Another Big Muff (This is what I use on Bass)

[Earthscum]

This is the BMP concoction I've been using on Bass. I tried it out for awhile, and I wasn't all too pleased with it... then I added the diode lift to the first clipping stage, and magic happened. Now I wish I didn't even drill the hole in the case for the switch, lol. I did it on a whim before a show, and it was freaking awesome.

I noticed, during a jam, that when I turn the Sustain up past about 4/5th of the way up, it goes into a serious "Metal" sounding distortion... so when I got home, I plugged in my Dean guitfiddle, put it to the bridge PU (EMG Select humbucker) and started busting out Deftones tunes. 

I didn't really notice how different this build was until I opened it back up to see why it sounded different than a muff I had on the breadboard. I figure it's twisted enough to share and not think I'm just rehashing something. This sounds sweet for Bass and Db-tuned guitfiddles, try it out and let me know what you think. I have another board sitting here, and it's going to get populated some day, so (of course) any suggestions are always welcome!

[Earthscum]

Ugly soundclip, just running through some different sounds. Ibanez GSR 205 into the Muff straight into a Beringer eurorack, tape out to computer, recorded in Audaciuos.

]http://www.zshare.net/audio/98881050dd8e4ef9/]

The tonestack:

[Bill Mountain]

How much of a difference do you feel the MPSA13 in Q1 makes?  I usually place them later in my circuits because I like to drive them hard with other transistors.

[Earthscum]

I find driving distortions with a Darlington improves clarity throughout. It seems to help drive the bass all the way through the circuit in this one. With other transistors it just didn't have the "oompf". Slight, but noticeable to me. I can hear the same kind of clarity in the NE5532 in certain circuits, as well. It doesn't seem so apparent to me when I use guitar, but with bass it seems to let the jangle of a new set of strings shine through.

I'm also a big fan of Black Widows, btw... if that gives you any clue as to my own tastes 

[azrael]

Interesting, a bit of a twist on the Supa Tonebender.

Never tried MPSA13 in Q1, I'll have to do that. How does it affect noise?

[Earthscum]

Never tried MPSA13 in Q1, I'll have to do that. How does it affect noise?

Noise, as in hiss, is almost non-existent. I chose low noise transistors all around just for that. Hiss through a bass amp is some fugly stuff. The BC at the end just adds a little pinch of flavoring to the overall circuit, without adding noise at the end, otherwise I would've just used another MPSA13 or 2N5089 in Q4 spot.

[frank_p]

Did you try to put a pot instead of a switch ?

[Gus]

Have you tried making the .1uf, 100nf in series with the clipping diodes a smaller value for bass?

[Earthscum]

Have you tried making the .1uf, 100nf in series with the clipping diodes a smaller value for bass?

No, but now that you mention it, I could get a SPDT with a Center-off... I'm gonna have to give that a try.

Did you try to put a pot instead of a switch ?

Yeah, I actually did try that at one point on the breadboard. The diode switch was added after it had already been boxed up for awhile, though. Not really room for another pot. Thanks for the idea, though. I'm gonna have to consider that for the next build.