3-knob Tonebender questions

[Ivana]

1) Is the 1-st stage (Darlington pair) REALLY clean without ANY distortion? Can i replace this stage with another gain-without-distortion stage (Jfet mu-stage or another variant)?
2) About 2-nd stage... In my clone there is a "gating" effect takes place in this stage ON SMALL SIGNALS. The amount of "gating" depends from diode model (i try different Ge diodes). What models of diode (that i can find in 21 sentury) REALLY work in this pedal? About transistor... What gain is the best case? Leakage? What are its B and C voltages? Some people replases 10 kom-to-ground resistor on another pin of 0.1 mf cap and say that “is gives no different in the sound”, but in my case is changes base voltage from ~3 up to ~7 volts! What voltage must be in the point 18k-10k-10k-0.1mf (in RIGHT scheme)? How can i tweak this voltage and the voltage on transistor pins in right values?
3) Any more advises, information, links and questions that i “forget” to ask  :roll:

Thanks.

[petemoore]

1) Is the 1-st stage (Darlington pair) REALLY clean without ANY distortion? Can i replace this stage with another gain-without-distortion stage (Jfet mu-stage or another variant)?
 >>>Tonebenders I've built and seen schematics of dont call for a Darlington or a Jfet...can you provide access to a schematic of your build?
2) About 2-nd stage... In my clone there is a "gating" effect takes place in this stage ON SMALL SIGNALS. The amount of "gating" depends from diode model (i try different Ge diodes). What models of diode (that i can find in 21 sentury) REALLY work in this pedal? About transistor... What gain is the best case? Leakage? What are its B and C voltages? Some people replases 10 kom-to-ground resistor on another pin of 0.1 mf cap and say that “is gives no different in the sound”, but in my case is changes base voltage from ~3 up to ~7 volts! What voltage must be in the point 18k-10k-10k-0.1mf (in RIGHT scheme)? How can i tweak this voltage and the voltage on transistor pins in right values?
3) Any more advises, information, links and questions that i “forget” to ask  :roll:
   >>>Same for diodes, I Don't Recall seeing diodes in a Tonebender schematic.

Thanks.

[cd]

Jeez man, learn to use the [/quote] and

function!!!

[Ivana]

Tonebenders I've built and seen schematics of dont call for a Darlington or a Jfet...can you provide access to a schematic of your build?... Same for diodes, I Don't Recall seeing diodes in a Tonebender schematic.

http://fuzzcentral.tripod.com/benderIII.html
Thanks.

[radio]

Hi

The diodes in tonebender circuit have a temperatur compensation

function. The are not involved the same way the clipping diodes

are used(anti parallel)in other distortion circuits.

Moreover this compensation is solely in GeTransistor circuit(s)

(I would personnally only build a Si tonebender like RDV posted
inclusiv samples)

JME

[petemoore]

You can pretty much replace stages, by splicing in whatever type gain stage you want for Q1, but it'll sound different [might be good...]. I'd guess you'd want something comparable in gain at least, Jfet MU seems a good choice to me...kind of on your own there...I think it should work.
 I try sticking with the designated temp drift preventer diode, and tweek Q3's bias by changing it's collector resistance value [I just put a trimpot say 47k there].
 I built an Si Tonebender as mentioned, Radio, and that works [of course]...I'm going to turn up the volume a bit today and further tweek on it. Sure is nice having these 2n2369's around for tweeking up Si FF's and T.B.'s.

[Ivana]

I try sticking with the designated temp drift preventer diode, and tweek Q3's bias by changing it's collector resistance value [I just put a trimpot say 47k there].

Thanks for advise! It works!  

[analog kid]

Pete Moore Said:
Tonebenders I've built and seen schematics of dont call for a Darlington or a Jfet...can you provide access to a schematic of your build?
Uh, Doesn't she mean that Q1 and Q2 are "set up " like a Darlington Pair. NOT that it actually uses any single Darlington trannies??

Quote"Sure is nice having these 2n2369's around for tweeking up Si FF's and T.B.'s."
they are good, but DOES  ANYBODY KNOW about or use 2n1613's ??! They are also REALLY good trannies for any NPN silicon fuzz. Gains in every batch I've had range from 60-90!! Perfect for Q1 and even for both positions if matched properly.  Plus these babies have the added bonus of LOOKING like a vintage Ge metal case tranny!

[EdJ]

I like those 1613`s too.
My personal favourite`s are the 2n2219.
Greetigs,Ed

[petemoore]

Jeez man, learn to use the

and

function!!!

Cd, one of us should use the PM messages, having everyone reading through your 'crotiques' of my posts [and others] is becoming a little bit annoying...as I asked in the PM I sent you...'is there something "else' I can help you with?'...otherwise please excuse any problems you have with my posts and simply scroll past them !

[george]

yeah sorry cd,  I'm starting to think "cd" stands for "crabby dude"

you have to not be so hard on people - remember the tone of this forum is "friendly" (see the last post in the "About This Forum" sticky)

criticising someone in public (even without the profanities) ain't "friendly"!