Project overview
13 switches, 2 effects, 1 FUZZ. I’m talking about the Death By Fuzz III deluxe. This monster is based on the super limited-edition Death by Audio Super Fuzz War but replacing the internal dip switches for external toggles that enable each individual control.
Death By Fuzz III Deluxe wages total war on the very concept of what a fuzz pedal should be. This behemoth of destruction has a topology that could fit in the description MUFF + Rat (as a dirty boost) but moded excessively to cause a total Death by Fuzz effect (deluxe) on you!
Introduction
Give me liberty or give me Death By Fuzz 3 Deluxe!
This must be the first time in history when the ‘liberty’ in that sentence doesn’t sound that appealing in comparison. Death By Fuzz 3 Deluxe, just like the previous versions of this face-melting fuzz machine, is not to be taken lightly. The third version is based on a limited edition, but with a twist – all the internal DIP switches were taken outside the box, so you can think outside the box when meticulously shaping your lethal tone. This model also offers an option to call backup in the form of a booster with its own external toggles. Let’s have a near-death experience!
Death By Fuzz 3 Deluxe comes equipped with 4 potentiometers – FUZZ, TONE, LEVEL and BOOST. FUZZ is the control over how many sonic devastations you want to inflict – clockwise brings annihilation, while by turning the knob counter-clockwise, you show some mercy. With TONE, you can shape the character of the fuzz – heavy as a tank, or thin as a blade – your pick. LEVEL and BOOST are the volume controls – LEVEL covers the fuzz section, while BOOST is responsible for the booster loudness. Now for the switches – the 16(!) switches included in this monster cover all the needs that you might have (and even some that you never thought of!). There’re clipping selectors, in case you’d want to spice things up by trying a different clipping diode. There’s an additional EQ section. There’re extra decibels for the boost. You name it, we have it.
With all the options available in this circuit, there is no chance that you won’t find a tone for yourself here. If you ever thought that nothing more can be done with a Muff design, think again, because this machine breaks all the rules!
Controls
Potentiometers
- BOOST
- FUZZ
- LEVEL
- TONE
Switches
- SW1
- SW2
- CLIP-1
- CLIP-2
- CLIP-3
- CLIP-B
- DULL
- FULL
- FUZZ-SW
- HIGH
- HIGH-B
- MID
- MID-B
- PRES
- +1
- +10
- +100
For further analysis on this circuit take a look at this thread on DIY 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.
Bob Davis (verified owner) –
I got it to work before I boxed it but when put into an enclosure I went down hill. First the schematic is worthless as it is too low resolution to read on a monitor or when printed. This makes it extremely difficult to trace and debug. Next, there at just too many switches and drilling them by hand even with a drill press is impossible to get the space and in line. So fitting it into the enclosure is challenging, at best.
Finally, the drill template is incomplete. No guides for power and I/O jacks. I’ll give it another hour and then I’m done.
Johnny (verified owner) –
If it wasn’t for this PCB, I probably would have never heard this pedal in person much less played it. It’s wild and so fun to dial in completely different fuzz tones. Yeah, the enclosure is tough and the first one I made is so laughably hideous. Then I bought the PCB again and put the switches in the enclosure loose first, then wiggled the board onto the lugs, then soldered it. It’s still insanely silly but that’s why you take on this project.
Ryan –
Great pedal, drilling template was perfect. PCB easily fits in if you drill properly. Washers won’t fit on switches, and nuts are very tight, but they work. Probably takes a bit of skill and patience.