Build Reports: AMZ MOSFET Boost and X-Over Distortion

[TheBigMan]

MOSFET Boost is on the right, X-Over Dist on the left.  I've got some knobs and spraypaint on the way, so they'll be properly finished very soon.  

Firstly, the MOSFET Boost.  Enhanced version (not TB) built using Torchy's vero layout.  Very easy to build, the only problem I had was MOSFET pinout was opposite to what the datasheet said it should be.

Great pedal is all I can say.  It's your sound, but louder.  Much louder.  The buffered mode is very good, especially with a Strat, maintains all of your high end, but feed the booster into a tube amp (I was using a Nano head) and it SCREAMS.  For around £10 worth of parts and around 4 hours total build time once I finish the enclosure, this is a must try project.  Thanks Jack and Torchy!  

X-Over Distortion is another of Torchy's layouts, a three transistor dist/fuzz.  It's very loud and very ragged with almost no sustain at all.  Quite nice for Ministry/NIN type stuff.  I haven't tried it yet with another pedal to see how that sounds (ZVex recommends putting the Machine in front of another dirt pedal, and the Machine is the only crossover distortion I know of) so I'll report back on that one.

Bit of a tight fit in this enclosure (3"x2"x1") but it's doable and I've got an Orange Squeezer all set to go in the same box.  Board is all soldered up, but I'm going to wait till my paint arrives and finish the enclosure first, like I should have done with the other two.  :shock:

[nelson]

I still cant get over you using these dinky wee enclosures.

Don't you kick the knobs when you switch them?

1590b boxes are finnicky to switch without adjusting knobs, never mind those.

Maybe you have tiny feet, or mine are just huge?

you wouldnt happen to be a 90yo expat chinese woman? :lol:

Anyway, good work, I wouldnt mind seeing the "guts" to see just how tight a fit it is in there.  :wink:

[TheBigMan]

So long as you're careful then the knobs aren't a problem to be honest.  I don't have small feet either, size 10!  RS sell a similar sized enclosure but Hammond style which would be easier to work with rather than having two U-shaped halves.  I think I'll try them in the future.  I'll post a gutshot of the Orange Squeezer clone I'm working on, I left it to the end as it's the biggest board of the three by quite a way.  

After that, I'm thinking maybe a DOD 250/Blue Clipper/Dist+ type dirt box and possibly a Colorsound Tremolo if I can verify the schematic.  I've done a layout for it already.  Electra Distortion or a circuit based on it is also a possibility depending on how it sounds on the breaboard.  :?:

[nelson]

Excellent, I am going the opposite way, the DD size box for an EH clone theory clone, should be fun if it works. I have jus started a new job near bellshill, so I will have lotsa disposable cash to blow on future projects   .


will be cool to see them finished up, maybe you could picture them next to something familiar to get a size comparison.


You have bigger feet than me, I am a 9.

[Somicide]

nice work!

but neither of you've got anything on me at size 13!

PnL,

Jeff

[Alex C]

Those look very good.  I'll have to check into the X-over distortion.  
I try to paint and finish the box before putting the guts in, otherwise I usually run into errors when reboxing (wires breaking, stuff moving around, etc).  Hope that doesn't happen to you.  Nice work.

By the way, are shoe sizes the same internationally?  I'm a 9 (US) - actually, 8.5 is a perfect fit, but I've been buying shoes with "room to grow into" since my freshman year of high school 7 years ago.

[spudulike]

I take a size 6 (UK). My pedalboard IS a BB.

Put the X-Over in front of a Ge fuzz and have fun - even better with a flanger in there

[Khas Evets]

I'm a 13, but more importantly...

I just dropped this into a spice simulator. It appears that replacing the 47K resistor with a 100K pot gives you more control over the amount of clipping and gain produced by the first gain stage, which in turn affects the amount of crossover distortion caused by the push/pull stage (less gain produces more crossover distortion). Has anyone tried this?

[TheBigMan]

Here's the finished pedals next to an Ibanez PQ-9 for size comparison.  Changed the LED in the Booster to blue as well.  I know the enclosures and knobs are a bit "None More Black" but I like the utilitarian look.  



Also as promised, here's the guts (sort of!) of the Orange Squeezer.  All the parts save the board and DC jack actually fit onto the "lid" of the enclosure, but this is how it fits together.  I'll actually cut a hole for the switch so that it sits a little further down, and the DC jack will be on the opposite end.  This one will take careful lining up, the pot will only just fit centered in the gap between the trimmer and the FETs.

[nelson]

Haw big man, they luk brillyent!  :lol:

Loving the look.  They are so dinky.


Good job.

[TheBigMan]

Thanks!  Must get that OS finished this weekend.  I think a trip to Halfords for some orange spray paint is in order as well.