Vox Tonebender vs Fuzz Face Circuit and low gain transistors

[mozz]

Silicon tonebender with high gain transistors you are asking for oscillation.

[35L6]

Reduce feedback resistor maybe ?

[Helmholtz]

Reduce feedback resistor maybe ?

That would increase NFB and risk of oscillation.

BTW, the transistor Hfe has little influence on voltage gain.

[mozz]

Higher gain transistors change the sound.

[Brian W.]

Higher gain transistors change the sound.

Yup... I'm considering swapping Q 3 for a lower gain tranny.

[Helmholtz]

Higher gain transistors change the sound.

Assuming you're speaking of current gain (Hfe), that may well be in simple distortion devices. But it's essential to compare same operating points.
Voltage gain isn't even defined for distorted output.

[Brian W.]

Yup... I'm considering swapping Q 3 for a lower gain tranny.

Changed it for a lower-gain tranny..........still making too much racket. Maybe use lower gain transistors for the whole circuit..