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Tuesday 28 May 2013

Ibanez CM5 Classic Metal

Got the original yesterday and it didn't disappoint. Soundwise. The box is what you'd expect and the stompswitch is out of order, so no surprise there. Ibanez's old cheapo high gain distortion that is articulate and powerful without being mushy or too noisy. Well worth a second look.

This layout omits the in/out buffers and the transistors pinout is made to match your common transistors. Original has 2SC1815s in it, so you could use those too. Just mind the pinout. I would strongly suggest that you try on different transistors and different diodes for the clipping pair. Although this is really nice sounding circuit, i see no harm in modding it slightly to suit your preferences and/or needs.



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17 comments:

  1. Unknown30 May 2013 at 07:40

    nice to meet you mirosol!
    can i ask something?
    i plan about facebook page for DIY pedals
    so this is my question. can i post layout pictures depend on your blog?
    i`ll always tag or write your blog address. if it have no problem, please allow to post on Facebook!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. mirosol30 May 2013 at 08:25

      The layouts i draw always have the url on them, so if you're not altering the images - go ahead.
      +m

      Delete
  2. Brent Davis31 May 2013 at 04:30

    Its funny, I have one of these pedals. I've seen Soundtanks thrown at drunks, bounced off walls, and run over by a van without breaking the case. I even saw beer spilled on to one, and when it dried out, it still worked. Yet everyone has something to say about the case. Now the switch.. a different story. Look at it harshly and it stops working. I have to step on mine 3 or 4 times to bypass it sometimes. Thanks for the layout, now I can build one with a switch that works!

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    Replies
    1. mirosol31 May 2013 at 05:10

      I'm not even sure if the box is bad at all. This particular circuit is very good example of the design behind the soundtanks. I'm trying to collect them all. :) (here's my list of missing ones - http://muusikoiden.net/tori/nayta.php?id=760997 - i anyone wants to sell me any of those, let me know!)

      I was wondering if tayda had a suitable tact switch to replace the original..
      +m

      Delete
    2. Brent Davis31 May 2013 at 12:02

      I'd love to help out, I just can't read which list is the one you need. As far as the switches, I've seen them on eBay a few months back.

      Delete
    3. Brent Davis31 May 2013 at 12:06

      Ah, nevermind.. Foxlingo is my friend!!

      I've got a TL5. I'd just need a decent tremolo to replace it with...

      Delete
    4. mirosol1 June 2013 at 12:13

      Cool! Friend me on facebook and we'll discuss it more - https://www.facebook.com/mirosol

      By the way, the drop in replacement switch is Alps SPPB512300. One can get those in range of $0.30 - 0.90 from mouser, smallbear and various other sources. So no need to pay $5 for one on evilbay.
      +m

      Delete
    5. mirosol4 July 2013 at 10:17

      One more time thanks to Brent!. If anyone else has any of the soundtanks i'm missing, let me know.
      Notes are in finnish, but the list is what i'm curretnly missing:
      http://muusikoiden.net/tori/nayta.php?id=760997
      I've also started to collect 7-series. The missing ones are listed here:
      http://muusikoiden.net/tori/nayta.php?id=771398

      So please, if anyone has any of those going unused, i'll buy them off from you.
      +m

      Delete
    6. Unknown1 April 2016 at 05:57

      The interesting side note about the soundtank series...the original distortion line was made with metal cases (like the one in the video)! This was only for one year though, so they're pretty rare. If you thought the plastic case ones can take a beating, the original metal case version is like stomping on a rock. As people realize this, the prices for the original metal case ones will soar. The metal case version 60's fuzz already goes for $100+ easily, and the others are following suit. If you find one, buy it immediately.

      Delete
    7. Anonymous21 December 2016 at 16:05

      I have an original metal case 60s fuzz. I have no idea what it's based on but it's a really cool fuzz. It was the first fuzz I ever bought and it's a cracker.

      Delete
    8. Ciaran Haslett21 December 2016 at 18:11

      Hi Hamish. If you take some hi res pics and post them in the forum a few of us here will happily trace it for you (or us lol)

      Delete
    9. mirosol22 December 2016 at 05:37

      No need. There's been a badly drawn partial version around for ages and i've completed it a few years back. Check:
      http://freestompboxes.org/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=24849&p=241275

      It is a OD850 derivative, which is a BMP derivative. Safe to say it's just a big muff with slightly altered tone section.
      +m

      Delete
    10. mirosol22 December 2016 at 05:47

      ..and what comes to metal housed ones. The FS5 is somewhat rare, due to its name change for the latter plastic Soundtank series. As are MF5 Modern Fusion and CR5 Crunchy Rhythm. These three were made only during 89-90 and all three were produced in moderate numbers. The TM5, CM5 and PL5 in metal housing are not that rare. You should be able to get any of those for around 60 €$£. The former 2 (MF5 & CR5) are way more rare and thus, the pricing nowadays goes up to something like 120 €£$. SF5 sells for something in between. Circuit is not rare, as the same board was sold as FZ5 and it seems that SF5 was made in larger numbers than MF5 and CR5. Less than for PL5, TM5 and CM5. But still. Very nice pedals and somewhat easy to get your hands on. There are only 6, so it's a nice distortion set for a beginner collector. Needless to say i have all the Soundtanks, metal and plastic... (http://mirosol.kapsi.fi/collection/ibanez/)
      +m

      Delete
  3. mirosol17 November 2013 at 10:44

    Built this today and it is good. 1N4007s for clippers. The bass content is amazing. Very fat metal style distortion with lots of definition and accuracy in its sound. Apparently removing the buffers really does something here as it's not as muffled as my original, but slightly brighter. Don't think it's the diodes, as schottkys should compress it even more than original 1N4148 equilevant. Still may it be what ever, this is very good distortion.
    +m

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  4. Unknown4 February 2014 at 06:48

    I might build this one soon, any good mods for it? Mid boost/hump/scoop option maybe? I'm also wanting to try different ICs with it.

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  5. Unknown18 February 2014 at 12:09

    Hi mirosol, I done it yesterday but it is very quiet (my 65W combo sound like 5W combo) only for this effect. Any advice? Can I an example replace any resistor or potentiometr?

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    Replies
    1. mirosol18 February 2014 at 12:16

      My build is not quiet at all. So you should double check your board for solder bridges and bad joints.
      +m

      Delete