Bear-o-Dactyl Double Fuzz Face

[eldanko]

This one has been in the work for months, and is the product of parts and ideas from many different people, whom I will try to thank one by one in the following description!

The Bear-o-Dactyl Double Fuzz is an NPN and a PNP Fuzz Face in one box with order switching.  The PNP side was built on a board by our own gtr2 (thanks Josh!) that has an onboard polarity-flipping charge pump.  The NPN side is actually my first stripboard build EVAR, and it came out great.  This was probably the most wiring I've ever had to do in a pedal, and I'm actually pretty pleased with how "tidy" it is given how much is going on in there.

The PNP transistors are some 2SB175s that I have a small stash of, and they have a good bit of gain to them.  Quite hairy, strong midrange, lots of sustain.

The NPN side has a 2N1304 in Q1 and a 2N1306 in Q2.  I'm getting less gain on this side, but a MUCH fuller bottom end with just a killer overall tone.  Just massive and fun.

When both sides are on together... endless sustain, but not without a nice share of good ol noise    In hindsight, the order switcher might have been a bit superfluous, as it really only sounds good with the PNP side first.  Nevertheless, it's cool to have it on there just for experimentation!

Only regret: should have labeled the two sides "PNP/NPN" instead of "Germanium/Silicon" as I ended up going germanium on both sides...  

A few of the mojo caps came from a PIF by LaceSensor (thanks Ian!) and the NPN transistors came from JakeFuzz (thanks Paul!).  You guys all rock.  Also, graphics inspired by/borrowed from www.theoatmeal.com.

[jimmybjj]

Looks great man, always love your graphics.

[eldanko]

Haa thanks!  Can't take too much credit, as it's borrowed from the Oatmeal... need to add that to the list of thank-yous... OP amended 

[midwayfair]

bear bear bear!

[icecycle66]

I think this particular build calls for a demo.

I'd like to hear the different NPN/PNP orders to see how they sound lined up.

[JakeFuzz]

Yes!!! I am so excited to see this one up and running. It's really crazy to hear how different pnp and npn transistors sound. I have found similar results in my tests. NPN's tend to have a smoother, darker character. I personally like the NPN's. You should definitely demo these, I too would love to hear how they stack up. Great looking build.

[TNblueshawk]

Holy crap that is one cool pedal ED!

[gtr2]

Wow, awesome Dane!

Josh

[bigrigg]

I thought Bear O Dactyl's went extinct millions of years ago?? 
Very cool.

[Bret608]

Man, I would love to hear those stacked! Let me echo the call for a demo.

Glad I'm not the only one who still hasn't made use of all my PIF parts!    I've got my Cosmo board finished which will feature one of Paul's 2n1306s. I think I'll have LaceSensor's Millenium switching in that one...

[nzCdog]

RAWR!   
Cool build!