Here's a collection of vero (stripboard) and tagboard guitar and bass effect layouts that we have put together covering many classic and popular effects in growing numbers. Many of these have been posted on freestompboxes.org, so check that site out for great discussions on building your own effect pedals. Enjoy the builds and please also visit us on Facebook and Twitter
This one works. Sounds great on the first try. I built the other layout: http://tagboardeffects.blogspot.com/2010/10/dam-meathead.html over 6 times and never got it running...
There's different versions of the meathead, each. The 47uF cap is a power filtering cap. If you wanted you can add it to the turretboard layout by putting it between 9V and ground with the negative on the ground turret.
Very helpful, thank you! This diagram also has an additional ground coming off the board than the vero layout, from the emitter of Q1. Can I run that ground to pretty much any connection (input or output jack? The bottom right turret that goes to ground?)? Thanks!
You need both grounds if you're going to do the turretboard layout, as there are multiple ground points that are not directly connected. You can connect them to any grounding points.
I'm about to build this pedal, but i want to add a VOLUME POT to it. I think i know how to add a passive volume control to it: get a (100k??) linear pot, connect output to lug 3, lug 2 new output, lug 1 to ground.
This should work right? And what value would be a good idea?
But now question 2. Is it possible to get more volume from the pedal? By lowering a resistor or cap or something? So i can 'really' boost or cut the signal.
The one control on the meathead is a volume pot, so you don't need to add anything. also, I'm assuming you didn't build it yet, so I'll tell you that I don't think you'll need change anything to give it more output, it has more then you probably think it does and has plenty of output.
Thank you Zach! Fast reply too! No i didn't build it yet.
Well since the 500k is a volume pot, where can i add a gain controle? I just want to have a little more room to play. Or any other mods you could think of?
My guess is the 120k for gain/fuzz, change that to a 100k pot or something. Any ideas Zach?
Sounds like you want something more that a one knob fuzz. There's actually a 3 knob version called the meathead deluxe, which has a gain/fuzz control, and a tone control of sorts. You can find it on the site, just click DAM on the side and you'll find it.
I looked at the Veroboard deluxe version. I don't have the correct iron to work on a veroboard :(. But i spotted some things, could you help me with those? I'm not 'very' experienced in this area.
Most of the veroboard version looks the same, couple more caps and pots, that's about it.(and it's the dark version) I noticed that there is a 1k pot and there has been a 1k removed. Could it be that if i take the tagboard version, replace the 1k resistor for a 1k pot, that the pot will act as a Attack control?
And the 'filter' control is placed before the input. (i don't think this will work, but still) Could it work, that if i place a 100k pot before going into the circuit, it will act as a Filter? Or do i need to change way more before this is gonna work?
I just found someone who stated: The filter control is basically a pot that pans between 2 caps. A 4n7 and a 1U (polarized). This seems logic, so i think this will work. But now where do the caps go on the b100k pot?
My guess would be: 3 goes to the polarized cab. Minus to pot, plus to circuit. and leg 1 and 2 go to 4n7. And a lead from leg 2 to the board.
Okay, I tried to make this one http://tagboardeffects.blogspot.com/2010/10/dam-meathead.html Firstly I did the compact version, sounded like very thin fuzz effect. No luck. I tried standard build, noise all the time. Today (3rd time's a charm) I made this version and wooow... It blew me away. Very very nice sounding pedal for so little components.
I did encounter an issue, though. Maybe it's my cables or something but the sound has very little sustain, it cuts off like it has a noise gate. This one at least works.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHi
ReplyDeleteCan anyone help me with the pins on the transistors.. I am a touch unsure how to identify which is which..
Also I take it this is verified..
Thanks
Yes it is verified and you can get see the pinouts in the datasheets:
Deletehttp://www.datasheetcatalog.org/datasheet/fairchild/2N3904.pdf
http://www.sm0vpo.com:800/_pdf/BC/BC182L.pdf
Cheers mate. I know to look on data sheets...
ReplyDeleteSound fab.... My best build yet..Love it gonna give another DAM ago...
ReplyDeleteThis one works. Sounds great on the first try. I built the other layout:
ReplyDeletehttp://tagboardeffects.blogspot.com/2010/10/dam-meathead.html over 6 times and never got it running...
Me too! Gonna give this one a go
DeleteWell 2 times not 6. But both failed from the other layout.
DeleteI notice that this layout does not contain a 47uf cap like the vero version does. What is the reasoning behind that?
ReplyDeleteThere's different versions of the meathead, each. The 47uF cap is a power filtering cap. If you wanted you can add it to the turretboard layout by putting it between 9V and ground with the negative on the ground turret.
DeleteVery helpful, thank you! This diagram also has an additional ground coming off the board than the vero layout, from the emitter of Q1. Can I run that ground to pretty much any connection (input or output jack? The bottom right turret that goes to ground?)? Thanks!
DeleteYou need both grounds if you're going to do the turretboard layout, as there are multiple ground points that are not directly connected. You can connect them to any grounding points.
DeleteDear members,
ReplyDeleteI'm about to build this pedal, but i want to add a VOLUME POT to it.
I think i know how to add a passive volume control to it: get a (100k??) linear pot, connect output to lug 3, lug 2 new output, lug 1 to ground.
This should work right? And what value would be a good idea?
But now question 2. Is it possible to get more volume from the pedal? By lowering a resistor or cap or something? So i can 'really' boost or cut the signal.
I hope you guys can help me!
Cheers!
The one control on the meathead is a volume pot, so you don't need to add anything. also, I'm assuming you didn't build it yet, so I'll tell you that I don't think you'll need change anything to give it more output, it has more then you probably think it does and has plenty of output.
DeleteThank you Zach! Fast reply too! No i didn't build it yet.
DeleteWell since the 500k is a volume pot, where can i add a gain controle? I just want to have a little more room to play. Or any other mods you could think of?
My guess is the 120k for gain/fuzz, change that to a 100k pot or something. Any ideas Zach?
Sounds like you want something more that a one knob fuzz. There's actually a 3 knob version called the meathead deluxe, which has a gain/fuzz control, and a tone control of sorts. You can find it on the site, just click DAM on the side and you'll find it.
DeleteThat's a great idea! Thanks Zach!
DeleteDear Zach,
DeleteI looked at the Veroboard deluxe version. I don't have the correct iron to work on a veroboard :(. But i spotted some things, could you help me with those? I'm not 'very' experienced in this area.
Most of the veroboard version looks the same, couple more caps and pots, that's about it.(and it's the dark version) I noticed that there is a 1k pot and there has been a 1k removed. Could it be that if i take the tagboard version, replace the 1k resistor for a 1k pot, that the pot will act as a Attack control?
And the 'filter' control is placed before the input. (i don't think this will work, but still) Could it work, that if i place a 100k pot before going into the circuit, it will act as a Filter? Or do i need to change way more before this is gonna work?
I hope you can help me, would be great!
Sorry for all the questions Zach.
DeleteI just found someone who stated: The filter control is basically a pot that pans between 2 caps. A 4n7 and a 1U (polarized). This seems logic, so i think this will work. But now where do the caps go on the b100k pot?
My guess would be: 3 goes to the polarized cab. Minus to pot, plus to circuit.
and leg 1 and 2 go to 4n7. And a lead from leg 2 to the board.
Okay, I tried to make this one http://tagboardeffects.blogspot.com/2010/10/dam-meathead.html
ReplyDeleteFirstly I did the compact version, sounded like very thin fuzz effect. No luck. I tried standard build, noise all the time. Today (3rd time's a charm) I made this version and wooow... It blew me away. Very very nice sounding pedal for so little components.
I did encounter an issue, though. Maybe it's my cables or something but the sound has very little sustain, it cuts off like it has a noise gate. This one at least works.
This comment has been removed by the author.
Delete