BLACKFIRE - the search is over/ Thanks Joe and RDV

[Fernando Aguirre]

Like a lot of rock guitar players, i have been always searching for that fluid, smooth, high gain sound in a box.
I was never satisfied with the pedals and preamps i bought
(fulltone distortion pro, rat, ada mp-1, mesa v-twin, boss mt, etc).

I started with the Blackfire influenced by the opinions and reviews i found here.
My first impression with the stock BF was that it had too much gain that i couldn´t go higher than 1 or 2, so i tried the low gain mod that Joe Davisson suggested in the schem.
I also added a tone control (thanks to RDV for his incredible help teaching a neanderthal like me how to wire it correctly).

I just can´t believe how great it sounds, it is so fluid and smooth. It is just perfect.
It blows my mesa studio preamp and my ada mp-1 (this used to be pro equipment)
It also downsized my rig considerably, now i also use the Thunderchief as my rhythm sound and the bf as lead and i am done.

THE 100 PUOND VIOLIN NOW FITS INTO A BACKPACK.
My search is over.
Thanks Mr. Davisson

[aron]

Joe is amazing.

Thanks Joe!!!!! Vulcan is great too!

[RDV]

You're very welcome Fernando! I can't recommend that Swollen Pickle/BMP tone control enough. A really nice 1-knobber.

All Joe's stuff sounds good, & is fun to build.

Thanks Mike Matthews & Jorge Tripps!

RDV

[Fernando Aguirre]

The one knob tone control you recommended is great, no need for more.
It works even better with the low gain mod, which i think is the key to a more usable gain in this pedal.

[RDV]

Mine is set up the same way. You can dig back in the search engine and find where I was whining to Joe about oscillations and stuff. He recommended the mod to me and next thing you know it's on the schem!

Creative Whining.

RDV

[WGTP]

Why would anyone want a low gain mod in a Black Fire?  

I built the original and no switch and haven't had any problems, of course I never turn the output above 1/4.

Has anyone tried the Mosfet version?  

As Aron said the Vulcan is very cool too.  

[RDV]

Why would anyone want a low gain mod in a Black Fire?  

A. I had problems with oscillations and I run my amp with quite a bit of preamp drive in the first place.

RDV