BAZZ FUSS Gain pot added

[bzblues]

Hi guys!

I've built the awesome little Bazz Fuss. This version I found online and it sounds killer. The thing is I wanted to add a gain knob and, after investigating, I read that you should wire a 1k pot to the Emiter of the transistor (check the layout)

I've tried but it doesn't work out. When I turn the knob the signal just fades away and comes back. Should I try other pot values or is it because of the layout?

Thanks a lot!

Brian.

[fx-fidden]

That image is not so right about the mod you want to do, so I'm not sure if you did it correctly.
I try to explain it, maybe it's just a lacking of experience.

First thing to do is disconnect the emitter from the ground. You can make a cut track to the left of the emitter.
Following the pot wiring, that one lug goes to the ground, you can put it close the ground wire. The other two lugs goes to the emitter, any spot of the track to the right side of the transistor.
That pot put, when it is at max, the emitter in contact with the ground (like the original schematic) giving you max gain. When the pot is at min you got 1k resistor between the emitter and the ground, decreasing the gain.

I built the Bazz Fuss, one of my first pedal, but I don't remember I never tried this mod, so I can't tell you how that works.

I hope I helped you.

[Neil mcNasty]

The simple fix, in simple terms:

1: Cut the black wire as close to the board as you get, leaving the black wire attached to the pot.
(Leave the red wire as it is)
2: Insert a cut in the vero/break the path: between the Emitter and ground (left of transistor's emitter, and as close to the transistor as you get)
!!! Also make sure that your power-ground, coming IN to the board is also located at the same side as you Volume grounding wire!!!
3: Take the black wire from the pot (that you cut in step 1) and solder it to the LEFT side of the cut (IOW: to ground)

Now the Pot regulates the Emitters connection to ground as a variable resistor, and you are able to tame the fuzz (the default; connecting Emitter directly to ground = max fuzz, hence a pot will decrease the amount of Fuzz with such a mod)

If you also add a 1M resistor from the input strip on the vero to ground, while you're at it... you now also have "pop-prevention" (removes switching noise when engaging/bypassing)
It is also a good idea to add a 10-100uf Electrolytic from the +9v rail to Ground, or else you will have a very noisy pedal...!!! (look up "power filtering", if you are in doubt!