I think the Arbiter-England one didn’t use the NKT275 germanium transistor in those days we used the AC128." Germanium transistors are considered to have an overall better sounding to this effect with some drawbacks: germanium manufacturing is not as consistent and controlled as silicon and they have shorter lifespan and more temperature sensitivity.ĭennis Cornell: "All the transistors worked in a very similar way and all did the job, but they did give a slightly different tone. Silicon transistors: with higher gain are a bit harsher with some more high end.Germanium transistors: are claimed to have a warmer, creamier smoother sound.The transistors are the most sensitive part of the design with a whole mythology that has grown up around them. These days Dunlop manufactures a number of different finishes and sizes using various transistor flavors: The earliest ones were Arbiter-England, then they became Dallas-Arbiter England sometime in 1968 since then there have been a variety of words in the smile. The earliest models were covered in red, light or dark gray Hammerite paint with the Fuzz Face logo in white or black, t he text in the smile reveals the pedal's age. This analysis covers the first Arbitrer Fuzz Face model equipped with PNP germanium transistors from the first releases which are considered the best sounding.Ģ.2 Components Part List / Bill of Materials. Today, both the Dallas Arbiter and Fuzz Face trademarks are owned by Dunlop Manufacturing Inc. In 1993 Dunlop took over the production selling the fuzz face in different flavors. The fuzz face was re-issued from 1986 to 2000. During its lifetime the pedal went through some minor cosmetic but major sonic changes. The gist of the Fuzz Face remains in the simple circuit that uses eleven components (2 transistors, 4 resistors, 3 caps and 2 pots) and the astonishing tones created with them delivering a soft asymmetrical clipping that changes to hard clipping in both semi-cycles under the fuzz pot action.Īrbitrer Electronics manufactured the pedal from 1966 to 1975, Dallas Music Industries did a final batch in 1975-77, after that the production stopped. The effect became very popular because Jimi Hendrix played it and there were not many distortion pedals around at that time. Ivor Arbiter took the round shaped enclosure idea from a microphone stand and it was the first pedal including a DPDT stomp-switch. It produces a characteristic high distorted sound called fuzz. The Fuzz Face is a distortion guitar pedal designed in London by Arbitrer Electronics Ltd in the autumn of 1966.