In the late 60's, Jordan offered an incredible sounding tremolo unit that was housed in the plug-in style box like the Bosstone. There were less than 100 of these rare units ever produced.
Some people have mentioned a volume drop when the pedal is engaged, so it may be worth building this in a box with a clean boost of some sort pushing it, so you have more control over the level.
This is a demo of the Mahoney copy which will give you a good idea how this sounds:
Hello. I know precious little about these projects I build, but I have picked up a thing or two and I am wondering how this thing makes a tremolo effect. To look at it, it looks like a dirt box of some sort. Where does the magic happen? Thanks as always
ReplyDeleteThis is a strange circuit actually, not what I normally come across when doing these things. If you look, the input and output are both connected via a 27K resistor to the same place, Q1 collector. So as they are connected signal will flow straight from the input, through the resistors to the output as long as nothing is happening at Q1 collector to otherwise affect it. To create a tremolo effect it needs to modulate the volume and it does that at the rate of the LFO around Q2, by switching Q1.
DeleteInteresting. It's a nice sounding unit as judged by the video. I wonder why this method is so under utilized.
DeleteIf you look at the Tiny Tremoloooo(etc) thread on DIYStompboxes, the theory is very similar for that, except it uses an LDR instead of a transistor. Same principle though, the LFO alters the resistance of the LDR by making an LED brighter and dimmer and that alters the resistance between the input and output, and so modulates the volume.
DeleteHello, I just finish it, it works great. Thank you very much!
DeleteThat's great, thanks for verifying!
DeleteMark,
ReplyDeleteI built this and overall it sounds great but I have a couple of questions. First a few notes:
-I used three LEDs in series instead of the 6.8 zener diode, but I get 6.8v exactly, so it shouldn't make any difference
-I used a 500k trimpot (didn't have a 1M available)
That said, I am not getting any notable rate change until about 1/2 turn on the rate pot. Same with the depth pot...only 50% does anything. What could be causing this?
Secondly, I have tried several pairings of 5088s and 5089s but I still get some transistor artifacts and cant quite smooth out the overall sound. What can I do to fix this?
Finally, what can I do to get a wider rate sweep?
Thanks in advance!
-Kellet
I haven't played with this circuit at all yet, although I suspect using a 500K instead of 1M could affect the rate and depth control. As it is though it is a very simple circuit so maybe the artifacts and lack of smoothness is the end result of that simplicity, but I'll have a look to see if we could include a filter somewhere that may help smooth things out.
DeleteCool...I guess I'll just have to do some experimenting. Thanks.
DeleteI build one of these ...and put a JFET preamp in front to boost it a bit ( to Avoid a Volume drop ) Very cool Vintage Tremelo...Now i wanna Play like Link Wray. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThis thing does sounds real nice. I have the same issue as Kellet though - the minimum rate is not slow enough.
ReplyDeletetried messing around with the trimpot (I replaced with a 1M log and brought it off board) and it give the best trem around the 1/2 way point, more kills the sound completely, and less kills the trem.
You ever find anything that worked well Kellet?
Just finished one of these on the weekend - following the fold in regards to bringing the trim pot offboard (can make it really lush or really choppy, even though you can only use maybe about 25% of the pot turn), might ditch the depth pot completely as it doesn't do much (and the now offboard 1M pot has more of an overall effect on depth), but yeah, cannot tame the speed - starts off moderate and quickly turns it into insane.
ReplyDeleteHi, I just finished this pedal some hours ago. Sounds really nice and it´s an easy build.
ReplyDeleteI have some questions. The last 1/4 of the depth pot seems to have no effect, the signal have no depth until you reach this point. Maybe I have to adjust the trimpot better?
And about the rate, I just want to know the same as DrRJE. Did you find the solution?
The last, Is anything you can do to increase a bit the output without boosters or external things?, I mean in the circuit of the pedal itself.
Thanks
I meant "the FIRST 1/4 ....."
DeleteAnyone?
Deletei ditched the depth pot and took the 1m trim off board - only a small part (1/4) of the pot is usable, but it is far more effective than the depth pot. as for the rate.. no idea.. i've not boxed this build, and just finished the heartthrob, which sounds like a better trem and works really well, and has a really good adjustable rate (via switch). i'd head over there and give that one a go.
DeleteThanks for the replay. I´ll do another too, posibly tremulus lune. I like this sound but I need a more versatile pedal
DeleteHi,can i use a 9v1 Zener instead the 6v8 ?
ReplyDeleteI've never tried it so don't know for sure, but I expect you'd need the correct diode, or closer to it than 9.1V
DeleteThanks !
DeleteI received some 6v8 Zener today,i'll try this circuit.
I built one of these based on Lucifer's (iirc) schematic on fsb. It's cool, but I'd like to get a slower rate than mine allows. Right now, mine sounds just a bit faster than the cool bit on "For What It's Worth". Anyone have an idea on some mods? I'll mess around with it tomorrow...
ReplyDeleteHi, I'm new here. I have built this but the effect is very subtle even when everything is turned up.
ReplyDeleteI definitely wouldn't call this a subtle effect so something must be amiss. Check all the usual and post the transistor pin voltages to see if that points to a problem.
DeleteI got some new trim pots in and it works fine. Thank you
DeleteGlad you got it going, what do you think?
Deleteam I correct in saying that the cut on 11,4 is unnecessary.
ReplyDeleteI have the larger style trim pots and I was looking to move things a round a bit so I did not have to bend the leads and it seems to me that you could eliminate that cut since nothing connects to the left of it and then either style trim pot would work
this is a really nice tremelo, this is the third time I have built it.
Yes it's unnecessary. I put the cuts in as I'm building so I can use the row further down if I need to, so I often have extra cuts at the end which aren't required, as is the case here.
DeleteI have use BC549 instead of 5088, it sound not so good, cut the high and the speed at minimum is too quick. Wich component regulate the speed frequency? Its a good replacement the BC549
ReplyDeleteAll solved, very nice sounding tremolo. The only problem is that at minimum speed is not enough slow.
ReplyDeleteAny idea to have a slower speed?
thanks to all!
I'd try 1k instead of the 3.3k connected to the rate pot.
DeleteHi, I built the pedal and I really like how it sounds with the exception of a small BIG thing:
ReplyDeletethe pedal distorts the signal. I think it sounds like a Fuzz when you put it with the minimum gain.
I made a video to understand what I say: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCQcfHkSbJg&feature=youtu.be
at 1:58, you can hear the distortion of which I speak
when I put the tremolo in the fx loop you feel even more distorted signal.
I think it could change the transistors for one of "lower gain transistors". but, I do not know which.
I really do not know how to solve the problem.
help me! ,
Thank you very much!
Anyone?
DeleteHello,
DeleteI have the same interests as you. I saw on the forum freestomboxes.org he was advised 2n5088 and I also believe that a linear potentiometer would be better for the depth but I have not tried yet.
Yesterday I replaced the Depth pot with a linear one and it improved significantly.
ReplyDeleteI also added 20k ohm in series with the rate pot to allow slower swells.
Its a simple and nice effect.
This comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteThanks! I also found that the Depth pot is much better linear.
DeleteThe 3k3 resistor is not necessary at all. It's just limiting the higher range of the Rate pot.
If you want to make the LFO slower then you need to replace the three 100n caps associated with Q2 with a larger value.
I ended up putting another 100n cap in parallel to each of these, raising the value to 200n. This gives a nice range.
Whatever the value, it's important that these three caps are the same or you get weird results.
THanks for this layout. BUilt it and loving it! Nice vintage sounding trem (I did put a Tillman preamp at the output to even out the volume drop). However replaced all 100n caps with 200n caps for slower rate overall. I guess i shouldn't have replaced the cap at the wiper of the depth pot too, but it sounds great anyway. I guess that cap isn't that critical. Is it? What do you guys think?
ReplyDeleteYou followed the original circuit. Only changed the capacitors?
DeleteYep!
ReplyDeleteBuilt this one and going to box it. Like it, so I'm going to try it out with some other pedals.
ReplyDeleteI used a linear pot for the Depth control. Slightly better indeed. I built the rest of the board similar to the layout.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletehi, does anyone know, what controls the rate speed? 'cause I can't get mine so slow like in the video.
ReplyDeleteI built this vero 2 times just to make sure of the issue. I have tried the linear and log for depth but not much change. The speed works fine but when you turn the depth you get nothing till between 1/2 and 2/3 of the way and then it is a huge jump. I have used the 1meg trim pots and it does not seem to do a lot for me unless it is turned down then the output is low. Is there anyone that has successfully built this pedal and was able to get it to sound like the demo? Please review my photos of my build. I really want this to work as it has become a mission at this point. I really appreciate any assistance you can give.
ReplyDeletehttp://s1383.photobucket.com/user/denfox1/media/tremolo1_zps824d89b1.jpg.html?sort=3&o=1
http://s1383.photobucket.com/user/denfox1/media/tremolo1_zps824d89b1.jpg.html?sort=3&o=1
I have the same issue, I just leave depth and trim at full and use it as a strong choppy effect
DeleteHi, thanks for this awesome project, I just built this tremolo and it sounds great, but I have a little problem, It takes time till it works when I turn it up except the case when the rate is all the way up, usually it takes 5-10 sec till it starts to vibe.
ReplyDeleteThanks for any answer preventively :)
Hi, I found this project very nice and I made some little modifications on the layout to include a polarity protection diode. I also changed the caps from 100 to 220 to make the rate slower and removed the 3.3k resistor to make the rate wider and for this I suggest putting a revlog pot for the rate otherwise it can be hard to fine tune it in the very end.
ReplyDeleteI put a linear for the depth, but maybe log is better (not so different). https://app.box.com/s/o0ewaoz9vj0ntdvdhlfkyrhfu12y7na0
What Diode did You use ?
DeleteI do the dame thing , and the effect Dont do nothing.... Whats wrong ?
DeleteThanks for this build!
ReplyDeleteI replaced the 100n caps with 220n to get the rate slower. The max rate then became a bit too slow for my taste. A 10k resistor between wiper 1 and 2 on the depth pot seams to fix that.
I found a sweet spot for the trim which makes the depth pot a bit more useful, but like many others I will probably replace the trim with a pot and ditch the depth pot.
Can You show me a diagram?
DeleteHi again (for some reason I was named Unknown in my previous post)!
ReplyDeleteI decided to keep the depth pot and replaced the trim with a 1m external pot.
I also added I clean boost and two switches so I can use any of the effect alone or both at once.
I now have a great vintage sounding tremolo with as much or little speed and depth as is currently required. It's a bit tricky to get it to sound right tho and some settings just sound bad or distorts.
I used bc547 instead of 2n5088, but i can listen a "tac" on the output when it's engaged. Have someone had the same problem? Now I'm waiting a pair of 2n5088.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
Hello people.
ReplyDeleteI'm new here, and I need a little help. I recently built a modified EA Tremolo just because of a flashing LED that is in the project, that is, an LED that blinks according to the speed of the effect. But I abandoned the project because I had a serious problem with "PLOP" both when turning the effect on / off and which I could not eliminate after several attempts and help in other forums. So would anyone know how I could add this flashing LED on this Vico Vibe? If anyone can help me I would ask for a very detailed explanation because I understand very little electronics ... Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHello again.
By the way, the EA tremolo I made can be seen at "http://www.generalguitargadgets.com/effects-projects/tremolo/ea-tremolo/" under "Improved EA Tremolo Modifications Instructions".
Hi. still me!
ReplyDeleteAs I said before, I don't understand electronics very much ... so I need to ask a question that will seem silly to many people ... Is the 1M TRIMMER shown on the circuit a Variable Capacitor or a Variable Resistor? I searched the internet a bit but got nothing as clear as I need the information ... And to finish then can this trimmer be removed / replaced?
Thanks.
A trimmer is a variable resistor. There are no silly questions.
Deletehttps://www.taydaelectronics.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=1m+trimmer
Here is a results page from Tayda for the item. I'm not connected with Tayda except as a customer.
Thank you cringe.
ReplyDeleteMy question was why here in Brazil, trimmer is usually defined as a variable capacitor. But I already imagined that in the case of this circuit this component should be a variable resistor ... Thanks again!
Hello.
ReplyDeleteWell gentlemen, here is my masterpiece!
(https://www.overpic.net/viewer.php?file=xp7n1zagj1rpvp922vu6.png)
Some observations:
1- the printed circuit board I like to do (using the iron perchloride method) with the main purpose of gaining some space;
2 - observe the "inversion" of the position of the transistors that are BC549;
3- accidentally figured out how to put the LED flashing that I wanted so badly to put on!
4 - According to some suggestions above I changed 3 capacitors from 100uF to 220uF;
5 - the 3K3 resistor I can not remove because otherwise said LED does not work ...
Well, it WORKS !!!
But there are problems too, by the way already mentioned here by other people (Kellet, Warrior, Dennis Fox, for example): both the depth and rate potentiometers need 1/2 turn or more for the effect to respond well ... So I ask if no one has yet verified this problem. I think there is little left for me to be "totally" satisfied with this tremolo ...
Thanks in advance.
Anyone ??
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteEu montei o Vico Vibe há algum tempo. Não lembro exatamente o que eu fiz, mas sei que tirei o trimpot da placa e substituí por um potenciômetro. se quiser me adicionar 021982218240
ReplyDeleteObrigado, Bruno.
ReplyDeleteNo momento estou montando o VOX Repeat Percussion ("http://tagboardeffects.blogspot.com/2012/08/vox-repeat-percussion.html", opção com Depth Pot) que me pareceu muito bom. Quando terminar de montar e testar vou fazer esta modificação no Vico Vibe e ver como fica. Não tenho whats mas guardei o número.
Valeu!
eu montei o meu baseado nesse esquema: http://www.luciferstrip.com/fuzz/jordan-vico-vibe-finale.jpg
DeleteA diferença é que eu utilizei os capacitores de 100n para 220n para ter uma velocidade mais baixa disponível. Retirei o resistor 3k3 que se não me engano, aumentava a velocidade máxima disponível.
Olá Bruno. Acabei de tentar novamente. Também troquei os cap de 100 para 220nF e o trimmer por um pot 1M Lin. Tmbém tenho um Led entre 9V (com um res 10K) e o coletor de Q2 e que pisca de acordo com a velocidade do efeito. Problemas: os pots de depth e rate só surtem efeito após mais ou menos 1/2 volta sendo que o rate também demora uns 30s para funcionar... além disso se eu retirar o res 3.3K o led não funciona... Acho que eeses probleminhas são até citados por outras pessoas anteriormente... Fora isso até que o efeito é bom. Dá uma olhada em "https://www.overpic.net/viewer.php?file=xp7n1zagj1rpvp922vu6.png"... Abç.
ReplyDeletePode colocar um resistor de 1M potenciômetro de 1M e o resistor de 39K. Além disso, eu troquei o resistor de 100K que recebe os 9V por um potenciômetro de 100k.
ReplyDeleteVocê pode colocar um resistor de 1M entre o potenciômetro de 1M e o resistor de 39K. Além disso, eu troquei o resistor de 100K que recebe os 9V por um potenciômetro de 100k.
ReplyDeleteOlá Bruno.
ReplyDeleteEntendo muito pouco de eletrônica. Pelo que pude entender o acréscimo do res 1M ficaria algo assim "https://www.overpic.net/viewer.php?file=xicx8kbvkrvykviqilan7.png", ou não? E acho que em vez de resistor de 100K que recebe os 9V vc quis dizer Capacitor 100nF, não é? Então pergunto ainda: será que essas alterações resolveriam o problema dos gioros dos pots e atraso no pot rate? Desculpe a "chatice", mas é que o VOX repeat percussion que eu cheguei a fazer não deu certo então estou pensando em usar este aqui mesmo... Abç.
Sobre o resistor de 1M é exatamente isso.Se não quiser soldar o resistor na placa, pode soldar no próprio potenciômetro e a outra extremidade do resistor ir na placa. Sobre o outro ponto você não precisa fazer nada, pois percebi que no seu projeto já é um potenciômetro, o de Depht. Vou tentar olhar meu projeto hoje para ver se tem mais alguma alteração. Ele está fora da caixa, pois eu montei um Baja Trembulator, que estou usando atualmente. Eu lembro que tinha muito controle nesse pedal, da velocidade quase imperceptível até um helicóptero.
ReplyDeleteAinda uma dúvida: a trilha onde liga o terminal 3 do pot 1M (P3) não teria que ser interrompida em algum ponto? Veja "https://www.overpic.net/viewer.php?file=xrjeuadfzvucdryi34.png". Desculpe minha ignorância em eletrônica...
ReplyDeleteEu explico: é que eu soldei o pot 1M na própria placa... rs...
ReplyDeleteNão precisa colocar o resistor na placa. Veja no link:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.overpic.net/viewer.php?file=x9lc6anqhaauerlz8ctu.jpg
Outra coisa: O potenciômetro (depht) que recebe 9V é de 100K e não de 1M.
Ok. Só vou poder fazer estas alterações no fim de semana. Até lá e obrigado.
ReplyDeleteOlá Bruno.
ReplyDeleteAs minhas alterações no vico vibe são estas no momento:
1 - 3 caps de 2220Uf no lugar de 100Uf (não troquei o que está ligado ao Depth 2);
2 - um LED entre 9V (com um res 10K) e o coletor de Q2;
3 - um trimmer de 1M – de uma volta só, o que eu acho que funciona igual a um pot 1M – retirei o pot 1M que eu já tinha no lugar do trimmer multivoltas pois na minha caixa não dá para fazer uma furação para 3 pots por causa do espaço;
4 - um res 1M entre entre o trimmer e o res 39K, depois do diodo;
5 - 2 transistores BC549 no lugar de 2N5088.
O tremolo funciona bem exceto nas seguintes configurações:
a) Depth no máximo e pedal ligado;
Rate só funciona com 1 / 4 de volta ou mais e leva aprox. 8 a 20 segundos para “tremer” (testei várias vezes);
Rate funciona imediatamente com 1 / 2 volta ou mais;
Rate deixa de funcionar aos poucos até totalmente quando diminuo para 1 / 4 de volta ou menos;
b) Depth no máximo e pedal desligado:
Rate funciona imediatamente com 1 / 2 volta ou mais quando ligo o pedal;
Rate deixa de funcionar aos poucos até totalmente com 1 / 4 de volta ou menos quando ligo o pedal com 1 / 2 volta e vou diminuindo;
Bem, é isso.
Aí eu pergunto: será que estas *perdas e/ou falhas” tem a ver com a troca dos transistores?
Você não teve estes problemas com o seu?
Abraços.
Ah, pelo prefixo do seu tel (021) ví que é do Rio também... vc teria e-mail? Ou posso te passar o meu...
Desculpe a demora em responder. Vou tentar remontar o pedal no final de semana para ver como ele se comporta nos controles que você mencionou. meu e mail é b.f.viana@outlook.com
DeleteThis was such a good thread until the mother-language invasion.
ReplyDeleteIn this culture, diy pedals, writing in English is a form of respect towards everybody.