MAESTRO: FZ-1 Fuzz-Tone

I guess this is where it all started - The Glenn Snoddy Fuzz-Tone.  I modified an existing MKI layout on the larger vintage size vero for this, sized to fit in a wedge enclosure.  Initially, I was going to do the original layout used, but it was a bit of a mess - as was the practice back in the day.

Don't forget that the FZ-1 runs off 2 x AA batteries (3v).  There are some schematics out there missing the 470k resistor - these are considered to be wrong, as a 470k resistor is clearly visible in photos of the original units.  The FZ-1A is basically the same, with some minor tweaks, running at 1.5v.

RCA 2N270 transistors are pretty hard to come by; just use anything you might find in a MKI, as they are of course very closely related.  

FZ-1 FUZZ-TONE - 0.15" VERO LAYOUT

The effect was so revolutionary at the time that they needed to publish a guide, which came in the form of a record.  

MAESTRO: MFZ-1 Fuzz

This is a simple little IC-based Fuzz from Maestro - it's pretty raw.  You can also find a layout of the BYOC Lil Black Keys here, which is a variation on this circuit.  

MAESTRO MFZ-1 FUZZ  - VERO LAYOUT

BYOC: Lil' Black Keys (Modded Maestro MFZ-1 Fuzz)

This is the BYOC version of the Maestro MFZ-1 Fuzz, the Lil' Black Keys.  Named as such, as there are a few references to the Black Keys using the Maestro at some stage.

It's an easy build, and it sounds pretty good too.  There are fairly minimal differences circuit-wise, between the original and the Lil' Black Keys.  A couple of cap values and the Lil' Black Keys has 2 x diodes in series for hard clipping instead of one in each direction (less compression / more output).  You could probably try some LEDs instead for a similar sound.  

I used to have an old Guild Starfire III - put this in front of it with a bit of reverb, and it sounds like the Black Keys.  

BYOC LIL' BLACK KEYS - VERO LAYOUT

ON THE SCOPE / FFT

Input signal: 400hz sine wave, approx 130mv TRMS

GAIN 100

GAIN 50

GAIN 25