Schaller Fuzz Help!!!

[Jargo]

I found this pedal many years ago in a pawn show in the town of Rock, Ga. It blew my mind when I heard it in there, so I got it for $45 bucks. A few years later it stopped working. Take a look and please tell me what you think,  I have downloaded a couple of different schematics, but I'm kinda new at this.  Happy 2009!!!

[/url][/img]

[theehman]

What's it look like??   

[oskar]

[oskar]

Schematic, I don't know if it is the same though!
http://analogguru.an.ohost.de/193/schematics/Schaller_Fuzz-72.gif

The first thing I'ld worry about is the big caps. Them electrolytes dry up... They don't age with grace!

[theehman]

Schematic, I don't know if it is the same though!
http://analogguru.an.ohost.de/193/schematics/Schaller_Fuzz-72.gif

The first thing I'ld worry about is the big caps. Them electrolytes dry up... They don't age with grace!

Looks about the same.  Maybe 1 less ceramic cap.

[Jargo]

Thanks guys!!  I also recently acquired a couple of germanium BC109 B transistors following suggestions in the schematics I have come across. What do you think?
Does the wiring look legit? I plan on replacing all of it, including new pots, as these were really noisy when they worked. Any ideas on a true Bypass wiring??

[orangetones]

Any ideas on a true Bypass wiring??

It looks like true bypass to me!  Am I wrong here guys?

[theehman]

Any ideas on a true Bypass wiring??

It looks like true bypass to me!  Am I wrong here guys?

I think you're right.

[newfish]

Could be as simple as a dry joint.

Maybe it's the picture, but the solder I can see ain't all that shiny.

Are BC109s Germanium?  I always thought they were Si.

[Chris S]

Does anyone know what mods you'd have to make if you replaced the transistors with 2N5088 or 2N5089s kind of like the Schaller Tremolo --> Heartthrob Tremolo conversion?

[smallbearelec]

Does anyone know what mods you'd have to make if you replaced the transistors with 2N5088 or 2N5089s kind of like the Schaller Tremolo --> Heartthrob Tremolo conversion?

Those devices run to high gains--300 to 600 or more. If you try U.S. type numbers, I would start with 2N3904 or similar for best shot at working without changes. Set the circuit up on solderless breadboard. That;'s what they are for and the parts are not exotic.

[oskar]

Are BC109s Germanium?  I always thought they were Si.

Yup. Silicon... Transistors beginning with AC is germanium, BC is silicon. I'm not really a transistor guy ( but I'm getting there... ) and I wouldn't be surprised if there are exceptions. But BC109's are silicon.

I also recently acquired a couple of germanium BC109 B transistors following suggestions in the schematics I have come across. What do you think?
I plan on replacing all of it, including new pots, as these were really noisy when they worked.

If you make it work and it wasn't the transistors I don't see any point in changing them. As you said it blew you away right?... If it aint broken, don't fix it... OK, it is broken but if the transistors aint the problem don't change them... use the ones you bought and build a new one from scratch instead.

[petemoore]

  Make a copy...
  it looks like a modified Fuzzface but still has that 47k feedback resistor

[Solidhex]

Yo

  Yeah, find out what is wrong with it (probably bad joint or bad electro like the others said) fix it, listen to it. If you like it don't go replacing components. Just build a clone from scratch.

--Brad

[Jargo]

I finally got around to re-wiring the whole pedal and to go through the circuit. As suspected, there were many bad solder joints and found out the transistors did die out. The new silicon (I don't know what I was thinking-thanks!) BC 109 B's work great, but with more high end "bite" than I remember. I'm waiting for some new BC 239 transistors,new pots and a new footswitch before I put it away in its case and let it be. We'll see.

Thanks everyone!!

[Jargo]

Hey Everyone!! 

Thanks so much...The invigorated Schaller sounds fantastic!! I put it on a new case since the old one was starting to crack from I guess some fat-ass like me stomping on it. Now I would like to add a power jack and an LED "effect on" indicator....any ideas?? 

The circuit is still the same.. I did however change the old pots, wire and the capacitors (I kept them- put in new Spragues) and the BC109B transistors I got some time ago. I may try to build another from scratch, as I really love the way this thing sounds!!!

Thanks everyone!!