I want to build the most versatile rangemaster..

[unidive]

the options I've come up with so far are this

switch with multiple cap values (input)

bias pot

swtich with multiple cap values (output)

I'm basically trying to put the whole bsm line into one stompbox..so I would have an input/output selected combo that does the fireball, "classic" rangemaster and the metal pedal.

See, the rangemaster is amazing.......my favorite pedal so far, since I pretty much just play cranked amps, only using dist for odd things. I also own a lot of different guitars, I've found the rangemaster kinda sucks for PAF buckers....while it rocks for strat single coils and so forth, I want to make it work its best for whatever I plug into it.....also I would like to tweak the hell out of it to find the best sound...this is my dream pedal folks, I'd love it if you could give me some pointers

is there any other things I can make selectable?

how many different cap values should I be able to select from, and which values would I need (keep the bsm line in mind)

I'm building this deal from scratch..making the circuit board even! (btw, what do you call those hollow grommet deals in older boards?)


I'm not really an fx maker but this shall be my magnum opus  

[birt]

i've got a rangemaster with 9 different inputcaps on a rotary switch.

20uf 2,2uf 1uf 0,5uf 0,2uf 0,1uf 0,05uf 0,02uf 0,01uf

[unidive]

i've got a rangemaster with 9 different inputcaps on a rotary switch.

20uf 2,2uf 1uf 0,5uf 0,2uf 0,1uf 0,05uf 0,02uf 0,01uf

wait....do you post at the HC forums? I think I might know you

also, what about the output caps! FOOL!  :x

[birt]

i've got a rangemaster with 9 different inputcaps on a rotary switch.

20uf 2,2uf 1uf 0,5uf 0,2uf 0,1uf 0,05uf 0,02uf 0,01uf

wait....do you post at the HC forums? I think I might know you

also, what about the output caps! FOOL!  :x

i do post there.

i haven't done anything to the outputcaps, don't ask me why

[Joe Hart]

How about a "blend control" like on the Easy Face? Not only would this be a lot cheaper, but then you would have access to (within the range of the two caps you use) an unlimited number of choises (instead of 6 or 9). Just a thought. I did it on a Fuzz Face and it's very cool.
-Joe Hart

[airhole]

Hi there,

not sure how you could do it, perhaps the more experienced DIYers could help you:

you could put a pair of diodes in series with caps in between the collector of and base of the transistor, as an option for fuzz.. as like AMZ's Muff Boost

http://www.muzique.com/schem/projects.htm

Details, I can't help, I haven't a Rangemaster to experiment on...

Good luck!

Cheers,
George

[petemoore]

How about a "blend control" like on the Easy Face? Not only would this be a lot cheaper, but then you would have access to (within the range of the two caps you use) an unlimited number of choises (instead of 6 or 9). Just a thought. I did it on a Fuzz Face and it's very cool.
-Joe Hart

>>IIRC this would be an Orange T&B Booster or Apollo. Ive built these, and the control is nice, but tends to suck some juice from the input side of the circuit.

[birt]

How about a "blend control" like on the Easy Face? Not only would this be a lot cheaper, but then you would have access to (within the range of the two caps you use) an unlimited number of choises (instead of 6 or 9). Just a thought. I did it on a Fuzz Face and it's very cool.
-Joe Hart

i used 9 caps because first of all: the rotary switch could hold 12 so i used the most bassy and most trebly caps i liked (wich means they do kinda @#$% up your tone because they are quite extremes, but they still have usefull sounds.. this is only my opinion offcourse) and then just all caps in between. It's almost like a tonepot with so many caps.
each cap is half the value of the previous so the difference in tone is almost equal in every step of the switch.

[Joe Hart]

IIRC this would be an Orange T&B Booster or Apollo. Ive built these, and the control is nice, but tends to suck some juice from the input side of the circuit.

Oh... Is this what the blend cap does as opposed to a rotary switch? Well, then I would vote for the rotary switch.

But can anyone second the "juice sucking" opinion?
-Joe Hart

[petemoore]

Blend pot...I't adds series resistance at input.

[unidive]

I should add that  only want it to be a boost....but the fuzz thing is a cool idea

[Joe Hart]

Blend pot...I't adds series resistance at input.

What would you recommend?
-Joe Hart

[Khas Evets]

I built a Brian May Treble Booster and added the Orange T&B circuit on the input side. While I liked having the tonal control, it did loose gain on the bass side. I ended up doing the rotary selector of 6 input caps, and it's working fine for me.

[unidive]

what model of rotary switch should I use, and how would I go about wiring it?

[birt]

what model of rotary switch should I use, and how would I go about wiring it?

is use these the only ones the electronics shop here has):


inputwire from the stompswitch goes to the middle lug. on the lugs on the sides you solder the caps and the other side of the caps in 1 point to the perf/pcb.

you can set them so they only turn to the lugs you put a cap on. (so that if you use five caps you wont be able to select all 12 positions of the switch)

[Joe Hart]

So, what was the final verdict? Blend control sucks a little of the input? Rotary switch for input cap instead? Rotary switch for output cap, too? I'm going to build a Rangemaster and want to know what the general consensus is. Thanks.
-Joe Hart

[petemoore]

...The blend part would be easy enough to perf in front of the Rangemaster circuit, or just put it on another little piece of board, try it out,  or go straight past it to see if you want it in there.
 I like the Rangemaster with just a cap or three for various HP filter sounds that it makes, Blend doesn't really suck that much juice, but there's only so much to start with on this thing.

[Peter Snowberg]

Blend controls and cap switches work slightly differently and produce different results. A 12 position cap selector is pretty ideal IF if just happens to cover the exact right frequency for your guitar and amp.

My rangemaster-like boost has a 12 and two 6 position switches.

[Alpha579]

Am i missing something here? the blend cap should 'suck' no tone at all...it only adds series resistance to the blendable cap, which is the idea, the restance to the base remains the same, and it will just sweep through different knees of bass rolloff...exactly what you want?

http://www.generalguitargadgets.com/diagrams/ezface_blend_cap.jpg

[saros141]

Hiss filter... Small cap to ground on output.

You really want versatility, track down an OC170 and play with screen to ground through a 1k pot.  Nasty.  Disconnect from ground with a second stompswitch and you got yourself one bipolar Rangemaster.    :evil: