The Analog Man Sun Face is a hand-built fuzz pedal, and the BC183 version is the silicon-transistor take on the design. Vintage Guitar's review calls it "a top-of-the-line pedal," built with true bypass, solid construction, and artsy graphics1. Like every Sun Face, it follows the classic two-knob fuzz format, and Analog Man offers it with an a la carte selection of transistors so players can pick the character they want.
The controls
The Sun Face keeps things deliberately simple. Vintage Guitar describes the layout as "a Volume knob, a Fuzz knob to increase gain, and an On/Off switch"1. That is the whole panel.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Volume | Sets the output level against your clean tone1 |
| Fuzz | Increases gain, setting how much fuzz the circuit produces1 |
| On/Off switch | Engages the fuzz1 |
Beyond the standard controls, Analog Man offers optional features on the Sun Face. Vintage Guitar lists the options1:
- 9-volt adapter input
- LED
- "Sundial" (exterior trimmer knob)
The Sundial is an externally accessible trimmer, which matters on a fuzz because internal bias settings shape how the transistors respond. On the BC183 specifically, That Pedal Show's demo with Mike Piera (Analog Man) covers the internal clean trim pot, a bias-style adjustment inside the pedal2.
The LED and Sundial trimmer are optional features, not standard on every Sun Face. They are choices made when ordering.
Transistor choices and circuit lineage
The Sun Face name refers to the circuit family, and the transistor type in the name refers to what is inside. JHS Pedals explains: "you have the BC183 version, which again refers to the type of transistor inside it"3. In this case, "The BC183 tested here is a silicon transistor," per Vintage Guitar1.
Analog Man offers the Sun Face with an a la carte selection of transistors, from white-dot high-gain NKT-275s to red-dot NKT-275s, BC108s, BC109s, and other germanium and silicon options1. The BC183 sits in that lineup as a silicon choice alongside the BC108.
| Version | Transistor type | Character |
|---|---|---|
| BC183 Sun Face | Silicon | Warmer than the BC108, per Analog Mike4 |
| BC108 Sun Face | Silicon | Plenty of fuzz, a little cooler than the BC1834 |
| NKT-275 Sun Face | Germanium | Offered in white-dot high-gain and red-dot selections1 |
On the comparison between the two silicon types, Guitar FX Layouts quotes Analog Mike directly4:
"The BC183 transistors we got in 2011 are my favorite for a silicon fuzzface. They are a little warmer than the BC108 and"
For the silicon version as a distinct product, see the Analog Man Silicon Sun Face.
Silicon versus germanium
The silicon-versus-germanium question is the main fork in the Sun Face range. Vintage Guitar describes the BC183 as "brighter, fuzzier, and more stable than its germanium counterpart, and which offers a tad more gain"1. JHS Pedals frames the difference in character terms: "It's a slightly different sound, but different enough that they are completely different pedals"3. For players, the practical reading is that silicon versions tend to be the more predictable choice, while germanium versions trade some of that stability for their own texture.
What reviewers heard
Vintage Guitar's reviewer described the BC183's character in vivid terms:
"the BC183 Sun Face elicits a smooth rumbling grittiness, turning a clean amp into a warm, woolly mammoth, reminiscent of"
That reference points at the classic British fuzz tradition the Sun Face circuit descends from, and it is consistent with the warmer-than-BC108 character Analog Mike himself describes4.
If you are mapping out where a fuzz sits on a board, the Fuzz Pedals page covers the wider type, and Analog Man's range also includes the Peppermint Fuzz and Astro Tone.
Videos
Dans Guitar Corner
Visual Guy
Aaron Cowan
Questions
Is the Analog Man Sun Face true bypass?
Yes. Vintage Guitar's review of the BC183 Sun Face notes that the pedal features true bypass, alongside solid construction and hand-done graphics. True bypass means the fuzz circuit is taken completely out of the signal path when the pedal is off, so your clean tone passes through unchanged.
Can the Analog Man Sun Face use a 9V adapter?
A 9-volt adapter input is available as an optional feature on the Sun Face, according to Vintage Guitar's review. It is listed alongside other optional extras such as an LED and a "Sundial" exterior trimmer knob, so it is something you specify when ordering rather than a standard fitting on every unit.
How much does the Analog Man BC183 Sun Face cost?
Vintage Guitar's September 2013 review lists the price at $185. As a hand-built pedal with an a la carte transistor selection, pricing may have changed since that review, so that figure reflects the date it was published.
What is the difference between the silicon and germanium Sun Face?
Vintage Guitar describes the silicon BC183 version as brighter, fuzzier, and more stable than its germanium counterpart, with a tad more gain. JHS Pedals puts it more bluntly: the two are "completely different pedals." Silicon transistors are generally less sensitive to temperature than germanium, which is where the stability difference comes from.
Sources (4)
- Analog Man BC183 Sun Face, Vintage Guitar magazine, 2014-04-15
- That Pedal Show, That Pedal Show, 2017-12-12
- ANALOG MAN'S BEST PEDALS, JHS Pedals
- Guitar FX Layouts: Analogman Sunface BC108, Guitar FX Layouts (tagboardeffects.blogspot.com), 2013-03-01
