Folk Fuzz 3.5% build thread

[polifemo]

Played with the FF more today, sounded horrible. Found out why though! I have T2 facing the wrong direction (C in E, E in C), and I also have the B of T1 soldered to the wrong pad (should be in the upper middle, correct?) I'm waiting on some desoldering braid to come from small bear so I can get the transistors out, since my solder sucker is too clunky for this job. Looking forward to hearing a true FF.

This reply was posted a couple of posts up:
I don't think it matters as both the possible "middle holes" appear to be on the same trace; orientation of the outside legs is critical. (again, might want to await confirmation of my assessment).

I believe that this is correct, right?

Has anyone succeded in building a fully functioning Folk Fuzz yet?

[aussy]

Those who have have probably didn't even bother to open this thread
If the middle pads do share the same trace, it'd sure save me a bit of trouble
Still need to reorient the other transistor
I ordered some wire too to redo the whole thing

[polifemo]

Found a way to desolder the LED.

MacGyver desoldering tutorial:

- Place a strong string underneath the LED and attach both ends to a heavy object.

- Heat both legs simultaniously, and remember to add some new solder while doing so, in order to "soften" the old.

- Pull gently until the LED is off the board.

End of tutorial.

It worked great, and now I only have to find the LED as it flew away when it came off

To be continued

[Strat-o-lux]

MacGyver desoldering tutorial:

Excellent!

[polifemo]

MacGyver desoldering tutorial:

Excellent!

MacGyver Desoldering Tutorial Deluxe:

Same as before but: Secure the LED to the strong wire using some chewing gum (Go MacGyver! Go!!) in order not having to crawl around the floor for hours, looking for the missing component ...


"And I still haven´t found what I´m looking for..."

[polifemo]

Victory

Guess where I found the LED?

INSIDE THE BOX THAT THE KIT CAME IN

It´s late at night here, but tomorrow I´ll check if it´s still OK after all of my reheating/desoldering.

If so I´ll finally (hopefully) be able to complete this pedal (Slowly and carefully this time )

[polifemo]

The now legendary Folk Fuzz 3,5% Serial No1 is completed

- Does it make any sound
- Yes it does

- Does it sound good
- Yes it does

- Might it get loud
- Yes, it might get very loud

This is a killer pedal, and I´m so happy to own one

Thanks to Björn, John and Donner for making this thing happen!!!!!!

[polifemo]

I´ve been playing the Folk Fuzz pedal quite a bit now, and it really is a versatile fantastic sounding Fuzz!
The 3 way switch offers 3 degrees of clipping/compression that all are very usable.
The tone control is - as always with Björns circuits - perfectly balanced and usable thru out its entire range.

Not many fuzzes can handle beeing boosted, but right now I´ve got the pedal boosted with my Omega booster (painted in a BJFE-style after Björn had been kind enough to offer me some of his secret paint) and it works just great!!!!



I´ve got the Folk Fuzz 3 way switch in the middle, least compressed, position and the Fuzz control on max, and still it can handle a boosted signal

The Folk Fuzz is very alive and dynamic, it reacts to the guitars volume control just as a good fuzz is supposed to do, and I´m sure that Mike Landau would have loved this one during his Burning Water/Raging Honkies period.

Cool pedal indeed

[Strat-o-lux]

polifemo:
Victory

Cheers!


I'm also pleased to report that Folk Fuzz XII is complete and all systems are go. I've only had a few minutes to play it but I will say in agreement with Polifemo that it seems quite versatile, and probably useful on all settings. In basic fuzz mode, with the gain backed off it does indeed, as someone commented on an earlier build thread, sound rather HB-like. I like this thing. Very cool!


A question: when the diodes (or whatever) are switched on (haven't had time to figure out which position of the switch does what), in the one position of the switch there's a noticeable volume drop. Nothing crazy, but enough to require an adjustment. Is this "normal" for the circuit or is something screwed up?

[polifemo]

polifemo:
Victory

Cheers!


I'm also pleased to report that Folk Fuzz XII is complete and all systems are go. I've only had a few minutes to play it but I will say in agreement with Polifemo that it seems quite versatile, and probably useful on all settings. In basic fuzz mode, with the gain backed off it does indeed, as someone commented on an earlier build thread, sound rather HB-like. I like this thing. Very cool!


A question: when the diodes (or whatever) are switched on (haven't had time to figure out which position of the switch does what), in the one position of the switch there's a noticeable volume drop. Nothing crazy, but enough to require an adjustment. Is this "normal" for the circuit or is something screwed up?

Glad to hear

Regarding the drop in volume, my pedal does the same thing.
I figure that it´s due to the heavier clipping/compression, and with a slight adjustment of the volume knob one is back in business again.