Dual Abbey Road Fuzz with Mullard OC140 Germanium and Military Specification BC108 Silicon Transistors

Description

Description of Product

The Dual Abbey Road Fuzz places two complete versions of the circuit inside one enclosure.

The first is built around a pair of vintage Mullard OC140 germanium transistors. The second uses a rare pair of military specification ceramic BC108 silicon transistors with gold legs.

These are not two transistor options sharing one circuit. Each side is a complete Abbey Road Fuzz with its own controls, two switchable modifications, indicator and footswitch. Either side can be used independently, or the two can be combined.

The BC108 transistors are unusual ceramic military specification devices that tested well beyond the normal range associated with a standard BC108. I only have a small number of these remaining. They were chosen here because they provide a useful contrast to the older Mullard germanium pair.

Both circuits have been individually built and biased by hand on traditional tagboard. There is no production circuit board hidden underneath. What you see inside is the complete construction of both fuzzes.

This particular pedal is serial number one. It carries my Snow Sailor pin up artwork and is finished in a gradual baby blue to shell pink fade.

Only two Dual Abbey Road Fuzz pedals were made in this run. Both use the same OC140 and ceramic BC108 transistor combinations, but the second pedal has different artwork. This exact version will not be repeated.

Description of Sound

The germanium and silicon sides begin with the same Abbey Road Fuzz idea, but they do not respond in the same way.

The Mullard OC140 side has the softer edge of the two. Notes develop with a rounder attack and the fuzz changes progressively as the guitar volume is reduced. With the guitar opened up it produces the fuller germanium sound. Pull the volume back and it moves through lighter fuzz and driven sounds into a clearer response.

The military specification BC108 side is firmer and more immediate. The beginning of each note is more pronounced and the fuzz retains a tighter shape as the guitar signal increases. It still responds to the guitar volume, but the transition is different from the more gradual behaviour of the OC140 side.

The two switchable modifications on each circuit allow the response to be altered further without removing the character of the transistor pair at its centre.

Into a cleaner amplifier, the differences between the two sides are easy to hear. Into an amplifier already beginning to break up, the germanium side adds a softer layer of fuzz while the silicon side gives the sound a harder outline and greater attack.

The point of the pedal is not to decide whether germanium or silicon is better. It allows both versions to remain available under your feet, where the difference can be used rather than merely compared.

Real World Testimonials

“If you’re after a fantastic sounding Fuzz Face, you really can’t do better than a Hello Sailor Effects Abbey Road Fuzz.”

“Guitar Pedal X” (https://www.guitarpedalx.com/news/news/hello-sailor-effects-creates-a-cool-custom-white–red-burst-anchor-themed-hybrid-abbey-road-2-transistor-fuzz-for-your-truly)

Call to Action

This is a one off, hand wired Dual Abbey Road Fuzz built around vintage Mullard OC140 germanium transistors and rare military specification ceramic BC108 silicon transistors.

Only two were made with this circuit combination. This is serial number one, with Snow Sailor artwork and a baby blue to shell pink finish.

It will not be repeated in exactly this form.

If it speaks to you, it is available.