MartyMart's Tornado - Holy CRAP!!!

[mydementia]

I threw a Tornado together today using Gaussmarkov's project file (info in this thread: http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=53719.0)- oh my goodness .  This is the best distortion pedal I've built...ever!!  AWESOME circuit Marty!  This one gets a box this weekend.  It has a nice thick sound and the most useful tone knob I've encountered (useful tones throughout entire range).  The gain knob is also useful through the whole range - and man does this thing get nasty.  Excellent for crunchy palm-mute work.  All I can say is WOW!! 

Here are a couple snapshots of the build...might throw a soundclip together once it's boxed up. 


Man - that's a lot of oddball parts... but I had most of them in my bins!!


Thanks again to Marty for the awesome circuit and GM for the great layout and project file.

To all who haven't moved this circuit to the top of the list - BUILD IT NOW!!!!!!!! 
Mike

[MartyMart]

AWE  SHUCKS .......

Thanks Mike, couldn't have got even close without :

Ed Guidry
Doug Hammond
John Lyons (Basicaudio)
Jack @ AMZ
Brian Gary and Sebastian @ runoffgroove
Aron and Peter for running this "Fine place"

...... & several dozen others  !!

I'm real glad that you're enjoying it   

Marty.

[Marcos - Munky]

Cool. How's the noise level without shielded wires? I'm planning to build it soon, and to be is far easier to work with non-shielded wires than shielded wires.

[mydementia]

Just a little hum with gain pegged... otherwise - quiet as a mouse. 
I just added a DPDT switch (with Millenium circuit) but haven't tested it again...  should be fine in a box...
Mike

[Auke Haarsma]

nice build! I can't wait to hear the soundclips!

[MartyMart]

Mike, I noticed that you didn't use any "cap" sockets, nor have you made changes.
Is it working "tone/gain" - wise for you ?
Check the original thread :http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=53719.20
Page "2" for some mod ideas, a couple of which I have implemented in my version.
Mine is now slightly "thinner" with about 10% MORE gain 

BTW , that's a VERY clean build Mike ... nice !

MM.

[mydementia]

You know, Marty - I liked your original soundclip so much - I didn't want to change a thing... My build gets plenty of gain and the tone control range is excellent. 
Thanks for the 'atta boy'.

ponq - be sure to check out Marty's original thread with his soundclip... did  you get your Thor working?

Mike

[Auke Haarsma]

ej thanks for the tip *starts looking for original thread*

And yeah, I got my Thor biased and working. It's still a bit low on gain (to my taste) but I really dig the sound I get when I put a booster in front of the Thor. I also like the sound without a booster (bit bluesy). I guess my Thor doesn't sound as intended, but it still sounds like a lively beast I have to box it up. Will post pics in my Thor thread when finished -promise!

[mydementia]

UPDATE:
Just tried out the Tornado in my main rig - it's got a bit more hum now that I added the switch - definitely getting shielded wires.
This circuit REALLY likes my EMG 81/85 loaded Schecter Avenger.... mmmmmm

Marty - does your build hum... or did you just use shielded wire for the i/o from the start?

Mike

[MartyMart]

Mike, no it's pretty much "hum free" unless using a strat on the split coil settings, but that's
the case with every circuit !
I have a touch of hiss, which isn't actually very high, more like hi-mid hiss !
Tone control sorts that though.
For such a high gainer- and remember that mine is tweaked to be even more gainy than
the original - it's damm quiet 
My build is HUGE ... like a 12cm x 4 cm chunk of vero, so very spaced out and not a single
wire crosses.
I could probably get it down to 8x4 size......
This may have helped, but God knows what kind of box I'm going to get it in !! perhaps a
Rack, or a 15cm x 10 cm alu box that was intended for a small amp chassis
It was only £7.99
I have not used shielded wire and yours is a tight build so ....

MM

[mydementia]

Boxed and working GREAT!!!!  Now that it's inside the enclosure it's dead quiet (except a slight hum with maxed gain and treb...but what high gainer doesn't?).
I purposely didn't worry about running the wires 'carefully' - still on the fence about tidy wiring impacting these 9V circuits...
This one is definitely going on my board... thanks again Marty.


Looking forward to more build reports!!!!

And my ZW44 for giggles...


Mike

[MartyMart]

Nice picture in that box, my next creation will be the "Lightning" !!!

( I just claimed that so dont nick it !! )

MM.

[John Lyons]

Matchless has had the "Lightning"  amp for years...

John