Quick noob question

[Hnng]

I'm thinking about building a tubescreamer clone that I will mount in my guitar body with a 9v powering it. Ive never built anything like this, so bear with my dumb questions. I coulsnt find much on what i was trying to do. I've got a few questions on the modifications I would need to do to the schematics.

Say I want all the knobs set the 5(just an example), would I replace the 500k pot with a 250k resistor? Does that work? Pots have 3 connections so I don't know.

Also, would I just ignore the output and input jacks? Would I replace the power supply plug with a 9v battery attachment?

Would I wire a DPDT switch so I can power it on and have it bypassed the entire time until I switch it on for the drive (to avoid the pop)? How would I do that? Is a DPDT switch the right switch or do I need 3 connections?

Thanks guys!

[vigilante397]

Welcome

Do you have a schematic for a tubescreamer lying around? Take a look at the pots on there. As you can see the gain pot only has two connections, so a single resistor is fine there. For tone and volume, however, you would need two resistors to substitute for a pot. As for the values, you would have to pay attention to logarithmic versus linear pots. Having everything on 5 would mean half the value on a linear pot, but not a logarithmic pot.

You would probably want to ignore the jacks, just hardwire everything to the switch and your guitar's jack. The input to your effect now comes straight from the output on your volume pot (fender style) or pickup selector switch (gibson style), and the output from the effect will just go to the output jack of your guitar. You could work out some external way to power it, but batteries are easiest for on-board electronics.

A DPDT would be ideal. Definitely leave power connected and have it bypassed to avoid that pop, but obviously this would mean you want a stereo jack for your guitar so you can save battery when the guitar isn't in use. You only need a 3PDT if you want to add an LED.

Hope this helps 

[Hnng]

Ah I forgot, they use logarithmic pots don't they? I'll have to figure out how the calculate the resistor I need for each. How would I go about wiring 2 resistors into the 3 holes that the pot goes to?

I'm still a little fuzzy on the input/output. Do I physically solder an attachment to the pot or switch for my input, and solar to my Jack for the output? Does that mean a stereo jack is an absolute requirement?

Is there a way to make it so there's one position that gives it no power, a position that powers it but doesn't give the driven sound (it would pop when switching to here), and a position that gives the effect? I don't mind having it pop once when I first start playing, if that means I don't need a stereo jack.

Thanks for the quick response!

[aron]

I would use trim pots for mounting in the guitar.
I would use a stereo jack - it's much easier than remembering to turn the circuit off IMO.

[Hnng]

Great call on the trim pots, I think that's the best way to go about it. Where would I find a diagram for how to wire the stereo jack like that? Never worked with them before.

[antonis]

Where would I find a diagram for how to wire the stereo jack like that?

Just wire the Circuit's GND to Sleeve and the Power Supply's GND to Ring (extra lug on stereo jack).
(Tip as usually..)

The 2 GNDs will be in contact only via the plug's body, when inserted to jack..

[aron]

Yep, check out the FAQ:
http://www.diystompboxes.com/wiki/index.php?title=Frequently_Asked_Questions_(DIY_FAQ)

[EBK]

Yep, check out the FAQ:
http://www.diystompboxes.com/wiki/index.php?title=Frequently_Asked_Questions_(DIY_FAQ)

Hmm....
Clicked and saw this:

There is currently no text in this page. You can search for this page title in other pages, or search the related logs, but you do not have permission to create this page.

Typo, maybe.

[PRR]

> "There is currently no text in this page."

The forum URL detection is gagging on the Wiki's syntax. The last ")" gets cut-off.

Try this link?