Fuzzbox, Distortion, Phaser, Chorus, Echo and other Guitar Effects Info

AC128 transistors are back! I have a limited number of these vintage transistors, fully tested and guaranteed. Order a pair before they are gone.

Everyone that orders germanium transistors gets a link to a private page with tips, mods and schematics not available on the main site!

When adding two sound levels that are expressed in decibels, it is not a matter of simply adding the dB levels. The sound from two speakers blasting out 90db each does not produce a 180db output, for example.

This calculator converts the source levels to the proper log values, sums them and then converts the result back to decibels.

 

Players obsess over IC chip types, or film vs. electrolytic capacitors, when the easiest way to improve your guitar sound is to set your guitar volume on 10 and leave it there.

There are several good reasons for doing this. First, the signal from guitar pickups is low to begin with, and to maximize signal-to-noise ratio, all available voltage from the pickups should be allowed through. This reduces noise. It also reduces the potential for hum.

Second, when the volume is on its max setting, the high frequency loss from long guitar cables is minimized. As you turn down the volume control, the added resistance that is placed in the signal path by the volume potentiometer will react with the cable capacitance to dull your high frequencies.

Finally, letting the full signal through also promotes better functioning of amplitude dependent devices, such as compressors and auto-wah filters. There is more signal for their detectors, and that signal is proportionally higher than the residual noise that might interfere with proper operation if the volume is reduced.

Get the full tonal range and performance from your rig; set your guitar volume on 10.

This picture shows a depleted AA battery driving a white LED, with nothing between the battery and the LED except for the wires, which should not be possible since the forward voltage of a white LED, that has to be exceeded to the device to light up, is at least 3 volts!

There is no circuit hidden in or behind the battery and holder. It’s just a plain old battery holder with a spent AA battery in it.

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When testing the low voltage boosters, the 1.5v versions did not have suffcient voltage to power an indicator LED. This is one possible solution.
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I got the stain and polyurethane finish on the pedalboard. All that is left is to add the power supply and pedals.
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I have never had a pedalboard but often thought about making one. I finally got around to working on the project.
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Package from Bulgaria just arrived with my project pc boards for the holidays…

A germanium transistor preamp and its power supply in the back.

An OA10 discrete opamp, 6-transistor diamond buffer, and a Fet Bloak in the foreground – all with 2520-style layouts.

Anyone else have plans for projects during the holidays?

regards, Jack

This is the new Dual Booster pcb, which is so versatile that it practically needs a web site of its own! The basic configuration is to have two booster circuits in series, but it is capable of much more.

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For those who are interested in a good solid overview of guitar effects, I recommend Jon Chappell’s article on Harmony Central.

Another great article is Craig Anderton’s piece entitled “How to Make Amp Sims Sound More Analog”.

Enjoy!