Tools, Tones and Toys for Guitarists
The Benson Preamp is pretty popular, but 2M pots are hard to find. This is a modded vero layout using a 1M bass pot. To make this change and keep the same frequency response, resistances are halved, capacitance is doubled. Note that the Drive pot value also had to be halved. I’ll add a regular size … Read more
Details of this project can be found here – as I started with a modded Pete Cornish SS-2 using the Joe Davvisson diode-compression op-amp, and then moved on to this. Essentially the same as the SS-2, but with the addition of a lo-cut. After a bit of testing, I’d suggest a C50k for the sustain … Read more
A somewhat polarising classic – the Boss DS-1, with a slight twist, as this has the Joe Davisson discrete diode-compression opamp onboard instead of an IC. BOSS DS-1 DIODE COMP OPAMP – VERO LAYOUT BOSS DS-1 DIODE COMP OPAMP – WAMPLER STYLE JCM MODS This is what I ended up being happy with on the … Read more
After doing a layout for the Nordland Overdrive, I thought I would compare the differences to the designers original Nobels version. Apart from some insane power filtering / protection and LED circuitry, there’s a couple of small changes. Traced schematic for the Nordland is here, on Aion FX Hard clipping diodes to ground, instead … Read more
This is a Pete Cornish SS-2 using Joe Davisson’s diode-compression op amp. It sounds pretty good – a lot like the regular SS-2, but without any distortion artifacts on sustained notes as it fades outs. It’s also quieter in terms of noise. This one is getting boxed up, and now I want to try a SS-3 … Read more
After the previous post for the Dan Armstrong Red Ranger, I thought I might do layouts for the rest of the series, starting with the Blue Clipper – I then got sidetracked, and now I’m looking at a Blue Clipper using Joe Davisson’s diode-compression opamp. I had to change the bias from the original … Read more
A variant of the Matsumin Velvecaster, the Frequency Central Valvemaster. I really like Valvecasters, so I was looking forward to making this, but it just wasn’t working for me on the breadboard today. I might try a different valve / test the valve I’m using in a valvecaster circuit just to make sure it … Read more
This one seems to have many parents – I was not really sure what to tag it as. It started life as an Electro-Harmonix Dr Q, which ended up as a Jack Orman Dr Quack and then at some stage Mark Hammer mods have appeared, and more changes bought it to Nurse Quacky by Runoffgroove. Hopefully … Read more
I started this layout ages ago and never finished it for some reason – anyways, here it it, the Univox SQ-150 Square Wave. Mark Hammer mods included below. UNIVOX SQ-150 SQUARE WAVE – VERO LAYOUT UNIVOX SQ-150 SQUARE WAVE – MARK HAMMER MODS – VERO LAYOUT ORIGINAL SQUARE WAVE SCHEMATIC
Last time I did a Sunn Model T layout it was a super blood moon (Coda Doom machine) – today is the winter solstice, so I thought why not stick with the theme and do another Sunn layout. This time it’s the Guitar PCB version, which is pretty similar to the Sunn Model T amp … Read more