Features
2019 - we are a bit backed up on these, about 1-2 weeks to build a custom Sun Face.
ORDER CHANGES : I am spending too many hours every day changing orders and it's VERY difficult, and once we start the pedal it can be impossible. So please add any options you might want, BEFORE checking out. Thank you!
SOLD OUT OF QUICK DEAL PEDALS SORRY!
** New money-saving QUICK DEAL standard models sometimes available! They are listed as a transistor option when available. These come at a discount as we can build them up when we have free time, and keep them in stock for FAST shipping, and pass the savings to you!!! PLEASE do not choose any other PEDAL OPTIONS (power jack, led, etc) if you want to get these special deals. **
In addition to the QUICK DEAL options sometimes available above in
the OPTIONS area, we have some other Sun Face pedals ready to ship. All
are side jacks in the smaller box with SUN logo unless otherwise
specified:
READY TO SHIP Pedals (not special deals, just order normally):
- none at this time.
If you want one of these, choose these options and put a note in the order COMMENTS that you want one of the "ready-to-ship" pedals.
This Sunface has many transistor options, there is no BEST, they are all very similar but have some differences that could make some better than others for your needs.
Here is a short summary, much more info is on the Sunface page on analogman.com :
RCA germanium transistors : We got these in mid 2018 and the specs and sound are excellent. These are fairly low gain in general, but we have low, medium, and high available. Similar to standard germanium, a bit brighter with more cut than the old white dot NKT275. Quite a bit brighter than the red dot NKT, and also have excellent cleanup. The LOW GAIN RCA really cleans up well, and is not as bright, but still had a good amount of fuzz when you hit it hard. These are probably the best germanium choice for playing in different temperatures, as they are very stable and sound good even when warm.
2SB Japanese transistors : usually Toshiba brand, about 30 years old. Medium gain, not too finicky, nice warm tone, not very bright. Good cleanup. We have these in 2SB171 which is lower gain (better cleanup) and 2SB175 which is higher gain.
2N USA transistors : black or silver larger metal cans, similar to the 2SB transistors but maybe a little brighter and a bit more edge to cut through better. Usually made by General Electric (GE). Also used in the Low Gain Germanium option.
High Gain Germanium : These transistors were used in Baldwin Organs about 40 years ago. They are quite consistent, sound similar but fuzzier than the other germaniums but the higher gain does not allow them to clean up quite as well.
Low Gain Germanium : we choose from our Standard Germanium transistors with low gain, for a transistor that sounds and cleans up very close to the NKT275. Still gets fuzz when cranked up. Not very bright sounding.
White Dot NKT-275 - no longer available, only for Sun Face
repairs or vintage restorations. Pretty low gain, not much fuzz but can
get totally, sparkly clean. Very consistent, fairly bright, not too temperamental.
Red Dot NKT-275 - no longer available. Usually pretty low gain but we had some in medium and higher gain. Cool smoky, dark tones. Pretty good cleanup. A bit finicky, they don't sound good at extreme cold or hot. We put a bias trimpot inside even if you get a sundial so you can keep it in range (started this in late 2011). You should order the Sun Dial option with these as the sound will change at different temperatures.
Red Dot NKT : We got these in 2017. These are definitely made at the Newmarket factory. They look and sound like the old red dot NKT275 we used to have, but have a
different part number on them after the "NKT", probably a house number
for a specific customer. They are mostly low gain.
We also have some higher gain pairs but not many so they are more expensive.
See below for a video comparing the low gain to a medium high gain.
HYBRID RCA/NKT : In 2019, a good customer asked if we could make a germanium SunFace with one RCA and one NKT red dot. It sounded like a good idea so we made it, and it came out great. It has the useful temperature range of the RCA, with some of the RCA brightness and cut, with smoothness and warmth from the NKT. Maybe my favorite germanium choice.
SILICON
BC108C : most normally found in 1970 era Fuzzfaces, small metal can. Can be very high gain, can cause radio or other noise. Best to back the FUZZ KNOB down a bit. We are now using some TFK (Telefunken) marked transistors like the old ones from 1970.
BC183 : We have some really cool old BC183 with paint stripes, they came individually bagged. Medium high gain. I like these a lot for a silicon fuzz. Almost all the silicon transistors sound about the same if you use transistors with the same gain ranges. But these BC183 are all in the right gain range so it's easier to make a more consistent and excellent sounding fuzz. These are really smooth, almost like a germanium sound, smoothest of the Silicons. Not as bright as the BC108 or BC109.
BC182 : Similar to BC183, it's also easy to match these up with a BC183 to make a perfect matched pair. But I like the old BC183 that we got better so we don't offer these at this time.
BC109 is similar to BC108 but a bit edgier, cuts well.
TFK BC109C : NOS original Telefunken brand BC109C, high gain, cuts good but not as much bright edge as the BC109B.Be careful cranking the FUZZ knob.
TFK BC109B : same as above but B is a little lower gain, great cut and high end, also less of that high gain silicon noise and fussiness when the fuzz knob is cranked. Pretty low noise floor too. Very nice!
For more info about the Analog Man Sunface & options link here:
Check out the BATT-O-METER for how you can test the battery level and LIFE without opening your pedal! It's in our ACCESSORIES area.
BATTERY DISCONNECT OPTIONS
We can add a power off switch on the FUZZ pot, when you turn it down all the way it disconnects the battery. This will only fit on the side jacks model. We can install a mini toggle switch to kill the battery on the top jacks model. If you can unplug the cable from the input jack, it will do the same thing. But for people with the pedal in the middle of their pedalboard, one of these options will make it easier if you want to use a battery. If you use a power supply (requires the power jack option) then these battery disconnect options are not needed.
Below is the current optional CLOCK LOGO, which you can choose instead of the Sun Face.
This is a demonstration of the different gain of the red dot NKT
transistors. It’s not a tone demonstration, it’s just showing gain
differences. On the right is a medium high gain on the left is a low
gain. You can see the LED change on the switch box from left to right.
The first video is with the Fuzz knob about halfway up, the second video
it is full up. The low gain versions are cheaper just because we have
more of them, not for any other reason:
https://www.facebook.com/analogmike/videos/2339742...
https://www.facebook.com/analogmike/videos/2339742...
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Sunface LG 
