Tools, Tones and Toys for Guitarists
Needed to do a simple circuit after all those involved 6 onboard pots layouts. They’re exhausting 😉 This is Nick Greer’s take on the classic Electra Distortion, but with one simple twist: the Blend control allows you to blend in the clipping stage. Expect some volume loss with the diodes blended into the signal, but … Read more
Found the schematic for this over in the Aron Nelson Gallery. It’s designed by Scott Frein. Uses a simple JFET buffer to help push the transistor-based drive section. Here’s his description: A pretty simple overdireve. The buffer on the front really brings it to life. Good AC/DC,ZZ Top crunch from this. Hit it with a … Read more
This is DAM’s take on the silicon FuzzRite. Loud, snarly, and nasty fuzz tones in this circuit. Q1 is a KSP42, which seems to be pretty similar (if not the same) to a MPSA42. I’ve read of MPSA18s working in that spot as well. Q2 is a 2N4401, which should be easier to track down, … Read more
The Stratoblaster was originally built as an onboard preamp that could be mounted on a Strat in place of the normal output jack canoe. The gain was adjusted by a trim pot (so no external knob), but the circuit provided 3-14 dB of clean boost. It’s a great simple circuit and can fit in a … Read more
Here’s a simple one that should fit nicely in a 1590a. EQD’s take on the Electra Distortion circuit. Instead of having a pot coming off the end of the circuit, the volume is controlled by a pot coming off the emitter of the 2N3904. It’s really more of a gain control than volume and if … Read more
Here’s the mighty SolaSound Tone Bender Mk.II shrunk down to fit in a 1590a. I laid it out for NPN transistor, as I really wouldn’t want to try and squeeze a charge pump in a 1590a along side the effect board. Like the larger layout I posted last year, you could build the Marshall SupaFuzz … Read more
Here’s a 1590A candidate. The Kay T-1 Tremolo originally came in a plastic housing with a treadle that controlled the speed. Apparently similar to the Vox Repeat Percussion tremolo, but a little smoother.
Gnarly, oscillating fuzz tone–this is a bit of a weird one. The original used both positive and negative 9v (which I have a hard time wrapping my head around). FSB forum member Induction altered the circuit to support standard power supplies, so no need for a 9v battery or adding a +/- converter. And it … Read more
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
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