I've got a few questions about the value of the volume pot in the FuzzFace circuit. Phillip, I did notice that you happen to use a 100k pot in your Fuzz instead of the stock 500k, so you're a great guy to shed some insight into this matter.
I've read that Eric Johnson always replaces the 500k volume pots in his vintage FuzzFace pedals with a 100k. He claims that it tracks better when playing fast passages and just sounds better overall. He also said that with the 100k pot the Fuzz doesn't cough as much!?
What are your feelings about how a 100k volume pot behaves compared to a 500k in the FuzzFace circuit? I suppose that the overall output of the pedal is lowered but maybe the trade-off is having finer control over the entire range of the pot's travel, maybe better tone. Yes, no?
The 100KA volume pot just lets through more highs. To me the Fuzz Face with the 500KA pot as always sounded very muddy...even through a Fender amp. So once I tried the 100KA pot I've never looked back
I came in with a related question......but you seemed to address it right here.
I want to make sure that I understand.... a 500K output pot will give you a darker sound than a 100K???????
The problem I have is: I got a great set of transistors from Small Bear, used a standard FF board...with Steve's suggested resistors. I have been pleased with the effect for the most part....but Have lately made an observation. If I have the tone on my guitar ( '96 MIM Strat w/CS54's) wet where I like it, rolled off to about 7-8...then kick the FF on...I have to grab the tone and knock it down to 3-4 to like the FF tone that I hear. That means...when I kick the FF off...the guitar is TOO dark..so I have to adjust the tone up a bit. This makes me think....that I neeed a ittle darker sound out of my FF to balance it with the guitar.
I'd appreciate any opinions that anyone might care to throw out there......
For more bass response in a Fuzz Face, you can replace the 0.01uF output capacitor with a larger value, like 0.047uF or even 0.1uF. If it's still not bassy enough, you could also replace the input capacitor with a larger value...3.3uF or 4.7uF.
