Just started building my own pedals and am curious as to how I can go about putting a switchable 8.2k that toggles between it and a 6.2k, essentially going from a regular 4.5-5v on Q2c and about 2-3v on Q2c (with the 8.2k).

My idea stemmed from wanting to feel like I was playing an actual misbiased 1970s fuzz with the stock 8.2k. Admittedly, however my understanding of how switches work is still a work in progress so any ideas would really help me.


On another note, I understand that adding a bias control is the more common approach but I personally hate having trim pots in pedals and dont mind that its less flexible and probably very random as battery life decreases.

For the people that have more experience with FF's - is this mod likely counterintuitive? Are there more cons than pros? Switch pop and volume variances are what im thinking can happen but not sure until i try.

Thank you in advance

An SPDT switch with both resistors attached as follows:



Essentially both resistors are in series, and the switch shorts out one or the other.

Plenty of choises..
SPST switch (ON-OFF)



You can also implement a SPDT switch (ON-OFF-ON) with another resistor (18k say) to select between 8k2, 6k8 and 5k6..
(middle lug wired on R3/R1 junction..)

what's the difference between 6k2 and 8k2?

2k.

so, wire a 6k2 in series with a 2k. add a single pole single throw toggle across the 2k. only two wires. when switch open, 6k2+2k. when switch closed, 6k2+0.

easy. other switches are available.

It'll pop like  a firecracker if you switch it while it's going into a live amp.

Quote from: soma89 on April 23, 2025, 11:42:12 AMOn another note, I understand that adding a bias control is the more common approach but I personally hate having trim pots in pedals and dont mind that its less flexible and probably very random as battery life decreases.

I have a bias control as an additional pot and I'm fine with it, much easier, in some case I want a plain FF sound, in some case a much more boiling sound and with a pot you can choose the right amount, also the switch would pop like hell