Tools, Tones and Toys for Guitarists
Quick Zonk Machine layout to suit an enclosure that I just picked up from MW Pedal Parts – pretty much one row difference in terms of where the mounting holes are drilled compared to old layout that I have been using, and I decided to move a couple of components around while I was at … Read more
Happy Holidays, everyone. This one seemed like it needed laying out before the year came to a close, so here’s the new EXH/JHS colab, the Big Muff 2. It’s an op amp based Big Muff that’s not like the typical ICBM, but uses 2, 4558s in 3 soft clipping configurations into a BMP tone stack. Schematic … Read more
I thought a post was required for the silicon Zonk II, as looking at some schematics online, some appeared to be a little different. Being a pedal from the sixties, variations and tweaks were not uncommon. At the moment, this is probably best known as being the inspiration for the Reeves Zo. This is fun … Read more
I almost didn’t post this one, as it’s really really close to the Hot Silicon Fuzz – but I was curious after seeing the post on FSB and I haven’t done a regular / still in production circuit for a while. Josh Scott says that sonically it’s an approximation of his favourite seventies MKIII Tone Bender, … Read more
Uh oh, everything Josh does at the moment seem to hit the fan… *update 230421* The cap avalues and transistors is now figured out for both the big box version and Nano version. An additional layout for the Nano version is uploaded. Big box version Nano version Demo by Mr … Read more
Happy Fuzz Friday everyone! You probably didn’t miss this collaboration between Josh Scott and Mike Matthews, and because of the old school style of the big box version, it wasn’t to hard to trace. There’s still a few things we don’t know about the circuit, so have your sockets handy if you put this together … Read more
So just out, and with all of the suitable hype and controversy expected – the EHX / JHS Lizard Queen. Trace and discussion in progress on FSB – it looks relatively similar to some old DIY designs out there, which is the cause of much of the controversy. Well, not so much what they are based … Read more
Similar to the previous Zonk Machine, this has a MKI switch for a larger input cap. Have had this on the breadboard recently, and decided to jump to a vintage-style veroboard. There are of course more differences between a MKI Tone Bender and a Zonk than just an input cap, but for convenience’s sake, … Read more
Continuing with the Hornby Skewes theme, time for the Shatterbox – original layout below using the old school large format 0.15″ stripboard. Although I’m not sure if I actually want to build one this way… apart from all the off-board components, it’s PNP silicon, which is annoying having a positive earth circuit with none of the benefits of … Read more
While on the JHS thing, I noticed this booster and thought it looked interesting. The output switches between filters to allow for treble and bass boost, unlike most other boosters where it all happens at the input. Very few seem to be around, as I could only find one photo of the internals and one video … Read more