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Guit-jitsu · December 21st, 2011, 04:34 PM

Sorry if this has been discussed before, but I couldn't find what I'm looking for with the search. There are so many OD / Distortion / Fuzz pedals and clones out there, I thought it might help me make sense of them all by understanding the components used to create the distortion.

For example, I know that fuzz is generally created with either silicon or germanium transistors? And the classic TS style OD is from an Op-Amp? What other examples are there, and can you effectively 'sort' distortion types by component?

i.e.
Germanium transistor >> Fuzz Face & similar
Silicon transistor >> ??
Op-Amp >> Tube Screamer & similar
Diode clipping >> ??
FET, JFET, etc. >> ??
others?

Appreciate the input!

Guit-jitsu · December 22nd, 2011, 10:59 AM

bump ...

sorry for my ignorance on this stuff. Is this a good way to understand distortion pedals or am I barking up the wrong tree?

paratus · December 22nd, 2011, 11:01 AM

Fulltone GT-500 uses MOSFETs and FETs. In typical circuits they do all sound different.

FosterF · December 22nd, 2011, 11:35 AM

Although TS type pedals so rely on an OP-Amp they also rely on diodes for the actual clipping.
I do believe the Fulltone Fulldrive uses 1N34's and LEDs
The ibanez tubescreamers use 1N4148s

limbe · December 23rd, 2011, 05:23 AM

GM Arts has an article called "Overdrive & Distortion" with descriptions of classic designs.

DrewB · December 23rd, 2011, 10:46 AM

Silicon transister - Colorsound Overdriver

December 21st, 2011, 04:34 PM	#1 (permalink)
Guit-jitsu Tele-Holic Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Nashvegas Age: 32 Posts: 981	Distortion by component type - help! Sorry if this has been discussed before, but I couldn't find what I'm looking for with the search. There are so many OD / Distortion / Fuzz pedals and clones out there, I thought it might help me make sense of them all by understanding the components used to create the distortion. For example, I know that fuzz is generally created with either silicon or germanium transistors? And the classic TS style OD is from an Op-Amp? What other examples are there, and can you effectively 'sort' distortion types by component? i.e. Germanium transistor >> Fuzz Face & similar Silicon transistor >> ?? Op-Amp >> Tube Screamer & similar Diode clipping >> ?? FET, JFET, etc. >> ?? others? Appreciate the input! __________________ The very existence of flamethrowers proves that sometime, somewhere, someone said to themselves, “You know, I want to set those people over there on fire, but I’m just not close enough to get the job done.” - George Carlin

December 22nd, 2011, 10:59 AM	#2 (permalink)
Guit-jitsu Tele-Holic Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Nashvegas Age: 32 Posts: 981	bump ... sorry for my ignorance on this stuff. Is this a good way to understand distortion pedals or am I barking up the wrong tree? __________________ The very existence of flamethrowers proves that sometime, somewhere, someone said to themselves, “You know, I want to set those people over there on fire, but I’m just not close enough to get the job done.” - George Carlin

December 22nd, 2011, 11:01 AM	#3 (permalink)
paratus Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,046	Fulltone GT-500 uses MOSFETs and FETs. In typical circuits they do all sound different. __________________ Semper Paratus

December 23rd, 2011, 10:46 AM	#6 (permalink)
DrewB Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Independence, MO Posts: 1,591	Silicon transister - Colorsound Overdriver __________________ There is no substitute for Sound Pressure Level

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December 22nd, 2011, 11:35 AM	#4 (permalink)
FosterF Tele-Meister Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 218	Although TS type pedals so rely on an OP-Amp they also rely on diodes for the actual clipping. I do believe the Fulltone Fulldrive uses 1N34's and LEDs The ibanez tubescreamers use 1N4148s

December 23rd, 2011, 05:23 AM	#5 (permalink)
limbe Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Stockholm,Sweden Age: 61 Posts: 1,227	GM Arts has an article called "Overdrive & Distortion" with descriptions of classic designs.

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