This Week on the Breadboard: The FireDrake

[Chuck D. Bones]

Here's the latest update. I'd call this the final version, but I don't want to jinx myself. I added the rest of the clipping options, reapportioned the gains a little, fine-tuned the filters and added the 6dB/12dB switch on the Treble filter. I have only tested the MOSFET, GE+Schottky, Blue LED/1N4003 clippers and wide open (no clippers). I'm confident the other clipping options will work as intended.

I noticed something when playing with the TREBLE filter: it's possible to raise the Q so we get the "Stuck Wah" voicing. I like the tone better as I have it drawn. If you want to fool around with a higher Q, increase C8 to 100nF and increase R11 to 33K.

 

[cooder]

I'll sharpen the fork then, boss!

 

[Chuck D. Bones]

BTW, the order of the CLIPPING switch goes from lowest output, most compression at 1 to highest output, least compression at 8.

 

[Chuck D. Bones]

Having it may lend to compatibility with more pup configs, possibly.

It's the BASS control that makes this pedal work well with single coils and humbuckers. The COMP control lets more fundamental thru, which embiggens the mirdange.

 

[Grubb]

It's the BASS control that makes this pedal work well with single coils and humbuckers. The COMP control lets more fundamental thru, which embiggens the mirdange.

That COMP control sounds perfectly cromulent.

 

[jubal81]

It's the BASS control that makes this pedal work well with single coils and humbuckers. The COMP control lets more fundamental thru, which embiggens the mirdange.

Haven't heard it, but there's a lot to like in that schematic. Sure does look like a great "Swiss Army knife" OD.

 

[Chuck D. Bones]

Remember how I was afraid of jinxing myself? Well, it happened. I had drawn Q1 & Q2 backwards on both schematics and C13 was missing. Schematics have been revised and updated. If you saved a copy of v1.03, delete it and replace it with v1.04.

 

[cooder]

I asked for it so I better get t show that I built one....
Ladys and Gents, the Flame Thrower aka as Chuck's Fire Drake. It burns and has a bad to the bone breath.
@jjjimi84

 

[Chuck D. Bones]

What is your assessment of the MODE switch positions? Any favorite settings?

 

[fig]

That's awesome @cooder !

 

[cooder]

What is your assessment of the MODE switch positions? Any favorite settings?

Ask me in three months, there's so much tweak-ability in this between 8 clipping modes and the compression dial and the very effective tone stack...
But first impression and just my personal taste as I'm getting too old for that high gain stuff: the gentler less clipping options with no clippers at all, the Mosfats, both the LEDs option (blue and 4001/red+red) and the 4148 and 4001 are up my alley. As said those there's tons to tweak and I can get stuff that I don't like so much, obviously, just my ears, and stuff that hits the mark.
Great pedal, certainly nothing for peeps with option anxiety.

 

[Chuck D. Bones]

Another pedal for the Wish List? I can't wait, must build Vero!

 

[jjjimi84]

I asked for it so I better get t show that I built one....
Ladys and Gents, the Flame Thrower aka as Chuck's Fire Drake. It burns and has a bad to the bone breath.
@jjjimi84

Sploosh.

 

[Dan0h]

Wow. This thread is epic. Will be breaking out the breadboard this weekend.