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
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Wednesday, 18 November 2015
Human Gear Animato
A Bass/Guitar distortion pedal made famous by Christopher Wolstenholme of Muse. For infos on this project check the original threads on DIY and FSB (If you build it for bass you should add a blend circuit to improve the sound)
Built it up with an AC128/176 pair and 5088's and it works like a charm. Haven't had a chance for a proper play with it yet but you can tag it verified if you don't mind the transistor subs. Watch the pinouts if you use 2N5088s!
It looks like you can get the NTE102 and 103 from Allied Electronics, but they are expensive. I had no better success finding the AC128 substitution suggested above.
Those are quite scarce ad even more here in europe. One could go with any germanium NPN/PNP pair. AC128/AC127 should be a nice sub.... Perhaps a low gain Si could do the trick too. Something like 2N2369 paired with 2N2907. That won't sound like the original (or AC128/AC127 subs), but it'll work.
As for 2240, that's just pretty basic NPN small signal transistor with slightly higher max voltage rating. (http://alltransistors.com/transistor.php?transistor=12934) As it has forward current transfer ratio (hFE gain) of 200-700, the suitable subs would be 2N2222(A), 2N3904, 2N5088, BC239, BC550 etc. Basically any NPN Si. Voltage ratings do not matter much here as the circuit is run with 9 volts. Sockets and experiment what sounds the best for you? +m
Regarding the transistors, I tried a few germanium combinations for the input pair and AC128/AC176 were the best by far. They're plentiful on eBay thanks to the fuzz factory and the like (though avoid "aberdeencd", totally useless). I tried low gain silicons and they were just awful, really dull and farty. The 128/176 pair gives a really grindy, sharp attack on bass which is just lovely.
As for the 2240s - I can't believe I'm about to type this, but I noticed a marked improvement in tone over the 5088s I had in before. Normally I'm a steadfast member of the "all equivalent spec transistors are created equal" anti-mojo crowd, but it just seemed livelier with the 2240s. I did get a really good batch that all had pretty much the same hfe, which may be the reason, but they're not massively pricy (I think I got 10 for £5), so I'd recommend giving them a try.
Built this using an AC128/AC176 pair and I can confirm it sounds really great on bass! Blending with the original signal is definitely a must.
I still consider myself a beginner in pedal building so maybe I did something wrong but : 1) I had to swap tone 1 and tone 3 to have it behaving like an usual tone pot (meaning CW -> more treble, CCW -> less treble) 2) I had to reverse the position of the NTE102 transistor (so the emitter points in the same direct as the NTE103) Can anyone who built this confirm?
Now I just need to figure out what I am going to build with all those 128/176 pairs I ordered from different sellers on eBay... Thank you so much for this layout!
Hi Lucas! I'm glad you like it! I love it too on bass (with the added blend). I don't remember what I did with my Tone pot when I've built it. It is supposed to get darker CCW. The NTE102 collector connects to the NTE103 emitter to form what is called a Sziklai pair. You can see it on the original schematic: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7Lx-E88bAtET1ViT3J2UEFpYUk/view
Hey all built this one and having an issue with the volume/gain. The volume is very low and when I reduce the drive below about 3/4 I loose all volume. Since the gain is a blend I'm assuming I'm not getting the clean part of the signal.
Also not sure what to do with positions 3,6 on the switch (left them empty), switch doesn't seem to be doing anything, not sure if the two issues are related.
I think I may have solved my issue, I was using NTE102A and NTE103, looks like 102A drives less gain.
I find that to get mine working even with low volumes I have to change the orientation of 102 like Lucus above, I'm pretty new to this so may be making a/some silly mistakes, any advice would really be appreciated.
Had a good build using AC128/AC176, identical problem to Lucas M though, had to flip NTE102 to get it to work. Very confusing... my multimeter agreed that I had the pinouts correct, but I still had to flip NTE102! I'm not good enough with electronics to work out if my multimeter was giving me a reverse pinout, but I did try every pin combination for both of them, getting the highest gain reading in the "correct" pinout. Tried a fair few pin combinations on the board too, all sounded like crap except the NTE 102 reversed, and NTE103 with correct polarity. Most confusing!
Overall not bad, but I think I'll build a second with far more exacting transistors. I find mine doesn't have the same level of gain as I've seen from other builds (not that it needs that much more, but useful to have for Muse type tones), even with the trim pot maxed out. I used 2N3904 instead of C2240 too, so I'll leave nothing to chance next time! Absolutely worth it for the Muse fan, nails Hyper Music with a Palmer Y-box giving a DI to work with :D
hi there guys! i have a problem here.build it and i'm getting something like hum noise that is amplified with the gain pot.other than that it works. i'm using ac128 and ac176, and used the blend circuit Alex suggested. does anyone had the same problem? where should i start to fix this? thanks
I am trying to build this pedal, as far as im aware i have built this correct but im getting no audio output, after testing a lot of resistors show the correct resistance but no audio comes out the other end, what si the best way to find out where teh issue lies
when you use trimmers is it important to use the correct value given in the layout? if i used a 5k or 20k, hell even a 100k trimmer, will it affect the resistance elsewhere even if it is adjusted to supply the correct voltage for the transistor?
after few experiments, I've find that you can play with Q5 PNP transistor, I mean you can put it in revrse (emmiter and collector. With Q5 in reverse you will have more gain and a lot more mediums (less spurty) good for guitars. Also Q4 and Q5 have to be with not so much gain as it's a Sziklaipair so gain multiply.
Going to have to give this one a go soon. Brilliant as always Alex.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteBuilt it up with an AC128/176 pair and 5088's and it works like a charm. Haven't had a chance for a proper play with it yet but you can tag it verified if you don't mind the transistor subs. Watch the pinouts if you use 2N5088s!
ReplyDeleteThanks Robert!
ReplyDeleteHow does it sound?
Only had 2 minutes testing on guitar, so far sounds like your average muff. Eager to try it blended on bass though.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteI'm having trouble finding the transistors :( any help with substitutions would be greatly appreciated
ReplyDeleteIt looks like you can get the NTE102 and 103 from Allied Electronics, but they are expensive. I had no better success finding the AC128 substitution suggested above.
DeleteThose are quite scarce ad even more here in europe. One could go with any germanium NPN/PNP pair. AC128/AC127 should be a nice sub.... Perhaps a low gain Si could do the trick too. Something like 2N2369 paired with 2N2907. That won't sound like the original (or AC128/AC127 subs), but it'll work.
DeleteAs for 2240, that's just pretty basic NPN small signal transistor with slightly higher max voltage rating. (http://alltransistors.com/transistor.php?transistor=12934)
As it has forward current transfer ratio (hFE gain) of 200-700, the suitable subs would be 2N2222(A), 2N3904, 2N5088, BC239, BC550 etc. Basically any NPN Si. Voltage ratings do not matter much here as the circuit is run with 9 volts. Sockets and experiment what sounds the best for you?
+m
Regarding the transistors, I tried a few germanium combinations for the input pair and AC128/AC176 were the best by far. They're plentiful on eBay thanks to the fuzz factory and the like (though avoid "aberdeencd", totally useless). I tried low gain silicons and they were just awful, really dull and farty. The 128/176 pair gives a really grindy, sharp attack on bass which is just lovely.
DeleteAs for the 2240s - I can't believe I'm about to type this, but I noticed a marked improvement in tone over the 5088s I had in before. Normally I'm a steadfast member of the "all equivalent spec transistors are created equal" anti-mojo crowd, but it just seemed livelier with the 2240s. I did get a really good batch that all had pretty much the same hfe, which may be the reason, but they're not massively pricy (I think I got 10 for £5), so I'd recommend giving them a try.
Built this using an AC128/AC176 pair and I can confirm it sounds really great on bass!
ReplyDeleteBlending with the original signal is definitely a must.
I still consider myself a beginner in pedal building so maybe I did something wrong but :
1) I had to swap tone 1 and tone 3 to have it behaving like an usual tone pot (meaning CW -> more treble, CCW -> less treble)
2) I had to reverse the position of the NTE102 transistor (so the emitter points in the same direct as the NTE103)
Can anyone who built this confirm?
Now I just need to figure out what I am going to build with all those 128/176 pairs I ordered from different sellers on eBay...
Thank you so much for this layout!
Hi Lucas!
DeleteI'm glad you like it!
I love it too on bass (with the added blend).
I don't remember what I did with my Tone pot when I've built it.
It is supposed to get darker CCW.
The NTE102 collector connects to the NTE103 emitter to form what is called a Sziklai pair.
You can see it on the original schematic:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7Lx-E88bAtET1ViT3J2UEFpYUk/view
Which blend do you guys recommend? Thanks!
DeleteI've used the Split 'n' Blend circuit:
Deletehttp://tagboardeffects.blogspot.fr/2012/02/split-n-blend.html
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteI wonder how to settle the 10K trimm pot.
How do you do that ? Thank you
Hey all built this one and having an issue with the volume/gain. The volume is very low and when I reduce the drive below about 3/4 I loose all volume. Since the gain is a blend I'm assuming I'm not getting the clean part of the signal.
ReplyDeleteAlso not sure what to do with positions 3,6 on the switch (left them empty), switch doesn't seem to be doing anything, not sure if the two issues are related.
Any help greatly appreciated.
I think I may have solved my issue, I was using NTE102A and NTE103, looks like 102A drives less gain.
ReplyDeleteI find that to get mine working even with low volumes I have to change the orientation of 102 like Lucus above, I'm pretty new to this so may be making a/some silly mistakes, any advice would really be appreciated.
Thx
Had a good build using AC128/AC176, identical problem to Lucas M though, had to flip NTE102 to get it to work. Very confusing... my multimeter agreed that I had the pinouts correct, but I still had to flip NTE102! I'm not good enough with electronics to work out if my multimeter was giving me a reverse pinout, but I did try every pin combination for both of them, getting the highest gain reading in the "correct" pinout. Tried a fair few pin combinations on the board too, all sounded like crap except the NTE 102 reversed, and NTE103 with correct polarity. Most confusing!
ReplyDeleteOverall not bad, but I think I'll build a second with far more exacting transistors. I find mine doesn't have the same level of gain as I've seen from other builds (not that it needs that much more, but useful to have for Muse type tones), even with the trim pot maxed out. I used 2N3904 instead of C2240 too, so I'll leave nothing to chance next time! Absolutely worth it for the Muse fan, nails Hyper Music with a Palmer Y-box giving a DI to work with :D
I built this. It sounds great. Just wondering where I should set the trimpot?
ReplyDelete1 4
ReplyDelete2 5
3 6
Sw 1 & 4 are connected together.
Sw 3 & 6 are not connected at all.
How would I wire this without the switch?
ReplyDeleteNever mind...dumb question.
ReplyDeleteHi guys. Could someone explain what the CLR at the LED+ is please . Cheers
ReplyDeletehi there guys! i have a problem here.build it and i'm getting something like hum noise that is amplified with the gain pot.other than that it works. i'm using ac128 and ac176, and used the blend circuit Alex suggested. does anyone had the same problem? where should i start to fix this? thanks
ReplyDeletehi
ReplyDeleteI am trying to build this pedal, as far as im aware i have built this correct but im getting no audio output, after testing a lot of resistors show the correct resistance but no audio comes out the other end, what si the best way to find out where teh issue lies
strange question, has any one ever picked up any radio audio on this pedal.
ReplyDeletehi all,
ReplyDeletewhen you use trimmers is it important to use the correct value given in the layout? if i used a 5k or 20k, hell even a 100k trimmer, will it affect the resistance elsewhere even if it is adjusted to supply the correct voltage for the transistor?
Hi
DeleteWith 100k trimmer, it will be more hard to precisely fine the sweet spot of the transistor.
thanks, thats a good point to consider. any thoughts on using a higher value than whats on the layout or will it not matter too much?
DeleteHi,
Deleteafter few experiments, I've find that you can play
with Q5 PNP transistor, I mean you can put it in revrse (emmiter and collector. With Q5 in reverse you will have more gain and a lot more mediums (less spurty) good for guitars.
Also Q4 and Q5 have to be with not so much gain as it's a Sziklaipair so gain multiply.