Built using 1N34a for diodes 1&2. Tried 2N3904 and 2N2222. So far I like the 2N2222 the best. I’d say tag it. Everything works as it should. It’s a little fizzy. I’m going to play around with the 120k resistor as mentioned in the notes. Thanks again.
While I have built this and it works I have a question. I am trying to teach myself to read schematics and in the process am comparing them to layouts to try to help learn. I say this be cause I may be wrong about this . I’m thinking the 10uF capacitor coming off the B of Q3 is backwards to the schematic. The schematics shows B going into the + of the cap and the - going out to gain 2. The layout has the B of Q3 going into the - of the cap with the + going out to gain 2. If I’m wrong could you explain so I can understand and learn please. Thanks, Matt
So as I learn more I keep coming bach to this one. I doesnt seem quiet right but its getting there. I have some 2n3707s that I twisted the legs on a couple to try. They defiantly make a difference. So what Im finding now id something weird with the tone pot. If you turn it completly CCW the fuzz sounds great but if you barely turn it up the fuzz goes away. Its acting like the blend pot. I have spent hours looking over the schematic and everything looks good. Any ideas?
No not really. I just tried it with 2n5088s. They just don’t sound very good. So I put in some 2n549c flipped 180. Decent distortion not great. With the blend maxed for no dry signal , if the tone pot is fully CCW you can get distortion and no treble, with tone pot maxed CW you get distortion and treble. Anything between full CW and full CCW you loose the distortion. Other thing to note, if you play with a very very light touch you can get more distortion with the dry signal. The harder you play the less distortion you get and the more dry you get. I didn’t know this was touch sensitive. I’m not a quitter, lol.
Ok, do you still have the 120k resistor for the clean blend path? You might want to try a higher value? It could be some phase cancellation going on....
For the rest of the circuit, it is basically a superfuzz but the toneswitch is replaced by the tone pot. When it is turned CCW you should have a deep mid scoop with lots of bass and sizzly treble. CW is all about grindy mids.
Do you get some octaves out of it? Not as pronounced as in an Octavia but an octave up should be present....
I had a 220k in there and switched it out for a 360k. It’s a bit better. I do get some octaves out of it. I have to back the volume pot off a little on my bass as I have some very hot p bass pickups. This also helps. The depth charge doesnt like hot pick ups and they are passive so I’m not sure it would work very well with active pickups. So 549c’s turned 180 and a 360k in place of the 120k may be as good as it gets. Will test through my amp soon. From what I remember before is that it’s sounds way better through my amp.
Where's the input go? At the 100nf cap on Q1?
ReplyDeleteGotcha. Added the input label.
DeleteAlso, what are the pot values?
DeleteAny idea how 1N34A would sound as opposed to the 1N270
ReplyDeleteIt would sound very close if not identical.
DeleteAwesome, gonna give it a go. Thanks for the response and another great layout.
ReplyDeleteBuilt using 1N34a for diodes 1&2. Tried 2N3904 and 2N2222. So far I like the 2N2222 the best. I’d say tag it. Everything works as it should. It’s a little fizzy. I’m going to play around with the 120k resistor as mentioned in the notes. Thanks again.
ReplyDeleteGreat! I'll tag it.
DeleteWhile I have built this and it works I have a question. I am trying to teach myself to read schematics and in the process am comparing them to layouts to try to help learn. I say this be cause I may be wrong about this . I’m thinking the 10uF capacitor coming off the B of Q3 is backwards to the schematic. The schematics shows B going into the + of the cap and the - going out to gain 2. The layout has the B of Q3 going into the - of the cap with the + going out to gain 2. If I’m wrong could you explain so I can understand and learn please. Thanks,
ReplyDeleteMatt
Hi Matt.
DeleteYou are absolutely correct regarding the cap orientation and it seems that you can read schematics.:-)
Flipped the cap in the layout.
Thank you for looking into it. I’m gonna flip mine around. I’ve learned ALOT from YOU. Thank so much.
ReplyDeleteSo as I learn more I keep coming bach to this one. I doesnt seem quiet right but its getting there. I have some 2n3707s that I twisted the legs on a couple to try. They defiantly make a difference. So what Im finding now id something weird with the tone pot. If you turn it completly CCW the fuzz sounds great but if you barely turn it up the fuzz goes away. Its acting like the blend pot. I have spent hours looking over the schematic and everything looks good. Any ideas?
ReplyDeleteThe tone control worked before subbing the transistors?
DeleteNo not really. I just tried it with 2n5088s. They just don’t sound very good. So I put in some 2n549c flipped 180. Decent distortion not great. With the blend maxed for no dry signal , if the tone pot is fully CCW you can get distortion and no treble, with tone pot maxed CW you get distortion and treble. Anything between full CW and full CCW you loose the distortion. Other thing to note, if you play with a very very light touch you can get more distortion with the dry signal. The harder you play the less distortion you get and the more dry you get. I didn’t know this was touch sensitive. I’m not a quitter, lol.
ReplyDeleteOk, do you still have the 120k resistor for the clean blend path? You might want to try a higher value? It could be some phase cancellation going on....
DeleteFor the rest of the circuit, it is basically a superfuzz but the toneswitch is replaced by the tone pot. When it is turned CCW you should have a deep mid scoop with lots of bass and sizzly treble. CW is all about grindy mids.
Do you get some octaves out of it? Not as pronounced as in an Octavia but an octave up should be present....
I had a 220k in there and switched it out for a 360k. It’s a bit better. I do get some octaves out of it. I have to back the volume pot off a little on my bass as I have some very hot p bass pickups. This also helps. The depth charge doesnt like hot pick ups and they are passive so I’m not sure it would work very well with active pickups. So 549c’s turned 180 and a 360k in place of the 120k may be as good as it gets. Will test through my amp soon. From what I remember before is that it’s sounds way better through my amp.
ReplyDeleteI think Tone#1 should be at C-21, under Tone#3.
ReplyDeleteAh, yes!
DeleteCorrected.