First and Second Build Report

[calculating_infinity]

Ok first off thanks to Colin from Experimentalists Anonymous, Jack Orman, Aron, and Andrew Carrell for there contributions to the DIY community. 

     My first build is a Parallel Universe Version 1?  It has no input or output buffer.  I used Andrew Carrell's veroboard layout.  At the point in the time when I built this I had no drill only a dremel so I went ahead and housed it in something I had laying around.  A VHS tape...  I am sure this caused some noise problems but I didn't mind.  This pedal is meant to be a noisy, nasty, self-oscillating fuzz and boy, it sure is!  It makes some crazy awesome oscillations, if I ever get around to buildling the 2nd version, I will use a stomp switch for the oscillation switch.  It also makes for a cool fuzz.  It worked for me the first time I built it except I inserted the 386 upside down.  Here's a picture of the enclosure.

http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w248/8bitRockOut/Parallel_Universe/IMGP0356.jpg

     For my second build, I chose the AMZ Mosfet Booster by Jack Orman.  Once again I used Andrew Carrell's veroboard layout.  This was the first time I drilled anything metal in my life and I didn't use a template (no photoshop or similar programs).  I "eyeballed" it and will never do that again.  It didn't work the first time I tried it, then when I double checked everything I noticed I had inserted a diode in the wrong direction.  Silly me, after correcting this problem it worked like a charm!  I've read about many boosters and this one really drew my attention.  Man, this pedal rocks!  I ran it straight from my Gibson SG standard to my JCM 800 Lead 2210.  Damn it really thickened it up and added a nice overdrive/distortion if I turned the gain high enough.  Harmonics came out nice with full gain and it pushes my amp really nicely.  Here are some pictures of the enclosure and guts.  Please excuse my sloppy work, its only my second build -_-.

http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w248/8bitRockOut/AMZ_Mosfet_Booster/IMGP0350.jpg
http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w248/8bitRockOut/AMZ_Mosfet_Booster/IMGP0343.jpg
http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w248/8bitRockOut/AMZ_Mosfet_Booster/IMGP0345.jpg

Sorry I don't have any soundclips, but would be willing to provide some once I build this ROG Condor Cab Sim.  Thanks again!

-Jonathan


-Jonathan

[Dragonfly]

I'm glad youre liking them !  The VCR tape enclosure is VERY cool !

AC

[calculating_infinity]

Hey thanks for the compliment Andrew!  Like I said, it was what I had laying around the house -_-. 

I also forgot pictures of the AMZ Mosfet Booster enclosure.  Here they are:

http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w248/8bitRockOut/AMZ_Mosfet_Booster/IMGP0352.jpg

http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w248/8bitRockOut/AMZ_Mosfet_Booster/IMGP0353.jpg

-Jonathan

[calculating_infinity]

Damn!  My mosfet booster stopped working last night.  I noticed after that my pot's nut wasnt tight enough.  I get a bypassed signal and a slight effected signal at the bottom of the pots turn.  I tried reheating the output joints on my switch and the pot lugs because I had noticed that it looked weak.  Still no effect fully.  I guess tonight I am building an audio probe and checking for cold solder joints.  I also have to read up on more debugging stuff.  Frustrating 

-Jonathan

p.s.  I hear a crackling noise if I mess around with wires near the pot.  I think I should replace the pot maybe?  We'll see after I make my probe.

[heyniceguy]

sounds like a lug on the pot may be contacting the enclosure...

[calculating_infinity]

sounds like a lug on the pot may be contacting the enclosure...

Thanks, I'll double check that when I get home from work.

-Jonathan

[calculating_infinity]

I could have swore I could edit my posts.  Anyways I realized that it cant be a lug hitting the enclosure because I've tried it with the pot outside of the box.  Audio probe away!