Germanium Tweak Fuzz?

jimijames

jimijames

New member
Does anybody know how you would go about changing the silicone transistors in the tweak fuzz for germanium? I found a few suppliers on ebay that sell germanium transistors, but I don't know which ones would work or how to go about changing them. Here are the two suppliers I found:
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEWMARKET-NKT27...5|66:2|65:12|39:1|240:1318|301:1|293:1|294:50
http://cgi.ebay.com/10-Amperex-Mull...5|66:2|65:12|39:1|240:1318|301:1|293:1|294:50

Are these reasonable prices? Are there other suppliers for germanium transistors? How can I change out the transistors in the tweak fuzz without destroying it?

Thanks for the help as always,
- Nick
 
Re: Germanium Tweak Fuzz?

Ge transistors need to be gain matched for the circuit -- you don't just buy a few and replace them.

I'd suggest looking at Small Bear for matched sets.

However, I don't think it's such a hot idea ... if you're going to that trouble, just build one of the DIY kits from BYOC or General Guitar Gadgets.
 
Re: Germanium Tweak Fuzz?

I just ordered the BYOC Mk II kit yesterday, on a friend's recommendation! (those look like excellent transistors!)

However, I checked, and the GGG FuzzFace kit is only $55. I might get that one too .... IMO, you need both a good FuzzFace and Tonebender fuzz. :)
 
Re: Germanium Tweak Fuzz?

Thanks for the advice guys, I love the 'tweak' circuit though! I just keep thinking to myself "man, this pedal would slay if it was just more organic..." Also, I don't have $98 to spend on a BYOC kit, but I do have a tweak fuzz and the transistors are cheaper than a new pedal...

I'll look at small bear then, thanks for the help, I have to think about whether or not I should do this or just unload the pedal altogether...
 
Re: Germanium Tweak Fuzz?

I think you should at least take a look at the board to see if it's even feasable to swap the trannies.

I didn't mean to imply that's in not a bad idea in theory, it's just that the cirbuit was designed to be stable, which Ge fuzzes aren't always, and it could be difficult to work on ... I just don't know.
 
Re: Germanium Tweak Fuzz?

Ok, well when I get home in tomorrow I'll bust it open and take a look, but I've heard fuzz circuits are pretty basic so hopefully it won't be too complex. What I'd like to do is what analogman did with the sunface, where you can control the voltage to the transistors to find the sweet spot. But I'd like to do it with an internal trim pot instead of having to drill for another knob on the thing.

At any rate, once I get it open it'll be a lot easier to see how difficult it's going to be.

Frank & Evan, if you're out there, do you have any advice?
 
Re: Germanium Tweak Fuzz?

I wouldn't even attempt to swap trannys in a Tweak Fuzz...

Don't get too hung up on the germanium vs silicon crap anyway...if you want a great sounding Fuzz Face pedal look into the newest Dunlop Hendrix fuzz...great pedal!

FWIW, while we're talking about it, the Tweak Fuzz is a great sounding pedal as-is!
 
Re: Germanium Tweak Fuzz?

I love my Fulltone '69 pedals and feel they are the nicest sounding Fuzzface clone I've ever heard - better than any of the original Fuzzfaces I've tried. If you want totally accurate Hendrix tone than that's one way to get it. But I don't see them as being the ultimate fuzz by any means.

I use my Rat, Jemini, TS-808 or Satchurator just as often (more often really) and find any of those easier to get a good and consistent tone out of.

Lew
 
Re: Germanium Tweak Fuzz?

Thank you guys for all of the answers...

TGWIF - I see so much potential in the tweak fuzz circuit, but even next to my roommates' plain-jane dunlop fuzz face, it sounded (comparatively) flat and harsh, even more so when compared with my vexter series fuzz factory. You're right, It is a great sounding pedal as is, but it could be epic, and that's why I began to contemplate messing around with it. I figured germanium would pull a little more character out of it and soften the high end, give it a bit more randomness and a touch of chaos - I'm looking for something a bit less chaotic than the fuzz factory but not as even sounding as the tweak fuzz, if that makes any sense.

Also, while I agree with the "if it sounds good, it sounds good" mantra, I've found that I just like germanium in pedals - My tri-boost has replaced my analogman SD-1/808 as my go to boost pedal, and I don't use the mosfet and clean boost modes, because they don't sound as musical to my ears. Likewise with my fuzz factory - even the 'zipper' and 'radio' settings seem to have a more musical and pleasing treble response than other fuzzes I've tried.

Lew - Fulltone '69 you say? I'd like to try one, but I can't really justify spending any more money on pedals right now. Also, I see where you're coming from, but I'm looking for a tone that's definitively fuzz and part of that sound is inconsistency - I have pedals that I can get a good, consistent distortion sound out of, not to mention my amp which has pretty fantastic distortion tones.

Thank you guys again with your advice, I think I'm going to listen for once and leave the tweak fuzz as is. I like it, but I don't love it and with me that means it's time for it to go.
 
Re: Germanium Tweak Fuzz?

Here is what Im getting at, these Duncan pedals are no where near as tweakable on the insides as a Boss or Ibanez pedal so doing what you are talking about would be a huge pain in the neck plus like I said before simply changing trannys to germanium won't make the changes you're looking for.

You need to simply save some cash and buy a high quality germanium Fuzz Face clone.

All that said I think you could still be VERY happy with the new BC108 Hendrix Fuzz Face.

Also, if you actually like the plain Dunlop Fuzz Faces you need to know 2 things...one, those pedals sound almost NOTHING like a great Fuzz Face and if you like that sound just buy one of them...they can be had used really cheep...
 
Re: Germanium Tweak Fuzz?

why not try droppin a bc108 in the tweak?

from what i understand it's the closest to a pair of germaniums as you can get with silicon, and it would probably require less modification
 
Re: Germanium Tweak Fuzz?

Update:

It turns out I need to try a pedal through a few amps before I pass judgment on it. I recently moved all my stuff back from college to my house, and I finally got a chance to play the tweak fuzz through my plexi clone. Turns out it sounds good. I mean really good. Through a fender twin... Garbage. Through a marshal plexi (or at least something close to it)... Magik

you guys were right, it really is a great sounding pedal, and what's weird is the opposite thing happened with my doubleshot distoriton - through the twin it was smooth and responsive, pleasing to the ear at every setting. Through my plexi, it sounds like muffled garbage, the bottom channel sounds like what cottage cheese looks like, and the top channel sounds thin and papery.

Man, what a difference an amp can make...
 
Re: Germanium Tweak Fuzz?

I know, I know, but at least I learned my lesson right?

And that lesson is I need to keep my mouth shut...
 
Re: Germanium Tweak Fuzz?

hey, it's very much a learning experience, and tone is always the sum of the parts

there are some combinations that we know work well, but the fact is, I'm always finding new combinations that surprise me
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Gearjoneser
Coolest Synth Pedal!
Replies
10
Views
1K
Hoss
Hoss
S
OCDologists! Impressive Royal Jimmy Page "Hiwatt" head
Replies
19
Views
3K
RMosack
R
L
Do you like lots of knobs to fiddle with?
2
Replies
31
Views
2K
Tor
Tor
JammerMatt
Anyone ever heard of this Greenback cone?
Replies
3
Views
1K
JammerMatt
JammerMatt
L
Klon Centaur clones on Ebay....
Replies
18
Views
8K
Stratman
Stratman
Back
Top