The Black Keys Fan Lounge Forum

Well here's a gutshot of your Smitty clone...

I see he used the correct IC, so that's a good sign. Lots of folks think the TL072 is correct, and I guess in a way it kind of is, but I think the TL022CP is a more faithful recreation of the original chip. That's what I use in mine. And that is what Smitty used too.
I can't tell what values his capacitors are but the output cap (C8) is supposed to be .22uF per the original scematic and his looks a bit large. Could be that he used a cap rated for higher voltage, or it could be that he "improved" things by increasing the size of the cap. It seems like he was going for an exact replica of the original (since he put the knobs on the sides, etc) so I have no real reason to think he has altered the circuit. Who knows. I do know that someone posted a vero layout on the web called "Hydrosis" which is the MFZ-1 circuit with a larger input capacitor (for more bass) and there may have been other mods too. I think that layout calls for the TL072 instead of the TL022CP. I don't know, I didn't mess with it. I used to own an original MFZ-1 and so when I set out to build a clone, I wanted an EXACT clone - no mods.
Mine sound like the original (from what I remember it sounded like, it was many years ago). I really enjoy the pedal though. And others do too. It was a great big mess actually. I got help from the fine folks over at freestompboxes.org, especially a very nice guy named "Torchy". He and the other guys there helped me learn to build the first clone and it was great. I made some soundclips http://www.myspace.com/handrolledfx and people on some other forums were really itching to have their own. So I was giving them the links and info on how to build their own but most of them said "no way man I don't know how to solder and I don't want to learn, I just want to pay you to build me one". So I built a dozen of them and sold them. Then word got back to the guys at freestompboxes.org that I had sold some pedals and people blew it way out of proportion and thought I had started up some company and was making millions of dollars. It took a long time to calm everything down and explain what was going on. The moral of the story is that I should have asked Torchy first if it was okay for me to build a few for others. I wasn't making any money really. I charged $115 a piece which was $15 for shipping and shipping materials, then the parts and the shipping for parts was around $60 (would cost much less if I was buying in bulk) and back then I just started building pedals so it took me 4 hours to complete one. So I was making $10 an hour. Not a get rich quick scheme by any means. Why am I telling you all this? I have no fucking idea.
Oh, right, I was trying to figure out why your Smitty clone doesn't sound like the original (in your opinion).
Well above you have the guts of the smitty, and here you have the guts of an original Maestro MFZ-1...

PS- Morgan, I see that Smitty used an IC socket, which means you can easily swap that TL022CP chip out and try a different one. Maybe the sound you're looking for can be found that way? Those IC's only cost a buck or two. Might be worth looking into. You could try a TL072 or some others.

Well thanks for this amazing describtion/analysis.
I confirm smitty did à very good job! nothing to say! my point was certainly not to criticise his pedal, I am very happy with it.
I m just turning fanatic of Tbk sound and trying to get most authentic sound as possible(how if not with an authentic pedal even if clones are really good and more affordable). doesn't mean my pedal is not doing à great job. just want to collect all those original vintage pieces of art to feel their guts ya know! thanks again you are astonishing