Built my first pedal (Ibanez Tubescreamer replica kit with mods)

[Hink]

[img][img]http://i396.photobucket.com/albums/pp47 ... ic/TS2.jpg[/img][/img]

[img][img]http://i396.photobucket.com/albums/pp47 ... ic/TS1.jpg[/img][/img]

the kit

http://www.generalguitargadgets.com/com ... egory_id=7

the wiring diagram

http://www.generalguitargadgets.com/pdf ... a841b3e85a

the mods

http://www.generalguitargadgets.com/pdf ... a841b3e85a

I did the boutique mods down the page a bit, similar to the Keeley mod but also adds an extra diode (the first mod listed is part of the boutique mod), gives you a choice of LED clippers or diode clippers and also provides a lift for the clippers allowing you to bypass them and get more boost than distortion.

Of course I had to build the board and no written instructions but the wiring diagram, the schematic and a photo the provided (all on their page) was all I needed besides the right tools. Total build time was about 4 hours but that was being very meticulous with several breaks.

A few mistakes but only cosmetic, I would have put the circuit in upside down but the mod kit cam with to other ic's that I can swap out just by unplugging the current one and plugging the other in. SO I can also get similar to a Boss OD1. I may or may not one day paint it and I haven't labeled it because I know what is what

Now I will start the stratoblaster and a thread for that and all other diy stuff in hardware hoping may people will contribute so maybe we can have a resource for those wanting to try their hand at diy and those wanting to get better at it

BTW it works and sounds great

[hibidy]

[MickGael]

Very cool. I've be trying to work up my courage to a tweed Princeton style head to go with my 4 x 10 tweed ab.

[VitaminD]

Well done!

I've wanted to get into diy electronics with a headphone amplifier kit.. afraid it will consume all my free time if I really get into it. I can see how it might..

[susiwong]

Good job !
This is one of the must-have ODs, and the mods make perfect sense.
Btw, the boutique mods seem to refer to Landgraff, smart move, I like that one a lot better than the original 808.

Here's mine, built by a good friend.
Left side choice of Landgraff/808, right side Rat I/II, left switch true bypass, right switch toggles between the two, i.e. rhythm/lead.
Boutique grade components, NOS ICs and diodes chosen by ear on a funny lunchbox prototype with everything socketed - yes, you can hear the difference in many cases.
Paint job is a bit cheesy, the sound certainly not.
This was an early project, meanwhile my friend has settled for the raw metal look like yours, clear lacquer coat and a laserprinted transparent decal on top.
I have a bunch of his other clones, Klon, Zendrive, Fulldrive II, Fulltone 69, BJF Honey Bee, and a Timmy variant on the way, all very unique sounding pedals, it very much depends on the guitar/amp combination which one works best.

Now go for the next one, feed the addiction !
Cheers,
susiwong

[Hink]

thanks guys, it really has wet my appetite for more...general guitar gadgets has a lot more and this was one of the more time consuming builds. I was really worried that I might have missed something on the way and was worried I would have to start troubleshooting but it fired right up.

The mods are quite interesting, with the toggle in the middle it lifts the diode clippers and is a boost. I found this really is better with the amp gain reduced quite a bit (using my egnater rebel) and I get that JCM800 bite. I thought that I would just use it that way but with the gain higher on the amp but the gain turned on the pedal using either the standard diodes or LEDs is very warm. Running the level low and the gain midawy with the gain on the amp turned up to about 8 is quiet but awesome sustain and plenty of gain. If I want to run the amp clean and use this for distortion it's pretty nice as well but the boost becomes the louder of the three positions (diodes lifted).

I have never been a pedal guy but this serves two purposes, new toys and a great way to deal with stress. It's nice to work on something outside of a guitar. One day if finances allow it I want to build a Marshall 18watt replica head from mojo, I'm going old school on this economy

[Hink]

Good job !
This is one of the must-have ODs, and the mods make perfect sense.
Btw, the boutique mods seem to refer to Landgraff, smart move, I like that one a lot better than the original 808.

Here's mine, built by a good friend.
Left side choice of Landgraff/808, right side Rat I/II, left switch true bypass, right switch toggles between the two, i.e. rhythm/lead.
Boutique grade components, NOS ICs and diodes chosen by ear on a funny lunchbox prototype with everything socketed - yes, you can hear the difference in many cases.
Paint job is a bit cheesy, the sound certainly not.
This was an early project, meanwhile my friend has settled for the raw metal look like yours, clear lacquer coat and a laserprinted transparent decal on top.
I have a bunch of his other clones, Klon, Zendrive, Fulldrive II, Fulltone 69, BJF Honey Bee, and a Timmy variant on the way, all very unique sounding pedals, it very much depends on the guitar/amp combination which one works best.

Now go for the next one, feed the addiction !
Cheers,
susiwong

I wont be paiting mine anytime soon, but that looks cool susiwong

[robogone]

Check with D and others at VS for sources of kits - I'm sure you'll get a lot there.

[susiwong]

I found this really is better with the amp gain reduced quite a bit (using my egnater rebel) and I get that JCM800 bite. I thought that I would just use it that way but with the gain higher on the amp but the gain turned on the pedal using either the standard diodes or LEDs is very warm. Running the level low and the gain midawy with the gain on the amp turned up to about 8 is quiet but awesome sustain and plenty of gain. If I want to run the amp clean and use this for distortion it's pretty nice as well but the boost becomes the louder of the three positions (diodes lifted).

Exactly that's where the magic is, balancing the different gain stages you have at your disposal.
In a good chain the OD becomes an organic part of the amp, this is a far cry from the "I want my cheap little amp to have a lead channel" thing, it's not about emulating an amp, it's about adding to it.
Btw, even though I know you enjoy boosting from the guitar, also try out the opposite - example :
My Warren Haynes style tone - LP > Klon > 1987 Marshall, the trick is to set the drive up a bit higher than you would need and then roll back guitar volume and tone until it's just comfortable, voila, seemless rhythm-lead control from the guitar, the OD is always on in this scenario.
Btw, hate to say it , that's where the 4 pot layout of a Les Paul really shines ...
Ymmv,
susiwong

[Hink]

I found this really is better with the amp gain reduced quite a bit (using my egnater rebel) and I get that JCM800 bite. I thought that I would just use it that way but with the gain higher on the amp but the gain turned on the pedal using either the standard diodes or LEDs is very warm. Running the level low and the gain midawy with the gain on the amp turned up to about 8 is quiet but awesome sustain and plenty of gain. If I want to run the amp clean and use this for distortion it's pretty nice as well but the boost becomes the louder of the three positions (diodes lifted).

Exactly that's where the magic is, balancing the different gain stages you have at your disposal.
In a good chain the OD becomes an organic part of the amp, this is a far cry from the "I want my cheap little amp to have a lead channel" thing, it's not about emulating an amp, it's about adding to it.
Btw, even though I know you enjoy boosting from the guitar, also try out the opposite - example :
My Warren Haynes style tone - LP > Klon > 1987 Marshall, the trick is to set the drive up a bit higher than you would need and then roll back guitar volume and tone until it's just comfortable, voila, seemless rhythm-lead control from the guitar, the OD is always on in this scenario.
Btw, hate to say it , that's where the 4 pot layout of a Les Paul really shines ...
Ymmv,
susiwong

you can do 4 pots on any guitar...just use concentric pots if need be

[susiwong]

I wont be paiting mine anytime soon, but that looks cool susiwong

Here are a few of the newer ones with the decals, I think they look even better than coloured boxes and are much easier to do.
From the left :
Honey Bee, Zen, Klon, FD II

Btw, at least the modding of the MIDI board is my own idea and work, three additional control switches with LEDs, very handy for the G-Major.
This Ernie Ball is converted to an expression pedal for MIDI volume.
The board is an early prototype, I might start a dedicated pedal board thread this week to discuss various chains and concepts once I have pix of the final board(s).
Cheers,
susiwong

[susiwong]

Just noticed you have the connectors on the back of the box, very cool, saves a lot of valuable space on the pedal board.
Wish mine were all that way , but quite often it's just not possible.
Oh well ...
susiwong

[Hink]

Just noticed you have the connectors on the back of the box, very cool, saves a lot of valuable space on the pedal board.
Wish mine were all that way , but quite often it's just not possible.
Oh well ...
susiwong

that's how the enclosure came, I can't take credit for that

[popsaka]

...so how 'bout some wet/dry sound bites soze we can hear what's what...

[Hink]

...so how 'bout some wet/dry sound bites soze we can hear what's what...

eventually, I notoriously slow on finishing such things