Gretsch
Jen Harmon Booster
Here’s a really unique overdrive from the Italian manufacturer Jen from the late 70s. Think Tube Screamer meets Big Muff. It sort of reminds me of a DBA design (only more stable and not as over the top) with a whole mess of transistor stages pushing a BMP style tone stack. Originals used BC318c transistors, but others … Read more
Gretsch ControFuzz
For Fuzz Friday I give you the ControFuzz from Gretsch. Originals are pretty rare and it’s an fairly unique design based around a single 4558 chip. I found a build report from LucifersTrip over on DIYSB, and he suggested a slight mod to the Distortion control that improves the circuit, so the layout below is … Read more
Jen HF Modulator / Gretsch Playboy
Now get your irons out and build it. Place your favourite fuzz in front of it and get ready for some psychedelic brain melting action. The circuit is the same in both, Jen HF Modulator and Gretsch Playboy. For this layout, i’ve once again swapped the transistor pinout to match your everyday devices. Original has … Read more
Gretsch Controfuzz
Thought some might want to clone this… 🙂 — *Note: There are a few schematics around. One has B10K pot for “Boost” and other A100K. I put in B100K as that pot due to discussion below.. 100K should make it a bit louder, and linear taper should make the sweep feel, well, louder. But use … Read more