Build Report: Rangemaster w/Millenium2N

[mydementia]

Fun and games...
I bought a few X-wing DPDT's last time I bought from effectsconnection.com so I thought I'd check out the Millenium Bypass 2 (N) switching/LED scheme.  I threw together a Rangemaster from hairyandy's vero layout (http://aronnelson.com/gallery/album26/Rangemaster) - so it's verified.  I had a few Ge trannies lying around, but settled on a 2N508.  I used the M2N Bypass from TheBigMan's layout (http://aronnelson.com/gallery/TheBigMan-Layouts/mb).  On my test amp - everything sounds good - I wonder why I didn't build a booster before?  I'm curious to get this thing boxed up with another effect and into my main rig...should be quiet - right?   Any recommendations on what to package this with?  I'm thinking of putting this booster before a lo-gain OD or something...

Obligatory snapshots:

[hairyandy]

Right on!  The Rangemaster will sound great before a low-gain overdrive, in fact that's how I use it in my rig.  I have it first, before an original series Rat that's set for really low gain --- just enough to help out the amp into a nice drive.  The RM will then push it way over the top nicely.  I've found that a Mosfet Boost sounds great after the RM which is why I did the layout for that "Bi-Polar Boost".

The RM circuit is inherently noisy, at least IME, but that also depends a lot on the transistor you use.  I've been using NOS CV7003 (mil-spec OC44) and most that are in range (~60-70 hfe) sound great but some are noisier than others.

Good job, I can't wait to see it boxed up!

[mydementia]

UPDATE:
I added a Peppermill (from ROG: http://www.runoffgroove.com/peppermill.html but used this vero layout: http://aronnelson.com/gallery/album19/PEPPERMILL_VERO) after my Rangemaster.  I also added a Millenium2N switching/LED circuit to the Peppermill so I could use another DPDT.  After cherry-picking my J201's - I found one that's close to the ROG voltages.  I can hear some great tones with this combo...but I get a LOT of hiss when the Peppermill is on by itself.  When both circuits are on, the hiss is gone...any thoughts?  I wonder if I need to provide individual power and ground to the M2N (right now I'm jumpering both from the circuit...).  In my initial test fire - something fried my Peppermill LED...after a scrape with my screwdriver and a replacement LED - things seem nominal...still hissing though.  Here's a pic of my board - the M2N is in the upper right corner:


Thanks for looking.
Mike

[mydementia]

Hi guys.
I isolated power and ground to my Peppermill M2N and get the exact same hissing.  The hissing drops with LED bleed off - so I'm pretty sure it's centered around the Millenium 2 bypass.  Anyone have any ideas?  Again, the Rangemaster works great - the Rangemaster + Peppermill works great (very little hiss) - the Peppermill hisses unuseably when on by itself.
Recommendations appreciated.
Mike