Utility pedals...

[MichaelW]

Nothing fancy to show off, I've been building a couple of utility pedals this week.

First up:

An active ABY box with buffered outputs. My new amp has 2 inputs to two different preamps. One channel is a Fender 5E3 style input and the other is a Marshall SLP style. You can combine the two as well. So here's this was my solution, I used a GGG Dual IC buffer board.



Next up. I wanted to be able to switch between my desktop rig and my amp rig without having to swap a bunch of cables. So I built an active A/B box that sits at the end of my "front of amp" chain that lets me easily route whether the signal goes to the amp or directly into my Apollo. This one has buffered input as well as the outputs. I used the GGG single IC Buffer board.

I also used a crappy enclosure that I got got from LMS that I've been sitting on not wanting use because the powder coat is funky.




And lastly, I have another amp coming (hopefully today) to check out. It's a "D" style amp with a passive effects loop. So I built a little opamp buffered loop to function as a "stand in" to a Dumblator. If I wind up keeping the amp I may look into a tube driven efx loop. Again used the GGG IC Buffer board, those things are handy. (and again another crappy enclosure from LMS.) This one is buffered in and out and also buffered in the loop.



I ran out of TL071's so had to ginny up one of my SMD ones using the PedalPCB adapter boards.

 

[Barry]

Why no gut shot of the first one?

 

[MichaelW]

I forgot.....heh

 

[Alan W]

You need to look at some amp kits too—building amps seems like it would be a great fit with you attention to detail.

 

[MichaelW]

So about 20 years ago, I bought a 5E3 kit from Mission Amps. (Not sure if they're still around).

At the time there was zero documentation, I had to figure everything out via the schematic. I started at it for 6 months then paid someone to build it out for me...... .

I would really like to take another crack at it but maybe something small and easy like the MOD amps.

 

[fig]

Michael, these are sexy! Utility boxes are on the top of my build list whenever I get back to building. Nice work and thanks for sharing.
Is there a thread on that amp you mentioned?

 

[MichaelW]

Michael, these are sexy! Utility boxes are on the top of my build list whenever I get back to building. Nice work and thanks for sharing.
Is there a thread on that amp you mentioned?

Not yet. I have yet to post a NAD.....still futzing with it....and lo and behold yet another new amp just showed up a few minutes ago heh.......

 

[DAJE]

If @Robert offered an active ABY PCB I'd order one. I doubt I'm the only one. Of course I'm probably smart enough to figure it out myself...

 

[MichaelW]

If @Robert offered an active ABY PCB I'd order one. I doubt I'm the only one. Of course I'm probably smart enough to figure it out myself...

You can easily build one with a couple of the simple jfet buffers or if you wanted an opamp buffer, use the C-Buffer board. I already had these neat little IC's from GGG. They're pretty dandy, He makes both a single and a dual version. I used the Dual version for my ABY.

 

[cwsquared]

Just as an FYI, there is a PCB available for something like the Dumblator: https://www.aaelectronicspcb.com/product-page/the-elator-fx-loop-d-lator-style

I can't speak to the quality of his stuff but I found him because of his Fender style Reverb amp PCB.

 

[fig]

Not yet. I have yet to post a NAD.....still futzing with it....and lo and behold yet another new amp just showed up a few minutes ago heh.......

I bought a few small tube-amp heads the last few months to audition with different speakers and cabs, I currently have no more room...BUT...I have a few spaces left for guitars! On the prowl for a either another LP or a jazzmaster if anyone comes across a steal.

 

[DAJE]

You can easily build one with a couple of the simple jfet buffers or if you wanted an opamp buffer, use the C-Buffer board. I already had these neat little IC's from GGG. They're pretty dandy, He makes both a single and a dual version. I used the Dual version for my ABY.

I'll have a think about this and then I might grab a couple of the simple JFET buffers from PPCB and see if I can make it work. Thanks.

 

[MichaelW]

Just as an FYI, there is a PCB available for something like the Dumblator: https://www.aaelectronicspcb.com/product-page/the-elator-fx-loop-d-lator-style

I can't speak to the quality of his stuff but I found him because of his Fender style Reverb amp PCB.

Wow! That looks cool! Are these designed to go in a rack unit? I wonder if it could be fit into like a multi loop enclosure?

 

[fig]

Just as an FYI, there is a PCB available for something like the Dumblator: https://www.aaelectronicspcb.com/product-page/the-elator-fx-loop-d-lator-style

I can't speak to the quality of his stuff but I found him because of his Fender style Reverb amp PCB.

Ordered. Thanks for sharing that! I built one other pcb amp and it was a lot of fun. It will have to wait awhile though.

 

[MichaelW]

Wow! That looks cool! Are these designed to go in a rack unit? I wonder if it could be fit into like a multi loop enclosure?

Ordered. Thanks for sharing that! I built one other pcb amp and it was a lot of fun. It will have to wait awhile though.

Which one did you order? These look really cool! Maybe a PCB is the way to dip my toes into amp building

 

[Alan W]

Which one did you order? These look really cool! Maybe a PCB is the way to dip my toes into amp building

No, you deserve the turret board experience! i know the instructions that came with my Allen Encore kit were very well thought out. I think a number of companies that have plans available have certain models with detailed instruction sets. Or, with really popular circuits for some of the older Fender designs, I’m sure that there are many dedicated sites to building them, that wouldn’t turn into rabbit holes.

 

[fig]

Which one did you order? These look really cool! Maybe a PCB is the way to dip my toes into amp building

The Elator.

I'll look over the BOMs..I might have all the caps and resistors with some to spare.

 

[MichaelW]

The Elator.

I'll look over the BOMs..I might have all the caps and resistors with some to spare.

What are you going to put it in? Rack?

 

[fig]

Yeah...probably....I was eyeing Will's enclosure. I'd like to put a LA-style preamp/compressor in there as well. If you do pull the trigger on one of those amp boards and don't have a stock of giant caps and resistors....I know a guy sitting on a ton of stuff

 

[Phil hodson]

Just as an FYI, there is a PCB available for something like the Dumblator: https://www.aaelectronicspcb.com/product-page/the-elator-fx-loop-d-lator-style

I can't speak to the quality of his stuff but I found him because of his Fender style Reverb amp PCB.

I’m about to pull the pin on one of his Solo100 boards. Wish me luck!