Tools, Tones and Toys for Guitarists
Got a request for this one. It’s a effects loop buffer that’s a solid-state version of the Dumbleator effects loop buffer. It’s equipped with an internal charge pump that converts a +9v supply to +33v. Very useful for keeping your effects loop free from signal-loss. Since it runs at a much higher voltage than most effects, make … Read more
If you feel like getting into a bit of programing with your pedal building, this is probably a good place to start. The legwork was done and graciously shared by Coda Effects. It uses a PIC micro-controller to trigger a relay and LED indicator. To learn how to program the PIC12F675 read the original blog … Read more
Here’s something I’ve been looking for for awhile now for a project I’ve got in the works, and figured some of you guys may be looking for the same thing. They’re based off of the schematic published by the one and only R.G. Keen, found here. Layout 1: +9V to +17V Layout 2: +9V to … Read more
Original info: The Hughes & Kettner Red Box Classic converts Line, Out and Speaker Out signals into balanced, frequen- cy-compensated signals, enabling a direct feed to a mixer. The Red Box Classic features two voicing options, a 4×12″ cabinet and a 2×12″ combo. You can find the original manual PDF here (must read!) Original schematic is … Read more
Someone from the Offset forum asked me about building a looper pedal that when used with a delay pedal would have “tails.” For those who don’t know, “tails” is when a delay is switched off, but the remaining repeats come through the bypass signal. This is a popular mod to the Deep Blue Delay and … Read more
I know there are a bunch of you out there who like your 555 timers, so this one’s for you guys. This relay bypass uses a 555 as a bistable flip-flop combined with a simple relay trigger designed by MicTester. His original design uses a latching footswitch, but with the addition of the 555, a … Read more
Switching an effect on and off can be as simple or as complicated as you can make it. 3PDTs are pretty much the standard these days for true-bypass switching. However most of the 3PDT footswitches I’ve used make a lot of noise (not necessarily in the circuit, it’s just loud when you step on them) … Read more
Prepare for a bit of rambling: I was looking through the de-goup thread for the Cornish G2 over on Freestompboxes.org and was intrigued by the buffered bypass switching that’s used on that pedal. (Before people bombard me with requests for the G2, don’t worry it’s coming.) Original G2s have individual PCBs for the footswitch, the … Read more
Ever hear about “leaky” germanium transistor and wonder how to measure that? Well, here’s a little utility board that allows you to test germanium transistors. It’s based on this article by R. G. Keen, which you should definitely read. It explains pretty much everything going on in this process. I’ve included a switch to allow … Read more
