Good to know about the KP303A jfets. I'll keep an eye out for them. One note about this layout: on my 1st-gen CrankedAC, that 200pF cap is actually a 270pF, and it is placed across the Gain 3 and 2 lugs. Should be able to move that to the space to the left of the 10nF cap, beside the Gain 3 & 2 labels, without having to make any changes to the layout. A few mods I made with mine: 1) Change the J201s to 2N5457s (a little less gain & compression - has more open feel) 2) Use a 250K pot instead of 500K for gain - I feel it has too much gain in its stock form. More like a Marshally pedal vs Vox in that regard. 3) In the 15K + .0022uF (to ground) --> 15K + .0022uF (to ground) section at the end (just before the Volume), change the first .0022uF to .001uF and lift one end. Attach that to an SPST toggle so you can switch that cap leg on/off to ground. Omit the second/last .0022uF cap. With both .0022uF caps in place, the pedal is lacking a bit of treble. I usually leave it with both caps out of the circuit, and toggle that .001uF in if I want to take a little bit of the edge off. This is a great-sounding circuit: crunchy, midrangey, good medium-to-high gain if you want.
This is a superb sounding circuit - more of a distortion than overdrive
ReplyDeleteBuilt this again with Russian KP303A jfets and it sounds way better than my first J201 build - defo worth picking up a few if you can find them.
ReplyDeleteGood to know about the KP303A jfets. I'll keep an eye out for them.
ReplyDeleteOne note about this layout: on my 1st-gen CrankedAC, that 200pF cap is actually a 270pF, and it is placed across the Gain 3 and 2 lugs. Should be able to move that to the space to the left of the 10nF cap, beside the Gain 3 & 2 labels, without having to make any changes to the layout.
A few mods I made with mine:
1) Change the J201s to 2N5457s (a little less gain & compression - has more open feel)
2) Use a 250K pot instead of 500K for gain - I feel it has too much gain in its stock form. More like a Marshally pedal vs Vox in that regard.
3) In the 15K + .0022uF (to ground) --> 15K + .0022uF (to ground) section at the end (just before the Volume), change the first .0022uF to .001uF and lift one end. Attach that to an SPST toggle so you can switch that cap leg on/off to ground. Omit the second/last .0022uF cap. With both .0022uF caps in place, the pedal is lacking a bit of treble. I usually leave it with both caps out of the circuit, and toggle that .001uF in if I want to take a little bit of the edge off.
This is a great-sounding circuit: crunchy, midrangey, good medium-to-high gain if you want.