Pepperbox (Volt Thrower)

Fuzzonaut

Well-known member
Not just another rat ... it's what Dunwich did with the rat circuit --> Volt Thrower ! PCB is from Effects Layout.

So, we have a biploar power supply, two band EQ, 6 clipping options and a gain recovery stage built around another LM308, although I subbed in an OP07 for that stage. But thanks to the amazing @fig there's a NOS 1983 LM308N in the "rat spot".
(The lumberg jacks are also curtesy of fig, thanks man.)

What else? The GE diodes are in sockets, currently there are some OA1161 in there. I used a 1044 (voltage) and 2 tantalums.

Artwork is a reference to the band Conan.
 

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Looks great! I’ve got this in the queue—really excited for this one. What instruments have you tried? I’m hoping it will work well for both bass and guitar.
I've tried it with bass, it's great! I'm pretty sure, you'll love it. Should sound great on guitar too ...

I just finished it, so I didn't have much time with it yet, also, I forgot to play around with the trimpots (labelled "Low" and "Other") ...
 
Yep, I've done the Widogast - it rules! I also have the real deal (BB size with the cute Wizard on a horse, not the giant white one) and they sound very similar.

(I've done the ODB one too .... )
 
Yep, I've done the Widogast - it rules! I also have the real deal (BB size with the cute Wizard on a horse, not the giant white one) and they sound very similar.
Good looking build! I wasn't aware of this and have to get it.

I built the larger Wizard using this trace: https://www.freestompboxes.org/viewtopic.php?p=290093&

Fuzzonaut, could you share any differences with your 1590BB version? I know it still has the rotary switch like the big one, and not a blend pot like the latter 125B. In some gut shots online I see a single red LED in there though. It's probably for the second clipping stage. Anything else?
 
Good looking build! I wasn't aware of this and have to get it.

I built the larger Wizard using this trace: https://www.freestompboxes.org/viewtopic.php?p=290093&

Fuzzonaut, could you share any differences with your 1590BB version? I know it still has the rotary switch like the big one, and not a blend pot like the latter 125B. In some gut shots online I see a single red LED in there though. It's probably for the second clipping stage. Anything else?

My BB Dunwich Wizard is the the practice room ... I'll try not to forget to take it back home next time I'll be there (wednesday) and can take a few gut shots for you, would that be fine?

I might have to get all of their Dunwitch boards, now that I think of it!

Good thinking!
 
My BB Dunwich Wizard is the the practice room ... I'll try not to forget to take it back home next time I'll be there (wednesday) and can take a few gut shots for you, would that be fine?
Absolutely. I'll find some shots of others in the meantime and label components.
I was reading the build docs to this the other day and I think I'll have to pick one up now. I might have to get all of their Dunwitch boards, now that I think of it!
I also built his newer Boss HM-2 with clean blend that used to be on Osh Park, and is currently sold by God City.
 
Did you build the Socialist Jr? I felt like it was a bit anemic (I built the first rev).
No, but I made the earlier Brutalist Jr. which inspired it. I tried some of the mods in the instructions and it's a very saturated metal-type distortion now, not anemic at all. Stock, it was more of a heavy overdrive I'd boost an amp with. Back to the forum topic, it's also "designed by Nick Williams of Dunwich Amps"

Looking at the v1.1 Socialist instructions, it says the values are now closer to the original Brutalist Jr., but you can also apply them to the v1.0 PCB you have.
 
No, but I made the earlier Brutalist Jr. which inspired it. I tried some of the mods in the instructions and it's a very saturated metal-type distortion now, not anemic at all. Stock, it was more of a heavy overdrive I'd boost an amp with. Back to the forum topic, it's also "designed by Nick Williams of Dunwich Amps"

Looking at the v1.1 Socialist instructions, it says the values are now closer to the original Brutalist Jr., but you can also apply them to the v1.0 PCB you have.
Yeah, that’s why it seemed relevant. I’ve built the brutalist jr as well. I may revisit the socialist jr and modify things a bit.
 
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