Guitar Fuzz Effect


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Fuzz is one of the classic guitar effects, and this simple circuit generates it quite well. The circuit is so compact that it can be built into guitars or amps that do not have built in fuzz to add that capability to the instrument. The circuit does not use much battery power, so a standard alkaline battery will last many years even with daily use.

Schematic

This is the schematic of the Voltage Inverter

Parts

Part
Total Qty.
Description
Substitutions
R1, R22100K 1/4W Resistor
R311K 1/4W Resistor
R411M 1/4W Resistor
C11100uF 16V Electrolytic Capacitor
C2, C320.47uF Ceramic Disc Capcitor
D1, D221N4148 Diode
U11741 Op Amp
MISC1Socket for U1, Jacks for Input/Output, Wire, Board, 9V Battery Snap, Case

Notes

  1. You can use any input/output jacks you want, but the standard for musical instruments such as guitars is a mono 1/4" headphone plug and jack.

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Comments

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anonymous android
Guitar Fuzz Effect
Thursday, March 04, 2021 3:11:54 AM
Oops I meant 10-100pF between pin 2 and pin 6
anonymous android
Guitar Fuzz Effect
Thursday, March 04, 2021 3:09:21 AM
This circuit is not a good choice for passive pickup guitars. Inverting op-amp circuits are at virtual ground at their inverting input. Since the input resistor is 1k£[ this will rob any pick up of its voice or resonance. A typical guitar pre-amp normally has between 500k£[-1M£[ input impedance. 1K£[ is 2 to 3 orders of magnitude to small, and making R3 larger will reduce the distortion gain and add thermal noise. It would be better to switch this circuit to be an non-inverting input. That means connect the input side of R3 to the middle point between R1 and R2 voltage divider, and connect the input (through the coupling capacitor) to the non-inverting input. The Recommend LM741 has an non-inverting input impedance that is between 300k£[-2M£[. Also I really don't like that this design completely omitted the filter capacitor across R1 and only put it across R2, it isn't critical you add it, but the filter caps should be symmetrical across the voltage divider so R2 and R1 both have the same value capacitor bypassing them. RockAndTubes idea of adding a 1-2.2nF cap from pin 6 to ground won't make a noticeable difference. The output impedance of the opamp is very low 25-50£[ That would give a 1st order low pass up around a 1MHz. Better to put a between 10-100nF between pin 2 and pin 6. That will give a proper low pass filter.
kurmitsa
Guitar Fuzz Effect - diode replacement
Friday, April 03, 2015 4:00:04 AM
This is a great circuit - thanks for sharing. Replaced the diodes with 1N4001 silicones and tried it out with a Telecaster-Bogner -setup. Now we're at the roots of rock. Thank you.
rockandtubes
Guitar Fuzz Effect
Saturday, January 12, 2013 6:42:37 AM
The frequency range is basically controled by the signal capacitors C2 and C3. If a trebley sound is wanted their capacitance should be reduced, p.e. 10nF to 20 nF on both positions will make an electric guitar better suited to solo work. The Treble Boosters use even lower values for C2, like 6.8 - 3.3 - 2.2 nF. For bass guitars I´ll probably add a small value capacitor (1 - 2.2 nF) between pin 6 of the opamp to ground or between pin 2 to ground. Another way to make the effect bassier is adding a small value capacitor on the negative feedback loop, i.e. on parallel with R4.
anonymous
To control the amount of fuzz effect
Sunday, June 10, 2012 11:50:07 PM
Replace R4 FOR 1M POT and you will be able to control the amount fuzz effect!
elmo
Guitar Fuzz Effect
Thursday, April 05, 2012 9:17:35 AM
it sounds too smaller and quiter ? shall i take a OP circuit?
Yoruk
Guitar Fuzz Effect
Saturday, December 18, 2010 7:49:04 AM
Hello, I build the circuit but it doesn't work... Everything looks good (tensions, ...) but I don't have sound. Is someone can help me ? Thanks
anonymous
Guitar Fuzz Effect
Monday, November 08, 2010 5:21:37 PM
I was able to build the Fuzz Effect circuit by connecting the output (pin 6) to the input (pin 2) of an LM386. I built a basic LM386 circuit (as noted on the datasheet), nothing fancy. I didn't have the correct values for Aaron's circuit (specifically diodes), but the sound is fair. I plan to build in a box. An all in one fuzzy guitar amp.
anonymous
Guitar Fuzz Effect
Monday, November 08, 2010 1:18:25 PM
Any chance I could use a 1N4742A zener instead? Thanks!
Annoying David
Guitar Fuzz Effect
Wednesday, October 28, 2009 11:46:39 AM
I'm fresh whit op-amps why does 9v go straight to ground by passing R1,R2 resistors?
anonymous
Guitar Fuzz Effect
Tuesday, August 04, 2009 5:28:02 PM
Hi, I'm building my own bass and I want to have a built-in fuzz effect. Would this circuit be any good for a bass or would i need to replace a few components with different values to get a more bass-suited sound?
mandrake
Guitar Fuzz Effect
Friday, July 17, 2009 10:02:22 AM
PFFF, is not work ! I've make this circuit... maybe is my fault. Is need an amplifier for electric guitar ? I have made this circuit and then e've connect the circuit to my guitar and to battery ( 9V) . Can anyone give me a schema with the connections to this circuit ? (maybe this is the problem)
vincent
Guitar Fuzz Effect
Tuesday, July 14, 2009 5:09:28 AM
thanks!the fuzz effect is very good but if i want to add foot switch,where i put it?
edi
Guitar Fuzz Effect
Sunday, March 29, 2009 11:15:08 PM
it,s good enought i have been made it before.
wuzelee
Guitar Fuzz Effect
Friday, March 13, 2009 12:11:37 PM
what is the gain of these circuit? and what is the range of frequency it operates? or the Bandwidth..hope u answer my question.. i rili need it for my school project..
anonymous
Guitar Fuzz Effect
Saturday, February 28, 2009 12:48:48 AM
but this fuzz is very good sound made im impres couse i have been made it before.it,s any fizz circuit other?
Ryan Jones
Guitar Fuzz Effect
Tuesday, February 10, 2009 8:36:39 AM
I Just ordered all the parts for this online, and it came to £6.66, so you know it's gonna dound evil haha x
joegoy
Guitar Fuzz Effect
Sunday, February 01, 2009 7:52:10 PM
i built it and it's ok, it really have an effect.tnx a lot...
wilson479
Guitar Fuzz Effect
Sunday, December 28, 2008 5:40:10 AM
I built it, its ok. Not the best sound. My next mod to the circuit will be to use two 1N4148 diodes in series for the feedback circuit. This will give a more "rounded" edge to the distortion and hopefully remove some of the "popping" experienced when using a high output Sheraton guitar.. BTW; you can use electronic simulation software such as Proteus - ISIS to simulate the circuit and monitor how it effects the waveform. This will answer questions such as "how can a variable resistor effect the signal" or "are the capacitor values critical".
huddy
Guitar Fuzz Effect
Monday, November 24, 2008 2:52:19 PM
i got it working at last i was given the wrong caps IT WORKS GREAT the i/p and o/p caps i put in are polyester same value. if you can alter it to switch thru so it is not on fuzz all the time i would be a happy bunny ta huddy
J.kay
Guitar Fuzz Effect
Thursday, November 20, 2008 8:01:23 AM
heey people, I have some questions, about how you can make you own sound. I'm just started with electronica for my school project. But I want to know, How you can change the cinussignal into fuzz Signal or other signals like heavy metal. What I do know is that, you can make the sinus signal different, if I use some components to make the signal in to a Fuzz Sound.. srry for my english. I'm dutch actualy. anyway.. I hope you understand what I'm talking about.
huddy
Guitar Fuzz Effect
Tuesday, November 11, 2008 5:16:06 PM
i built the fuzz it didnt work the 2 small caps i was given had 4.7c is this right ? thanks
Mike
Guitar Fuzz Effect
Thursday, July 10, 2008 4:19:32 PM
Does this work with bass? That's what I need it for, but I'm not sure if it's worth it if it won't work.
scott
Guitar Fuzz Effect substitution
Tuesday, July 08, 2008 4:41:50 PM
Hello!Can you substitute R4 with a variable resistor and what would the effect be?Thanks!
Aalan
Guitar Fuzz Effect
Thursday, June 26, 2008 11:33:24 AM
does this circuit actually workk ........have chked it out ..but me going to giv it a try
anonymous
Guitar Fuzz Effect
Tuesday, May 20, 2008 10:49:00 PM
didnt actually work for me- just a quiet clean signal. i may have connected it wrong. i wired the signal wire of my bass through in/out, and attached battery to + and ground. should i attach the ground of my bass? also, is the capacitor value correct? what caps would you recommend for bass?
Renegadrian
Guitar Fuzz Effect - pots
Tuesday, May 20, 2008 7:48:52 AM
To the guy asking for pots - I believe it would be good to put a 100k log pot at the end of the circuit (output) as a volume control - that usually works
conditioner3
add in tone control anf fuzz control
Saturday, May 17, 2008 3:58:43 AM
How can i incorporate tone control and fuzz control onto the circuit? like what potentiometer can i use and where can i place it in this circuit? PLZ help THX ALOT!!
Arex_x
Guitar Fuzz Effect
Friday, May 02, 2008 7:01:43 AM
Built this fuzz-effect a couple of months ago. It really har a very useable sound ! I would describe the sound as quite wide medium intensity distortion. ( Telecaster.) Thanks Mr C.
anonymous
Guitar Fuzz Effect
Tuesday, April 01, 2008 5:23:52 AM
hey!! can i put some POTS(potentiometers) in this circuit?
anonymous
Guitar Fuzz Effect
Monday, March 31, 2008 9:48:58 AM
hello there!! what type of OP-AMP will be used in this project. I'm interested!! and can i put some 10k pots into it?
Paul
Guitar Fuzz Effect
Friday, March 28, 2008 9:47:05 AM
does anyone know anywhere/anyone who will sell a pre-made circuit? im fairly rubbish at this kinda thing but really wanna fuzz/ compressor sustain circuit in one of my axe's
anonymous
Guitar Fuzz Effect
Wednesday, March 05, 2008 6:41:28 AM
for the jack...the lug that is coming down from the lowest point is the gnd (attach it to the gnd) the one that comes down from the top is the +...attach that to the in/out wire if it is the input jack, use a stereo jack and attach the negative lead of the battery to the extra lug. this turns the battery off when the guitar jack isn't in the input.
Samuel Aquino
Guitar Fuzz Effect
Wednesday, February 13, 2008 7:25:31 AM
How i make the connection of input? Must be solded to either inner or mass conector of the jack? Thanks!!
SS
Guitar Fuzz Effect
Monday, January 14, 2008 8:35:50 AM
Can this circuit work with an acoustic guitar...
anonymous
Guitar Fuzz Effect
Thursday, January 03, 2008 9:02:23 PM
iv'e made this pedal recently (my first home brew effects pedal) and it works, to a degree. i get a LOT of feedback with any treble or high end signal at all, other than that, it sounds cool! if you have any idea how to remidee my problems, please email me with help. thanks.
Frank Z
Guitar Fuzz Effect
Tuesday, December 11, 2007 1:19:07 AM
Just built this circuit on my breadboard using 0.047uF caps and it sounds great! Sounds better than just about any fuzz that I've used. Thicker sounding with good harmonics. I may use it as part of a bigger circuit though... haven't decided yet.
david paolo
Guitar Fuzz Effect
Sunday, November 25, 2007 6:47:14 AM
can you give me the schematic of guitar effects or fuzz effects?
anonymous
Guitar Fuzz Effect
Saturday, November 17, 2007 11:43:25 AM
you hook up the ground of the circuit up with the ground of the battery. on guitar circuitry, the gnd is hooked up to bridge as is the +
Marc
Guitar Fuzz Effect
Friday, November 09, 2007 1:18:02 PM
the bypass switch would have to be DPDT (double-pole, double throw)
Samuel Konger
Guitar Fuzz Effect
Monday, November 05, 2007 4:12:42 PM
I've found this effect long time back in BPB book and I've modified this by using an electronic soft touch circuit by using Cmos IC which works fine and I had performed a Beat Contest too( Got Second Pirize) back in 1995. if any one needs the extesion I can send the diagram.
anonymous
Guitar Fuzz Effect
Friday, November 02, 2007 3:22:26 AM
1. To make this effect into a stomp box, you need a DPDT switch. This allows you to route the input either through the circuit or a bypass route. 2. Generally guitar circuitry is earthed through the bridge/strings, but why do you need an earth for this? isn't that what the negative battery terminal is for?
hanjabba
Guitar Fuzz Effect
Thursday, September 20, 2007 10:42:53 PM
Did you mean to type .047uF instead of .47uF? .47 ceramics are not nearly as common and somewhat hard to find. However, .047 is very common (i.e. Radioshack), and is used alot in guitar applications such as the low pass filter inside most electrics.
Joe
Guitar Fuzz Effect
Tuesday, September 18, 2007 2:09:44 AM
hi there. iv'e made this pedal recently (my first home brew effects pedal) and it works, to a degree. i get a LOT of feedback with any treble or high end signal at all, and the frequensies that i do get are very quiet. other than that, it sounds cool! if you have any idea how to remidee my problems, please email me. thanks.
anonymous
Guitar Fuzz Effect
Wednesday, June 27, 2007 9:55:33 PM
I built this one with my son. He loves it. It works a treat!!!!
anonymous
pspice
Saturday, June 23, 2007 3:31:21 AM
If you want to put it in pspice, you should put a test source at the input (any of the sine wave voltage sources). You could vary the frequency of that source. Alternatively, you could use a "frequency sweep" type test that will test the circuit for a range of frequencies. You should put a voltage probe at the output; you might consider placing a component at the output to model the next stage of your circuitry to get the simulator to take loading into consideration
anonymous
Guitar Fuzz Effect
Friday, June 22, 2007 9:47:09 AM
i'm trying to built this circuit is Pspice . What should i put in and outpu terminal
ascheepe
Fuzz
Monday, June 11, 2007 5:27:11 PM
I don't know much about electronics but am interested in making my own fuzz. I wonder why you replaced the transistors in use in most other 'authentic dallas arbiter fuzz' for a 741 op amp, will it sound the same? Do you have any good octave schematics while we're at it maybe?
Sundeep
Guitar Fuzz Effect
Tuesday, May 08, 2007 6:58:39 AM
I've tried it,its not working properly.
Sam
Guitar Fuzz Effect
Sunday, April 22, 2007 9:18:04 AM
Hey, im gonna build this into like a stomp box, how can i make like a bypass/off switch so i can turn the effect off but still play through the amp?
Mark J
Guitar Fuzz Effect
Saturday, April 14, 2007 3:23:32 PM
Could you tell me how to vary the amount of fuzz, the tone and the output volume on this circuit. Im thinking abut building a pedal from it. Many thanks
anonymous
Guitar Fuzz Effect
Wednesday, March 28, 2007 12:11:48 PM
Any idea how to earth it if its built into the guitar??
SEhrish
Guitar Fuzz Effect
Friday, March 16, 2007 1:18:43 PM
can u plz send me a circuit that is an application of MOSFET ,,it cud be common gate , common source or common drain amplifier circuit.. do reply me soon..
anonymous
Guitar Fuzz Effect
Tuesday, March 13, 2007 10:40:11 PM
I'm trying to built this circuit is Pspice. What should i put in the imput and output termial?
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