Tools, Tones and Toys for Guitarists
Stumbled across this one on FSB and thought it looked cool. It was designed by JD Barbato and is kind of a mashup between a Tone Bender MkII and a MkIII, with a BMP-style tonestack, with a switch changing the cap values in said tonestack. You can build it with all germanium transistors or use … Read more
The Incandenza Bypass is a simple, low parts count, relay-based true bypass circuit designed by Steve Demedash. It uses a normally open momentary SPST footswitch triggering a simple 555-based flip flop circuit, triggering a non-latching DPDT footswitch. The layout below reflects the pinout of the either the Takamisawa NA5W-K or Omron G6S-2 relays. These are … Read more
This is (or was now I guess) one of the few Run Off Groove designs I haven’t laid out. It’s not a small circuit and I ended up laying it out for a 1590BB so the pots can be board mounted (but it will fit in a smaller enclosure if wire them off board). I … Read more
Got a request for this one, it’s a good addition to the collection. It’s Ibanez’s take on the RAT in their Power Series from the mid-late 80s. It’s very similar to the LM7 LA Metal circuit, with just a few value changes and omissions (detailed below). I removed the FET switching and output buffer to … Read more
Here’s another one from Basic Audio for Fuzz Friday. This is John’s take on the Wem Pep Box and adds variable output cap control with the Body control. Should be an easy fit in a 1590B. Here’s the schematic for reference. Alternatives to the BC107B would be other lower gain transistors like the BC547B, 2N2222A, … Read more
Here’s the .45 Caliber overdrive from J. Rockett Audio Designs. It’s essentially a simplified Timmy without the second opamp stage, and claims to emulate the sound and feel of a 1962 JTM 45. Easy fit in a 1590B with board mounted pots. Edit: Schematic for reference
Here’s a nice utility box for home recording or even live application (if you’ve run into a sound guy who hates guitar amps 😠). It’s a direct box but also a cab sim (4×12). It won’t run off phantom power, so just power it with a 9v wall wart or a battery. Also, connected to … Read more
Here’s Baja’s AC30 Normal Channel emulator. Throw a treble booster in front of this and you’re pretty darn close to nailing some Brian May tones. Schematic and discussion here on FSB.
For Fuzz Friday, here’s the D*A*M Buzzotron with a few modifications (based on H.A.’s suggestions).The Buzzotron is a tweaked Burns Buzzaround, which can also be built on this layout. What I’ve added is a master volume control and a ICL7660-based voltage inverter. This allows you to power the effect with a standard +9v supply and … Read more
Another one of Bajaman’s many amp emulator circuits. It emulates the frequency response of the classic Vox AC30 top boost channel, including power amplifier emulation. It’s designed to fit in a 125B with top mounted jacks. Schematic and discussion on FSB here. The input buffer stage uses a 2SK117 JFET with DGS pinout, but I’ve … Read more