UralTone Si Fuzz Face (BC183L) DIY kit (True to Original '68-'69)

Perhaps the most famous classic of the Fuzz pedals, Fuzz Face, is now available as a diy kit - Silicon version with Texas Instruments NOS BC183L transistors. The circuit was introduced in 1968 to replace the NKT275 Germanium version whose temperature sensitivity caused problems during the assembly phase and operation. The silicon transistor was almost immune to temperature fluctuations and also offered more sustain and resolution compared to its predecessor.

The transistors in the this kit have a moderate gain, which achieves good control when using the volume control of the guitar, and in that situation the reasonable softness that remains in the sound even when the distortion is reduced. 

Today, the NOS BC183L is already starting to get tricky to find so the kit offers a great opportunity to implement the True to Original version of the 1968-1969 Fuzz Face pedal, or especially what it once sounded like at the time. The only upgrade to the original is a very subtle high frew filtering and power supply connection for ease of use in a more modern environment.

Nice diy moments, Janne Paasonen, 8.2.2021

UralTone FF Si diy kit is a copy of the 1968-1969 Fuzz Face. True new old stock (NOS) western made transistors are very difficult to find these days and if you do find them then they come at a very high cost. We have found that an increase in price of a few 10's of euros is definitely worth it when compared to modern transistors (especially when the stash of tested correctly specd transistors is constantly lessening). 

The circuit is built in a ready drilled UT-1590B enclosure as most of our effect pedals.

As with all kits, UralTone FF-Si has superb quality parts and a well-engineered circuit.

Features

Knobs: Fuzz, Volume
Switches: true by-pass
Power supply: 9VDC power supply or 9V battery (included with the kit)
Size: 80x55x21mm (box measures)

Kit:
-Assembly instructions (fin / eng)
-Optional milled enclosure
-High-quality PCB (Through plated, silk-screened, solder masked)
-Components: drilled aluminum enclosure, Alpha pots, good quality 3PDT footswitch...  The best ones you can find from expensive boutique pedals.
-Does not contain knobs for pots

What is included in the kit?

You´ll get all the parts that are needed to build the fully working pedal. The enclosure is optional, but we recommend the milled / drilled version. You can also drill your own but please note: there is also square hole needed for the DC jack. The footswitch needs a 12mm hole. Knobs are also optional since we all have different taste. Please check our knob selection:

1/4" / 6.3mm set screw knobs

How long it takes to assemble this kit?

A professional builder can do it in 1-2 hours, but for beginners, it can take 2-4 hours. Actually, building pedals is so fun that it does not matter if it takes 2 or 5 hours!

For whom this kit is suitable?

For all of you (us) who love great guitar sounds and like to do something with your hands. UralTone pedal kits are easy to build, so they are also great for beginners. This can be your first project or your project no 134 - it's always rewarding to use something that you have built by your own hands.

Kits are also great for those who like to have boutique quality but cannot pay the price of high-quality boutique pedals.

What kind of tools do you need to build pedal kits?

Pretty basic tools are enough but, especially if you are a beginner, please use a good soldering station and good quality solder. Making good joints with lousy soldering equipment is difficult. We have collected a tool kit from the tools we actually use every day. These are not that expensive but work great for building pedals and amps. You can find it here:

Tool kit for building audio equipments

So what you get if you build a pedal from the UralTone kit?

You´ll get a boutique quality pedal at the price of the cheapest one. You´ll get a few hours of relaxing time. You´ll get a pedal that works next 50 years and are easy to repair (since you know it from component to component). If you are a beginner, you´ll probably get a new hobby, since this is addictive...

And you also get the best customer care so if you have any questions during the building process or cannot get your project to work we are here to help you!