Tools, Tones and Toys for Guitarists
The Pete Cornish SS-2 Soft Sustain is Pete’s interpretation of a MXR Distortion + and it’s not a bad one at that (it’s very nice actually). If you prefer a bit more control, try the SS-3, as it has bass and treble controls. The same overall sound, just more tweakable (if that’s a word). … Read more
This is a very unusual one – the Earth Sound Research Graphic Fuzz. Why is it so unusual – have a look at the schematic. It has no input or output caps, and the IC runs at +/- 4.5V. Practically half the parts on the board are for the split rail power supply. Be careful … Read more
The DeArmond Square Wave – it’s pretty much an MXR Distortion + with a couple of minor values changed. It does come in a cooler-looking box… There’s a great analysis of the Distortion Plus on Electrosmash, which will apply equally to the DeArmond Square Wave. DEARMOND SQUARE WAVE – VERO LAYOUT MODS The most obvious place to … Read more
This is the BYOC version of the Maestro MFZ-1 Fuzz, the Lil’ Black Keys. Named as such, as there are a few references to the Black Keys using the Maestro at some stage. It’s an easy build, and it sounds pretty good too. There are fairly minimal differences circuit-wise, between the original and the Lil’ Black … Read more
The Earthquaker Devices Plumes is their take on a Tube Screamer, and it’s quite a good one. It’s somewhat simpler than Palisades, which is probably about as far as anyone would want to take a Tube Screamer. I’m not one that really likes Tube Screamers a great deal, as I never got the mid-boost and … Read more
The Fairfield Circuitry Unpleasant Surprise – bias voltages unknown for the JFETS (so you may need to tweak them). I had to tweak a bit for the Barbershop before it was right, maybe the same here. Mind you, this is a bit of signal-destroying fuzz monster, so it may not matter as much. I have checked … Read more
This one is interesting; it’s a bit MXR Distortion + at the front and a Big Muff tone control at the back. Here we have the Roland BeeGee – I have no idea where the name came from back then. That is an interesting choice from Roland. ROLAND AF-60 BEE GEE – VERO LAYOUT … Read more
It’s a Rat… and of course you can build any version of the Proco Rat using this point to point layout. Pop the Earthquaker Devices Tentacle in front of it and a boost after it, and now you have a Sunn Life pedal. PROCO RAT – POINT TO POINT LAYOUT PLEASE NOTE: … Read more
This diode compressor is by Jonny Reckless on DIY Stompboxes. An original design of his – it’s a really cool sounding compressor, I like it a lot. You can definitely hear it working, this is not one of those compressors that you aren’t sure if it’s on or not – great for clean sounds on a strat. He … Read more
Pete Cornish’s excellent take on the MXR Distortion + the Pete Cornish SS-3 Soft Sustain. I used a vintage tin can IC in the first gain stage, and while it added a bit of noise, it certainly added some grit and character. There’s certainly nothing wrong with a standard single op-amp – potentially better, depending on … Read more