Which Analogman Sun Face Fuzz Pedal?

slawler

So I have been going down the fuzz rabbit hole and looking to order an Analogman Sun Face pedal.

There are quite a few options to choose from, although I understand the NKT275’s from years ago are the most desirable but no longer available to buy new and selling for a considerable mark-up.

After watching countless YouTube videos, I think I am choosing between two of the germanium transistors - either the standard 2SB171 or BART but I am open to considering any of the others offered.

This will be used for a Strat and Les Paul into a Princeton Reverb.

Does anyone have  any views on these specifics transistors and any other options to add in to the order?

hoops

2SB171 in classifieds. 

theatreanchor

I've tried about four of these - and they all sound good. Germanium or Silicon. It really depends on your your amp - and I assume a Princeton would be quite bright? I probably should've kept them all as they've all been good, and play different with different set-ups. I don't think I'd use one with a LP, personally. They're excellent with single coils. I have recommended the Crosstown Fuzz by Mojo Hand previously too as that is an excellent hybrid fuzz that flies under the radar. 

HandwrittenHero

Had me curious enough what was in mine, which is LG stamped - looks to be the GE transistors.

I mainly use mine with the 1974x amp, which is Marshall named but a bit black sheep of that family. My point anyway is not Princeton. It sounds best with my Tele but I have used it with a Les Paul running into lower input of the brighter channel and using a Beano Boost to get a different sound since it didn't feel like there was the range to play that single coils have.

If you're not sure what you want it's probably worth just asking Mike at analogman, he's pretty good on recommending 

Lebarque

In my experience, fuzzface into Princeton reverb is difficult. My advice is set the amp clean and use a tube screamer or klon-type to add some grit and mids. Then run the fuzzface into that.

slawler

What's the best fuzz to get for a Princeton Reverb that works well with a Strat and Les Paul?

theatreanchor

slawler said:

What's the best fuzz to get for a Princeton Reverb that works well with a Strat and Les Paul?

Ask Mike. 

whitedogbanana

BART is my favourite under AM's current offerings. It has a pleasing high end and not as dark / wooly as some other germanium transistors. 

slawler

Ok ok Bart it is. Probably in medium gain.

I’m tempted to order one just with the sundial, side jacks and fuzz pot on/off options.

I have pedal board power but understand from research that the best sound seems to come from a battery and therefore no led also seems like the best bet to avoid battery drainage…

photek

Whatever one you get don’t forget about the input gain control inside, even better, order one with it on the outside, it transforms the pedal for me.

theatreanchor

slawler said:

Ok ok Bart it is. Probably in medium gain.

I’m tempted to order one just with the sundial, side jacks and fuzz pot on/off options.

I have pedal board power but understand from research that the best sound seems to come from a battery and therefore no led also seems like the best bet to avoid battery drainage…

I've never used the sundial, but use the on/off all the time as I only use them with batteries. 

HandwrittenHero

I wish mine had the sundial, just easier than messing about with the back off.

Strangely, I don’t miss the on/off. I have an on off on my beano boost but still opt to leave the pot where it is and just unplug the input jack. Probably because I’m bending down anyway to do that to the sun face. I’d have it if I was speccing one but wouldn’t pass up on a well priced second hand for not having.

Kittyfrisk

HandwrittenHero said:

Had me curious enough what was in mine, which is LG stamped - looks to be the GE transistors.

I mainly use mine with the 1974x amp, which is Marshall named but a bit black sheep of that family. My point anyway is not Princeton. It sounds best with my Tele but I have used it with a Les Paul running into lower input of the brighter channel and using a Beano Boost to get a different sound since it didn't feel like there was the range to play that single coils have.

If you're not sure what you want it's probably worth just asking Mike at analogman, he's pretty good on recommending 

Interesting comment, what do you mean?
Cheers.

Kittyfrisk

.

HandwrittenHero

Kittyfrisk said:

HandwrittenHero said:

Had me curious enough what was in mine, which is LG stamped - looks to be the GE transistors.

I mainly use mine with the 1974x amp, which is Marshall named but a bit black sheep of that family. My point anyway is not Princeton. It sounds best with my Tele but I have used it with a Les Paul running into lower input of the brighter channel and using a Beano Boost to get a different sound since it didn't feel like there was the range to play that single coils have.

If you're not sure what you want it's probably worth just asking Mike at analogman, he's pretty good on recommending 

Interesting comment, what do you mean?
Cheers.

Different circuit to most other Marshall amps - has some of the Marshall voice but arguably it’s mostly the Watkins Dominator amp. A search on that or at 18watt.com gives plenty of background 

Kittyfrisk

Ahh, fair enough, thanks.
Always a bit difficult to talk about amplification & a 'Marshall voice' without discussing originality & derivation  

mo6020

I have a BART and it sounds absolutely huge. I’ve tried a lot of other fuzz pedals and nothings kicked this off my board so far. I mainly play Strats and a Les Paul Special through an SV20 and and Lazy J.