The Face the Fuzz is a modern take on a classic sound, modeled after the Dallas Arbiter Fuzz Face but with some important upgrades and modifications. It has the reliability of temperature-stable silicon transistors plus a wider sonic response. Get that classic tone just like Jimi Hendrix, Duane Allman, and George Harrison played!
What is the difference between Synthrotek's two fuzz pedals: Face the Fuzz and the Arbiter Fuzz Face Clone? The Arbiter Fuzz Face Clone uses the classic circuit that is known and loved by many, and everybody loves a classic. We designed the Face the Fuzz with a few key changes to make it more useful to the modern musician: a wider frequency range, the ability to daisy-chain the power with a 1 Spot, and the option to use temperature-stable Silicon transistors.
Features:
- 2 controls - Fuzz & Level - to tweak your tone
- Fuzz: send your tone from subtle to razor blades
- Level: adjusts your output or boost level
- On-board bias trim pot (accessed by unscrewing the back panel) lets you adjust transistor bias level for a variety of new Fuzz tones!
- Wider frequency response than the Arbiter Fuzz Face Clone
- True bypass
- 9V Battery or 9V center negative DC adapter (can be daisy-chained by using a 1 Spot or equivalent adapter)
- Drilled unpainted aluminum case (no graphic included)
- Choose a PCB-mount kit or a wired kit. It's the same PCB for both kits, but each kit has slightly different components, different sized cases and a different Bill of Materials.
- PCB silkscreen, through-hole components with careful on-board placement, and wire-tension relief holes were designed with the DIYer in mind!
- PCB Dimensions: 2 1/8 x 3 1/8 inches (5.4cm x 7.9cm)
Why have two different versions? The PCB-mount and wired versions of the kit use the same circuit and sound the same.
The PCB-mount version:
- takes less time for an experienced builder;
- fits in a smaller case and takes up less room on a pedal board.
The wired version:
- is easier to repair and solder and is recommended for new builders;
- can be used in a custom case;
- uses metal audio jacks instead of plastic.
Biasing Guide:
Power on your pedal and plug a cable into the input jack. To be optimally biased, the collector of Q2 needs to be at 4.5 volts. (When connecting the Face the Fuzz circuit to your multimeter as shown in the photos below, your meter will read -4.5V.) The 20K trim pot is used to dial in this value. All you need to do is connect your leads to a ground on the PCB and the collector of Q2 to get this reading.
FACE THE FUZZ biasing guide
