Hi Anders and Chris S, do you know anything about the HBE Germacide? Its a pretty cool treble booster but I can't find any schematic out there (I can find the Germania but not the Germaniac). Cheers
Hey Ian - this is actually the first I've heard of this rare one, but I did a little bit of digging, and some perusing of sold listings on reverb actually yielded the most insight. If I'm wrong, I'm hoping to read about it here in these comments. It seems like the Germacide basically IS the Germania with some added extras. The level knob and "more" footswitch seem to be tied together in that you can set the level at a lower-than-max position and then hit the footswitch to disable the level control and put you straight up to maximum on demand. The hi-fi/lo-fi gain range switch is straight from the Germania, but the "EQ" knob seems to be a 5 position rotary and, I'm guessing, switches in different value caps for varying degrees of bass response. Without a schematic or gutshot (I could find neither) it would be guesswork to figure out what these cap values actually are. Other than that, this looks to be a variation on HBE's meaner-than-typical PNP Ge Treble Booster with a charge pump inverter.
At the very least, you can use some of the values and layout that Anders put up on here for the PedalPCB RangeFinder (which has 8 different cap choices) to approximate the EQ selector knob if you want to mod that Germania layout from tagboard. I'd say go with 2n2 on the high end, 1uF on the low and pick three values in between. And the More switch might be as simple as adding a stomp switch that jumps lug 2 and 3 of an A100k master volume pot together when it is engaged. You only need two rows of lugs to do that, so a 3pdt would allow you a status LED as well.
Hey Anders, since you're on a Madbean kick, maybe you'd consider the Current Lover. Well beyond my skill. Also, I've been meaning to tackle the Worm but every time I look at the size of the layout I shudder. I'll get around to it soon.
Just looked over that build doc you linked and it appears that the fuzz half of this circuit is basically a silicon fuzz face. It's got some really cool looking tweaks tho - the bass knob limits how much low end gets let into the circuit at the input. And it looks like Amplified Parts has both BC183a and BC183b transistors in stock...
Hey homies - I've talked to Anders a couple of times in the last month and a half, and he's just on a little technology detox. Last we spoke, he was in good spirits and has a bunch of drawings to post once he decides to get back in front of a screen. But I'm sure he would totally appreciate the vibes nonetheless.
Thanks for the vibes guys and gals...really appreciate it! Just needed a break to do some other stuff for a while. Sorry if I caused any concerns but everything is good over here!
Hi there, I built this and it has a nice sustain. Tone pot needs to be reversed. I used a B50K for sustain and added in series with pin2 a 47k resistor as it would squeal if turned above 70%. And make sure the link on column 19 is from I to Q, and not J to Q. Cheers!
Hi Anders and Chris S, do you know anything about the HBE Germacide? Its a pretty cool treble booster but I can't find any schematic out there (I can find the Germania but not the Germaniac). Cheers
ReplyDeleteHey Ian - this is actually the first I've heard of this rare one, but I did a little bit of digging, and some perusing of sold listings on reverb actually yielded the most insight. If I'm wrong, I'm hoping to read about it here in these comments. It seems like the Germacide basically IS the Germania with some added extras. The level knob and "more" footswitch seem to be tied together in that you can set the level at a lower-than-max position and then hit the footswitch to disable the level control and put you straight up to maximum on demand. The hi-fi/lo-fi gain range switch is straight from the Germania, but the "EQ" knob seems to be a 5 position rotary and, I'm guessing, switches in different value caps for varying degrees of bass response. Without a schematic or gutshot (I could find neither) it would be guesswork to figure out what these cap values actually are. Other than that, this looks to be a variation on HBE's meaner-than-typical PNP Ge Treble Booster with a charge pump inverter.
DeleteCheers Chris, it does seem to be a baby version of the Germacide. I see there is a layout on Tagboard for the Germania, I may try!!
DeleteAt the very least, you can use some of the values and layout that Anders put up on here for the PedalPCB RangeFinder (which has 8 different cap choices) to approximate the EQ selector knob if you want to mod that Germania layout from tagboard. I'd say go with 2n2 on the high end, 1uF on the low and pick three values in between. And the More switch might be as simple as adding a stomp switch that jumps lug 2 and 3 of an A100k master volume pot together when it is engaged. You only need two rows of lugs to do that, so a 3pdt would allow you a status LED as well.
DeleteCool, cheers Chris
DeleteThe Germania is just an input buffer feeding a rangemaster?
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHey Anders, since you're on a Madbean kick, maybe you'd consider the Current Lover. Well beyond my skill. Also, I've been meaning to tackle the Worm but every time I look at the size of the layout I shudder. I'll get around to it soon.
ReplyDeleteHey Anders, another request: could you do a layout for the fuzz section of this? Really interested in trying the fuzz with a 'bass' control. Thanks!!!
ReplyDeletehttps://guitarpcb.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Tweed-Fuzztone-Deluxe-Build-Document.pdf
Just looked over that build doc you linked and it appears that the fuzz half of this circuit is basically a silicon fuzz face. It's got some really cool looking tweaks tho - the bass knob limits how much low end gets let into the circuit at the input. And it looks like Amplified Parts has both BC183a and BC183b transistors in stock...
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteI wasn't sure - but the added bass control intrigued me and I just thought someone with more skill at layouts could draw it.
DeleteAnd I have a some BC183B, C and L on hand, so I'd love to give it a try!
No word from Anders in a long while. Hope everything is ok
ReplyDeleteI was just thinking the same, Ian. Sending good vibes...
DeleteHey homies - I've talked to Anders a couple of times in the last month and a half, and he's just on a little technology detox. Last we spoke, he was in good spirits and has a bunch of drawings to post once he decides to get back in front of a screen. But I'm sure he would totally appreciate the vibes nonetheless.
DeleteThanks Chris! Good for Anders - a digital detox is something we could do with on a societal scale, really.
DeleteThanks for the vibes guys and gals...really appreciate it! Just needed a break to do some other stuff for a while. Sorry if I caused any concerns but everything is good over here!
DeleteThank you Chris. 😊
ReplyDeleteHi there, I built this and it has a nice sustain. Tone pot needs to be reversed. I used a B50K for sustain and added in series with pin2 a 47k resistor as it would squeal if turned above 70%. And make sure the link on column 19 is from I to Q, and not J to Q. Cheers!
ReplyDelete