The Texas Tornillo Face is a variation of the classic Fuzz Face, and is based on the famed Texas Square Face by Cesar Diaz, guitar and amp tech for Stevie Ray Vaughn.
I initially set out to faithfully recreate the Texas Square Face, but ran into a problem. The NTE103 germanium transistors that Diaz used were still being made, but the gain value of them had changed greatly over the years. Literally over a 1000% increase. So if I used them, it would sound nothing like the TSF.
So for these I will source suitable transistors, which will most likely change from batch to batch.
For the current batch I have sourced some Phillips ASY28s that are just right for the low gain NTE103 equivalents. They clean up super well with just a small roll off of the guitar volume knob.
I am also including a set of Mullard BSX45 silicon transistors that are lower gain than the NTE123s, which I felt were too high to mix with the low gain germaniums. These play with the others much better.
Not done yet. I'm also including a set of Millen 2N1304 germaniums that are more medium gain and closer to traditional fuzz face specs.
You can mix and match all of these to your hearts content. Instructions for swapping are included.
Other specs:
All NOS 1/2W Piher resistors in the signal path. Piher resistors were made in Spain and were famously used in Marshall amps.
Sprague Tantalum Capacitors
NOS Corning Glass Works ceramic output capacitor
Alpha footswitch and pots
Lumberg DC and audio jacks
The Texas Tornillo Face is a variation of the classic Fuzz Face, and is based on the famed Texas Square Face by Cesar Diaz, guitar and amp tech for Stevie Ray Vaughn.
I initially set out to faithfully recreate the Texas Square Face, but ran into a problem. The NTE103 germanium transistors that Diaz used were still being made, but the gain value of them had changed greatly over the years. Literally over a 1000% increase. So if I used them, it would sound nothing like the TSF.
So for these I will source suitable transistors, which will most likely change from batch to batch.
For the current batch I have sourced some Phillips ASY28s that are just right for the low gain NTE103 equivalents. They clean up super well with just a small roll off of the guitar volume knob.
I am also including a set of Mullard BSX45 silicon transistors that are lower gain than the NTE123s, which I felt were too high to mix with the low gain germaniums. These play with the others much better.
Not done yet. I'm also including a set of Millen 2N1304 germaniums that are more medium gain and closer to traditional fuzz face specs.
You can mix and match all of these to your hearts content. Instructions for swapping are included.
Other specs:
All NOS 1/2W Piher resistors in the signal path. Piher resistors were made in Spain and were famously used in Marshall amps.
Sprague Tantalum Capacitors
NOS Corning Glass Works ceramic output capacitor
Alpha footswitch and pots
Lumberg DC and audio jacks
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