wrote:fuzzonaut wrote:Some interesting stuff from Moonn.
First, a PCB that's supposed to recreate the Honey Special Fuzz, a Japanese thing from the late 60ies, it seems.
No idea what they were on while designing this, I mean you have 13 transistors, 2 transformers and a shitload of other components in there and all you get as far as potentiometers go, is a volume control at the very end of all that circuitery!
It's 2 things (if I'm not mistaken):
- a fuzz circuit, à la Superfuzz and
- an autowah (?)
The toggle switch let's you choose the routing, so to speak:
- up = left foot switch kicks in both: fuzz into wah (right footswitch does nothing)
- down = left footswich kicks in fuzz only, right footswitch activates wah only, while taking the fuzz out
At least, I think that's what's happening ...
The fuzz is pretty beefy and cool, the wah is kinda wonky, but then, I have zero experience with wah circuits, so what do I know?
I tried a lot of transistors in the wah section to get a presumably nice wooshy movement. I also fiddled with the transistors of the output section to get more volume because it got just a bit over unity when dimed. But that didn't really help, so I just added a LPB-1 (on vero) after it and now it roars!
Interesting. Too bad they didn't take the time to make a better clone. I'll explain...
As the owner of two original units (still have one), as well as having traced it, and cloned it, here is my 2 bits regarding the Honey Special Fuzz;
- On the original, the Special Direct on/off switch basically turns the fuzz on/off. So, when effect is engaged, you either get "Special" fuzz/wah (or more like "fuzz/whoosh"), or just the "Direct" whoosh effect on the dry signal.
- The original units had very anemic output. With the volume at max, you're still a tad below unity. On the second original unit that I still have, I designed a small vero that carries the last stage of the Superfuzz circuit, and grafted it in on the backside of the circuit. This brings the volume up considerably, making the effect much more usable in a chain setting.
- The choice of using the 42TM013 transformer in the Moonn project is interesting. When I built the first clone years back, I tried lots of TL/TM series audio transformers (including the 013) to emulate the performance of the 4H TDK stack of the original, but at best, the whooshing was weak and/or muddy. Back then, I could have sourced the real deal TDK's from a Canadian supplier, but the $16 a pop and limited supply wasn't ideal for DIY. Eventually, I found that the secondary side of LT44 transformers (outer pins) were really close to the original performance. Not the same inductance or resistance as the TDK's, but the best performance of any of the other transformers I tested. Also, you can try playing with the 100nF cap just before the transformers (Moonn BOM C11). I found with the LT44's, upping a bit to 120nF made it a tad better. YMMV.
- While the original has a good chunk of the Superfuzz genetic, the lack of a tone switch or adjustment, makes it pretty much one dimensional. On my clone, I added a SWTC network, which makes it a bit nicer to dial into a chain. Again, the tone section is another volume suck, so even more reason to add a post amplifier section.
Like I said, I've been blessed to have had two of these very rare birds, at different times. The first I traded for a very nice Civil War Muff. The second came along some years later, which I found for sale on a Japanese site, in dire need of restoration. After refurbishment, it now resides in it's "forever home".
Mon Mar 04, 2024 7:39 am