PhilosophyI began to design pedals in my late years of secondary school, and have remained fixated ever since. My design style might be thought of as a hybrid combination of vintage and modern technologies. I build each pedal myself, by hand, as I would for myself or a close friend. All of the circuits are hand soldered in my home to have a long lifespan, and be practical to service. The enclosures are drilled and powder coated in my garage. The printing is also done at home. My name is Darron Thornbury, and I live in the outer south-eastern suburbs of Melbourne, Australia.
parts, qualityAll pedals have a 10 year warranty. Here are some of the high quality parts which I commonly use in most of my pedal designs:
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OPTICAL TREMOLO |
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AC128 ARBITRARY FUZZ |
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THD |
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BIG FUZZ |
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FFS |
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RAD DISTORTION |
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RAD DISTORTION XL |
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TSX OVERDRIVE |
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PROFESSIONAL DRIVE XL |
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GERMANIUM AMPLIFIER V2 |
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STEREO PANNING OPTICAL TREMOLO |
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BROWN SOUND |
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TWEEDSVILLE |
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TSUCHI FUZZ V2 |
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BIG FUZZ LTD (ALL SOLD) |
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MINTDROP (ALL SOLD) |
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GERMANIUM FUZZ (ALL SOLD) |
OPTICAL TREMOLO My tremolos are easily my favourite circuits, and have occupied more of my design time than anything else. This was my first effect design from scratch, which I started in high school. Development took over a decade before I was happy with it. By shining a fading light against a photo-sensitive device, this tremolo uses all analog photo-coupling to restrict and fluctuate the output volume. Symmetry switch: This toggles between two modes which are subtly different. The asymmetric mode (up) has a slightly uneven rhythmic pattern. This can blend sweeter with the tempo of the music. The square wave in this mode stays longer in the 'on' state, giving less gap time. The symmetrical mode (down) has an even 360 degree spin, with a deeper scooping bottom. This circuit operates with in a split rail power supply for increased headroom, while maintaining a very low noise level. As with all of my tremolo models, you should expected perceived unity volume with all depth and rate settings, without having to make any manual volume adjustments. The wet level can be adjusted internally by a trimpot.
or EMS Express international delivery is still sometimes taking a little over a week to depart Australia. Once landed, it usually is delivered very quickly as a regular express courier service. |
Mike Hermans | |
James Ryan | |
brett kingman | |
InTheBlues |
AC128 ARBITRARY FUZZ This is an old-recipe, classic germanium fuzz, built to end your Fuzz Face search. New-old-stock European AC128 transistors are used, housed on a turret-board circuit. The Roger Mayer Hendrix mods have been implemented.
There is no internal battery space. Power supply is internally conditioned for ideal performance. A battery may be used by means of an external adapter (sold separately). This pedal should be placed first in the signal chain to voice correctly, connected directly to the instrument, and before any buffered pedals. It is a minimal circuit, which is expecting to 'see' a pickup impedence at its input. This circuit uses old-tech PNP type transistors. The power supply input is the industry standard 9V type with negative centre. However, for purity of sound, the case is positively-grounded, and as such cannot share a power supply with other pedals unless the supply has isolated outputs. The transistors used are cherry-picked for suitability from my collection, and as such are limited in availability. First in, best dressed. Germanium transistors are temperature sensitive, and will perform differently according to the ambient temperature. From these AC128s, expect low-medium leakage in winter, and medium-high leakage in summer.
or EMS Express international delivery is still sometimes taking a little over a week to depart Australia. Once landed, it usually is delivered very quickly as a regular express courier service. |
SHAUN KLINGER | ||
Abel Franco |
THD Developed from my 'made in Japan' HM-2. This redesign extends beyond the limitations of the original circuit to give additional tonal options, without compromising the classic fundamental tone. By using a dual-gang potentiometer, the DISTORTION knob has been redefined from the sloppy classic one. This is actually a dual-function control, which cascades gain stages together: The first half of the range of the DISTORTION knob controls a full-bodied fuzz. The second half uses black glass diodes to add a further layer of compression and sustain. The signal is processed through germanium diodes in the final compression stage. I found some hefty Soviet germanium pulse diodes (they look like little submarines) which are ideal for this function, and are crucial to achieving the valve-like attack response. N.B. this is unlike the common soft or hard peak clipping diode distortion configuration. The silicon/germanium switch hot-swaps the distorting transistor of the fuzz stage. The germanium mode sounds, dare I say it, closer to "tube-like". These transistors are cherry picked from my collection. First in, best dressed. First round will be made using US Air Force military devices by RCA. A focus switch has been added which makes subtle adjustments to the boominess of the bass. The chips have been upgraded to high performance audio amplifiers by JRC (Japanese Radio Company). Japanese audio-grade capacitors have mostly been use throughout. Full sized 1/4W metal film resistors have been used, all condensed down to fit into a compact 1590BS Hammond enclosure. This pedal stacks best when placed after other distortion and overdrive pedals.
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EMS Express international delivery is still sometimes taking a little over a week to depart Australia. Once landed, it usually is delivered very quickly as a regular express courier service.
Or build it yourself: buy the PCB only. Circuit boards are delivered by local letter post, or international letter post. No parts are included, other than the unpopulated printed circuit board. or
Build Documents: |
SHAUN KLINGER |
BIG FUZZ The Big Fuzz is a muff circuit, which has been critically re-tuned to improve the tone, playability, and versatility of the pedal. The MIDS control knob sweeps from the classic scoop, through to a more focused modern tone, with everything nice in the middle. The BMP/STB switch toggles between a modified muff setup, to working alike a 1973 Colorsound Supa Tonebender (with the variable mid knob, of course). This fuzz uses gain-selected transistors, and black glass silicon diodes. Due to signal processing, this effect is not particularly problematic with input or signal chain positioning.
or EMS Express international delivery is still sometimes taking a little over a week to depart Australia. Once landed, it usually is delivered very quickly as a regular express courier service. |
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WORKSHOP | ||
A todo Fuzz | ||
brett kingman | ||
Rhys Warden | ||
brett kingman | ||
KFIRO | ||
KFIRO | ||
The Pedal Picassos | ||
InTheBlues | ||
Captain Cherry's Guitar Lounge | ||
SHAUN KLINGER (iphone) | ||
The Fifth String | ||
The Fifth String |
FFS A recreation of the EJ silicon fuzz.
or EMS Express international delivery is still sometimes taking a little over a week to depart Australia. Once landed, it usually is delivered very quickly as a regular express courier service. |
Abel Franco | ||
The SuperFunAwesomeHappyTime Pedal Show! |
RAD DISTORTION
The 'stock' silicon mode is the classic ratty sounding fuzz-distortion from the '80s and '90s. This is achieved by a two-stage distortion of first overdriving the 308 amplifier chip into fuzz, and then recovering some shape by further compressing the signal using hard-clipping silicon diodes. In the germanium mode, the silicon chip fuzz has been removed. Germanium transistors and germanium diodes are used to achieve a rounded and organic overdrive-distortion. The HAIR control dials the mid/high drive saturation. Turning this completely to the right achieves the classic metallic ratty distortion. Turning this left achieves a full, flattened response. This is a variable version of the reutz mod.
or EMS Express international delivery is still sometimes taking a little over a week to depart Australia. Once landed, it usually is delivered very quickly as a regular express courier service. |
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Rhys Warden | ||
Brett kingman (teaser) | ||
Abel Franco | ||
The SuperFunAwesomeHappyTime Pedal Show! |
RAD Distortion XL
The 'stock' silicon mode is the classic ratty sounding fuzz-distortion from the '80s and '90s. This is achieved by a two-stage distortion of first overdriving the 308 amplifier chip into fuzz, and then recovering some shape by further compressing the signal using hard-clipping silicon diodes. In the germanium mode, the silicon chip fuzz has been removed. Germanium transistors and germanium diodes are used to achieve a rounded and organic overdrive-distortion. The HAIR knob can dial the mid/high drive saturation. Turning this completely to the right achieves the classic metallic ratty distortion. Turning this left achieves a full, flattened response. This is a variable version of the reutz mod.
AUD$265. See returns policy. Components used may vary to those shown in the photo. Photos should be used as a general guide for construction and components quality. EMS Express international delivery is still sometimes taking a little over a week to depart Australia. Once landed, it usually is delivered very quickly as a regular express courier service. |
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WE AS A COMPANY | ||
Rhys Warden | ||
Brett kingman (teaser) | ||
Abel Franco | ||
The SuperFunAwesomeHappyTime Pedal Show! |
TSX OVERDRIVE
The classic TS10 stock tone is achievable in STD mode, as well as two other variation modes:
The gain control has twice the amount of gain range as a classic TS. The extended range begins at the 2 o'clock position onwards. The chip has been upgraded to a higher performance audio amplifier by JRC (Japanese Radio Company). The 'soft clipping' is achieved using three black glass silicon diodes.
or EMS Express international delivery is still sometimes taking a little over a week to depart Australia. Once landed, it usually is delivered very quickly as a regular express courier service. |
Shaun Klinger | ||
WORkSHoP ASSEMBlY |
PROFESSIONAL DRIVE XL This is the result of my work redeveloping the classic TS overdrive circuit over many years, and critically evaluating every tone-shaping aspect of the signal path. This XL sized version is 808-based, and using over-spec'd parts. The three-way switch which toggles between three modes, which is helpful to suit a broader range of pickups and play styles.
The gain control has twice the amount of gain range as a classic TS. The extended range begins at the 2 o'clock position onwards.
or EMS Express international delivery is still sometimes taking a little over a week to depart Australia. Once landed, it usually is delivered very quickly as a regular express courier service. Please note: The second toggle switch option seen in the demo videos below is no longer included in the current production model for sale here. I found that the tone knob can make a setting which sounds the same as the "2 knob" mode, so it was removed. Components used may vary to those shown in the photo. Photos should be used as a general guide for construction and components quality. EMS Express international delivery is still sometimes taking a little over a week to depart Australia. Once landed, it usually is delivered very quickly as a regular express courier service. |
InTheBlues | ||
Captain Cherry's Guitar Lounge |
CLASS A Germanium amplifieR V2
Voicing switch:
GE / SI N.B. for purity of design, this pedal uses a positively grounded case. As such, it needs to be run from an isolated power supply, or battery. IE this pedal may not be suitable for a daisy-chain power supply. Batteries are not necessarily preferred.
AUD$220. Free delivery worldwide. See returns policy. EMS Express international delivery is still sometimes taking a little over a week to depart Australia. Once landed, it usually is delivered very quickly as a regular express courier service. |
Mike Hermans | |
COLEMAN's MUSIC |
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STEREO PANNING
By shining a fading light against a photo-sensitive device, this tremolo uses all analog photo-coupling to restrict and fluctuate the output volume. There is automatic perceived volume compensation for the full sweep of the controls. This is a stereo variation of my smaller Optical Tremolo. It can take a stereo input, or split a mono guitar input between stereo channels. The PAN switch changes the oscillator of each channel to be out of sync - so one comes up in volume while the other drops. This creates a strange swirling effect. All original analog circuitry and true bypass mechanical switching. As with all of my tremolo models, you should expected perceived unity volume with all depth and rate settings, without having to make any manual volume adjustments. The wet level is adjustable internally by a trimpot. This circuit is optimised for a guitar signal level. A line level version is available on request. Always use a high quality regulated and isolated power supply for best operation. Please note that the GND lift switch is no longer used, which was previously seen on old demo videos.
AUD$289. Free delivery worldwide. See returns policy. EMS Express international delivery is still sometimes taking a little over a week to depart Australia. Once landed, it usually is delivered very quickly as a regular express courier service. |
Mike Hermans | ||
Brett Kingman | ||
James Ryan | ||
Shaun Klinger |
BRETT KINGMAN | ||
The SuperFunAwesomeHappyTime Pedal Show! | ||
Captain Cherry's Guitar Lounge | ||
FIRST DEMO |
Tweedsville
This circuit is where I have landed from requests to build a pedal similar to the Lovepedal Les Lius, which is fundamentally a '70s Electra Distortion.
AUD$185. Free delivery worldwide. See returns policy. Most international orders are currently being sent by Express EMS to help minimize covid-19 delivery delays. This has been available for most countries, but not all. EMS Express international delivery is still sometimes taking a little over a week to depart Australia. Once landed, it usually is delivered very quickly as a regular express courier service. |
ADAM MILLER |
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BIG FUZZ XL
LTD POLISHED EDITION
(ALL SOLD) The polished finish turned out not to be a sustainable technique. As such, this was a limited batch of 10x polished units in this aesthetic. This circuit continued. See: Big Fuzz XL. |
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TSUCHI FUZZ v2
This pedal is out of production. We're taking time apart. I wouldn't say that we're broken-up, but I'm definitely seeing other pedals. Check for stock at Deluxe Guitars (Melbourne), Axe and You Shall Receive (Canada). |
Mike Hermans | |
James Ryan |
Mintdrop
all sold This is a '60s germanium Fuzz Face. Made using old recipe AC128 transistors, in Dazatronyx style. This pedal artwork was designed with a friend and it had been on the to-do pile for a LONG time. I prepared twenty of these special enclosures as a limited run project. N.B. for purity of design, this pedal uses a positively grounded case. As such, it needs to be run from an isolated power supply, or battery. Batteries are not preferred. IE this pedal may not be suitable for a daisy-chain power supply. |
GERMANIUM FUZZ 2021 all SOLD
This is an old-recipe '60s germanium Fuzz Face. The transistors in this seconds unit are General Electric 2N43, and 2N123, where the manufacture date is the 13th week of 1956, and 4th week of 1958, respectively. These are some of the very early semiconductors which used a point-contact style junction. Both units are now sold.
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Contact Darron Thornbury
Email me at thornbury@gmail.com. I might be a little slow to respond sometimes, but am happy to help out wherever I can.
Please note that I am not taking orders for custom builds. I am also not interested in modifying or repairing pedals of other builders and brands, as I'd rather spend time working on my own effects.
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