BUILD

A
"FUZZBOX" FOR
UNDER $3
DEFINITELY NOT RECOMMENDED FOR USE
BY MUSICAL PURISTS, THE FUZZBOX IS
INTENDED TO GIVE ROCK -'N' -ROLL
MUSIC THAT BIG, BRASSY SOUND

By CRAIG ANDERTON, WB2JQC

AS YOU LISTEN to rock -'n' -roll by the
big -time performers, do you often
wonder how they can get that fuzzy,
raspy, piercing sound from an electric
guitar while nonprofessional groups
sound distinctively small -time? The
answer lies in the use of an electronic
gadget called a "Fuzzbox" -and you can
build one for about $3 in a matter of
minutes!
Most commercial "fuzz " -producing de-
January, 1967
vices are transistorized and must be
powered by a battery or external line
power. But this batteryless Fuzzbox
gives the same nerve -shattering sound
produced by transistorized commercial
units selling for $25 and up.
How It Works. The utter simplicity of
the Fuzzbox is shown in Fig. 1. Its
only parts are a s.p.d.t. momentary -
(Continued on page 92)
87

PoorMansGuitar.com

GUITAR
AMPLIFIER
Fig. 1. The Fuzzbox goes between the amplifier's
speaker taps and the speaker voice coil terminals.
contact push- button switch (Si) a pow- ,
er diode such as a GE 1N91 (Dl), and
a 0.05 -p.F, 50 -volt ceramic disc capacitor
(Cl). In operation, the unit is connected
between the output of the guitar ampli-
fier and the speaker, and the combina-
tion diode -capacitor acts as a simple
wave- forming circuit.
The normal waveform produced by a
guitar is relatively free of harmonic con-
tent. When the switch is pressed, the
diode clips alternate peaks of the ap-
plied signal, and the signal is further
shaped by the capacitor to produce a
sawtooth -like waveform rich in harmon-
ics. This enables the Fuzzbox to pro-
Fig. 2. For easy access, the push button is mounted
on top of the box, while the diode and capaci-
tor are wired on a terminal strip below the deck.
92
PoorMansGuitar.com
duce overtones which sound as if they
were tearing your speaker to shreds,
while actually reducing, slightly, the
amplifier output power.
Construction. For professional appear-
ance, the Fuzzbox should be mounted in
a small presentable enclosure -a 4" X
2" X 11/2" aluminum box of the gray
hammertone type will do nicely. The
push- button switch can be mounted on
the top of the box for easy access, and
the other two components connected via
a terminal strip as shown in Fig. 2. A
barrier strip can be mounted through a
cutout on the chassis for easy connection
to external circuits.
An alternate construction method is to
use a footswitch with the few compo-
nents mounted inside the switch. Also,
the diode and the capacitor can be in-
cluded in the guitar amplifier and con-
trolled from a switch located outside
the amplifier.
No shielding is required as the circuit
is not susceptible to hum pickup, and
no special precautions need be taken.
But you must use a power diode for Dl,
since miniature low -power diodes can-
not take the high power levels produced
by most guitar amplifiers. Incidentally,
slightly different sounds are produced by
different types of diodes, and you may
wish to experiment with some of the
power types for the best sound. How-
ever, the author has found the GE 1N91
to be quite satisfactory.
Installation and Use. The Fuzzbox is
connected between the amplifier speaker
taps and the speaker voice coil, with the
switch wired in the "hot" or ungrounded
lead. Also, be sure to make connections
to the proper speaker impedance taps to
prevent excessive power losses.
In addition to its "fuzz" -producing
function, the Fuzzbox can be used as an
aid in tuning a 12- string guitar. For
if a pair of strings is not tuned an
octave apart, as they should be, you will
hear a distinct beat that can be over-
come only by properly tuning the in-
strument.
And remember, the Fuzzbox is de-
signed for single -string application, and
will not reproduce chords satisfactorily.
Have mercy on your audience by using
the Fuzzbox as it should be used. -1-
POPULAR ELECTRONICS
 Teb
ost
for your
Giifftw'
Blast 'ex with ~tiler 20 dR
IN POP MUSIC groups, the predominant
IIinstrument is usually the electric
guitar either a bass or a rhythm guitar,
with the latter played as a simple accom-
paniment or as the lead instrument.
When it is the lead instrument, a great
deal of treble boost is required of the
rhythm guitar either to highlight the
melody section or for special effects.
Often, the necessary boost is within
the range of the amplifier and the guitar
tone controls. However, there are occa-
sions when a large amount of additional
treble boost is desired. At times like
these, you need a special treble boost
preamplifier.
The independent treble boost preampli-
fier described in this article is just the
thing for the pop music guitarist. It pro-
December, 1969
t
BY A44TH;)NY LEC`-
`.
vides 20 dB of boost at 3000 Hz with ref-
erence to 300 Hz. With a minor altera-
tion, an extra 6 dB can be obtained.
The circuit of the booster preamp is
simply a one -transistor amplifier stage
( QI in the schematic diagram) whose
response to incoming signals is continu-
ously adjustable in the treble range.
Control of treble boost is provided by
potentiometer R4.
At bass frequencies, R4 in the emitter
circuit of QI introduces sufficient degen-
erative feedback to maintain stage gain
at slightly more than unity. As the in-
coming signal from the guitar through
'Reprinted with special pern7issioºt front
Electronics Atmtralia.
59

*SEE TEXT
PARTS LIST
B1 -9 -volt
transistor battery
('1-0.2'-µF, low -voltage capacito,
C2 -0.l5 -µF, low -voltage capacitor
C3 -0.47-µF, low -voltage capacitor
11-1ack (sec text)
I'l-Plug (sec text)
Ol-Transistor Motorola 11T1'.í5
1:1 -120,000 -ohm, %-watt resistor
jack J1 increases in frequency, the re-
sistance of the emitter circuit is pro-
gressively shunted by the impedance net-
work made up of capacitor C2 and re-
sistor R5. Assuming the frequency of the
incoming signal continues to rise and
that R4 is set for maximum resistance,
the gain of the stage continues to in-
crease until at about 3000 Hz it levels
off at 20 dB. At this point, the gain of
the stage is limited only by the value of
resistor R5.
As the resistance of R4 is decreased,
stage gain drops proportionally from a
maximum to some intermediate level.
Hence, if treble is too "bright" at one
setting of R4, it can be compensated for
by changing the setting.
Constructing the treble boost preamp-
lifier should present no problems. The
circuit is simple, and since all compo-
nents are relatively small in size, it can
be housed in a very small aluminum
chassis box. A convenient size for the
box is Or X 234" X 1'/-'".
For convenience, mount J1 at one end
60
Basic circuit includes R5
which limits maximum gain
to 20 dB. Up to 6 dB extra
gain can be had by elimi-
nating R5 and connecting
C2 directly to negative bus.
R2 -56.000 -ohm, /2 -watt resistor
R3 -6800 -ohm, Y, -watt resistor
R4 -5000 -ohm switched linear potentiometer
R5 -560 -ohm, %watt resistor (see test)
S1-S.p.s.t. switch ( part of R4)
1-4/4" 1 21'1" x 114" aluminum utility box
1-Dual five-tcrmival tag strip or terminal board
Misc.-Shielded microphone cable; battery clip,
hardware; metal spacers; control knob; solder;
etc.
of the box, and bring out the shielded
microphone cable to which output plug
P1 is connected through a rubber -grom-
met -lined hole in the other end of the
box. (Select the jack and plug to con-
form with the requirements of your par-
ticular guitar and amplifier.) The poten-
tiometer can then be mounted on the top
of the box.
When assembling the project, first
mount the battery holder at one end of
the underside of the top half section of
the utility box. Slip the battery into the
holder. Then mount a tag strip or ter-
minal board over the battery, using long
enough spacers to provide clearance be-
tween the board and battery.
Now wire the components to the tag
strip or terminal hoard, following care-
fully the schematic diagram. Be sure to
wire the transistor and battery leads to
the proper points in the circuit, and ex-
ercise caution when soldering the tran-
sistor into place. Apply just enough heat
for the solder to flow; as soon as the
solder flows, remove the heat.
(Continued on page 92)
POPULAR ELECTRONICS
 ( TREBLE BOOST
Fast easy soldering
is a gift from
Give a Weller soldering tool for Christmas and you
give a man the ability to make secure soldered
connections quickly and easily. And because no
other soldering tools match Weller
for features and dependability,
you know you're giving
the best.
u
8 -Piece
Dual Heat
Soldering Gun Kit
Gun tip heats instantly when trigger
is pulled. Two trigger positions for in-
stant switching to high 140 watt or low 100 watt heat. Built-in
spotlight. Included: 3 soldering tips, tip wrench, flux sags
brush, soldering aid, solder, plastic case. Model 8200PK. 9lisl
New TEMPMATIC®
Temperature Controlled
Soldering Tool
Combines all the advantages of a last heat-
ing soldering gun, a lightweight pencil iron
and tip temperature control. Gives maximum
component protection in the most delicate work
situations. Yet it does heavy jobs like chassis sol-
dering. Weighs only 7 ounces. Powerhead contains
Weller's temperature control
system. Model GT-7A has 700°F.
Y6" chisel point Powerhead. Model .i1.14.?:.-
GT-6B has 600°F. conical $ 98 SOLDERING IRD KIT
point Powerhead. Each tool- 12 list
(Continued front page 60)
When the circuit is completed, assem-
ble the utility box. Turn the box over
and fasten a suitable knob to the shaft
of the potentiometer.
To use the booster preamp, plug into
J1 the cable from your guitar and the
plug on the booster/preamp's cable into
the input of your amplifier. Switch on
power ( turn the potentiometer knob
clockwise until you hear a click) and
start playing your guitar.
By experimenting with the setting of
the potentiometer control, you can de-
termine the best positions of the control
for different occasions and effects. (The
maximum stage gain of the treble boost
preamp is at this point restricted to 20
dB at 3000 Hz to prevent overloading
and consequent distortion of the ampli-
fier input stages. However, if your gui-
tar/amplifier combination will handle it
without degrading the sound quality,
you can add another 6 dB of gain. To do
this, remove R5 from the circuit, and
connect C2 directly to the negative buss
of the circuit.)
Once you familiarize yourself with the
use of the guitar treble boost preampli-
fier, you will wonder how you got along
without it at "rock" sessions. And be-
cause the booster preamp is an accessory
item, when the time comes that you do
not need it for special effects, you can
disconnect it from the circuit and play
your guitar straight through. -C-
YOU TURN
ME ON...

Welter MARKSMAN
Soldering Iron Kit
Lightweight 25 -watt iron outperforms all
other irons of its size and price. Has re- POWER
placeable tip, stainless steel barrel, cool
handle. Included: 2 extra tips, sol- $444
dering aid, solder. Model SP -23K. list

WELLER ELECTRIC CORPORATION, EASTON, PA.

WORLD LEADER IN SOLDERING TOOLS J
CIRCLE NO. 43 ON READER SERVICE PAGE
92
POPULAR ELECTRONICS

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