Perplexed

H

HamishR

Well-known member
I can't remember if I've posted this anywhere before, but I really like it! It's based very clearly on the Wampler Plexidrive which I was surprised by. It sounded better than I expected. (Sorry Brian!) I did find the cap on the source of Q2 was a bit big which for me made the bass a bit fizzy and overwhelming so I've reduced it from 47µF to 22µF which actually makes a significant difference IMO. And then I made that where I could adjust the bass - even at 22µF it's a bit OTT so that is now the high setting for the new bass pot. The bass control cuts the bass from there, and sounds a bit more like old-school Marshalls I've played. I've heard people mention that they feel Wamplers can be a bit bass-heavy - this will fix that. This is a simple circuit which sounds really good - to me - and does seem to capture a bit of that Marshall sound. Of course I am playing it through a Marshall style amp... The trim pots make it a breeze to build. I've indicated the voltages I like but if you want a dirtier sound you can lower the voltages a bit for more dirt. I can't decide which I like better - this or my version of the Golden Falk! This is possibly a bit more open sounding and an easier build but they're both really good. Perplexed with 3362P trimmers.png
 
Well this is the Wampler for you! I was playing my Les Paul through it today and no mud. I don't like mud. I guess the reason I don't usually like Wampler pedals is that they are normally a bit generic sounding, a bit too pedal sounding. Instead of having a fixed 47µF bass cap this goes from 220nF to 22µF, and you could use a 100nF cap for the lower bass position if you wanted.

I think all ODs need a bass control. Different amps respond differently. Some amps I like don't have a bass pot so having one on the pedal is critical. Being able to beef up or lose boominess from an OD is almost more important than controlling high end sometimes.

I effectively added some mids by making the 2n2 on Gain 3 a 3n3. Sounds good to me. The whole point about making your own is mess about with this stuff IMHO.
 
Another great read in strip board layouts! You’ve been on a roll with these. Have you been putting these in pedals? Rocking before you box? Your finished stripboard work is always nice to look at if there are pics…
 
Oh yeah - there is only one I haven't built yet. That's the Carcosa. I have built multiples of some of these. I tend not to post them because I don't use visible graphics (only invisible). Most people find that boring. I can take some pics if you want?

I just figured that seeing as I have these layouts I may as well share them in case someone else wants to try them. I find making layouts to be like a puzzle and I enjoy it. I like trying to keep all the connections for the various off-board bits together, like you see with the Gain connections above - it's fun to get them together and in sequence. The Gain pot lugs will be right beneath the board at the place where the board connections are. If I can get the Volume 3 connection up in the upper right corner I will. In this layout it was too tricky.

Anyway I have heaps of these layouts - if there is one somebody wants let me know! If there is a PCB I will often use the PCB but I do like to make changes, add pots, delete switches, try using a dual op-amp instead of a single and a transistor, that kind of thing. Not necessarily to try make things sound better, but just to hear what it sounds like. I did a dual op-amp Rat to hear what it sounds like and it sounds great - different from a Rat but just as valid IMO. Vero is really good for experimenting because it's easy to swap out parts without destroying the board.
 
HamishR said:
I tend not to post them because I don't use visible graphics
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Graphics or not, the outside of a pedal is the boring part! I’m mostly interested in the guts.

Particularly on a nice stripboard build where there’s evidence of some problem solving and thought.

I’m just a pcb-er, but every time I see a nice DIY board it makes me want to make the leap.
 
Gonna try this as well, if I can figure out where to put the output and the pots. Edit: haha I really dont understand the connections.
Another edit:
So the volume pot lug 1 = ground
lug 2 is the output.
And bass lug 2 and treble 2 = ground as well?
So there is no connection on lugs bass 1 and treble 3?

I read somewhere The Benson preamp is suppose to have a similar schematic.
 
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Yeah that's it, @Einzeln ! You can connect Bass 1 lug to Bass 2; likewise you can connect Treble 3 to 2. I don't usually bother but it might be good practice. I use Volume lug 1 kind of like a star ground. I use it to connect the board ground, the jacks ground and the switch ground.

I might take some pics next time I build a Vero pedal to show what the enclosure looks like before the board goes in.
 
maertz13 said:
and JHS pedals the exact opposite
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See this is exactly why I prefer on bass pots in my pedals. And I often switch between guitars. My 335 likes more low end dialled in compared to my 330, which has more low end already. If I set up my OD for the 335 and then plug in the 330 it can be kinda boomy.
 
maertz13 said:
@HamishR where did you find a component footprint for the trim pots? or did you make your own?
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I made my own. In DIYLC I use a rectangle (under SHAPES) and give it a 50% alpha. Then I use the Dot under Connectivity for the legs. Lastly I use the type tool for the value. The "Horizontal X-Small" trimpot is for a different kind of trimpot as you have probably discovered. I prefer to use the 3362P trimpots for dialling in JFETs so had to improvise.
 
HamishR said:
I made my own. In DIYLC I use a rectangle (under SHAPES) and give it a 50% alpha. Then I use the Dot under Connectivity for the legs. Lastly I use the type tool for the value. The "Horizontal X-Small" trimpot is for a different kind of trimpot as you have probably discovered. I prefer to use the 3362P trimpots for dialling in JFETs so had to improvise.
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ahhh so you did the same as I did, but yours looks better. I've submitted that as a request and it was ignored. MOST of us are using the small trim pots and layouts drawn with the x-small footprint don't play nice unless you bend the pins funny.
 
Well I recently went over this circuit because one or two things annoyed me... So this is the revised version and for me it is significantly better. It can still sound open and clear or fat and chunky, depending on how you use the EQ. The EQ works a bit better now.

If you want it still thicker change the 3n3 to 4n7 and it becomes a really cool lead sound, You could even stick it on a switch if you wanted. The low end is a LOT tighter and less fizzy now. I've been playing it through a Marshall style amp and my Brown Deluxe clone and it sounds good through either. For a fairly simple circuit it has a great sound IMO.

Perplexed.png
 
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