Tools, Tones and Toys for Guitarists
Here’s a loud one for you (I am not responsible for any blown speakers that may happen as a result of you building this thing! haha)! It’s a popular preamp and used as a booster by the metal band Meshuggah. It apparently sounds best run at 18v. I didn’t include an onboard charge pump since … Read more
Got several requests for this one. Basically, it’s small preamp to plug into a mobile device for use with apps like iRig. Pretty simple circuit. Shouldn’t be hard to fit in a 1590a or even smaller since you don’t need to include a footswitch.
If you’re a Dead Head, you’ll probably be interested in this one. It’s the pre-amp from Jerry Garcia’s Tiger guitar used from ’79-’89 and built by Doug Irwin. It’s a unity gain buffer to prevent signal loss with long cables. It can be built into a guitar like the original or into a 1590A. Other … Read more
The EchoPlex Preamp emulates the input stage on the old EchoPlex EP-3. It provides up to 11dB of gain and is mostly used as an always on pedal to sweeten the user’s tone. If you want to add the volume control, use a 500k pot and connect lug 1 at the junction of the 100n … Read more
Here’s one for my fellow bassists out there. It’s a transistor-ized version of the Fender Bassman preamp as modified by DeadAstronaut over on DIYSB. It’s laid out for board mounted pots and switch and will fit nicely in a 1590B.
The original DOD units had “balanced” XLR output as well as the normal 1/4″ jack and no footswitch. This has been adapted for stompbox use and could work well with acoustic guitar.
Got a request for the S2, but have been unable to track down a schematic for it, so here’s the S1 in the meantime. It’s an emulator/preamp of a Soldano tube amp, and like most amp emulators it uses JFET transistors. The original uses mostly SMD components with the exception of some capacitors, which is … Read more
The Zvex Super Hard On has become one of the sought after boost pedals today. Derived from the preamp section of a 60s recording console, the SHO uses negative feedback to control the gain (which is what gives it the crackle when adjusting the knob). It’s capable of being a clean boost and adding some … Read more
DIYStompboxes forum member Ripthorn adapted the Alembic F-2B tube preamp to a JFET preamp. It gives you 3-band EQ controls, master volume, and a bright switch. Fairly simple circuit, but might turn into a bit of a rats nest with the offboard wiring (I know, a bit out of character for me). Set the trimmers … Read more
Apache Amps Amps,Mods,n’More If there is one town fit for the musician it is Los Angeles, Ca. Living here in LA has always provided me with every piece of gear I have ever wished for – whether it be a guitar, amplifier, set up pups, or rare stompbox. But there is another resource that Los … Read more