Should different transistor options in the same Fuzz pedal be different items?

Recently I noticed a few different pages for the Analogman Sun Face, and was wondering if they should all be merged into one, and the option specified on the artist's page if known. Different options might vary a bit such as the addition of bias knob, but otherwise they could be considered the same pedal, in my opinion.

I had to edit this because I hadn't had coffee yet when I wrote it. It made no sense originally. I get to analog Mike's fuzz eventually.

I'm not sure. It's so situational per pedal and my memory us not as good as it wss 10 years ago. I don't know that it's worth addressing right now but if you really want, here goes.

If you've played a bunch of old silicon fuzz faces they all uses bc108s (or 109s, basically the same general purpose bipolar, apart from the max voltage rating anyway... bc549, bc46 etc etc, same with varying noise performance... american versions are 2n508x series). And yet silicon FFs can vary as much as germanium versions. They're all over the place because arbiter didn't sort for hfe or change any bias resistor values to suit the individual transistors they used. You can have ones that sputter out, units that sing with searing sustain, velcro fuzz faces, but they're all same bc108 transistors inside... the huge sonic difference are tolerances within transistor batches. You can't account for that with different items. Same pedal, same year, they look alike, they use the same type transistors, they aren't the same, or don't behave the same way despite looking the same inside and out. I would be open to separating germanium and silicon FFs if we haven't already. Germanium is lower gain but usually doesn't sputter out and its darker in tone due to an inherently limited input impedance (although that can be adjusted with negative feedback and emitter bypass resistors, that would be a different pedal).

This stuff is a rabbit hole and it spreads misinformation about 'mojo' parts. I could put up with separating germanium from silicon uf there's 2 versions of an old fuzz with differentcosmetics where the change in appearancedelineates a change in components, usually there isn't. Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't analogman make different sub-models that say what transistors are used right on the pedal though? That's a separate item, no doubt. Is it worth worrying about right now? I doubt it.

On the other side of the argument Ac128s or nkt275s won't vary much from another germanium device in thus primitive circuit apart from the rotten noise performance. Those transistors were chosen because they were cheaper than oc44s, 76s 77s which woulda been in the hurst designed sola tonebender they copied. And there were better germaniums at the time than gary chose.

But if its printed on the pedal it's a separate item to me. If it has an extra control, even a pot to adjust the bias voltage divider because cheap germanium semiconductors have poor temp coefficients it's a different pedal because you can mis-use that knob to make tones a pedal without a bias pot just can't. I could stomach separating fuzz faces but it's no indication of what you're getting aside from germanium is typically darker... if nothing is specified on the pedal then I say no... but whatever; guitarists are gonna do what they gonna do and when you push the pimple down it pops up someplace else! theres a song in that somewhere. I like chatting with you when I'm slacking off work but I think overall the stuff you're worried about isn't really high priority right now. There's a site wide update going on, both cosmetic and back end. Can all these merges wait until the big changes are implemented? Most kids on this site aren't cork sniffing this hard but if someone wants to go there I've been rolling my eyes and leaving it alone. If someone is shopping sunfaces they should buy whatevers available since the waitlist on new ones is years long. You can't even buy a klon branded centaur anymore, nor should you buy a used one, its batsh!t. Your choice of speakers shapes your sound more than anything else anyway... and dudes aren't even playing through speakers these days.

Thanks man!! I like hearing your insight too. I was kinda getting at that inconsistency with the original Fuzz Faces and how they are one item, but I guess any newer replica is going to methodically measured and tweaked to match whichever vintage one the builder has on hand or prefers. I guess it isn't high priority, but nonetheless something to suggest down the line.

I deleted something weird I said last night. I was working on some new music for Trash Godz and drank too many beers. It made sense at the time. If you read it yesterday please disregard. I think I spent about 5 or 6 lagers, err hours, on drum editing and got nutty.

I really think if the type of transistor is specified on the pedal then its a separate item, but what do I know.

I actually thought it was hilarious but didn't get a chance to respond, sometimes drunk mixing is the best mixing. With what I've seen on here and other sites, I think you're right about different transistor versions being separate if they have unique names.

well, that said, if you have something that needs a more professional mix let me know, I'm available. I'm always available. I work every day if I have work lined up every day. I only mix my own projects drunk.

For sure man, what's a good email to reach you at?

Jim marchi 1 @ gmail.com

No spaces obviously.

I'm doing a '1st ones free' thing this year. If you like it then great let's talk, if you don't like it then oh well. Cost you nuthin' and I added something to my reel.

When it is to buy as a different Product, I would add it as a new Item , also like: "but this vinatge pedal is better and does cost more because it has the Transistor Mod", when not sold as a different Product , then not add it as an Item and stick the one already there.

Like: JHS does sell a Boss Pedal with a JHS Mod and sell it like this, new Item, when they do not sell it and just done a modification not a new item. Boss would change something to their DD-3 but still sell it as DD-3 , not a new item. But Boss makes DD-3 now Wazacraft, new Item .... When an artist change a pedal , not a new item and "correct" to the Item was added also when the Tuners, picups , switches or knobs not the same ... When an artist or forum user build a New Pedal or Guitar ... , but might be based on like the DD-3 or was a Fender but not much left of it, add a new item also when it is not to have as a product, is the only exception, but you will not do this often anyway. Its like: Look I made keyboard or a Flyinfg V from a Fender Telecaster, you can not say Fender Telecaster anymore , or I put an Overdrive or Boost into this Boss DS-1 Pedal, its not a DS-1, when some made a fast kill switch to DS-1 just to make it work like Tremolo like and its not sold as a new product still a DS-1, he can mention in the Gear or under the Artist that there is a Modification to it, when Boss does the fast kill switch and does sell it still as a normal DS-1 , no new Item, when Boss does the Kill Switch and sell it as DS-1 V2 new Item, when a Japanese Company not Boss does the kill switch to a boss pedal and sell them like this, new Item, like the japanese Mod of the Tube screamer is a new item.