To the people interested in building a Tube Cricket which schematic is here below:
(http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii139/Nicoshould/TubeCricket_Final_2008.gif)
I've made these 3 vero layouts. I did 3 because there's one for each part: power supply, tube stage + tone control and power amp.
(http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii139/Nicoshould/TUBECRICKETPowerSupply.gif)
(http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii139/Nicoshould/TUBECRICKET-TubeStage.jpg)
(http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii139/Nicoshould/TUBECRICKETPowerAmp.gif)
Although I've already checked these layouts there could be some errors that's why I accept any help in verifying them.
Wow great work...
the LED on the power board is just an indicator right?
wonder how the tube cricket sounds as a fet emu?
Thanks.
Yes, the LED is just a power indicator.
I also wonder how it's sounds !! I've searched for soundclips but didn' find any.
anyone has built this by this layout?
works fine? i think the vcc is on the wrong place in the tube stage...
how this thing sounds? it supports well some stompboxes? has a good clean sound?
i'm interested in build something simple like this to make no noise at 2:00AM when i'm testing my effects..
would be nice if someone record soundsamples
thanks
Quote from: nico13 on April 02, 2008, 05:42:41 PM
I also wonder how it's sounds !! I've searched for soundclips but didn' find any.
good luck finding any
i dont even think there are samples of the noisy cricket
also, why is vcc after the input cap???
i think he wanted to put the wire one hole up
Quote from: cox on July 04, 2008, 09:55:51 AM
i think he wanted to put the wire one hole up
Yes, Sorry for the mistake. Vcc should be one hole up on the tube stage vero.
Many thanks.
nico 13
have you tested your layout? or know about someone who did it?
i'd like to build this by your layout...
and by the way, lm386 doesn't work at all?
thanks
Quote from: cox on July 05, 2008, 07:19:19 AM
and by the way, lm386 doesn't work at all?
thanks
it doesnt work well in this circuit
it is not as stable as the JRC/NJM version
for some circuits it works fine, but with others, it doesnt
Quote from: cox on July 05, 2008, 07:19:19 AM
nico 13
have you tested your layout? or know about someone who did it?
i'd like to build this by your layout...
and by the way, lm386 doesn't work at all?
thanks
Unfortunately I didn't check my layouts. I was planning to build a Tube Cricket but I wanted to hear some soundclip of it before. But as I didn't find any I ordered the parts to build a Fuzzrite which I didn't build yet lacking of time for this (preparing my moving).
Nico.
Did anyone build or verify this layout in the end ? Looks like a project i'd quite like to do when i have some cash, maybe i can finally get some Tube Cricket sound samples up on the internet (why hasn't there been any?)
Thanks in advance for any replies,
Scruff.
Quotewonder how the tube cricket sounds as a fet emu?
Yeah really!
Quoteand by the way, lm386 doesn't work at all?
Eh? You mean in the non-tube version? Sure it does. And it's stable. I've built 2 using them. Sorry, I couldn't see the schems (wouldn't decompress) so I see it has a 386 now... Derp!
perf layout?
In the veri-layout... What would I connect to pin 4 on the tube???
It goes to 12vDC
that's what i thought, but I've seen a couple of things on this vero that surprised me so I thought I'd ask.
Thanks!
Yea, i'm glad someone did a vero of this though! Thanks nico13, if you build this kristoffereide (which I assume you are) could you please report on the build (i'l try and help if you have any issues, not that i'm that great) and could you also possibly be the first to finally put a sound clip up of this amp if possible?
Thanks in advance,
Scruffie.
I've allready places the parts on a vero. I placed all three stages on one board (5cm x 10cm), but I haven't fired it up yet. Will do it soon, I'll let you know
Awesome, I think i'm right in saying that Pin 4 can go to A4 or A5 on the Tube Stage board if you want somewhere to put it, good luck with the build.
Quote from: Scruffie on May 12, 2009, 12:53:38 PM
Awesome, I think i'm right in saying that Pin 4 can go to A4 or A5 on the Tube Stage board if you want somewhere to put it, good luck with the build.
Pin 4 goes to A11 on the power supply board, as pin 6 of the JRC386 (E14 on the power amp board).
Oh right, my mistake, did you ever complete a build from your layout nico13? I really wanna know how this sounds before I commit to the build.
Does Vcc go to C1 on the tube stage? or is D1 correct?
Quote from: nico13 on July 04, 2008, 05:25:50 PM
Quote from: cox on July 04, 2008, 09:55:51 AM
i think he wanted to put the wire one hole up
Yes, Sorry for the mistake. Vcc should be one hole up on the tube stage vero.
Many thanks.
Yup should be in C1
Quote from: kristoffereide on May 12, 2009, 05:10:22 PM
Does Vcc go to C1 on the tube stage? or is D1 correct?
VCC is coming from C2/R3 on the power supply board.
I didn't build the Tube Cricket yet and to tell the truth it's not planned as I'm very busy for now.
Does anyone have this or the schematic?
(http://www.olaolaonline.net/thumbs/20100209210541p_tubecricket_final_2008_tn.gif) (http://www.olaolaonline.net/page.php?image=20100209210541p_tubecricket_final_2008.gif) (http://www.olaolaonline.net/thumbs/20100209210542p_tubecricketpoweramp_tn.gif) (http://www.olaolaonline.net/page.php?image=20100209210542p_tubecricketpoweramp.gif) (http://www.olaolaonline.net/thumbs/20100209210542p_tubecricketpowersupply_tn.gif) (http://www.olaolaonline.net/page.php?image=20100209210542p_tubecricketpowersupply.gif) (http://www.olaolaonline.net/thumbs/20100209210542p_tubecricket_tubestage_tn.jpg) (http://www.olaolaonline.net/page.php?image=20100209210542p_tubecricket_tubestage.jpg)
Hey does anyone know how this compares to a Valvecaster? I would like to build a tube distortion pedal and have only come across layouts for this one and the valvecaster. Any recommendations would be great. I also had a question about the power supply, Im assuming you need a specific one and my knowledge is a little weak about the power side of things. All the pedals I have built have been more basic, they all run on 9 volt batteries and the normal power jacks, so I get a little confused by the 12 volt power and 15 volt power I have seen. Any help would be great!
Thanks Team,
Scott
SOUND SAMPLE!!!! :icon_twisted:
sorry for the noob question but it's my first amp build, what capacitors rate I should use?
The source voltage is 12v, and in this particular circuit that isn't being pumped up anywhere, so 16v would be fine, 25v would be better, but not exactly necessary. a 4v swing is enough breathing room.
thanks for the reply,
i wasn't sure because other amps that i saw use caps rated 450V which seemed weird to me.
Other amps use 300+ V so the 450 is to be on the safe side...some Marshalls run very high on voltage AFAIK
has anyone one else verified yet(ignoring vcc needing to be 1 track up)? well i'd like to say it sounds great, clean and gentle on soft hitting then crispy and warm on the hard hitting also sounds gr8 with a ampeg scrambler in front. put some samples up once i read the forum guidelines again(not sure of the rules surrounding audio clips)
stupid question... since this has a 386 chip will it work like a smash drive, that is you can use it as a pedal or run a cab with it as well?
Quote from: runmikeyrun on September 03, 2011, 10:57:45 PM
stupid question... since this has a 386 chip will it work like a smash drive, that is you can use it as a pedal or run a cab with it as well?
It's an LM386, dude! 500mW of speaker shredding power! :icon_twisted:
If you can supply enough power to the circuit, ANYTHING can be made into a stompbox format.
Has anyone built the layout on this thread? Is this project a worthwhile build or should I just go with a standard noisy cricket?
Have you seen this one:
or this one:
http://www.sophtamps.ca/mambo/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=28&Itemid=39 (http://www.sophtamps.ca/mambo/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=28&Itemid=39)
I think the extra stage makes this amp sound better. I built one myself, and after some testing added a jfet stage.
You can build one and see if it's good for you, if you don't like it try the extra stage, it's not that difficult and sounds really better.
Will it sound good with a 12au7?
I've got a tube cricket all wired up on a breadboard at the moment. Producing a fair bit of humming, but I'm hoping that will be fixed once it's wired & boxed properly.
I saw this veroboard but wasn't keen on the 3 boards, so I've had a first attempt at DIYLC in putting it all on one of those Tayda veroboards,
Sorry, I haven't figured out how to attach an image yet, so here's a link to the pic.
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/103488404/Tube%20cricket%20Vero.png (https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/103488404/Tube%20cricket%20Vero.png)
I've been through the schematic and I'm sure it's good, but if anyone finds something let me know.
Cheers
Bamslam
bams, C4, C12, C14 don't have their connections showing. you might need to fiddle their transparency level to show the legs.
are all your cuts showing?
if you are up to optimising yet, shift the long blue link at "S" left 5 holes, and the whole lower right section can move left by 5 or 6 holes. there are others .....
Thanks, Ducks_arse.
Yeah cool, transparency will be fixed.
I'm pretty sure I've got all the cuts right, but as the old saying goes "Measure twice - cut once". I'll double check it tonight
Yes, I was cramming it all in. There's definitely room to shuffle the ic power stage.
I'll also mark it as "Not Verified", and clean up the whole jpeg so there's not so much zooming to do.
One thing I noticed was I couldn't get this to bias properly. I'm running a 12AT7 tube. 12V Power supply is from an old external Hard drive. Voltage at Bias Point 3 is measuring about 11.4V, but at the bias points I could only get it to drop to about 10.5v.
Would adding more resistance between Vcc & both trimpots be the way to go?
edit: clearing up my question.
Finally worked out how to post pics.
Apologies that it's soooo big.
(http://i.imgur.com/EvGqsLa.png)
you can add resistance on top, or reduce resistance underneath, to increase current. try reducing R7 and R11.
Quote from: duck_arse on June 16, 2016, 10:52:44 AM
you can add resistance on top, or reduce resistance underneath, to increase current. try reducing R7 and R11.
Thanks mate.
Already soldered the board together today.
There's one or two mistakes in there - a missing cut.
Glad I added "unverified".
I just need to find the right box for it, and I'll repost the final work, with photos.
bamslam69 can you please tell me the corrections for the final layout?
Hi Lefos,
I have a mate building a box for it so the tube cricket is still in pieces.
The board has been soldered, but I'll post it once it's complete and functioning. It worked okay on the breadboard, but as per ducks arse's comment I may need to add/decrease some resistance values for the biasing.
My mate has been sending me photos of the build, and I can't wait to put it together - the wood is from a Tasmanian myrtle burl.
Honestly, the tube cricket may need to be replaced in future for something more worthy.
Finally finished my Tube cricket.
It's boxed up and running. I promise I'll ATTEMPT to post pics tonight (and hopefully a vid).
I'll also repost my "verified" Vero layout. (there is a missing cut). It was based on the Beavis Audio/OLC schematic rev 1.05 2007. Google for the schematic image.
(I say "verified" because I class myself a bit of a noob with this stuff - but it's as per the schematic)
I've never biased tubes before, but I noticed when using 12AT7, only the first trimpot works (lowest reading it gets is 9V), but with the 12AU7, the second trimpot works (lowest reading is 7v)!
Sound test, it sounds pretty damn cool.
Another thing is the tone pot seems to do SFA - and I REALLY need to change the strings on my SG.
Quote from: bamslam69 on April 04, 2017, 06:10:06 PM
Finally finished my Tube cricket.
It's boxed up and running. I promise I'll ATTEMPT to post pics tonight (and hopefully a vid).
I'll also repost my "verified" Vero layout. (there is a missing cut). It was based on the Beavis Audio/OLC schematic rev 1.05 2007. Google for the schematic image.
(I say "verified" because I class myself a bit of a noob with this stuff - but it's as per the schematic)
I've never biased tubes before, but I noticed when using 12AT7, only the first trimpot works (lowest reading it gets is 9V), but with the 12AU7, the second trimpot works (lowest reading is 7v)!
Sound test, it sounds pretty damn cool.
Another thing is the tone pot seems to do SFA - and I REALLY need to change the strings on my SG.
Thanks a lot for the vero layout. I am very inexperienced but I wanted to build something like this and this was perfect for the sound I was trying to accomplish. I figured the tone and gain pots out by comparing them to the schematic and it's fully functional with a couple of cuts and my own moving around according to the schematic. I used a 12AU7 for the tube and decided to omit the 10uf electro caps where mentioned in the OP and used PIO caps for the volume and tone. The JRC386Ds make it a bit more distorted than I expected but it's a great sounding circuit. Even though I tried to add a buffer before the input, I'm confident it doesn't need any buffing (at least at that stage). I'll try some LM386s before I box it up tonight (hopefully). If you have any questions feel free.
Quote from: williamluke on May 26, 2017, 09:08:47 PM
Thanks a lot for the vero layout. I am very inexperienced but I wanted to build something like this and this was perfect for the sound I was trying to accomplish. I figured the tone and gain pots out by comparing them to the schematic and it's fully functional with a couple of cuts and my own moving around according to the schematic. I used a 12AU7 for the tube and decided to omit the 10uf electro caps where mentioned in the OP and used PIO caps for the volume and tone. The JRC386Ds make it a bit more distorted than I expected but it's a great sounding circuit. Even though I tried to add a buffer before the input, I'm confident it doesn't need any buffing (at least at that stage). I'll try some LM386s before I box it up tonight (hopefully). If you have any questions feel free.
Glad it helped - You sound like you've got your head around it more than me. LOL.
And I still have to figure out the tone pot.
Here's the pics from the picture page. Hope the link works.
http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=36392.msg1089117#msg1089117
post #27083
Quote from: bamslam69 on May 28, 2017, 08:46:05 PM
And I still have to figure out the tone pot.
Thanks for the vote of confidence... I'm a scholar.
but I think your tone issue is with a missing cut on row D, in between columns Q & V where your 2 tone capacitors and the 2nd trim pot aren't supposed to be touching. As far as my memory serves, the only other issue on the vero layout is that the lead line to Drive 1 should go to Drive 2 instead... I actually built one, then built another with a few changes to the layout (C1 between R2 & R3 and basically moved R10 and C9 down by 1 hole plus PIO caps for giggles) but I'm not sure if any of this makes a diff.
Trust me. The hardest part of it all was trying to stuff components in a 1590BB (120mm x 94mm x 33mm) enclosure and drill holes... I made many compromises so everything is placed in the only place it could fit and I still couldn't put everything (switches, even the tube (JJ Electronics gold pin, just to play it safe) I had planned inside. It took 2 weeks of mostly deciding on things and testing out different components but it's mostly at original specs. I still have to paint it I guess.
(https://s10.postimg.org/y2i963x9h/SAM_3781.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/y2i963x9h/)
Tone, Vol, Gain
(https://s10.postimg.org/elxjjl25h/SAM_3780.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/elxjjl25h/)
Mono & Stereo Outputs, Neutrik Mono XLR Combo Jack Input
(https://s10.postimg.org/64y18nxgl/SAM_3790.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/64y18nxgl/)
Did you ever get the tubes to bias? I haven't really tried (as far as understanding) yet but I figured I could just get 250K trim pots to fix it.
I have to say I seen your build and it's very nice. I was also trying to see what VCC was for because it was keeping me from finishing the first board I made. Then I took the leap and connected it to nothing and it worked just fine. It's been a lot of fun so thanks for saving me a lot of work. I always thought the JRC/LM386 IC would be a perfect fit for a tube and it turned out fine. Peace, and thanks for replying.
Oh, and here are the guts...
(https://s2.postimg.org/upljnbhv9/SAM_3785.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/upljnbhv9/)
Nice work William. Tidy box.
Re: VCC, go back to the first page. It's listed on the schematic - I would've added it to the veroboard as a reference point for my multimeter, if anything.
Thanks for the tip on the tone issue - Pretty sure I went through checking that vero out with the schematic, but it's worth looking over.
I still have to fix up some shielding issues - it's working like a theramin when I go to adjust the pots. LOL.
Glad to help. It was a fun project, working with the DIYLC program.... fiddly, but rewarding.
Haha. You should look up how a theremin works to reverse engineer it or something. I had the same issue once but it must've been a component touching another in an inappropriate manner. It could definitely be the gain pot, if I'm not mistaken.
I hope you finish your layout. I'm not rushing you at all but I can remake it with my changes if you need me to.
I know it's been ages but does anyone have a verified layout for the Tube Cricket...I would LOVE to make one. HEEEELP!
Sorry to bump such an old thread, but is there now a verified layout for this?
Sorry, don't know - but this one would make a great point-to-point build on terminal strips, just working from the schematic. The last stage with the 386 would be all that one needs a small piece of perfboard for. Just offering encouragement :)