PedalBuilder
Well-known member
- Build Rating
A few months back my name came up in the Mystery PIF thread, and @tcpoint generously sent me this PCB and a matched set of MMBF5457 JFETs. I finally got around to building it over the weekend. It's a fun build and I highly recommend it!
This was the first build where I soldered SMD transistors myself. To my surprise, it was quite easy. If you're on the fence about trying a build that uses SMD transistors, you can do it! Here's how I did it. First, firmly tape the PCB to your work surface with a couple strips of painter's tape. This will give you a steady surface for the following steps. Next, apply a tiny dab of hot solder on one of the JFET pads. Once it's cooled, use a pair of tweezers to place JFET on top of pads. Make sure that it's aligned with all three pads, and reheat the pad that previously had solder applied to it. Now the JFET should be fixed in place. Check that it's still aligned with all three pads. If it's not, reheat the solder joint and use the tweezers to reposition the JFET so that it's aligned. Finally, solder the two remaining terminals, and you're good to go.
As many have suggested, I used a TL022 for IC3, and a 2N5087 for Q5, but otherwise it's a completely stock build.
The bias trimmer is extremely sensitive, so go very slowly when setting the bias. But once it's biased correctly, you'll know at once. Swoosh!
Other details? I used my own I/O board and relay bypass board. The enclosure is a Tayda 125B in orange sand, UV printed with a gloss finish.
This was the first build where I soldered SMD transistors myself. To my surprise, it was quite easy. If you're on the fence about trying a build that uses SMD transistors, you can do it! Here's how I did it. First, firmly tape the PCB to your work surface with a couple strips of painter's tape. This will give you a steady surface for the following steps. Next, apply a tiny dab of hot solder on one of the JFET pads. Once it's cooled, use a pair of tweezers to place JFET on top of pads. Make sure that it's aligned with all three pads, and reheat the pad that previously had solder applied to it. Now the JFET should be fixed in place. Check that it's still aligned with all three pads. If it's not, reheat the solder joint and use the tweezers to reposition the JFET so that it's aligned. Finally, solder the two remaining terminals, and you're good to go.
As many have suggested, I used a TL022 for IC3, and a 2N5087 for Q5, but otherwise it's a completely stock build.
The bias trimmer is extremely sensitive, so go very slowly when setting the bias. But once it's biased correctly, you'll know at once. Swoosh!
Other details? I used my own I/O board and relay bypass board. The enclosure is a Tayda 125B in orange sand, UV printed with a gloss finish.
