5th Gear Overdrive

[proanalog]

I agree with DDD on this, but you can make both stages assymetrical, for a semi conductor/diode input clipping circuit...  This is really half a push pull, but may work well if you add a little bias to the Q2's emmiter.

If I may suggest since there is no bias and both are in paralell, try this

ditch the input driver control, add 1K series resistor (optional), take LEDS out of first stage (D1-D2) and add 470K resistor from collector to base (feedback), keep the diodes in the second stage, add 470K resistor from collector to base and add 100ohm resistor on emitter to ground.  You can also try a cap with 100ohm, like a 1uF to fatten it up (adds noise and highs too)...
This makes Q1 fully saturated, but stable and turns Q2 on more= assymetrical semi conductor clipping...

Try this and let us know how it sounds, post the voltage bias on each pins too please.

The Pedal Nazi
Scotty

[Joecool85]

Unfortunetly I have very little time for it now, I just started spring semester.  If anyone else wants to try, have it at.

[didier]

what if you would make this a pedal with 5 stages, and 5 switches, each adding that little something extra
and actually name them 1st gear, 2nd gear...

later on you could switch between them with a real "acceleration poker" from your car

LOL i doubt if that word is correct, i don't know it in english though so i let babel fish take care of it...
argh you know what i mean right?

[Joecool85]

It is an interesting idea, however I doubt I would encorporate it into a single pedal.  What I might do is put it into a huge box with several other pedals as a custom build multi effects box.  And I believe you are looking for "gas pedal" or "accelerater pedal".

[Joecool85]

So...out of curiousity, how many of you guys built it?  Anyone box one up?  Make it to the pedal board? 

I still have some tweaking to do on it, mainly just figured out what I want to do with gain control on the beast.  I'm unsure as of yet.

[george_drakakis]

This is my newly designed pedal schematic.  It gives a pretty mean distortion when cranked, and a good strong regular OD when turned down.  Tell me what you guys think if you build it.  I've put about 3 hours of play time on mine.

hi,
it's a great project for a newbie breadboarder and it sounds great too.
this is my attempt to modify it (i.e. randomly replacing components while doodling with a guitar).

https://www.dropbox.com/s/1am5yp5sho8a1zc/6th%20gear.png?dl=0

it sounds a bit louder and the overdrive is less compressed. no pots added, i like to keep things minimal.
R1 / R2 are misplaced accidentally, but the circuit still works.

i've boxed it for a friend and it's dead quiet too.

regards,
george