I've built several versions of the Colorsound Power Boost/Overdriver circuit now: first was the Aion Nucleus, then the Madbean Meatqlaw, and a PB clone on my own PCB. Why stop at three?!
Well, the first two have been sold. Interesting side-comment, the guy on Reverb who bought my Meatqlaw says he's in a Pink Floyd tribute band, and said the pedal works perfectly for his needs!
Second, I've never actually built the Overdriver (9v) version of this circuit. (There is a slight difference between the 18v Power Boost and 9v Overdriver circuits. The topology is essentially the same, but there are a few component value differences.)
Third, I'm revisiting most of my favorite circuits to rebuilt with my own relay bypass implementation.
A lot has been written about this circuit. I think its best application is per it's namesake: boost or overdriver - that is, not a standalone overdrive, but as a way to get a bigger signal into your amp (or next device in the chain) and cause that to overdrive - with EQ capability. But it can be a standalone overdrive, and at extreme settings, even turns into a fuzz. It's a fairly simple circuit based around three NPN BJTs. I've built and played with all kinds of drives and boosts, and I keep coming back to this circuit because nothing sounds quite like it.
Anyway, here is my build of the PedalPCB Powersound Overdrive. Actual build was pretty unremarkable. I used metal can BC109C transistors, and of course my own relay bypass board. The enclosure is a B-stock from StompBoxParts, I think it's called "Neutron Star", but I can't find it on the website now. It's a neat sparkly color that shifts from purple, to blue, to black depending on lighting and viewing angle.
Well, the first two have been sold. Interesting side-comment, the guy on Reverb who bought my Meatqlaw says he's in a Pink Floyd tribute band, and said the pedal works perfectly for his needs!
Second, I've never actually built the Overdriver (9v) version of this circuit. (There is a slight difference between the 18v Power Boost and 9v Overdriver circuits. The topology is essentially the same, but there are a few component value differences.)
Third, I'm revisiting most of my favorite circuits to rebuilt with my own relay bypass implementation.
A lot has been written about this circuit. I think its best application is per it's namesake: boost or overdriver - that is, not a standalone overdrive, but as a way to get a bigger signal into your amp (or next device in the chain) and cause that to overdrive - with EQ capability. But it can be a standalone overdrive, and at extreme settings, even turns into a fuzz. It's a fairly simple circuit based around three NPN BJTs. I've built and played with all kinds of drives and boosts, and I keep coming back to this circuit because nothing sounds quite like it.
Anyway, here is my build of the PedalPCB Powersound Overdrive. Actual build was pretty unremarkable. I used metal can BC109C transistors, and of course my own relay bypass board. The enclosure is a B-stock from StompBoxParts, I think it's called "Neutron Star", but I can't find it on the website now. It's a neat sparkly color that shifts from purple, to blue, to black depending on lighting and viewing angle.