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
Click to expand...
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.
 
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