#4 Sound-shaping session with the Dazatronyx Big Fuzz Console - 2007 V7H EarthQuaker Devices Hybrid Hoof Fuzz Edition

So for the final session in this initial BFC sound-shaping series - I loaded in my Germanium 2N1308 Transistors - which are used to great effect in the 2007 EQD Hoof Fuzz Edition, and the circa 2022 Loe Sounds She Fuzz Edition. Both those used a combination of 2N3904 and 2N1308 transistors.

I started off with the exact same settings as last week’s V7C Green Russian profile - where I preferred the BC337-25 Transistors throughout. This time around I tried all transistors in various combinations - obviously the 2N1308’s replaced the 2N5133’s - so those were no longer available to my selections. It would have been cool to have had a second set of sockets - while I really like all the fixed transistor options - each of those come in very handy.

So I landed on my favourite settings straight away for the Hoof Fuzz - which was BC337-25’s in Q1 and Q4, and the 2N1308’s in Q1 and Q3 - really very similar to those original hybrid circuits. My second favourite setting was BC547C’s on Q1 and Q4. Both those deliver that bassy Green Russian sound with some extra finesse to the texture and sustain. I feel I might prefer those even to my Triangle 2N5133 profile. I’ve actually really loved each of my sound-shaping profiles - the Triangle, Violet Ram’s Head and Green Russian all sounded superb. But this one may just be the favourite of all!

The BC337-25 + 2N1308 and BC547C + 2N1308 Hybrid settings retain that Green Russian punchiness - which you loose when you go all 2N1308 - that yields a beautifully textured but sort of smoother profile overall. Where I rather prefer the punchiness of the 2 Hybrid variations.

I was pleasantly surprised how easy swapping out the transistors turned out - first the 2N5133’s for the included 2N2222A’s, and then the 2N1308’s - both of those worked superbly well and first time around. I wasn’t sure about the variability of those Germanium Transistors as to how well they would work - but they really worked brilliantly. I didn’t do any multimeter measuring - I just slotted them in directly - my 2N5133’s are Motorola variants from LittleDiode, while the Gold Lead 2N3108’s don’t seem to have any specific branding - where there is a further code - the full legend reads 2N1308 8143 - and those came from LANGREX.

I’ve really enjoyed by experience with the Big Fuzz Console. It’s all incredibly intuitive and easy to use - and it’s been a real joy right from the start. Doing all the research - getting the initial reference settings and then doing all the A/B/C-ing on all the different option switches.

It’s all worked out rather beautifully. And currently I can’t see how this isn’t going to end up as my Pedal of the Year - it works superbly well - Darron has done such a good job with this - and it consistently delivers my favourite Big Muff tones - this is for sure the Ultimate Big Muff Pedal, and one of the very best Multi-Fuzzes of all time!

The full settings are below - with the original Green Russian recommended references [in partentheses]!

This concludes my first series of experiments - I will be taking a hiatus on sound-shaping for a couple or month - and will then carry on with further sound-shaping examples. Civil War, Black Russian and 2000 Big Muff Pi / Black and Red variants still remain. If you want me to investigate any particular Big Muff profile - do let me known - and I can include it in the next series!