Help with a Superfuzz build please!!!

[Beaker]

Hi guys, can anyone help me with a problem I have got with a Superfuzz I am building for a friend?

First off, it's built on a PCB from Pedalparts.co.uk (version 2 board). I've built two before on vero, and one using his version 1 board without any problems at all. This one does not work properly, and it's driving me crazy!

The problem is with the Fuzz (Balance) control. Basically with the fuzz turned all the way up, the pedal works as it should, but if I turn the fuzz control down, the volume drops as well, until at full CCW rotation I lose all volume.

I've checked EVERYTHING multiple times - values, polarity, location, checked for shorts or bad solder joints, the lot. I've audio probed it which shows no issues, and the voltage are good as far as I can see. I've changed pots too, but the problem remains.

Has anyone ever come across an issue like this before, or offer any solutions, as I'm honestly tearing my hair out over this one!

[Neil mcNasty]

Don't worry! There is nothing wrong with your build!

"Balance" on the Superfuzz is a standard Volume Control with an old school name.
(Balance was the normal labeling for a volume pot in the 60-70's, as it sets the "balance" between bypassed and effected signal)
The behavior you describe is as expected from a Balance/Volume pot...

The Fuzz control pot is labeled "Expander".

[Frank_NH]

Here's the schematic.  As you can see both controls send the signal to ground, so either one at full CCW will turn the signal off.  Mine does the same thing.

In fact, here is my old Superfuzz...

It was my first effects build (as you can tell from the messy wiring), and had the audacity to actually WORK the first time I wired it up.  That sent me on the journey for the ultimate tone ("toan") that I pursue to this day...

[Silver Blues]

Now, if you want to have signal even at the minimum gain setting, all you need to do is put a resistor between lug 1 of the "Expander" pot and ground, a value that gives you the desired amount of minimum gain (like the Muff has). Should be a simple enough thing to do if you're so inclined.

[Frank_NH]

BTW I was playing my Superfuzz today (after taking the snapshots above) and I really like it.  You can get some really rich octave fuzz sounds, and the switch gives you two very different tones.  I suppose this is why I haven't been as interested in Fuzz builds (except the Muff).

[Travis]

Love the Superfuzz.

As everyone has already stated lug 1 of the expander pot is grounded so you can expect it to be silent at minimum.

Just for shits and giggles I checked my original Univox Superfuzz, and with the expander at minimum it bleeds a tiny bit but is basically silent. But if you have any other questions you'd like to ask a Superfuzz owner I'm your guy!

[Beaker]

Thanks for the input guys, I really appreciate it. I've not replied as I wanted to get the Superfuzz I built for my, son back from him, so I could take a look.

Lo and behold - a 3k3 resistor on the Expand pot. Now I know why it sounds different!

Some how I had forgotten all about it.

[Frank_NH]

Travis - that's an awesome vintage Superfuzz (images of Pete Townshend in front of his Hiwatt stacks).  Keep an eye on it as it's worth quite a bit these days!

[Travis]

Yeah Pete knew how to rock the Superfuzz for sure. This pedal is probably about 25 years older than me so I'm definitely not the original owner :P The prices for these are all over the place. Mine wasn't cheap, but you see them for over twice as much on eBay all day long..

I also have a vintage Maestro FZ-1A which is my personal favorite! Such a magical little contraption

[Beaker]

You are right about the prices being all over the place. Most of that comes from which version of the Superfuzz you own - some "badges" are much more desirable to collectors than others.

The guy who asked me to build this asked for a Shaftsbury Fuzz, (he had seen one for sale on ebay for over 1000 dollars!). I told him that I had never heard of it, but a quick Google showed that it was just a Shaftsbury branded Superfuzz - just about the rarest and most desirable (therefore expensive) version of the Superfuzz. He wanted one, as his bass hero Hugh Hopper from Soft Machine used one. Very few Shaftsbury badged units were made and sold, and Pete Townsend used one, hence the high prices.

Not sure which version Tony Iommi used though.

But yes, they are immensely awesome!

[Travis]

The Shaftesbury Fuzz was just a Superfuzz branded for a store in the UK. There may have been one or two component changes.. Who knows?

The [original] transistors in my Univox are different than the ones on the schematics and most other Superfuzzes. So I know they used some different components from time to time

I usually see pictures of Pete with the big orange Univox branded one like mine. He's used lots of different fuzzes though