Josh Scott is holding a rare piece of gear: a genuine Fairchild NOS transistor, the kind collectors dream about. These aren't just any transistors — they're the specific 134 and 129 varieties that Third Man Hardware included in their $75 fuzz kit. The company sent two kits as giveaways during this episode, but the real prize is what's inside the box.
What's Inside The Box
The Third Man Fuzz-A-Tron DIY kit arrives with everything needed to build a working pedal. The enclosure is custom-designed with input and output jacks, including a battery snap foot switch that Scott describes as having a satisfying click. Users get Fender-style knobs — the kind seen on premium amplifiers like a Deluxe Reverb — along with rubber feet, colored zip ties, and a bag of hardware including screws, nuts, and washers.
The real star is the small PCB marked clearly with component positions. The kit includes two 50k linear potentiometers for volume and tone control, plus all the necessary resistors (all 330k values), capacitors, and the NOS Fairchild transistors that make this particular fuzz unique. Instructions come via QR code — scan it with a phone to open a detailed PDF covering schematic reading, build steps, and circuit theory.
The Circuit Topology
This pedal isn't just another overdrive clone. It's built on what Scott calls a "fantastic topology" — the classic silicon transistor fuzz circuit that influenced countless other designs. The schematics match what's found online in fuzz discussions, and enthusiasts have traced this back to the famous Maite buzz — though the exact lineage varies depending on which version of history one prefers.
The circuit uses a feedback resistor connecting base and collector, with the emitter running directly to ground. Changing capacitor values modifies the bass content dramatically. For those interested in deeper exploration, the topology connects to circuits like the Companion FY2, Foxy Lady, and various fuzz designs floating around the boutique pedal world.
The Build Process
Scott approaches this as someone who's built many pedals but never quite this fast. He sorts components methodically: resistors first, then carefully places each one by twisting legs through the board with pliers. The NOS transistors require careful handling — these are matched pairs that represent significant investment in tone quality.
The assembly follows standard DIY pedal procedures: mount potentiometers, insert all components on the same side of the board, and solder methodically. For newcomers, Scott recommends checking color banding on resistors to ensure correct values before insertion.
Pull Quote
They went through the trouble of doing that properly — these are matched Fairchild NOS transistors, the real deal.
Bottom Line
The Third Man Fuzz-A-Tron kit succeeds where other DIY projects often fail: it provides genuine high-quality components in a complete package. The $75 price represents serious value when compared to sourcing NOS Fairchilds separately, and the inclusion of matched transistors means this isn't just a project for beginners — it's a legitimate piece of gear that serious builders will appreciate once they understand what's inside.