Learn electronic and microelectronic concepts through building your own guitar pedal!

  1. Choose your Fuzz Face using the General Guitar Gadgets Website:

Choose the sound you want:

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  1. Order additional Germanium transistors to test and modify your sound from  Antique Electronic Supply
    1. https://www.tubesandmore.com/products/transistor-2n404-germanium-5-case-pnp
    2. https://www.tubesandmore.com/products/transistor-2sd77-germanium-1-case-npn
    3. https://www.tubesandmore.com/products/transistor-2n1309-germanium-5-case-pnp
    4. https://www.tubesandmore.com/products/transistor-2n527-germanium-5-case-pnp

While waiting for your parts to arrive, simulate your circuit to understand its function!

  1. Download LTSpice https://www.analog.com/en/resources/design-tools-and-calculators/ltspice-simulator.html?ADICID=PDSR_Global_LTspice-NB_Google_PSC_202508&ADICID=PDSR_Global_LTspice-NB_Google_PSC_202508&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22826770531&gbraid=0AAAAACxqTx_jpFlUPZKvIFsjQtL8MfzFF&gclid=Cj0KCQiA-YvMBhDtARIsAHZuUzLXJLv_uekWogV3Rb5FXjvqpub_HMTE17ZeN91LdE0fFMUnIqm4QvAaAoBWEALw_wcB
  2. Visit the Mercer X Getting Started with LT Spice Educational Module to learn LTSpice basics

Build your circuit on a breadboard:

It’s important to test this circuit on a breadboard after simulating, and before creating a PCB for it.

Example Walkthrough:

Choose a pedal to recreate using the General Guitar Gadgets Website. I opted for the Fuzz Face Germanium Transistor (Dallas Arbiter) Version.

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  1. Open the Bill of Materials
    1. Look it over, see what you can get from the Mercer Lab Stockroom
    2. The remaining parts you will need to order.
  2. Where to order: