Son of Ben - mid range

[nooneknows]

I know there are other threads on this ppcb board but I haven't found any specifically about the topic.

Built a Son of Ben, fet drains biased at 4V, I'm using it with Jag and Tele, with a Princeton and it's eventually driven by an ep booster or a Octavia.

The pedal is overall very good and amp like, except it seems it isn't cutting so much through the band mix, missing some mids maybe?

The things got a little better when driven by a ts or klon style pedal but it gets too compressed.

Thinking about a workaround, since lowering highs and bass doesn't have so much effect, any idea for some mods?

Thank you

 

[nooneknows]

politely bumping


(in absence of solution I think I'll switch to another type of OD )

 

[owlexifry]

kinda depends on how much gain you’re using, but i’d try some different values on C4.
1n, or 2n2, might give you the extra mids (upper mids i guess) to cut through a mix.

EDIT:
i just noticed R7. i’d also try something smaller than 470K, or jumpering that value completely (before altering C4).

 

[nooneknows]

I tend to use medium low gain, just the edge of breakup when if you pick soft it's almost clean and if you pick hard it's a bit distorted,

Thank you

 

[owlexifry]

I tend to use medium low gain, just the edge of breakup when if you pick soft it's almost clean and if you pick hard it's a bit distorted,

Thank you

ah yep, specifically i’m referring to how far the gain control is dialled in, as the higher it goes, the less significant the ‘bright cap’ (C4) becomes (and it’s effect is already being attenuated by R7)
e.g. at max gain, C4 does absolutely nothing.

but also, im just a hack, so i’d also recommend gathering a consensus on this before digging into your build just yet (unless you’re feeling brave )