GERMANIUM FUZZ

This is a limited edition, special build. I will only build two this year, to keep the project viable for me. Sales information for this first unit will be announced online within one week (social medias).

The germanium transistors selected for this first build are General Electric 2N43. The manufacture date is the 13th week of 1956. These are some of the very early semiconductors which used a point-contact style junction. They have survived in excellent condition with great properties for a unique fuzz face. The packaging is a pinched-top top hat.

Tremolos interest me, as a good design has its own pulse, which can sound lively like the instrument itself.

This was my first effect design which I started in high school. It started from scratch, to be completely unique and not sound like any other existing effect. Development took over a decade before I was completely 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.

The modulation waveform is asymmetrical in ascent and descent, in both shape, and time. I find this helps to not try to play in-time with the effect, and let it find its own timing over your signal. This was a characteristic of the spinning liquid can tremolos. The square wave mode is also asymmetrical - it stays in the 'on' state a little longer than the 'off' state, which I think sounds much better.

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.

Always use a high quality regulated and isolated power supply for best operation. Daisy chain power cables may induce clock noise.

AUD$220. Free post 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.

Please note: While delivery times are improving after the COVID-19 pandemic, please be aware that post deliveries are still experiencing delays.

RAD DISTORTION

This is the classic ratty sounding distortion from the '80 and '90s, with some Dazatronyx tweaks.

A distortion unit with two voicing modes. 'SI' silicon mode is the classic sound. This is achieved by a two-stage distortion of first overdriving the operational amplifier chip into a metallic fuzz, and then compressing the signal using hard-clipping silicon diodes.

In the 'GE' germanium mode, the op amp fuzz has been removed. Germanium transistors and four germanium diodes are used to achieve a more rounded and organic overdrive-distortion. This works well with humbuckers where the gain is driven a little more.

There is an internal trimpot to dial the mid/high saturation to suit your pickup and style - only if you feel the need to fiddle. Turning this completely right achieves the 'stock' metallic ratty distortion. Turning this left achieves a more flattened and bassier response, which can be well suited for the germanium mode.

All of the active signal processing is handled by parts wrapped in either metal or glass - all mojo. These components are in limited availability, and likely will be subject to change in the future as this project continues.

Special components:

• Authentic NOS LM308 Metal can operational amplifier IC.
• NOS germanium transistors.
• NOS Telefunken black glass matched silicon clipping diodes.
• NOS Germanium clipping diodes.
• Nichicon film capacitors.
• Panasonic electrolytic capacitors.
• Dale Industrial grade precision metal film resistors (1%, 100 PPM / C).
• 600V Teflon wiring.
• Long life original CIC brand footswitch, Switchcraft audio sockets, Hammond enclosure. Usual stuff.

AUD$235. See returns policy.

Delivery location:

Australia $235.00 AUD International (all else) Australia Post +AUD$14 $249.00 AUD International (all else) EMS Express +AUD$29 $264.00 AUD

Please note: While delivery times are improving after the COVID-19 pandemic, please be aware that post deliveries are still experiencing delays.

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.

Components used may vary slightly over time to those shown in the photo, due to stock availability - particularly transistors. Photos are shown only as a general illustration of construction and components quality.

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.

AUD$299. Free post 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.

Resistors:

Carbon (0.5W) Metal Film (2W 250 PPM / C)

Please note: While delivery times are improving after the COVID-19 pandemic, please be aware that post deliveries are still experiencing delays.

PROFESSIONAL DRIVE

Here's how I like to build the classic TS overdrive. I've added a three-way switch which toggles between three modes, which helps suit a broader range of pickups and play styles.

• SYM - Symmetrical clipping like the classic 808 overdrive. This mode has the most amount of clipping.
  
• ASYM - Asymmetrical clipping begins to ‘look’ more like a valve amplifier clipping. This can better suit input signals which already have a full bottom-end, such as bridge pickups, and allows chords to better shine through.
  
• FAT - Also asymmetrical clipping, but with a fuller bottom-end output.

The gain knob has twice the gain range than you would expect from a classic TS.

This circuit was made using the following special components:

• Japanese Nichicon film capacitors.
• Japanese Panasonic electrolytic capacitors.
• Dale Industrial grade precision metal film resistors (1%, 100 PPM / C).
• 600V Teflon wiring.
• Long life original CIC brand footswitch, Switchcraft audio sockets, Hammond enclosure. Usual stuff.

AUD$220. Free post worldwide. See returns policy. All international orders are currently being sent by Express EMS to help minimize covid-19 delivery delays.

Please note: While delivery times are improving after the COVID-19 pandemic, please be aware that post deliveries are still experiencing delays.

CLASS A

Germanium amplifier v2

This is my best attempt at a classic germanium boost pedal. An internal switch can be added to switch between any two range modes.

Components used may vary slightly over time to those shown in the photo, due to stock availability - particularly transistors. Photos should be used only as a general guide for construction and components quality.

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.

AUD$199. Free post 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.

Please note: While delivery times are improving after the COVID-19 pandemic, please be aware that post deliveries are still experiencing delays.

Here's my take on a muff based fuzz-distortion. This has some unique mods which dramatically improve the tone and playability of the pedal.

AUD$220. See returns policy.

Delivery location:

Australia $220.00 AUD International (all else) Australia Post +AUD$14 $234.00 AUD International (all else) EMS Express +AUD$29 $249.00 AUD

Please note: While delivery times are improving after the COVID-19 pandemic, please be aware that post deliveries are still experiencing delays.

This circuit (Brown Sound in a Box 2) was by far my favourite distortion back in high school. The cool thing was, if you wanted one, you just have to build one or know somebody who could. 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. 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 a huge bottom end to fake a big amp when the drive knob is turned up. Lowering the drive thins this out if you want to push your preamp with the pedal. My build also has improved noise spec. This circuit also responds excellently to rolling back the instrument volume knob.

Distortion is achieved by overdriving Fairchild field effect transistors (FETs), being the closest solid-state relative to vacuum tubes. No diodes are involved for clipping. There are three stacked gain stages. The first two are μAmp stages, which is a classic valve topology developed to achieve high gain performance from tubes. The final is a class a stage.

Return expected January 2020 - ASAP, pretty much.

AUD$199. See returns policy.

Delivery location:

Australia $199.00 AUD International (all else) Australia Post +AUD$14 $213.00 AUD International (all else) EMS Express +AUD$29 $228.00 AUD

Please note: While delivery times are improving after the COVID-19 pandemic, please be aware that post deliveries are still experiencing delays.

This is my attempt to make a perfect tremolo sound. After a decade of development, I've created this completely unique circuit as my ideal tremolo.

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 two amplifiers. 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.

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.

Temporarily sold out. A new batch is in production. Contact me for information on availability.

The origins of this circuit date back to the '70s. This effect became the basis of many boutique distortions during the boom of DIY pedals - probably due to its simple design and rich effect.

The three-position switch toggles between "models" of different bottom-end saturation and overall gain.

For demos on how this pedal sounds, check out the Lovepedal Les Lius as it will sound like that circuit when the gain boost switch is engaged.

AUD$185. Free post 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.

Sold out. Check availability with Deluxe Guitars Melbourne, or enquire.

Mintdrop

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.

All sold