Project overview

Inspired by Hudson Dual Broadcast. This germanium Fuzz/pre-amplifier has roots in the classic broadcast consoles of the 1960s.

Introduction

The Podcaster is a pretty unique circuit, one of those very few fuzzes we can’t tag as ‘Big muff,’ ‘Tone Bender,’ ‘Fuzz Face.’ This original Fuzz Preamp is a transformer-coupled, discrete Class-A germanium pre-amplifier based on the classic broadcast consoles of the 1960s. If you are looking for some Fresh sounding fuzz, this pedal is for you!

It cleans up nicely with the volume knob of your guitar and shines the best with your neck pickup, delivering dynamic compression and subtle thickening of the mid-range.

Are you looking for more headroom? No worries, the Podcaster has an internal charge pump that allows you via toggle to run on 9v or 24v with your standard power supply.

Want more gain and an extra channel? This circuit has a second footswitch to give you an additional channel with more gain and volume control.

Bear in mind this project requires a taller 1590BB enclosure (43mm) since the transformer is quite big. Some stores call them ‘tall,’ some 1590BBM, but double-check because it will not fit in your stands sized enclosure.

The transformer might need some slight bend on its leg. The footprint on the PCB turned out to be a little wide.

We used a test this circuit with some alternative Russian germanium PNP transistors with an HFE of 90 in our build.

Controls

• Gain
• Level1
• Level2
• Lowcut

For further analysis on this circuit take a look at this thread on Free Stomp Boxes Forum.

For any technical questions regarding this build don’t forget to check out our Facebook Group and our forum at Free Stomp Boxes.

Podcaster – Building Docs

Podcaster – Drilling Template