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"London Bus" Guitar Pedal. Mystery solved, it's a Fuzz Face!

Discussion in 'Miscellaneous [BG]' started by Eilif, Jun 3, 2019.

  1. Jun 3, 2019 #1
    Eilif

    Eilif Grooving under the MDW runway.

    Oct 1, 2001
    Chicago
    Update 6/5. Looks like the wise folks 40Hz and Nashrakh have determined it is a homemade pedal in the Fuzz-Face/Tone-Bender family. More details in the posts below. Thanks folks!

    Picked this up at the resale shop today. Looked so pretty and was only $10 so I had to take it home.
    20190603_074410.jpg
    Haven't even had a chance to plug it in, as I don't have an electric handy but I'll plug it into my pedal steel (and probably open it up) at some point. but I thought I'd see if anyone knows anything about it. No brands, marking or stamps visible.

    Google has been no help at all in determining what it is or who made it.

    It has no AC input and the artwork is a sticker that wraps over the front.
    20190603_074427.jpg
    The only other marking is someone's name sharpie'd on the bottom.

    Anyone have any ideas?


    UPDATE: Here's some interior pics. I think this might be a homemade kit, but my knowledge of pedals is extremely limited. Does this give any hint as to what it might be a copy or version of?
    20190604_084348.jpg

    20190604_084421.jpg
     
    Last edited: Jun 5, 2019
    Indiana Mike likes this.
  2. Jun 4, 2019 #2
    Eilif

    Eilif Grooving under the MDW runway.

    Oct 1, 2001
    Chicago
    UPDATE:
    Just uploaded interior pics. Please take a look.
     
  3. Jun 4, 2019 #3
    40Hz

    40Hz Supporting Member

    May 24, 2006
    home
    Looks like some sort of FET OD or maybe a fuzz. Likely some riff off one of these circuits.

    If I had to guess based on the parts count (and what it’s named ;)) this is probably close to what it is. Basically an Arbiter/Solas/Vox Tonebender circuit.

    E20E14A4-6E95-4A86-9757-C45DB2E44C5F.png
     
    Last edited: Jun 4, 2019
  4. Jun 4, 2019 #4
    Eilif

    Eilif Grooving under the MDW runway.

    Oct 1, 2001
    Chicago
    Thanks so much @40Hz !
    I bet you're right about the Tone Bender/Fuzz Face circuit.
    I just had my pedal steel lesson this morning and we plugged it in. It did seem to be a fuzz of some sort. The fuzz is always present when on, but turning the "attack" brings the higher end grind in. Volume didn't seem too do too much besides ramp up the volume. Does that sound pretty much like a Tone Bender?

    Didn't sound too bad actually. In my very limited playing around it seems to sound especially good sliding and bending around on one string at a time. I'm pretty pleased for $10!
     
  5. Jun 4, 2019 #5
    Nashrakh

    Nashrakh

    Aug 16, 2008
    Hamburg, Germany
    I would also say it's a Fuzz Face. The schematic 40Hz posted seems to check out, without being able to study the board itself. If your guitar has a volume knob, turning it down will considerably clean up the sound - at least that's what a Fuzz Face would do. I feel the gain knob on them doesn't do much.
     
    40Hz likes this.
  6. Jun 4, 2019 #6
    40Hz

    40Hz Supporting Member

    May 24, 2006
    home
    Depends on whose Tone Bender. :laugh:

    Kidding aside, it’s hard to say. It’s a very basic circuit so small changes in component values can significantly alter how it sounds. Each manufacturer had their own little tweaks. And at one point, Arbiter switched from Gemanium to Silicon transistors. And there are audible differences between the two types of transistor. But what you’re describing sounds like the behavior of a classic germanium “fuzz face” family of pedal, which is the other name tone bender pedals go by. Spanky, not too heavy, Hendrix-y sort of vibe.

    I also agree with @Nashrakh that the gain on a classic tone bender doesn't really do much. It’s a pretty tame and laid back sort of fuzz. And as he also noted, it’s sensitive to the input level (and to touch to some extent) and cleans up significantly when you dial down your guitar.

    It’s a remarkably musical effect considering the simplicity of the circuit found under the hood. Have fun with it. It’s a classic effect.
     
    Last edited: Jun 5, 2019
    Nashrakh likes this.
  7. Jun 4, 2019 #7
    Eilif

    Eilif Grooving under the MDW runway.

    Oct 1, 2001
    Chicago
    Thanks folks,

    With my PSG I had it situated after an active Hilton volume pedal and no surprise that had a big effect on the tone. "Musical" is a good way to describe it. I have no use for aggressive effects but it's not inconceivable that I may find a use for this even with the PSG.
     
    Last edited: Jun 4, 2019
  8. Jun 4, 2019 #8
    Ostie

    Ostie

    Aug 1, 2018
    We’re the boys from the Capitol City!
    You can have the London Bus for one hundred English pounds.
     
  9. Jun 5, 2019 #9
    Eilif

    Eilif Grooving under the MDW runway.

    Oct 1, 2001
    Chicago
    Not sure what you mean. I would part with it for 100GBP, though I doubt I'd find a taker at that price.
    :)
     
  10. Jun 5, 2019 #10
    Ostie

    Ostie

    Aug 1, 2018
    We’re the boys from the Capitol City!
    Unless you grew up in the sixties, you probably wouldn't. I was paraphrasing from The Magic Bus by The Who.
     
  11. Jun 5, 2019 #11
    Ian McLaughlin

    Ian McLaughlin

    Aug 11, 2018
    Do they make a Double Decker?
     
  12. Jun 6, 2019 #12
    Eilif

    Eilif Grooving under the MDW runway.

    Oct 1, 2001
    Chicago
    I gotcha now.
    I mistakenly assumed it was some sort of British comedy reference. Something like
    60 QUID AND EIGHT GUINEAS FOR THE FRUIT BAT.