Tools, Tones and Toys for Guitarists
The somewhat misleadingly named Foxx Clean Machine is lesser known than the other famous Foxx. Three gain stages stack via a rotary switch, then out via a standard volume pot. The result – dirt… dirt and more dirt. FOXX CLEAN MACHINE – VERO LAYOUT
The follow-up on the Runoffgroove Supreaux, the Supreaux Deux. An improved version of the original Supreaux design, running at 18v and with some changes to match the sound of the original amp as closely as possible. Please follow the link to the runoff groove site, as there’s an amazing amount of info on the development of … Read more
This is the Runoff Groove Supreaux, their first interpretation of a Supro 16T amp. It’s also known as the JHS Superbolt – which is almost identical to the Supreaux, but runs at 18v with a gain switch added. Just put the schematics side by side, and you will see what I mean. I added … Read more
I probably said enough about the Crowther Hotcake (and New Zealanders) in the previous post – so I’ll stop now. Short story – it’s straight op amp clipping with some filtering. Although I should say that this has an unusual bypass system – it’s not true bypass, note the switching. I’ve included a modded layout … Read more
Invented in the late seventies by Paul Crowther, the drummer from Split Enz (yes, the drummer). As an Australian, I can only say that this was almost certainly invented by an Australian and then stolen by a crafty New Zealander – just like the Pavlova, ANZAC Biscuits, Lamingtons, the Flat White and Phar Lap. But … Read more
This is a simple little IC-based Fuzz from Maestro – it’s pretty raw. You can also find a layout of the BYOC Lil Black Keys here, which is a variation on this circuit. MAESTRO MFZ-1 FUZZ – VERO LAYOUT
Another fuzz from Spaceman Effects – the Spacerocket Fuzz. I used the schematic from Deadend FX for this. It is slightly different from another layout I’ve seen in that it uses a 1N4148 and a 1N4001 as clipping diodes, whereas the other uses a pair of 1N4148s. I’m not 100% sure which is correct … Read more
The Pete Cornish SS-2 Soft Sustain is Pete’s interpretation of a MXR Distortion + and it’s not a bad one at that (it’s very nice actually). If you prefer a bit more control, try the SS-3, as it has bass and treble controls. The same overall sound, just more tweakable (if that’s a word). … Read more
This is an early two knob Guild Foxey Lady, which is very similar to a silicon Mosrite Fuzzrite. However it’s different to other schematics I have seen online – I traced this from the circuit shown below – it’s easy to make out part values, excluding the pots and transistors. I left some room for power … Read more
The Dinosaural Tube Bender from Dan Coggins of Lovetone fame, who now designs for Thorpy FX. The Thorpy Fat General compressor is actually a Dinosaural OTC-201 Opticompressor. You can read up on that here. This is the most recent trace from Aion Electronics. Aion do a pretty good job of tracing to say the least, … Read more