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
It looks like the vintage dial is maybe controlling the clipping threshold of the diodes? I've tried to use a similar set up in a booster I've been trying to put together on the breadboard at the moment but that has the standard lug 2 to diodes lug 1 to ground and diodes going to ground so maybe this is quite different. It looks pretty nice either way.
I totally agree with you, it's a nice way of controlling gain that isn't the norm. I've just tested this with the booster I was talking about and it didn't work with that so it's definitely quite different, though mine is transistor based rather than IC.
I think there's a cut missing on the bottom row for the 100K resistor.
Built this up, and it works... kind of. I don't know if it's my battery (I have to get some new ones), but it's extremely gated. For what it's worth, I'm using an NE5534 (I can't seem to find my stash of 741s!) It is passing sound, and it sounds pretty good. It's definitely fuzzy, but it's not gigantic and uncontrollable like a Big Muff. It's really tight, with no shortage of bottom end. The Vintage control's sort of a tone control, but it also has a bit of an effect on gain. Not sure whether it should be tagged, as it may just be a battery issue on my end.
I think we can call it. It's passing signal well, all the controls are working as expected, it's just a bit intermittent. This very well could be the low voltage testing battery I have, or it could be the lack of compensation on the thing. It sounds good, but it's nothing earth-shattering. The Vintage control's a cool idea, it's pretty reactive.
So I tried a 741. It didn't fix the problem (I think the problem is a bad 500K pot), but man, what a difference. NE5534 and LM741 are poles apart. The NE5534 makes it sound polite and refined, almost like a distortion. The 741 gives it a really nasty vintage-style fuzz tone, but still tight and articulate. It would be worth it to give lots of different opamps a try.
Hi all, I just finished this and have the same prob as javiCAP above. Also I didnt have a 3pdt around so used a 2pdt and get the same squeal , quieter but at different pitches when I adjust the fuzz and vintage pots while the effect is not on. It doesnt seem to be there when the effect is on. Any ideas ?
Got this working now. It didnt seem to like any alternate components as soon as I made it like for like and with a proper 3pdt it works, should satisfy a couple of my pedal head mates for Xmas !. thanks again mirosol.
Sounds great, good fuzz.
ReplyDeleteBut just thinking that this effect, that you have not even to match a trannie costs over 200 euro, drives me mad!
BR
It looks like the vintage dial is maybe controlling the clipping threshold of the diodes? I've tried to use a similar set up in a booster I've been trying to put together on the breadboard at the moment but that has the standard lug 2 to diodes lug 1 to ground and diodes going to ground so maybe this is quite different. It looks pretty nice either way.
ReplyDeleteThe pedal that is, not the booster, that's going to need a bit of work before it's finished.
DeleteI just meant that that sort of clipping threshold pot isn't that common. It's a nice idea...
Delete+m
I totally agree with you, it's a nice way of controlling gain that isn't the norm. I've just tested this with the booster I was talking about and it didn't work with that so it's definitely quite different, though mine is transistor based rather than IC.
DeleteI think there's a cut missing on the bottom row for the 100K resistor.
ReplyDeleteBuilt this up, and it works... kind of. I don't know if it's my battery (I have to get some new ones), but it's extremely gated. For what it's worth, I'm using an NE5534 (I can't seem to find my stash of 741s!) It is passing sound, and it sounds pretty good. It's definitely fuzzy, but it's not gigantic and uncontrollable like a Big Muff. It's really tight, with no shortage of bottom end. The Vintage control's sort of a tone control, but it also has a bit of an effect on gain. Not sure whether it should be tagged, as it may just be a battery issue on my end.
I added the cut, thank you for noticing! (i seem to forget the cuts under horizontal components waaaay too often:))
DeleteNE5534 has both compensation and balance, so it's not exactly 1:1 with 741, so that could be the reason for the behaviour.
Want to call it, or shall we wait for the next report?
+m
I think we can call it. It's passing signal well, all the controls are working as expected, it's just a bit intermittent. This very well could be the low voltage testing battery I have, or it could be the lack of compensation on the thing. It sounds good, but it's nothing earth-shattering. The Vintage control's a cool idea, it's pretty reactive.
DeleteTagged. Thanks Ross! If you find your 741s, let us know if those work better.
Delete+m
So I tried a 741. It didn't fix the problem (I think the problem is a bad 500K pot), but man, what a difference. NE5534 and LM741 are poles apart. The NE5534 makes it sound polite and refined, almost like a distortion. The 741 gives it a really nasty vintage-style fuzz tone, but still tight and articulate. It would be worth it to give lots of different opamps a try.
DeleteHey Ross, just built mine. Sounds good, but when I plug it without being engaged to the guitar, squeals like a bitch (volume and fuzz pots maxed).
DeleteOnce you plug the guitar, the squeal stops. Does it happen to you too?
BR
Hi all, I just finished this and have the same prob as javiCAP above. Also I didnt have a 3pdt around so used a 2pdt and get the same squeal , quieter but at different pitches when I adjust the fuzz and vintage pots while the effect is not on. It doesnt seem to be there when the effect is on. Any ideas ?
ReplyDeleteGot this working now. It didnt seem to like any alternate components as soon as I made it like for like and with a proper 3pdt it works, should satisfy a couple of my pedal head mates for Xmas !. thanks again mirosol.
Deletehi, how did you get rid of the squeal when it is turned off? I used components as described but having the same issue. Hope you can help me out!
ReplyDelete