Tuesday 5 April 2022

Death by Audio Interstellar Overdriver Deluxe

 Thanks to Ross to reminding me about this one!

Here we a have a circuit for people that just love offboard wiring. ;-) Also be prepared to use sockets to try out different transistors since this is a "reverse beta" design which can be quite finnicky and be a source of frustration.

Scheematic is avaiable HERE.

 
And for those who prefer only the second channel and less offboard wiring... 





26 comments:

  1. YES! You are a true legend, will hopefully verify this shortly :)

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  2. I've updated my old layout with the 2n2 and 240pf caps and it works. I still have the hiss but it is way better / louder than it was. Tried loads of transistors and MPSA05's work best. Just need to lose the hiss.

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  3. Can anyone share where they found mpsa05’s? I tried the usual suspects and am only finding 06’s.

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    1. Yeah I saw that. They’re shipping blows though. But thanks.

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  4. All modes working as expected! Need to try with MPSA05s but sounds great so far. Thanks so much Fuzzhead :)

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    1. Are you getting any hiss Ross?

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    2. I can’t play it super loud right now but I wouldn’t say it’s an excessive amount? No more than any other drive/distortion being on. I need to try it with MPSA05s though, currently got some 2N5088s plugged in.

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  5. So for Q5 I used a PNP 2N5087 and the hiss is gone and its loud. Get a bit of a squeal on one setting but its working a treat.

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  6. Thanks guys, that was quick!

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  7. Boxed this up and it sounds good - no trem feature tho but not a big issue (anyone get the trem?). Went with MPSA05 (NPN) for Q1 - Q4, Q6 and a MPSA56 (PNP) for Q5. If I use an MPSA05 for Q5 I get a terrible loud hiss and the PNP stops this and seems to increase the volume (????).
    How did anyone else get on with this? Interested to know if you got the trem feature for setting 6 (or any setting).
    Cheers

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    1. Oh & big thanks to Anders - you are a legend. Been waiting for this one!!! If you have anymore DBA up your sleeve you know what to do :)

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    2. Ian, my trem works fine! It depends where it is set how strong it is but the lighter I pick - the more prevalent it is. It'll definitely just be down the transistors used. I've got 2 sets of MPSA05s coming at some point over the next week but I'll give them a go and report back. Currently have 2 2N5088s (roughly 580/600 HFE) and 1 2N5089 (about 700 HFE) in my second channel.

      Huge thanks to Anders, so nice of you to update that layout in a matter of HOURS :)

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    3. Check your LED orientation?

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    4. Cheers Ross, will check

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    5. No worries! I can see my LEDs clip when I’m in that mode hence why I thought best to ask

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  8. Cooking with gas now!! Must have had some solder on the tracks as my trem is working and i am using all MPSA05s (no more PNP). Sounds great.

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  9. This is the first time I've ever heard the term "reverse beta". Is that why the supersonic fuzz gun is finicky or is that just more DBA weirdness?

    Would it be related to this AMZ article?

    http://www.muzique.com/lab/reverse.htm

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  10. Hey would you be able to do the Diaz Texas Ranger Treble Booster? https://www.tdpri.com/threads/diaz-texas-ranger-schematic.1006122/

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  11. Just built up the 2nd channel only layout and, as many others in these comments are dealing with, I ALSO have no MPSA05s... I have owned an original Overdriver Deluxe so I managed to get my build sounding REALLY close... originally tried some low gain pn2369a but every setting sounded power starved. Eventually went with MPSA18 for Q1 and Q3, with a 2n3904 for Q2. This combination gets every setting sounding the way I remember mine, especially the tremolo mode. Nice work, Anders!

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  12. I built Channel 2 and used the trans suggestions that Chris above recommended. No cherry picking at all. Started up immediately. All positions seem to be working as they should. Lotsa gain. Trem function is the coolest. Thanks Chris Stelloh. Yer a pimp.

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  13. And, of course, thank you mister fuzzhead. You sir are a prince.

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  14. Hey Fuzzhead,I was wondering if it might be possible if you could do a layout for a germanium transistor tester.Thanks Loyd

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    1. Just buy the atlas 55, you'll be happy you did - consistent readings without fiddling and converting and it doesn't care which leads are in CBE

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