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.

AUD$220 delivered within Australia only. See returns policy.

or

USD$165 delivered world-wide. Sent by EMS express courier where possible. See returns policy.

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. These mods notably have a higher gain output, and can be described as making the fuzz character start to learn very slightly in the direction of an overdrive, but of course fundamentally still a fuzz face. The FUZZ knob has an improved sweep and extended range.

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 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, as a rough description.

AUD$299 delivered within Australia only. See returns policy.

or

USD$209 delivered world-wide. Sent by EMS express courier where possible. See returns policy.

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.

A focus switch has been added which makes subtle adjustments to the boominess of the bass. This is most noticeable when the LO+ EQ knob is turned up very high.

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.

The classic HM-2 function is achievable while both of the mode switches are in the left position. If you want to 'max out' all of the controls for the Swedish chainsaw tone, then you will need to reduce the VOL control to-taste, as it has an increased output level from the classic.

This pedal stacks best when placed after other distortion and overdrive pedals.

AUD$269 delivered within Australia only. See returns policy.

or

USD$199 delivered world-wide. Sent by EMS express courier where possible. See returns policy.

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. Please contact me if you would like me to also include a 1:1 printed paper drill template (without charge), also advising the intended enclosure size.

Circuit board only - AUD$15 delivered within Australia only.

or

Circuit board only - USD$15 delivered world-wide.

Build Documents:

• Bill of materials and build notes
• PCB component placement
• 1590BS Drill layout cut-out
• 1590N1 / 125B (larger size) Drill layout cut-out

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 a 1973 Colorsound Supa Tonebender work-alike (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.

AUD$239 delivered within Australia only. See returns policy.

or

USD$169 delivered world-wide. Sent by EMS express courier where possible. See returns policy.

A recreation of the EJ silicon Fuzz Face.

AUD$189 delivered within Australia only. See returns policy.

or

USD$139 delivered world-wide. Sent by EMS express courier where possible. See returns policy.

RAD DISTORTION

This pedal can be used either as a classic ratty fuzz/distortion, or as a raunchy germanium overdrive. This is a sound of the '80s and '90s with some Dazatronyx tweaks.

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.

AUD$235 delivered within Australia only. See returns policy.

or

USD$179 delivered world-wide. Sent by EMS express courier where possible. See returns policy.

RAD Distortion XL

A larger size version of the standard model (above). This pedal can be used either as a classic ratty fuzz/distortion, or as a raunchy germanium overdrive. This is a sound of the '80s and '90s with some Dazatronyx tweaks.

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.

Delivery location:

Australia $265.00 AUD International (all else) Australia Post +AUD$14 $279.00 AUD International (all else) EMS Express +AUD$29 $294.00 AUD

Components used may vary to those shown in the photo. Photos should be used as a general guide for construction and components quality.

TSX OVERDRIVE

The TS10 circuit had some minor variations to the TS9 and TS808 circuits, and is sort after for its secret-sauce flavour.

The classic TS10 stock tone is achievable in STD mode, as well as two other variation modes:

• STD - Classic TS symmetrical clipping, with a focus on mids.
• ASYM - Asymmetrical clipping shape begins to ‘look’ more like valve amplifier clipping. This can better suit input signals which already have a full bottom-end, such as a neck pickup, and allows chord detail to better shine through.
• FAT - Also asymmetrical clipping, but with a full bottom-end.

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.

AUD$220 delivered within Australia only. See returns policy.

or

USD$165 delivered world-wide. Sent by EMS express courier where possible. See returns policy.

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.

• SYM - Classic TS symmetrical clipping, with a focus on mids.
  
• ASYM - Asymmetrical clipping shape begins to ‘look’ more like valve amplifier clipping. This can better suit input signals which already have a full bottom-end, such as a neck pickup, and allows chord detail to better shine through.
  
• FAT - Also asymmetrical clipping, but with a big bottom-end.

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.

AUD$249 delivered within Australia only. See returns policy.

or

USD$189 delivered world-wide.
Sent by EMS express courier where possible. See returns policy.

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.

CLASS A

Germanium amplifier V2

Voicing switch:

• Mid: Effective at boosting for more drive, without the bottom end getting too flabby.
• Bright: Slightly fuller than a classic treble booster.
• Full Cream: Extra body, and fat tone.

GE / SI
Silicon mode can be used as a backup in extreme temperatures, or for some different clipping texture. This switch mechanically 'hot swaps' the transistor. Expect a small pop noise.

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.

Temporarily out of stock. New orders are for preorder with two week build time. Thank you.

AUD$220. Free delivery worldwide. See returns policy.

STEREO PANNING

 OPTICAL TREMOLO

After a decade of development, I've created this completely unique circuit as my ideal tremolo. This is easily my favourite effect circuit.

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.

The new boards are using surface-mount assembled parts. This has allowed me to upgrade many aspects, including using Burr Brown audiophile amplifier chips.

The signal is now processed with a true split rail power supply (not a voltage doubler), thus eliminating the need for audio coupling capacitors, and has the highest headroom, and lowest noise levels of any model so far.

SMD multi layer ceramic capacitor arrays are used for power filtering instead of electrolytic capacitors, offering much lower ESR. This also extends the service life of the pedal, as there are no shelf life concerns as with ceramic capacitors which common electrolytic capacitors have. Nor are ceramic capacitors prone to leakage or value drift issue. SMD capacitors are not used in the audio path. Only low noise thin film resistors are used for the audio path. This has allowed me to keep the price down after materials cost inflation, while moving to much more complicated circuits where human assembly error is a significant concern.

AUD$289. Free delivery worldwide. See returns policy.

Biiig Fuzz

A true point-to-point version of my Big Fuzz pedal - my attempt to make the world's finest-tuned muff. This model is made with Telefunken black glass clipping diodes, as used in the first edition Big Fuzz builds.

This pedal was intentionally designed to look as handmade as possible, while still being built like a tank, and completely capable of being thrown into a gig bag. Star grounding is used for every Earth connection point.

This pedal is expensive, as it takes me days to construct. Built to-order. Please allow a maximum of up to one week construction time before posting.

AUD$720. Free delivery worldwide. See returns policy.

BROWN SOUND

The BSIAB2 circuit (Brown Sound in a Box 2) was my favourite distortion during school. The cool thing was; if you wanted one, you just had to build one. Or know somebody who would. The circuit was designed by Ed Guidry, similar to works by Jack Oran and Aron Nelson.

Back in the day, it was one of the highest recommended builds on the forums. Forums were a thing. Many would suggest that this design was the original precursor to many of the "high gain amp" pedals that came out in the 2000's. It's basically a Marshall stack tone faker.

It has a tonne of gain, and can dial in a fat bottom end to fake a big amp sound. This circuit also responds excellently to rolling back the instrument volume knob. It can stack well with other drive pedal running into the input.

Distortion is achieved by overdriving 5457 N-channel field effect transistors (FETs), being the closest solid-state relative to vacuum tubes. There are three stacked gain stages. No diodes are involved for distortion

These new models use a hybrid mix of both surface mount and through hole assembled components.

Tweedsville

The three-position switch toggles between amp models of varying gain and bottom-end saturation. This is achieved by a bipolar silicon transistor preamp, with secondary distortion created by J201 field effect transistors.

This circuit is where I have landed from requests to build a pedals similar to the Lovepedal Les Lius, which is fundamentally a '70s Electra Distortion circuit.

AUD$185. Free delivery worldwide. See returns policy.

harmonic

OPTICAL TREMOLO MK1

The function of a 'harmonic' tremolo, as opposed to a regular tremolo, could normally be described as splitting the audio spectrum into two registers of treble and bass, and then modulating the volume of each register in opposing directions. IE at one side of the wave you hear the treble, and at the other side you hear the bass.

This build is not a black face style tremolo. This particular circuit works a little differently. Instead of modulating the volume of two registers, it actually modulates the frequency cut of each register. This is done using two very particular photocell sensors, paired against lights which fade in and out.

As with all of my tremolo models, you should expect perceived unity volume in all modes with all depth and rate settings, without having to make any manual volume adjustments. The wet level can be adjusted internally by a trimpot. There is an internal voltage boost for increased headroom, while keeping low noise levels.

TSUCHI FUZZ v2

The Tsuchi Fuzz V2 takes a new look at the classic two-transistor fuzz circuit. The circuit’s tone has been carefully evaluated at every shaping point, to produce either classic or modern fuzz tones.

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.

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.

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.

GERMANIUM FUZZ 2021

all SOLD

This was a limited edition, special build. I only built two this year, to keep the project viable for me.

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.

DISCRETE BOOST

This is an easy beginner project; a discrete boost using two JFETs. There are options for either through-hole transistors, or SMD pads. The IC chip is used to create a true split rail power supply (+9V, 0V, -9V), for doubled headroom.

The controls are MASTER (volume) and BODY. With the BODY knob turned fully up, you get a flat and even boost across all frequencies. GAIN can be set by an internal trimpot, or a fixed value resistor.

To make things simple, there are some pre-installed surface-mount parts included (shown). These mostly help to build the power sections. This leaves only a small handful of audio parts left to solder, saving you on part costs, and build complexity errors.

The surface-mount multilayer ceramic capacitors offer superior ESR properties, and don't have the short-lived shelf life as compared with the electrolytic capacitors. Included SMD parts are: schottky polarity protection diode, self-resetting overcurrent fuse, 33K LED limiter (with through-hole option for value reduction), 3M3 input pull-down resistor, and 12x 22μF capacitors for power switching and filtering. No other parts are included.

I have previously built this circuit under the names "Fetish Booster" and "Little Fetish".

Build Documents:

• Bill of materials and build notes
• Schematic
• 1590BS Drill layout cut-out
• 1590N1 / 125B (larger size) Drill layout cut-out

Please contact me if you would like me to also include a 1:1 printed paper drill template (without charge), also advising the intended enclosure size.

AUD$19.80 delivered within Australia only.

or

USD$14.80 delivered world-wide.

MUGS

One size fits most.

Design

THD BIIIG FUZZ

AUD$29.80 delivered within Australia only.

or

Design

THD BIIIG FUZZ

USD$19.80 delivered within Canada or USA only.