Negotiated Project
Boutique Bass Fuzz Pedal — 1970s Analogue Tone Revival
Negotiated Workspace

Boutique Bass Fuzz Pedal — 1970s Analogue Tone Revival

Design, prototype, test and sell a small run of boutique bass guitar fuzz pedals inspired by 1970s analogue circuitry, with documented tonal characterisation and ethical supply chain decisions.

Prototype Iteration 3 / Tonal Characterisation

Why this project matters

Combines personal musicianship with electronics, manufacturing and small-scale commerce. Forces engagement with component scarcity, ethics of sourcing, and authentic tonal evaluation.

Learning Goals

  • Analyse analogue signal paths in germanium fuzz topology
  • Negotiate international supplier communication
  • Defend ethical sourcing decisions
  • Produce a commercially viable small run (n=10)

Governance Conditions

Conditions the project must operate within.

  • No sourcing of components from sanctioned suppliers
  • All circuit explanations must be re-derivable without AI present
  • Soldering work supervised in workshop hours only

Ethical Considerations

  • — Russian-origin NOS germanium transistors — sourcing paused pending review
  • — Disclosure of AI assistance in technical writing on retail listings

Real-World Connections

  • · PCB manufacturer (Shenzhen alternative under review after India quote)
  • · Local bassist consultation panel (n=4)
  • · West End music retailer expressed pre-order interest

Approvals

Teacher
Approved
Parent
Approved
Principal
Pending

AI Governance Rules

  • Every use must be declared in the AI Use Log.
  • Conceptual claims must be re-derivable without AI present.
  • Verification step is required before any AI output is integrated.

Recent Reflection

10/03/2026

"The self-oscillation forced me to actually read about Miller capacitance instead of just copying a schematic. I now understand why layout matters as much as the circuit on paper."