I started working on this layout a long time ago, following the actual Rockreverb amp schematic. Later on Pedal PCB Mania released their Lemon Rockreverb project which is almost identical to this. The main difference is this one has a dual gang gain control (just like in the actual amp) while PCB Mania splitted it into two gain controls. I also added a small Miller cap (22pF) for at Q1 for this layout.
Hi fuzzhead I made this today and it sounds good, but when gain at zero there is no sound, I think it affects the level of the this circuit. I hope you can help me with this, I really like the sound of this one, thanks man.
Thanks for giving this a go! I think your gain control works as it should since it is technically a volume control at two points within the circuit. Lug 1 and 4 is grounded so it is perfectly normal that the sound cuts out when turned fully CCW.
Hi, wanna share some of your favourites? Recently started running some amp emulators into the fx loop of my vox amp and I think this will be a real gamechanger for me xD
It really depends on what you like - I like high gain stuff, so this, the Fuzzlord FET 120 (an Orange OR120), and the Engl Powerball are all favorites. On the lower gain side, I recently built the Aclam Dr Robert ( a VOX UL730 for Beatles sounds) Also, browse the selection for BAJA. If there are any amps with available schematics that you're interested in, but there isn't a layout, maybe ask Sebastian nicely - they seem really adept at JFET amp layouts.
Thanks! I'm planning to build preamps for ampeg and sunn (haven't decided which layouts). I've looked into BAJA's selection, got curious about layouts for Soldano and Hiwatt, but some of the build reports got me a little bit discouraged. Personally, I really like the Sovtek MiG100 by Sebastian and Dunwich DA120 mosfet (maybe not a "real" emulator) for high gain, and the wampler 65 for low gain, but I feel that I still have a lot of options to try :)
I really, REALLY like Bajaman's Ampeg SVT circuit. Definitely recommended, though you want to switch the clipping diodes for LEDs (or take them out altogether), because otherwise there's almost no headroom before it overdrives. The BAJA Orange AD200 is a great vintage preamp, though the output is pretty weak.
For Hiwatts, I've come to the conclusion that so much of that incredible growl comes from the phase inverter of the amp. I'm in the midst of testing a design that reproduced the whole circuit up to the output tubes, and has a mode switch to toggle between the standard DR103 circuit and the souped-up Jimmy Page/SAP circuit. It's a beast, though, so it needs a bit more time before I can verify it.
I've also got a couple of Fender preamps (Brown, Black, and Silver Bassmen) that I can share soon. I'll send them to Fuzzhead ASAP!
This is a great discussion, as I have been building some of these amp-in-a-box circuits to use in front of an Orange Pedalbaby. I've built the Beta Lead/Bass, Rusty Box, and HD 130 from here, along with a 2 stage Fender Bassman layout from the Tagboard forum. I generally like running fuzz pedals into clean amps, so I haven't really tried any of the high gain emulations, but I am really curious. One of the best clean preamps I have built is the RunoffGroove Tonemender from the Tagboard site.
Is this the one from pcbguitarmania
ReplyDeleteI started working on this layout a long time ago, following the actual Rockreverb amp schematic. Later on Pedal PCB Mania released their Lemon Rockreverb project which is almost identical to this.
DeleteThe main difference is this one has a dual gang gain control (just like in the actual amp) while PCB Mania splitted it into two gain controls. I also added a small Miller cap (22pF) for at Q1 for this layout.
Sorry for the likely silly question but shouldn’t the 22pF cap go between Source and Drain (looking at a Rockverb amp
DeleteSchematic)?
Somebody cracked this one? https://youtu.be/8S84_9iq8js
ReplyDeleteI'll second that. Getaway Driver sounds wonderful.
DeleteHi fuzzhead I made this today and it sounds good, but when gain at zero there is no sound, I think it affects the level of the this circuit. I hope you can help me with this, I really like the sound of this one, thanks man.
ReplyDeleteThanks for giving this a go! I think your gain control works as it should since it is technically a volume control at two points within the circuit. Lug 1 and 4 is grounded so it is perfectly normal that the sound cuts out when turned fully CCW.
DeleteThank you for the reply. But it would have been nice to have only just one volume control, is there any possible way to this? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteYou can tag this one. Works great, and sounds fantastic as well.
ReplyDeleteI've been on an "amp-in-a-box" spree and the Orange Rockerverb 50 is pretty much my dream amp, so how could I not build this.
ReplyDeleteA great big thank you to Fuzzhead for drawing this up. Built it with J113s and biased drains at 4.5v and it rocks
Hi, wanna share some of your favourites? Recently started running some amp emulators into the fx loop of my vox amp and I think this will be a real gamechanger for me xD
DeleteIt really depends on what you like - I like high gain stuff, so this, the Fuzzlord FET 120 (an Orange OR120), and the Engl Powerball are all favorites. On the lower gain side, I recently built the Aclam Dr Robert ( a VOX UL730 for Beatles sounds) Also, browse the selection for BAJA. If there are any amps with available schematics that you're interested in, but there isn't a layout, maybe ask Sebastian nicely - they seem really adept at JFET amp layouts.
DeleteThanks! I'm planning to build preamps for ampeg and sunn (haven't decided which layouts). I've looked into BAJA's selection, got curious about layouts for Soldano and Hiwatt, but some of the build reports got me a little bit discouraged.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I really like the Sovtek MiG100 by Sebastian and Dunwich DA120 mosfet (maybe not a "real" emulator) for high gain, and the wampler 65 for low gain, but I feel that I still have a lot of options to try :)
I really, REALLY like Bajaman's Ampeg SVT circuit. Definitely recommended, though you want to switch the clipping diodes for LEDs (or take them out altogether), because otherwise there's almost no headroom before it overdrives. The BAJA Orange AD200 is a great vintage preamp, though the output is pretty weak.
DeleteFor Hiwatts, I've come to the conclusion that so much of that incredible growl comes from the phase inverter of the amp. I'm in the midst of testing a design that reproduced the whole circuit up to the output tubes, and has a mode switch to toggle between the standard DR103 circuit and the souped-up Jimmy Page/SAP circuit. It's a beast, though, so it needs a bit more time before I can verify it.
I've also got a couple of Fender preamps (Brown, Black, and Silver Bassmen) that I can share soon. I'll send them to Fuzzhead ASAP!
This is a great discussion, as I have been building some of these amp-in-a-box circuits to use in front of an Orange Pedalbaby. I've built the Beta Lead/Bass, Rusty Box, and HD 130 from here, along with a 2 stage Fender Bassman layout from the Tagboard forum. I generally like running fuzz pedals into clean amps, so I haven't really tried any of the high gain emulations, but I am really curious. One of the best clean preamps I have built is the RunoffGroove Tonemender from the Tagboard site.
Delete