aion CONSTELLATION User manual

CONSTELLATION VINTAGE FUZZ 1
PROJECT NAME
CONSTELLATION
BASED ON
EFFECT TYPE
PROJECT SUMMARY
DOCUMENT VERSION
Shin-Ei Companion FY-2
An early silicon fuzz known for its scooped-midrange tone. This adaptation is updated with a switchable
volume boost stage as well as a control to dial back the scoop.
Fuzz 1.0.0 (2019-11-28)
BUILD DIFFICULTY
Easy
Actual size is 2.3” x 1.86” (main board) and 1.78” x 0.86” (bypass board).

CONSTELLATION VINTAGE FUZZ 2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1Project Overview 7Enclosure Layout
2Introduction & Usage 8Wiring Diagram
3-4 Parts List 9Licensing
5Schematic 9Document Revisions
6Drill Template
INTRODUCTION
The Constellation Vintage Fuzz is an adaptation of the Shin-Ei Companion FY-2, an early 1970s silicon
transistor fuzz that was also re-labeled under the brand names Avora, Jax, Kimbara, Thomas and Zenta.
The FY-2 is the slightly-less-famous and often-mistaken precursor to the FY-6, which was best known
for being re-branded as the Univox Super Fuzz. The FY-2 does not have the octave effect of the Super
Fuzz, but it does have the same scooped midrange character.
The fuzz control of the FY-2 is an odd setup that shifts the balance between the two transistor stages
rather than directly controlling gain. Many people wonder whether it’s working right because it doesn’t
seem to change the intensity of the effect as it’s turned, just the harmonics and texture. This is how it’s
supposed to work. It’s not tremendously useful, so most people just leave it up all the way.
The Constellation project is faithful to the original FY-2, with two additions: 1) a control to allow the
characteristic mid-scoop to be dialed back into more of a flat EQ, and 2) an optional volume boost stage
before the master volume control at the end. The original unit suffers from excessively low volume, so
the make-up gain stage from the FY-6 has been adapted for this circuit. With the gain boost disabled and
the Scoop control at maximum, the circuit is 100% identical to a vintage FY-2.
USAGE
The Constellation has the following controls:
• Fuzz controls the harmonics and texture of the fuzz tone.
• Scoop allows the mid-scoop to be lessened in intensity for more of a full-range fuzz. Note that the
volume will decrease as this control is turned up, so the optional boost stage should be used at
higher Scoop settings, but isn’t as crucial if this control is dialed back.
• Volume is the master output volume control.
• Boost (toggle) enables or disables an optional gain stage at the end of the circuit.

CONSTELLATION VINTAGE FUZZ 3
PARTS LIST
This parts list is also available in a spreadsheet format which can be imported directly into Mouser for
easy parts ordering. Mouser doesn’t carry all the parts (most notably potentiometers) so the second tab
lists all the non-Mouser parts as well as sources for each.
View parts list spreadsheet →
PART VALUE TYPE NOTES
R1 2M2 Metal film resistor, 1/4W
R2 22k Metal film resistor, 1/4W
R3 2M2 Metal film resistor, 1/4W
R4 47k Metal film resistor, 1/4W
R5 100k Metal film resistor, 1/4W
R6 10k Metal film resistor, 1/4W
R7 15k Metal film resistor, 1/4W
R8 100k Metal film resistor, 1/4W
R9 15k Metal film resistor, 1/4W
R10 1k Metal film resistor, 1/4W
R11 10k Metal film resistor, 1/4W
R12 100R Metal film resistor, 1/4W
RPD 2M2 Metal film resistor, 1/4W Input pulldown resistor.
LEDR 4k7 Metal film resistor, 1/4W LED current-limiting resistor. Adjust value to change LED brightness.
C1 47n Film capacitor, 7.2 x 2.5mm
C2 1n Film capacitor, 7.2 x 2.5mm
C3 47n Film capacitor, 7.2 x 2.5mm
C4 47n Film capacitor, 7.2 x 2.5mm
C5 3n3 Film capacitor, 7.2 x 2.5mm
C6 2n2 Film capacitor, 7.2 x 2.5mm
C7 1n Film capacitor, 7.2 x 2.5mm
C8 100n Film capacitor, 7.2 x 2.5mm
C9 1uF Film capacitor, 7.2 x 3.5mm
C10 1uF Film capacitor, 7.2 x 3.5mm
C11 100uF Electrolytic capacitor, 6.3mm Power supply filter capacitor.
C12 100n MLCC capacitor, X7R Power supply filter capacitor.
D1 1N5817 Schottky diode, DO-41
Q1 2N3904 BJT transistor, NPN, TO-92 Substitute. Original uses 2SC536F (hFE 160-320)
Q2 2N3904 BJT transistor, NPN, TO-92 Substitute. Original uses 2SC536F (hFE 160-320)
Q3 2N3904 BJT transistor, NPN, TO-92

CONSTELLATION VINTAGE FUZZ 4
PARTS LIST, CONT.
PART VALUE TYPE NOTES
FUZZ 50kB 16mm right-angle PCB mount pot
SCOOP 50kB 16mm right-angle PCB mount pot
VOL. 50kB 16mm right-angle PCB mount pot
BOOST DPDT Toggle switch, DPDT
LED 5mm LED, 5mm, red diffused
IN 1/4" stereo 1/4" phone jack, closed frame Switchcraft 112BX or equivalent.
OUT 1/4" mono 1/4" phone jack, closed frame Switchcraft 111X or equivalent.
DC 2.1mm DC jack, 2.1mm panel mount Mouser 163-4302-E or equivalent.
BATT Battery snap 9V battery snap Optional. Use the soft plastic type—the hard-shell type will not fit.
FSW 3PDT Stomp switch, 3PDT
ENC 125B Enclosure, die-cast aluminum Can also use a Hammond 1590N1.

SCHEMATIC
CONSTELLATION VINTAGE FUZZ 5
GND
2M2
1N5817
100uF
50kB
50kB
GND
50kB
+9V
100n
VA
47n
2M2
1n
2N3904
GND
22k
VA
47n
2n2
2N3904
2M2
GND
47k 100k
47n
VA
3n3
10k
15k
1n
100n
GND
2N3904
1uF
100k
VA
15k
1k
GND GND
10k
VA
1uF
GND
100R
RPD
D1
C11
FUZZ
1
2
3
1
2
3
SCOOP
VOLUME
1
2
3
IN
OUT
C12
C1
R1
C2
Q1
R2
C3
C6
Q2
R3
R4 R5
C4
C5
R6 R7
C7
C8
BOOST_A
A2
A3
A1
BOOST_B
B2
B3
B1 Q3
C9
R8R9
R10 R11
C10
R12
GND

CONSTELLATION VINTAGE FUZZ 6
DRILL TEMPLATE
Cut out this drill template, fold the edges and tape it to the enclosure. Before drilling, it’s recommended
to first use a center punch for each of the holes to help guide the drill bit.
Ensure that this template is printed at 100% or “Actual Size”. You can double-check this by measuring
the scale on the printed page.
Top jack layout assumes the use of closed-frame jacks like the Switchcraft 111X. If you’d rather use
open-frame jacks, please refer to the Open-Frame Jack Drill Template for the top side.
LED hole drill size assumes the use of a 5mm LED bezel, available from several parts suppliers. Adjust
size accordingly if using something different, such as a 3mm bezel, a plastic bezel, or just a plain LED.
0 1 2
CM
0 1
INCH
x: -0.65, y: +1.71 x: 0.65, y: +1.71
ø9/32” ø9/32”
x: -0.85, y: +0.66
ø1/4”
x: 0, y: +0.66
ø9/32”
x: 0, y: -1.20
ø15/32”
x: -0.775, y: -1.20
ø5/16”
CENTER (0,0)
ø3/8” ø1/2”
0.385”
0.625” 0.625”
ø3/8”
OUT DC IN
125B
VOLUME
BOOST SCOOP
FUZZ
FOOTSWITCHLED

CONSTELLATION VINTAGE FUZZ 7
ENCLOSURE LAYOUT
Enclosure is shown without jacks. See next page for jack layout and wiring.
125B

CONSTELLATION VINTAGE FUZZ 8
WIRING DIAGRAM
125B
IN +VGND N.C. N.C. OUT
PCB
IN
GND +V +V JACK GND JACK
OUTIN
GND GND PCB
OUT
Shown with optional 9V battery. If battery is omitted, both jacks can be mono rather than one being stereo.
Leave the far-right lug of the DC jack unconnected.

CONSTELLATION VINTAGE FUZZ 9
LICENSE & USAGE
No direct support is offered for these projects beyond the provided documentation. It’s assumed
that you have at least some experience building pedals before starting one of these. Replacements and
refunds cannot be offered unless it can be shown that the circuit or documentation are in error.
All of these circuits have been tested in good faith in their base configurations. However, not all the
modifications or variations have necessarily been tested. These are offered only as suggestions based
on the experience and opinions of others.
Projects may be used for commercial endeavors in any quantity unless specifically noted. No
attribution is necessary, though a link back is always greatly appreciated. The only usage restrictions
are that (1) you cannot resell the PCB as part of a kit without prior arrangement, and (2) you cannot
“goop” the circuit, scratch off the screenprint, or otherwise obfuscate the circuit to disguise its source.
(In other words: you don’t have to go out of your way to advertise the fact that you use these PCBs, but
please don’t go out of your way to hide it. The guitar effects industry needs more transparency, not less!)
DOCUMENT REVISIONS
1.0.0 (2019-11-28)
Initial release.