Tools, Tones and Toys for Guitarists
“Starting with the same germanium transistors as the much-loved original Sputnik, but with slightly different specs, we added a few slight tweaks to get very close to the sonic details of the original circuit. Many of the other parts in the Sputnik II are different but of same or similar value, including many vintage and … Read more
“The Microtubes B3K is an unusual tool – a perfect combination of brutality and clarity. It delivers defined and powerful saturation in an intuitive format. There are no rules and no limits, so dig in and unleash your tone. ControlsLevel: Sets the volume of the overdriven signal.Drive: Sets the amount of saturation in the overdriven … Read more
Here is a layout for the BYOC Crown Jewel (minus the boost). The boost is an independent circuit of your choice in serie with the main circuit. There is also an extra switch to select if you want the boost “Pre” or “Post” the main circuit. You can find all infos and schematic on their … Read more
“The Hi Volt is a mid- to high-gain dirt box, with a fully saturated effect that is internally charge-pumped to 16VDC, and brandishes a high headroom, custom-tuned 3-band active EQ. This high-voltage configuration allows for very flexible and potent sonic possibilities, ranging from blues to metal and everything in between. With its generous low-end wallop, … Read more
Here is a layout for the Mantic Effects Vitriol, a variable high-gain distortion with low and high pass filters. Thanks to Bobbass4k for creating a schematic. You can find his original FSB thread here (should read it before you build it). I’ve drawn 2 versions: the original and one with an added Mids control.
Original FSB thread and schematic available here. Rotary Switch is 2P5T and they are not always numbered. I’ve called the 2 poles A & C. When the switch is on “A-1” position on the other side is on “C-1” position… and so on. Original circuits’ schematics use Ge diodes but the Apocalypse’s one doesn’t. Need … Read more
Here are two layouts for a classic Ring Modulator. The first one is for a vintage version (schematic available here). The DIP version of 1496 had a different pinout. The second one is for the modern vesion and it could potentially fit in a 125B size box (there is no schematic but a PCB layout here). … Read more
Came across a schematic for this awhile ago as it seemed interesting. It’s supposed to be a fairly rare overdrive pedal fetching up to $500. Here’s some information I found about it: The rare 1980s Bartolini tube-it Distortion Overdrive pedal made in Livermore, California, USA. Makes any amp sound like a Marshall. This may be the … Read more
Here is a serie of tube effect pedals by the German Tube-Town which were requested a while back. There aren’t videos available but you can find all infos, schematics and pcbs on their website here. (The Pepper Shredder has been discontinued but it’s supposed to be a tube distortion based on the Twin Valvecaster)
Direct from the source: Ahoy! Welcome to your new Depths Optical Vibe Machine! The Depths is our take on the classic optical vibe circuit. Now you can swab the decks with the same lush, pulsating, three-dimensional swirling sound you know and love, with some modern accouterments for all you land-lubbers out there. The Depths is … Read more