Are there any guitar fx circuits out there that use a...

[Paul Marossy]

555? I have a bunch of 'em, and it seems that there ought to be something interesting that could be done with them...

[sfr]

If it's a CMOS 555, T. Escobedo's Uglyface uses one -

http://www.geocities.com/tpe123/folkurban/fuzz/snippets.html

I believe runoffgroove might have a perf layout for it as well?

[Paul Marossy]

That link appears to be bad...
I do remember seeing that one, now that you mention it.

[petemoore]

The 'UF' is Ultra Freaky!"

[Ansil]

build a freqency generator and plug your guitar in to it.

[Arn C.]

Ansil wrote "build a freqency generator and plug your guitar in to it."

Can you explain what this would sound like and/or how this works with a guitar?  
Any schematics for this?
Thanks!
Arn C.

[Ansil]

there are a numerious ones that you can implement floating in google.  i might try to finish uploading a drawing i have. for one as soon as i can get more time.

you would have a pseudo ringmodulator   you can hook it up to a expression pedal and have different pedal tones. so you can have a sustaining "E" note and solo over it.  or build a couple wire it to switches and have chord buttons.anyway it is basically a crude keyboard tone that is variable in pitch by a knob.  if you added some filters to it you could make it sound better anything from sirens to low motorcycle sounds.  is what it was designed for but it is a very flexable circuit.

i used to have chord buttons hooked to an old kids keyboard.. it was less than 12"" long but you could get like 5 notes at a time on it and had amazing sound through the speaker out(i added this.) anyway i just made it so i could use certain chords on the keyboard via a foot switch that was momentary.  not bad at all  different sounds.. (12 i think??) and even a little drum sound.

[Arn C.]

Thanks for the info Ansil !
Yeehaw!!! Time to split for the weekend!!!!
Arn C.

[Nasse]

I think there was that Tremulous Bear at Small Bear Electronics that used 555 as oscillator but dont remember if it was cmos 555 or regular but anyhow very innovative and good looking design if you know what I mean. I mean the drawbacks and pitfalls of 555 in pedals was under serious thinkin in this circuit. Cool circuit, fuzz face and tremolo in same box or something. I think Small Bear folks may be at holiday at christmas/new year time but hope the pages are up.

There is life outside effects, and if you spend your time with components I m shure you find 555 useful at some other application.

[Paul Marossy]

I know there is a bazillion uses for a 555, outside of a guitar fx circuit. Ansil's idea is interesting. I have a copy of the IC Timer Cookbook that has numerous 555 type circuits, but I don't recall any audio circuits. I know that you can make them oscillate, too. I guess I'll have to get my breadboard...