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Finished up my PPCB Nucleus (XTS Atomic Overdrive) last night. It works fine, but compared to other dirt pedals I have, it's quite compressed and doesn't feel as 'open'. As it is using JFETs in a config similar to Jack Orman's Miniboosters, would using all 2N5457s instead of J201s (or even...

Does anyone make mini-sized knobs in the OG Russian Big Muff shape? I saw a pic where someone had them on the new mini Russian reissue, but just said that he 'bought some printed ones'. I was thinking of doing a Red Army Overdrive in a 125B with them. Like these (at Smallbear), only smaller:

Quick question: Can the Gauss or XB-MB (roughly the same circuit) run at a higher voltage than 9V? What is the max limit?

Seems like there is a schem available for almost everything Ibanez, and it makes sense that there aren't ones for some of the rarer pedals. But the Sonic Distortion is pretty widely available (maybe not as affordable as they once were, but still). I've seen Dirk Hendrik's schematic, and...

Sorry, have to ask and the search I ran on the forums were specific to particular builds. My query is more general: as most of my pedals are DIY and true-bypass, I'd like to incorporate buffers in some, if not half, of them (maybe alternating buffered-->true BP --> buffered, etc). What is a...

I recently got my prototype DIY build of a MIJ DS-1 going, and noticed two things: 1) It is a LOT thicker than any post-1994 DS-1 I've owned. So much so that I'm looking at reducing one of the coupling caps to make it a bit leaner. I mean, dialed in right, it's competing with a Metal Zone (in a...

Long story short: I had the urge a year or so ago to build a MIJ DS-1 from scratch. I traced the layout from the 1978 version, omitting the switching section; it's considerably smaller than the original. I sourced some TA7136APs from Retroamplis, but either those are bad or there is an issue...

This one has intrigued me for years. It was a 'boutique' high-dollar distortion in the mid-late 90's, back when there weren't nearly as many private builders as there are now. Just curious if it's worth building, what with other Marshall-esque drives out there (the Friedman pedals, Marvel Drive...

Crazy as it sounds, I'd love to build an Expandora clone but only in a ROUND enclosure. That's such a signature look, that I'd like to recreate it, if possible. I know Hammond doesn't make one - just putting some feelers out there to see if anyone else might have a lead.

I have an Aion Heliodor incoming, and I've made note of some of @Chuck D. Bones mods from other posts. I saw this one: "If you want to reduce the muddiness caused by too much bass going into the distortion stages, then try reducing C33 instead. Do it in small steps because C33 has a lot of...

I'm revisiting a Boss DC-2 build, and have a few questions for any others that may have built them. Do run yours at 9V? Any overload/distorting when using a humbucker guitar? If you are running at a higher voltage (12v or 15V), are you still using the LM78L06 voltage regulator (TO-92 case), or...

Is there any way to insert a 3-band EQ into the Marvel/Marble Drive 2(3)? I'd like more (global) tonal control - my Marvel 2 clone sounds great, but the controls (Normal Vol, Treble Vol, Presence) are really sensitive to changing the overall EQ, and it's tricky to find a good balance.

I'll get some pics up soon, but this is a criminally underrated pedal. I etched a PCB using the layout from https://effectslayouts.blogspot.com/2018/03/zvex-59-sound.html, which does not include the SHO boost. I did also make the following modifications: Replaced the 470K resistor under Q2 with...

I got a better pedal platform amp recently, and that made all the difference in several guitarl pedals that I had shelved due to them sounding 'below mediocre' through my other amp. As such, I'm absolutely LOVING the PPCB Brown Betty and Complex ODs.. I tweaked the latter last for to replace a...

Is it possible to mount these in a case? https://smallbear-electronics.mybigcommerce.com/single-gang-9mm-right-angle-pc-mount-w-knurled-plastic-shaft/ I want to use these as semi-set-and-forget trims for the back of a pedal, or (eventually) a Zvex Seek Wah clone. Don't want to use hot glue...

I WAS looking at building the Photon, but it seems that the Silonex 7532 photocells are pretty much non-existent now. I have an older Easyvibe build that I was going to hand off to my cousin - if photocells are in short supply, I'll probably hold on to it. So what are folks building for...

I've got an 'as-is' Boss CE-5 incoming, and the issue it's having is most likely due to the switching JFETs. The analog CE-5 uses two 2SK118Y JFETs, and I'm having some difficulty finding those. Is there an as-close-as-possible replacement for those? I'm afraid I'm not familiar with which...

Anyone know how to add (or adjust) the mids on the Wampler Plexidrive circuit? I know the new(ish) mini Plexidrive has the mids toggle - just curious if anyone knows where/how that is implemented. Thx!

Does anyone sell PCBs for mounting single 9-pin (12AX7-type) vacuum tube sockets? Going to start my Tube Driver project soon and want something a little cleaner than all of those wires running directly to the socket legs. Thx! - Buck

I know it's kinda hit & miss across the board with capacitor tolerances, but I don't think I've ever seen 5% tolerant electrolytics; typically it's 10% to 20%. Are some brands/types more accurate/less tolerant than others? And am I the only one that meter-measures caps for lowest...