Basic Audio Scarab Deluxe

 Up until I made this my "fuzz" option was a Big Muff. It didn't get much use. You can't hear it in a live setting. I needed something  with a bit more grunt. I love this pedal, and its a stayer for me. I'm going to re-box it in something a bit more deluxe ( and smaller) at some stage. With the bias set to not too much fuzzy It's a an awesome distortion option ( for me). I found using some lower gain 2N5088 transistors produced better soundz.

Again I got the circuit and build info from drdfx. I chose a few of his to start with. In my view it seemed he had shortlisted worthy builds and I haven't been disappointed in his choices.

Inkscape drawing left, actual right pic. Printed using Tayda printing service.

The circuit can also be found in vero layout.

Fuzz Factory from Musikding

 

The Factory

 

 Ok, so starting off I got a kit from Musikding in germany. “The Factory”. To New Zealand was very reasonable I thought. Against my principle of “from scratch” I know. I needed the matched germaniums, AC125’s in this case and putting together an easy circuit and the offboard wiring from a kit seemed like a good way to introduce myself to making these things.

The kit was great, easy to follow and easy to make if you’re good at soldering already.

This circuit is crazy, thats for sure.

My artwork at this stage is printable clear sticky film with clear-coat topping.

Incidentally, in my search for germaniums AC128’s at the time, i came across some from Ali-express. 10 for $10. What the hell, got a pack to see what you got. I don’t know whether they purposely plant them or it was just sheer luck , but there were 2 out of the 10 with the perfect HFE/gain measurements. One at 70 the other at 110. They sit in this now and doing the job very well. AC125’s will go on a future project. I'm aware Ali-express is risky, and it is. Last resort perhaps. I have had a fair success and some failures here for parts i cant find elsewhere for a reasonable price.