Tools, Tones and Toys for Guitarists
The Zvex Super Hard On has become one of the sought after boost pedals today. Derived from the preamp section of a 60s recording console, the SHO uses negative feedback to control the gain (which is what gives it the crackle when adjusting the knob). It’s capable of being a clean boost and adding some … Read more
One of Sean’s many Electra Distortion variants, the Les Lius delivers both Tweed Deluxe and Fender Twin tones. The 3-way toggle switches between different clipping options and the 2nd footswitch acts like a separate gain channel. I couldn’t find much info on what JFET is used for Q2, but I would imagine any DSG pinout … Read more
The Eternity Overdrive is kind of like the Big Muff of Lovepedal in that it has a ton of different versions (there are over 10 I believe), but it’s basically a Tube Screamer without the input/output buffers. I’ve drawn up 2 versions here, the Black and the Burst. The main difference between the 2 is … Read more
Being so similar to Wylde Signature and GT-OD, i can understand why this one was still missing from the library. Well. Up the 100n to 220n-1µ from inverting input of the driver amp to VRef and swap the clippers for LEDs. Should be worth your while…
DIYStompboxes forum member Ripthorn adapted the Alembic F-2B tube preamp to a JFET preamp. It gives you 3-band EQ controls, master volume, and a bright switch. Fairly simple circuit, but might turn into a bit of a rats nest with the offboard wiring (I know, a bit out of character for me). Set the trimmers … Read more
I’ve had a few folks asking for active bass cutter circuit for couple of different uses. First, a lot of stoner rock enthusiast want to split their signal for two amps and some blues folks want to do that too. And since in cases like these, the second amp is usually a guitar amp, which … Read more
Here’s a rare one that came in via the request folder. It’s a distortion/filter effect. Used live by guitarist Kevin Sheilds from My Bloody Valentine on “Sometimes,” this might be a must-build for shoegazer fans out there. Here’s a demo video of a clone with the 100k trim pot wired externally as a distortion control … Read more
With the exception of the IC BMP (’77, ’78) you can theoretically build just about any version of the Big Muff on any other version’s layouts, but the values listed in this one are for the Tall Font Green Russian version. This one is smaller than the BMP layout I did with on board pots … Read more
Nocentelli’s Bikini Wax is a shaved down Big Muff with the tone control and gain recovery stage removed. Play around with transistors and especially diodes to change the tone to your liking. Update 3/16/15: Since the layouts for the Green Russian Big Muff were derived from this one, and the Green Russian was missing a … Read more
This cool little effect was originally housed in a small box that plugged directly into your amp (which you then plugged your guitar into) and later on some of Vox’s higher end guitars. You’ll need to track down an obsolete 2N2646 unijunction transistor for Q1, but they can be found on eBay or Small Bear. … Read more