Shunt-Type Germanium Fuzz Circuit PUBLIC

Overdrive Circuit w. Germanium Fuzz and 3-Band Tone-Control

Fuzz circuit using a shunt-type germanium-diode array, and 3-band active tone. Controls Include: Fuzz enable switch, Fuzz Drive, Fuzz Gain, Fuzz symmetry switches (two, with 2 settings each), Fuzz Depth, Tone Send, Bass, Mid, Treble, Output Gain, and Volume. Maximum no-fuzz gain with all controls at 50% is +14 dBV @ 250 Hz. Maximum gain with fuzz and all controls at 50% is +28 dBV @ 250 Hz. Both get up to twice that with all controls at 100%. Range above 0 dBV is from 25 Hz to 4 kHz with all controls at 50%, but which extends in both directions with controls > 50%. Suitable for 6/7/8-string guitar or 4/5/6-string bass, but with emphasis on mids. Power-supply not shown. Requires a regulated dual-polarity supply providing +-9VDC or +-12VDC or +-15VDC, at >= 40 mA of current. Though the Diode Array is a shunt-type circuit, germanium diodes are known for giving a more tube-like and softer fuzz tone than that of silicon diodes. The symmetry switches (SSW) set the harmonic content of the fuzz; symmetry between the two legs of the Array produces more odd-order harmonics, for a harder fuzz tone, while asymmetry produces more even-order harmonics, for sweeter fuzz.