Tools, Tones and Toys for Guitarists
You asked for it, so here it is: the Barber Direct Drive. This layout follows the new compact version with 2 toggles–one for harmonics, the other for gain. The circuit itself is very similar to the original Tone Pump circuit with a few modifications. Should fit nicely in a 1590B.
Here’s the Boss OD-1–the first of the tube screamer-type overdrives (yes, the first TS wasn’t an Ibanez). It features asymmetrical clipping diodes (where a stock TS has symmetrical clipping) which gives it a thicker, more edgy sound. Initial versions of the circuit used a quad opamp, using 2 of the opamps as in the input/output … Read more
I’ve gotten a few requests for the Mk. III and found several good stock layouts on FSB, so I thought I’d go with a slightly modified version of the DLS Mk. III. This has an added presence control, as well as an onboard charge pump. It’s designed for use in a 125B with top mounted … Read more
This is probably the biggest Marshall-in-a-box pedal out there (footprint-wise anyway). Originals use a +/- 12v supply with a transformer internally. I modified the power section with a +/-18v charge pump and will run off a normal +9v power supply. This saves room so you can use a smaller enclosure and gives more headroom to the effect. It … Read more
Starting the week out with an early version of the Tone Pump from Barber. It’s very similar to the Silver LTD with a few value changes and a simplified tone control. Here’s the schematic for reference and you can use the Barber Silver LTD drilling template. I believe if you put two of these in … Read more
Here’s the Hot Tubes overdrive from Electro Harmonix. It’s based around a 4049 hex inverter chip (like a Red Llama) with a dual op amp pushing it. Original units from the 70s had buffered bypass and a direct out jack. I guess they needed something to fill up those massive enclosures EHX used back in … Read more
Another tube booster/overdrive created by frequency central over at FSB, schematic. What does it do? Well it does clean boost with the Gain set at minimum, flick on the Dirt switch and you get some nice diode clipping too. Turn up the Gain and you’e into overdrive territory with diode clipping, flick the Dirt switch … Read more
Another submini tube based booster/overdrive pedal created by himister over at FSB, schematic. Make sure you are rated at least 25V due to the increased voltage from the rectifier. An additional mod you can do is replace the trimmer with a 250k pot so you can control the distortion produced by the tube on the … Read more
A real nice booster/overdrive that’s basically has a submini tube that replaced the transistor create by frequency central over at DIYSB, schematic. Make sure you are rated at least 25V due to the pedal running +12V. Version 1: Symmetrical Clipping Diodes Version 2: Asymmetrical Clipping Diodes
Here’s a cool variation of a buffer-less Tube Screamer with a BMP-style tone stack in the middle. There are also several trimmers that control the Presence, Bass, and Mids, and they’d be pretty easy to wire off board if you wanted the controls externally. If you want to go with the stock configuration, it should … Read more