Tools, Tones and Toys for Guitarists
Here’s the correct layout for the Korg DST-1 that I previously laid out based on an unverified schematic. It uses an AN360 audio pre-amplifier chip (you can still get some on eBay), but I haven’t found a replacement other than making a discrete version of the chip. A discrete version wouldn’t take up that much … Read more
Here’s a bit of a rare one for Fuzz Friday. It’s essentially a silicon Fuzz Face with an output buffer and a mid scoop tone control. Schematic and rundown of the original here. It should fit in a 1590a with 9mm pots board-mounted. I’ve also kept the pad (marked NC in the schematic) so if … Read more
Here’s Jamie’s take on the classic Rangemaster circuit, with a NPN germanium transistor. There’s an added toggle to switch between full range and treble input caps. Probably a tight a squeeze in a 1590A but should be doable. There is also a 1590A specific PCB with board mounted pot and switch in the store now … Read more
Here’s a cool original design by DeadAstronaut. It’s a cascaded JFET/mu-amp based high gain distortion with a 3-band EQ. Original build doc with schematic found here. Laid out for a 125B enclosure with top mounted jacks.
This one’s inspired by the BK Butler Tube Driver made famous by David Gilmour (and a few others). It does away with the tube and replaces it with solid state circuitry. It’s essentially a RAT with soft clipping and a 2-band EQ stuck between a buffer and an extra gain stage. Should fit nicely in … Read more
Here’s a variation of the classic Tone Bender Mk II Professional from ProAnalog Devices. It uses PNP transistors, so you’ll have to use either a battery or voltage inverter to daisy chain this with other pedals. It seems they’ve used several different transistors, but they’re outlined in the schematic from Scotty himself. Easy fit in … Read more
Got a request for the DI portion of the Hartke LH1000 bass amp. This is more or less that, but with a simplified power section. In the amp this runs off a bipolar 15 volt supply, but I would think it would also work with regular 9 volt supply. There’s not an unbalanced output, but … Read more
Here’s a simple MOSFET-based booster circuit that’d be a nice alternative to the SHO. Should fit in a 1590A. FYI, the 1N4739 diode in the layout is a 9.1v zener. Here’s the schematic for reference.
Gotten a couple requests for this one. Here’s Bajaman’s second take at his AFD circuit with a better frequency response than the first AFD. More info here on FSB. Should fit nicely in a 1590B.
Got a request for this one for Fuzz Friday. The Tone Bender Mk.II Professional is essentially a Fuzz Face with an extra gain stage up front. The Fuzz-Bender basically puts the extra gain stage of the Mk. II on a switch, allowing you to more or less switch between a Tone Bender and a Fuzz … Read more