Fuzz Transistor Shootout

I did another deep dive into a basic Fuzz Face on a breadboard and swapped different transistors to hear what changed (gain, tone, feel).

• The circuit had a big input cap at first (so loads of bass). I mentioned Embers has that internal toggle to tighten it up if it feels flubby.

• I started with BC108C (high gain) and a big bias trimmer range, so there were loads of “unusable” bias spots… but it was fun for comparing.

The quick impressions

• BC108C stayed the running favourite for most of the video.

• 2N2222A was interesting (I liked it for Twin Boost stuff), but for the Fuzz Face it felt a bit woollier at full guitar volume and less usable when rolled back at lower biases.

• BC183L felt low gain and had a tiny usable bias window. I wasn’t sold.

• BC549C also felt surprisingly low gain.

• BC109C didn’t beat the 108s for me.

• BC550C felt higher gain and interesting - made me think about mixing types rather than matching them.

Input cap swap

• I tried a 22n input cap (the “tight” option like the Embers low-cut switch). Subtle but useful.

Where I ended up

• After loads of swapping (and ear fatigue), I landed on:

  • Q1 = BC549C

  • Q2 = BC550C

• I said I needed to listen back another day to be sure, but that combo felt like I was narrowing in on what I liked.

Wrap

• I was pretty exhausted by the end, but I love this kind of experimentation, a lot of it is tiny differences and “feel”.

• I said I’d expand it more later, build prototypes, and that the next couple of weeks’ content would be a mix of bits and bobs while I prep future stuff.