Tools, Tones and Toys for Guitarists
Here’s the classic DynaComp compressor from MXR. This frequently cloned and copied effect has been an industry standard since it was introduced in the 70s. It uses the CA3080 IC, which can be a bit expensive and/or difficult to source as it is a rather obsolete chip. It might be a good idea to use … Read more
The Script version of the Phase 90 is probably the holy grail of phase shifters and was the first effect released by MXR in 1973. It’s probably most famous for helping create Eddie Van Halen’s brown sound on the first 2 Van Halen albums. It was designed before dual op amps were really affordable, so … Read more
The Micro Amp is a classic clean boost circuit first introduced by MXR in the late 70s. It’s a great option if you need to stomp on something for solos. Pretty simple op-amp design that should fit nicely in a 1590a.
Being so similar to Wylde Signature and GT-OD, i can understand why this one was still missing from the library. Well. Up the 100n to 220n-1µ from inverting input of the driver amp to VRef and swap the clippers for LEDs. Should be worth your while…
I’ve seen a lot of different PCB layouts online for this effect, but all of them had at least one jumper on the board. Jumpers aren’t the end of the world, but I know for me, if I’m going to go to all the trouble of etching a PCB, I don’t want to mess with … Read more
Here’s the grey spec DOD Overdrive 250 that fits in a 1590a enclosure. You could also build a yellow spec 250 or the MXR Distortion + with this layout. Just compare the schematics and value swaps.
The classic ’70s overdrive by MXR, and is essentially the same as the DOD 250 and Ross Distortion. I designed the layout to have onboard pots, to alleviate some offboard wiring. It also has the LED resistor on the board, again to reduce offboard wiring a bit. It’ll fit perfectly in a 1590B enclosure. Might … Read more
I was going to just add this to the bottom of the Phase 90 post, but on reflection thought it better to start a new one to keep discussion about this build in one place. A few people have requested a layout for the Phase 100 and I thought this could be a happy medium … Read more
A few people have requested this so I thought I’d better do it. This one includes the Script mod on a switch so you can choose either mode. Don’t forget that you really need to match the JFETs for this. You may get lucky with an unmatched set but the better the match the better … Read more
With an added Booster/Buffer switch. Info from the manufacturer about the original: The MC401 is simple in design but superbly effective in solving a variety of mismatched line level and signal conditioning problems that can occur when combining effects. The MC401’s circuit design has been used for years by CAE in the world’s best guitarist’s … Read more