Maestro FZ1 build

[johnk]

just finished making my own vero of the original Maestro FZ1. it sounds great.
I've always loved these and have owned four of the originals in the past. I'm very proud of this one since IMO, they are very difficult to build to sound like the originals. I've found that they need just the right germanium transistors with the correct hfe (gain) and leakage. I modded mine for a little more low end (for use with a bass), but used plug in coupling caps so I can always run it stock if I want to. I also added a pre-gain control so i can run it at lower than stock fuzz levels, but when the pregain knob is maxed, it's as if it isn't there. they run on only -3 volts (two AA's/ positive ground) so i built a highly filtered +9V to -3V convertor daughterboard into it to simulate the batteries and allow me to run it off of a standard Boss power supply.

here's a couple of pics of it:





 
     

[adstrum]

Nice looking build John. Very impressed.

[Lord sonic]

Hey! This looks great! What transistors and HFe did you use, and do you have a vero layout? I would love to try one of these next although haven't had much luck with germanium fuzzes thus far!

[johnk]

I used AC128's. hfe was from 90-130.
if you haven't had much luck with ge fuzzes, IMO, this is NOT the one to build.

[Effectsiation]

Hey John thanks for those hfe notes! Do you happen to know what the leakage is for those bad boys? I've heard having some leakage matters a bit in this circuit. Also, would you mind sharing your layout? :)