This weekends TubeScreamer project ( Behringer TO800 )

Started by jxoco, April 03, 2006, 12:13:22 PM

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jxoco

I got a big jump on the project by starting with a behringer TO-800 pedal for 'parts', cost $35 canadian.
It came with just about everything you need for your TS-808 project.

Now the details:
Change R9 (470 ohm) to 100 ohm surface mount resistor that was salvaged off of and old laptop circuit boad.
( finding a 100 ohm SMT resistor took the most time of this entire project, including the time it took to drive back and forth to the music shop about 12 kms away to buy the parts donor, TO-800 pedal.)

OK, close it back up, your done. You now have a TS-808.

Enjoy!

GreenEye

Did it affect the sound much changing out that one lil' resister?  I think I may one up you by buying one and not doing anything to it.

jxoco

The resistor change didn't change a thing.

Later I changed the diodes. Well I should say I was going to change the diodes. The first diode unsoldered and broke off the pad with the solder. I haven't lifted off a solder pad in about 5 years and I only use a 25watt iron so it wasn't me. I left the remaining original diode in and added a pair of germanium diodes in series across it. I like that sound a little better. Again not a big change but I can hear it and I like it.

I was just going to use it and leave it alone but I had to reverse engineer and see if it was a TS, and it is.

It uses very small surface mount components (SMC) and they are arranged based on how a robot would place them not how you or I would.
The electrolytic capacitors are placed in a line and the board traces go all over the place to get to them. As a simple example, you and I would put one diode one way and the diode beside it in a reversed orientation and the connections would just be two parallel lines of copper. They put the two diodes in the same direction and have the microscopic traces of copper zig-zag around the board to make the circuit.

That being said I still think it is fantastic value for the money, I don't have to bend over and fiddle with the knobs in the middle of a song/set, I have one set for one tone and the other set for the second tone and just step on the one I want. It even gives me the new third choice of both at the same time.

But I don't think you could really mod them, at all, without breaking them.. it's crap but good crap.

bancika

Why buying behringer, you could get all (quality) parts you need for 35$ US. I don't know how much is it in canadian, but again...
The new version of DIY Layout Creator is out, check it out here


jxoco

Quote from: bancika on April 05, 2006, 07:43:49 PM
Why buying behringer, you could get all (quality) parts you need for 35$ US. I don't know how much is it in canadian, but again...

just the hammond 1590B is 10.70
a board from GGG 14.00 US (about 17.00 CDN before shipping of 2.00 US )

So those two items, unfinished unbuilt, 29.70.

So I can't build the rest for 5.30

I've built plenty of pedals and modded plenty of pedals and amps and $35 for a pedal is a deal.

I regularly buy old pedals and rebuild them into something else and it is very rare that I can buy an old beat up piece of crap that doesn't cost me 20 to 30 bucks.

I'm going to be laughing my arse off when used Behringer pedals start coming on the market.
But I won't be laughing too hard because it looks like they are impossible to mod or maybe even reuse the parts from.

Time will tell I guess..

toneman

Hi jxoco & all other clone-buyers!!   :icon_cool:
I recently purchased a B**ringer TO100 pedal off ebay for $25 including shipping.
No "box" just blister pac...few bucks saved there.
Got to looking at insides---of course i took it apart *before* i plugged it in   :icon_lol:
4 screws take the bottom off....have to pull off the knobs...no setscrews.
Well...well...well...ALL the weight is in the bottom plate!!    :o
Without the bottom, pedal might just blow away in a stiff breeze...  :o
The pcb is very nice...double-sided!!.....all tall caps on top; all SMDs, ICs, Rs, & Cs, on bottom.
Briefly looked at/followed circuit--2 SMD diodes near the OA....sure *looks* like a screamer   :P
The rest of the case, including the "stomp" sw is plastic...some kind of ABS foam(?)
Had to look at the instructions to put in the battery  :P
2 little hinge/buttons U push in with a pen....kinda flimsey, but interestingly nice.
Hey, I'm not taking it out on Tour.....   ::)
Next up......Well....some MODs of course     ;D
First up...some diode changes, like U were thinking with the 800.
Probably some red LEDs, and a 2 LED/3LED switch.
A 12db preamp would nice also...plenty of room for a few 2N7000 gain stages   :icon_cool:
Hey, could U add the Behringer name to the title??....that way can find it with a search.
If anyone's interested in jpgs of the inside, I can post as I do the mods.
stayingtuned
tone



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TONE to the BONE says:  If youTHINK you got a GOOD deal:  you DID!

jxoco

I don't know how to add pictures to these messages or you'd already be seeing some..

bancika

PCBs are expensive to buy, I was thinking of either etching one use using Vero board.
I'm curious about pics, to upload them make account on www.photobucket.com and then use [img]url to pic[/img] code to put them here
The new version of DIY Layout Creator is out, check it out here