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Something different – Guitar heroes

Turns out my favorite guitar player was doing a signing session at the local guitar store yesterday. That’s mind blowing! Of course, me being way above average shy spent the whole day trying to decide whether to show up or not, but figured I’d regret it if I didn’t. That, and I had also taken a day off from work just in case I would end up feeling brave enough to go…

So I showed up early and was able to get in line well ahead of most of the other people. I had enough foresight to bring reading material for the long wait and spent the time reading several chapters of Merlin Blencowe’s new book on tube amp power supplies (recommended!).

This was supposed to be a Mesa Boogie signing event, and there were a couple of nice amps there (if only I could afford something like that…), but I’m pretty sure they were all rectifiers and not a single Mark V.

I managed not to make an ass of myself, shared a few words, got my stuff signed and shook hands with this ordinary, nice and down to earth, yet absolutely great guy. Color me inspired! I’m going to spend the rest of the evening noodling on my guitar.

(And the concert later that night was great, subjectively speaking of course).

Request: Univox Super-Fuzz

Based this on a schematic I found on FSB of unknown origin utilizing the 2SC828 transistor (notice pinout on this one). I found another schematic as well using 2N2222s and slightly different resistor values, but chose to go with the 2SC828 one. Here’s to hoping it checks out!

Oh, and I’m pretty sure this’ll fit in a 1590B enclosure :)

 

Baja Silent Selector

I’ve enjoyed previous circuits by Bajaman and, needing an ABY box, I thought I’d give this one a try. As usual the layout has yet to be verified. Let me know if you do.

Update (03.12.2011): I built this the other day and experienced some problems. I’m looking into it now. Probably a good idea not to build this right now.

Update (04.12.2011): Fixed. There was a small mistake on the schematic and I had to rework a good part of the vero layout to solve this. Built this last night and this is now verified.

Update (24.01.2012): I actually finished this a few days ago and I’m very happy both with how it works and also how it came out in the end.

Request: Catalinbread Pareidolia

There have been a few requests for this one. Let me know if you build it and it works. This should fit in a 1590B enclosure.

Update (11.10.2012): Revision 1; changed Q3 and Q6 to 2N5457s.

Update (22.01.2012): Revision 2; I had mistakenly labeled this as requiring 44 cuts while it only needs 43. Thanks to Nocentelli for spotting this.

Request: Roger Mayer Spitfire Fuzz

You asked for it. Let me know if it works or need work :)

Update (21.01.2012): Now verified, thanks to Sven.

Request: Devi Ever Shoegazer

I wasn’t able to find any schematic for this effect, but from what I’ve gathered it’s a combination of two other effects, the “Torn’s Peaker” and the “Sode Meiser”, wired in series so here’s a layout for each of those instead. Pot tapers are guesses, both layouts can use PCB-mount pots if you’d like. Let me know if you build any/both. And thanks to Devi Ever for the effect schematics.

Torn’s Peaker layout:

Soda Meiser layout:

Request: Shin Ei Companion Fuzz

I have no idea what this one sounds like, but it’s probably fun. Based on the schematic over at GGG. As always, let me know if the layout works.

Request: Zvex Fuzz Factory

Here’s a vero layout for the Zvex Fuzz Factory with board mounted 9mm pots. This will work with the miniature Alps pots they sell at Elfa, but I’m sure the 9mm alpha pots will also fit. I’m unsure whether I’ve left adequate space between each pot, but expanding the vero with an additional strip between each pot shouldn’t be too difficult.

Update (04.11.2011): After having measured the pot distances on the first layout I decided it was way too narrow. Here’s a stretched out version that should fit a lot better in a Hammond 1590B.

Update (10.11.2011): Restructured the layouts because both “Stab” and “Drive” pots were reverse.

Update (12.01.2012): I finished the large version tonight so that one’s verified.

Request: Music Man on-board preamps for bass & guitar

Thanks to Bajaman over at freestompboxes for this great project. Here are vero layouts for three slightly different Music Man on-board preamps.

The Sabre II for bass:

The Sabre II for guitar:

The Stingray for bass:

Update (11.10.2012): Built the guitar preamp tonight but have yet to decide where I’m going to use it. Works great.

Interfax Harmonic Percolator

This seems to be one of those effects nobody can agree on. Not really knowing one version from another I’ve given a schematic by ringworm of FSB a try. If it’s not the right version it should be an easy task changing component values.

The layout makes it possible to use on-board pots, and my idea is to fit this in a 1590B with two right angled PCB pots in a diagonal fashion.

Update (13.12.2011): Built this one last weekend. Verified working.

Update (08.01.2012): Finished building this last night. I added a bit of hot glue to Q1 because the socket wasn’t binding as much as I would like it to.