Hybrid Voxbender Fuzz, 2N1304 and BC108C, Tagboard Built

Description

Description of Product

This one follows the same line of thinking. Not just making it smaller, but keeping the reason it works in the first place.

When you reduce something like this, it is easy to lose the interaction between parts. The layout tightens and the circuit starts to behave differently. The aim here was to hold onto that behaviour and not just the schematic.

It is hand wired on tagboard with cloth covered wire throughout. The layout is compact, but still open enough to let the circuit breathe. Nothing has been forced into place just to make it fit.
At the centre is the same hybrid pairing. A 1988 2N1304 germanium transistor working alongside a BC108C silicon transistor. The germanium brings the movement and slight give under the note, while the silicon keeps everything from drifting too far.

The original military packaging slip for the 2N1304 is still inside the enclosure, fixed in place alongside the build. It belongs with the part, so it has stayed with it.

A Mullard tropical fish capacitor sits in the signal path, chosen for how it responds when driven rather than anything else.

Controls are volume, fuzz, and bias, carried over directly from the larger version. The bias control is still there to let the circuit find its natural position, rather than locking it into one.
It runs from a standard 9 volt supply. No inversion, no special requirements, just plug it in and use it.

The finish is petrol blue over fluorescent green with the Vox Bender logo. The colour shifts depending on the light, and the wear brings the green through underneath. It looks like something that has already been on a board for years rather than something that has just been boxed.
This is still the same idea, just reduced without losing what makes it work.

Description of Sound

There is a balance here that sits between control and movement.

The germanium side softens the front of the note and lets it move slightly. The silicon side keeps it stable and stops it collapsing. You hear both at once, not one taking over.

At lower settings it stays defined. There is gain, but it does not blur into compression. As the fuzz is increased, it thickens and pushes, but it keeps its shape.

The bias control is where it shifts. One way it stays smoother and more even. The other introduces a slight instability, where the note starts to break up at the edges without losing itself.

Rolling the guitar volume back keeps the same voice, just less of it. It does not feel like switching sounds, just pulling it back.
Into an amp that is already working, it sits in rather than on top.

This is a one off build.
It will not be repeated exactly in this form.
If it speaks to you, it is available.