What Amp Are You Playing Today?

[EOengineer]

The first time I built an EJ fuzz face I thought I'd messed up somewhere because it was so dark. After building it again and getting the same result I got to try a real one and realised that's just how he likes it. I definitely prefer the JHF1.

I looked into it a bit after Drew mentioned using it. Noticed the bc183 transistors which seem like an unusually low gain transistor for the circuit. I’m not sure what they are going for there, honestly. Im wondering if EJ was hitting it with something buffered and is this is how he keeps the saturation under control.

I really don’t know.

 

[SillyOctpuss]

I looked into it a bit after Drew mentioned using it. Noticed the bc183 transistors which seem like an unusually low gain transistor for the circuit. I’m not sure what they are going for there, honestly. Im wondering if EJ was hitting it with something buffered and is this is how he keeps the saturation under control.

I really don’t know.

I think they're using bc183 because that's what's in EJs favourite fuzz faces. They're also not really any lower gain than bc108s. Bc183C for instance can have a hfe current gain of up 800 I think (I'd have to check the data sheet to be sure)

The darkness is mostly down to the general character of bc183 and the bias voltages IMO. I find bc183 are pretty dark transistors in a 'standard' spec fuzz face but in an EJ FF they're also biased very low.

They've used a 39k bias resistor for Q1 instead of the usual 33k which will lower it's bias voltage, they've also used a 120k feedback resistor and Q2 has been biased down to approx 3v. That's going to produce a much darker fuzz than normal.

The JHF1 Q2 in comparison is biased about 5.75v which is the main reason why it's quite a bright FF and sounds better for my taste.

 

[keef]

I think they're using bc183 because that's what's in EJs favourite fuzz faces. They're also not really any lower gain than bc108s. Bc183C for instance can have a hfe current gain of up 800 I think (I'd have to check the data sheet to be sure)

The darkness is mostly down to the general character of bc183 and the bias voltages IMO. I find bc183 are pretty dark transistors in a 'standard' spec fuzz face but in an EJ FF they're also biased very low.

They've used a 39k bias resistor for Q1 instead of the usual 33k which will lower it's bias voltage, they've also used a 120k feedback resistor and Q2 has been biased down to approx 3v. That's going to produce a much darker fuzz than normal.

The JHF1 Q2 in comparison is biased about 5.75v which is the main reason why it's quite a bright FF and sounds better for my taste.

Yes, yes, and yes. I've also read that BC183s sound closer to germanium and then the lower bias, for sure darker.

I recall his fuzz has 183s. I actually don't care much for EJ. I ingested too much of the devil's lettuce today.

 

[megametal7]

I always bounce between DSL 100 HR and DSL JCM 2000. I use them on my gigs. I would like to try my Mesa dual rec but you needhave to have a degree to operate that amp…

My last gig was on last Tuesday.

 

[Deadpan]

I always bounce between DSL 100 HR and DSL JCM 2000. I use them on my gigs. I would like to try my Mesa dual rec but you needhave to have a degree to operate that amp…

My last gig was on last Tuesday.

What are the differences between the two DSL for you?

 

[DrewJD82]

Since I got the Jose about 7 weeks ago, I haven't even plugged in to anything else. Sold some stuff off and these are the three keepers-Jose, X88 and Twin Sister. Messy but going to clean that all up tomorrow so that I can move between these amps easily. Swapping the 2x12 for a 4x12
View attachment 51928

 

[DrewJD82]

The first time I built an EJ fuzz face I thought I'd messed up somewhere because it was so dark. After building it again and getting the same result I got to try a real one and realised that's just how he likes it. I definitely prefer the JHF1.

There's a part of me tempted to tweak mine but I'm just going to keep it stock and hang onto it as a "Maybe there'll be a use for it one day" pedal. While a bit wasteful and it could pay for pedals I "need", EJ and the Fuzz Face plays way too big of a role in the reason I'm a gear nerd.
I was thinking last night when I got so close to my idea of the perfect fuzz tone (Dover Drive GE and a Zendrive into the Plexi50) that I should skip the Hendrix fuzz and go right for that little breadbox fuzz test ground thing that was posted in the pedals sub a while back. I can't remember the name, it's just a little breadboard with all the FF components but made so you can easily swap out the transistors to find out what you like.

Then I'm just going to start ordering transistors and seeing if something shakes out. I know there's another component you need to add to use germanium transistors, but I'm quite certain the FF I'm going for is going to be silicone.

 

[Ed DeGenaro]

After having spent 31 days away from the majority of my gear and other than 2 gigs it was exclusive IRs into monitors.
And for my wants and needs, plugging into the Ox Box and power amp/cab is just so liberating.

 

[megametal7]

What are the differences between the two DSL for you?

I would say HR sounds a bit colder than 2000. 2000 seem to have more balls ( low end) and its mote pleasant to ears.

I love em both. Going to swap valves in HR and lets see if it will be warmer, at the moment it has factory valves in it and needs replacing.

 

[Deadpan]

I would say HR sounds a bit colder than 2000. 2000 seem to have more balls ( low end) and its mote pleasant to ears.

I love em both. Going to swap valves in HR and lets see if it will be warmer, at the moment it has factory valves in it and needs replacing.

Cool, let us know how they compare after.

 

[megametal7]

Cool, let us know how they compare after.

Sure thing…. Im planing to put Svetlana EL 34s

Thats what they recommended me once I explained what I wanted.

I cant do A / B comparison as one of the valves crapped out and its out of action.

It crapped out on one of my gigs and I was confused why I could not get power out her as I had master almost full. Hahahha

Still held up the set tho without causing damage… pewwwwwe