rangemaster weirdness

erick4x4 · September 13, 2006, 01:00:57 AM

So I have built a rangemaster but have the following problem. When I play it by itself into my amp it is awesome, big boost, mostly clean, with a nice little bit of grit to it. I put a switch in for the input cap, and can go from bright to full range, really fantastic.

The moment I put it after a pedal with a buffer (i.e. My Tuner, or Tubescreamer, etc), it gets extremely bright, quite distorted, and starts to gate. I have checked component values and they appear ok. I have built lots of other pedals that don't do this. I mean I can usually tell a slight "bright" suckage with lousy buffered pedals, but its still subtle. With this it is extremely strong nothing subtle about it. HUGE changes.

It sound like somethings wrong to me, impedence? I have mentioned this before at the forum but this time I have done a little more research, and am being more thorough so I help someone can help me.

I am using the tonepad negative ground version. I have compared it to other versions(GGG), and the only differences are the caps on the power are 22uf for mine, and 47uf for others (though I don't think this would do anything, its just filtering right?). And the addition of a 1M resistor to ground on the input and output to prevent popping on the tonepad, that isn't elsewhere. Is it possible that the 1M is messing with impedance? What kind of part mistake could be there that it sounds great by itself, but horrible with others. Thoughts? Any other info I could give you?

Also just for the record it is fine bypassed, and offboard wiring seems fine.

Thanks!

erick4x4 · September 13, 2006, 02:19:11 AM

Just an update, I removed the 2 1M resistors, and replaced the 22uf for 47uf, just to be thorough, and as suspected did nothing.

I also replaced the 3.9k with a 10k pot, and the 68k with a 100k pot. Again if plugged in directly I can bias by ear or math either way works (i.e. I can go from complete cutoff -> to early distortion->to no distortion. And again with my tubescreamer in front of it, then everything is very hissy, trebly, and gated, and quite distorted.

Bias did have weird values, to get to 6.6 I was at 42K and like 680ohms, which the 680 seems a little low, but again it works until the buffered pedal is there.

Maybe this is just how this pedal behaves? After reading it sounds like this pedal really wants to interact with the pickups? Maybe I should just put it at the beginning of my pedal chain and stop thinking about it.

yeeshkul · September 13, 2006, 09:31:02 AM

hello, i am just curious what was the other input cap you used for sound-switch? it doesn't have anything to do with your problem, i just finished mine and i am eager to add the switch too...

JHS · September 13, 2006, 10:06:58 AM

A Rangemaster sounds best when it's the only FX in the line, it was designed for this purpose.
RM didn't like buffer or buffered pedals, not in front and not behind.

For the use with other FX I would drop the RM and would subs it with a FET- or opamp Treble Booster with an BJT-outputbuffer.

JHS

Stompin Tom · September 13, 2006, 10:30:26 AM

Yeah, not weird but typical. I can't explain why RMs hate buffers in front, but they sure do. I just put my first in the chain and it sounds fine. IMO a good RM sounds creamier than a silicon based TB. Tho fets are nice.

erick4x4 · September 13, 2006, 10:52:52 AM

Well this is what I suspected, so at least I am not doing something wrong

I guess I will try it at the beginning of my chain. I have other boosts, I have made a silicon version, and have a Mini-boost, I just wanted this sound, so now I know.

Oh by the way for the other guy, I used .01 and .1 for the input .01 is a little higher than the stock .0068, but I find it makes it still trebly but just a little beefier. The .01 makes it very full range.

I will probably make it a spdt on-off-on, with the .01-.0068 on the off, and a .022-.047 and .1 in parallel on the other 2 poles. This would give trebly, trebly/mid, and full.

Thanks for all your help. The reaction to the buffer seemed so strong I was worried I did something wrong. Now I know its just part of the way the circuit is.

bwanasonic · September 13, 2006, 11:08:07 AM

To really hear the Rangemaster *magic*, it's best to use it straight into a dark and slightly dirty tube amp. I've found it's not real practical for use in my live setup for this reason, and also due to to it's temperature sensitivity. It works great for recording when I want that classic 70's rock sound though. A Les Paul and a Ge Rangemaster into the *Plexi* channel of my amp is just glorious. C*ck Rock for days.

Kerry M

erick4x4 · September 13, 2006, 11:53:45 AM

Sigh, maybe it will be relegated to my recording setup

I do have a Les Paul, and a plexi live, so that is why I wanted the magic.

Thanks for all the help, now I know "the rest of the story" with the rangemaster.

bwanasonic · September 15, 2006, 07:32:56 PM

I wouldn't give up on it. Maybe a bypass loop box can make it so you can go straight to your amp via the RM. The temperature sensitivity was only a problem when I was doing outdoor gigs. I'm not doing classic rock stuff now, so that really is the main reason the RM isn't on my board.

Kerry M

nightingale · September 16, 2006, 01:22:56 AM

Hi,
You could also make a "true bypass" box for your tuner. I have been considering it.
I think my fuzzface sounds better with my tuner [tu-2] out of my line.

News:

rangemaster weirdness