Per request. Note that the values for the treble cut capacitors is nor confirmed (10nF and 22nF) so it might be worth socketing these values. Also, I replaced the Drain resistors with trimpots for easier biasing for the J FETs.
It's a definite maybe... I've built a version of this, and it's one of may favourite JFET overdrives. Even if it's wrong (as in not as per the unknown original schematic), it's still sounds right. The trimmers are a good edition, as I found the JFETS that I used were quite different re biasing. Real J201 JFETS are an absolute must.
It's a definite maybe... I've built a version of this, and it's one of may favourite JFET overdrives. Even if it's wrong (as in not as per the unknown original schematic), it's still sounds right. The trimmers are a good edition, as I found the JFETS that I used were quite different re biasing. Real J201 JFETS are an absolute must.
Hey Andy! Did you build one from this layout, or from somewhere else? I've been meaning to build this one for a while now and I'm hesitant because I'm still a noob and I need to order some parts for that so if it's verified, I'll get those done and start right away! I don't really care if it's exactly the same with the original, I just want to have a similar tone switch. Thanks in advance!
Hello mertzbow - I used my own layout, which is the same in terms of tone switching as this layout. It works really well. The only real difference is that I used fixed resistors, and this layout has trimmers (and a different layout of course). To use fixed resistors, you have to breadboard the circuit and change resistors until you hit the magic bias voltage, as this can differ between JFETS. If you are new to building, stick with trimmers. But as I mentioned, just be sure that you have real J201 JFETS. From what I have read, if the sag knob isn't doing much - bias is wrong / JFETS are bad.
built this one! it works but I have some problems with it. I didn't have 20k trimpots so I used 50k but somehow, I couldn't reach 6,66v. changed them to 10k and then I was able to get those there, but then it was almost like a clean boost, drive knob acted like a second volume control. sag had little impact. then swapped them for 5457s, I had some gain but it sounded "misbiased", checked the drain voltages and they were close to 4.5v on both although I didn't play around with them. I guess it's no mystery but I haven't worked with JFETs so, I don't know. I tried to adjust the trims to get 5457s to 6,66v but I guess the range of 10k trims couldn't reach there, I was stuck with 4.5v most. Are the J201s I have faulty? I know they are mostly hit and miss but I used the same batch on Benson Preamp build, they worked. now that I look back, it sounded like it had less gain than demo videos. well, layout is probably correct so I guess I can verify it? but can someone help me out? can I swap trimpots to 50k again, swap j201s for 5457s and bias them to 6,6? would it be somehow closer? I'm not too picky about it sounding exactly like the original unit. I just wanna get it somewhere in the ballpark
Where did you get you J201s, I got some off eBay and they were junk. They did work in 1 other pedal but not in a barbershop. I haven’t built the millennium version yet but from experience of building the other version you have to use J201s . I tried the 5457s in the other and it didn’t work . I have since gone to smd J201s . Less of a chance of getting counterfeits and no problems. They are trickier to solder onto adapter boards but I make my own with stripboard. I have a lot of scraps. I suggest getting the proper trimes and make sure you J201s are good.
Thanks for the heads up! Yeah I heard there are lots of bad j201s, sadly I can't find either smd version or the adapter boards. Not much choices for the original either, only 2 shops sell these. Instead I went for the regular Barbershop and added the Tilt EQ I found on Parasit Studio's website before it. Now I have a lot of versatility with the pedal! You can slightly cut bass and boost treble or the other way around and when you set the knob to noon, it's almost perfectly flat! Adds treble and bass boost to Barbershop's clean boost capabilities. Plus, you can boost the input signal with the trimpot to give the pedal a bit more gain! I don't know how versatile the Millenium version is but this combination adds a whole new level of tweakability :) Sorry I got too caught up on my little "discovery" lol
Thank you for the layout. I built the original version last year using another layout, and it sounds nice on an electric piano. It's quite sharp and transparent. I'm willing to try this version with trimmers and the tone switch.
By the way, any chance to publish a layout of their compressor (the Accountant)? https://fairfieldcircuitry.com/products/the-accountant I heard it's great :)
I can confirm that this one can be marked as verified. This is my second Barbershop build. I also own a Shallow Water and an Unpleasant Surprise. Love Fairfield.
Thank you, Tom Tom. This layout is my next build, I'm glad to read that it's verified and working :)
I have previously built it from another layout, without the tone switch (and without the "starve" knob, and also without setting the right voltage to the transistor). It's a nice design, because it doesn't sound like any other overdrive I have. It does its own thing, and does it well.
I reduced the 22nf cap on the switch down to a 4.7 I believe. Still a noticeable difference. The 22nf was too dark to be useable IMO. Sounds great. Thanks again
Hello, Another confirmed layout! I built it today, and it works fine.
The circuit is indeed very sensitive to Jfet biasing around 6.66V. If you don't get it right, you can hear nothing...
Like TomTom wrote above, the tone switch makes the sound quite dark at both settings, so I will probably use a different tone capacitor on at least one setting.
About the Starve knob : most of the action is at the beginning of the pot on my build : past 9 o clock, the pedal goes silent quickly. But I like what it does at when I start turning it : from gated action to nearly-octave & heavily gated sounds.
This is my favorite overdrive. No complaints about it. BUT, I found this layout for the V2. I guess it's a different circuit altogether from the original. https://www.freestompboxes.org/download/file.php?id=40174&mode=view
I checked the bias on a new Barbershop Millennium edition recently and found q1 at -3v and q2 at -3.5v. Not what I expected, but interesting nevertheless.
Thanks Ben. Yeah, that's basically what I had read. I think that maybe Q1 and Q2 are the other way around here though, If I'm not mistaken. Around 3V aprox though seems about right. Not a lot of gain on tap on its own, but boosting in or boosting out, this circuit does something a little bit magic. I should actually buy one someday. I love Fairfield.
It's a definite maybe... I've built a version of this, and it's one of may favourite JFET overdrives. Even if it's wrong (as in not as per the unknown original schematic), it's still sounds right. The trimmers are a good edition, as I found the JFETS that I used were quite different re biasing. Real J201 JFETS are an absolute must.
ReplyDeleteIt's a definite maybe... I've built a version of this, and it's one of may favourite JFET overdrives. Even if it's wrong (as in not as per the unknown original schematic), it's still sounds right. The trimmers are a good edition, as I found the JFETS that I used were quite different re biasing. Real J201 JFETS are an absolute must.
ReplyDeleteHey Andy! Did you build one from this layout, or from somewhere else? I've been meaning to build this one for a while now and I'm hesitant because I'm still a noob and I need to order some parts for that so if it's verified, I'll get those done and start right away! I don't really care if it's exactly the same with the original, I just want to have a similar tone switch. Thanks in advance!
DeleteHello mertzbow - I used my own layout, which is the same in terms of tone switching as this layout. It works really well. The only real difference is that I used fixed resistors, and this layout has trimmers (and a different layout of course). To use fixed resistors, you have to breadboard the circuit and change resistors until you hit the magic bias voltage, as this can differ between JFETS. If you are new to building, stick with trimmers. But as I mentioned, just be sure that you have real J201 JFETS. From what I have read, if the sag knob isn't doing much - bias is wrong / JFETS are bad.
Deletethanks a lot for your suggestions Andy, I appreciate it! I guess I'll go with the original version for now. Or maybe Smallsound Bigsound Mini :D
DeleteAwesome! Thanks very much!!
ReplyDeletebuilt this one! it works but I have some problems with it. I didn't have 20k trimpots so I used 50k but somehow, I couldn't reach 6,66v. changed them to 10k and then I was able to get those there, but then it was almost like a clean boost, drive knob acted like a second volume control. sag had little impact. then swapped them for 5457s, I had some gain but it sounded "misbiased", checked the drain voltages and they were close to 4.5v on both although I didn't play around with them. I guess it's no mystery but I haven't worked with JFETs so, I don't know. I tried to adjust the trims to get 5457s to 6,66v but I guess the range of 10k trims couldn't reach there, I was stuck with 4.5v most. Are the J201s I have faulty? I know they are mostly hit and miss but I used the same batch on Benson Preamp build, they worked. now that I look back, it sounded like it had less gain than demo videos. well, layout is probably correct so I guess I can verify it? but can someone help me out? can I swap trimpots to 50k again, swap j201s for 5457s and bias them to 6,6? would it be somehow closer? I'm not too picky about it sounding exactly like the original unit. I just wanna get it somewhere in the ballpark
ReplyDeleteWhere did you get you J201s, I got some off eBay and they were junk. They did work in 1 other pedal but not in a barbershop. I haven’t built the millennium version yet but from experience of building the other version you have to use J201s . I tried the 5457s in the other and it didn’t work . I have since gone to smd J201s . Less of a chance of getting counterfeits and no problems. They are trickier to solder onto adapter boards but I make my own with stripboard. I have a lot of scraps. I suggest getting the proper trimes and make sure you J201s are good.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the heads up! Yeah I heard there are lots of bad j201s, sadly I can't find either smd version or the adapter boards. Not much choices for the original either, only 2 shops sell these.
DeleteInstead I went for the regular Barbershop and added the Tilt EQ I found on Parasit Studio's website before it. Now I have a lot of versatility with the pedal! You can slightly cut bass and boost treble or the other way around and when you set the knob to noon, it's almost perfectly flat! Adds treble and bass boost to Barbershop's clean boost capabilities. Plus, you can boost the input signal with the trimpot to give the pedal a bit more gain! I don't know how versatile the Millenium version is but this combination adds a whole new level of tweakability :) Sorry I got too caught up on my little "discovery" lol
Thank you for the layout. I built the original version last year using another layout, and it sounds nice on an electric piano. It's quite sharp and transparent.
ReplyDeleteI'm willing to try this version with trimmers and the tone switch.
By the way, any chance to publish a layout of their compressor (the Accountant)? https://fairfieldcircuitry.com/products/the-accountant
I heard it's great :)
Love the Fairfield stuff and as soon as a schematic for The Accountant shows up, I will draw a up a layout for sure!
DeleteI can confirm that this one can be marked as verified. This is my second Barbershop build. I also own a Shallow Water and an Unpleasant Surprise. Love Fairfield.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Tom Tom.
ReplyDeleteThis layout is my next build, I'm glad to read that it's verified and working :)
I have previously built it from another layout, without the tone switch (and without the "starve" knob, and also without setting the right voltage to the transistor). It's a nice design, because it doesn't sound like any other overdrive I have. It does its own thing, and does it well.
I reduced the 22nf cap on the switch down to a 4.7 I believe. Still a noticeable difference. The 22nf was too dark to be useable IMO. Sounds great. Thanks again
ReplyDeleteHi, TomTom
DeleteThank you for the advice. I also find 22nF too dark to my taste, and I will try with 4.7nF.
Hello,
ReplyDeleteAnother confirmed layout!
I built it today, and it works fine.
The circuit is indeed very sensitive to Jfet biasing around 6.66V. If you don't get it right, you can hear nothing...
Like TomTom wrote above, the tone switch makes the sound quite dark at both settings, so I will probably use a different tone capacitor on at least one setting.
About the Starve knob : most of the action is at the beginning of the pot on my build : past 9 o clock, the pedal goes silent quickly. But I like what it does at when I start turning it : from gated action to nearly-octave & heavily gated sounds.
Thank you FuzzHead for the layout!
This is my favorite overdrive. No complaints about it. BUT, I found this layout for the V2. I guess it's a different circuit altogether from the original. https://www.freestompboxes.org/download/file.php?id=40174&mode=view
ReplyDeleteI checked the bias on a new Barbershop Millennium edition recently and found q1 at -3v and q2 at -3.5v. Not what I expected, but interesting nevertheless.
ReplyDeleteThanks Ben. Yeah, that's basically what I had read. I think that maybe Q1 and Q2 are the other way around here though, If I'm not mistaken. Around 3V aprox though seems about right. Not a lot of gain on tap on its own, but boosting in or boosting out, this circuit does something a little bit magic. I should actually buy one someday. I love Fairfield.
ReplyDelete