Build Report: The Beginner Project (NPN Boost)

[newbie builder]

It appears to me that, at least once a week, somebody posts a thread about "what is your favorite boost" and myriad replies follow. One that I recently noticed isn't mentioned too often is the Boost that is depicted in the "Beginner forum," but I'm starting to think it should be mentioned I just finished building it after playing around with it on the breadboard and it's really a great little boost. It isn't as woofy and has more clarity than the LPB, it has a bit less high end for those who believe that the AMZ Mosfet boost is a bit on the sparkly side, and is a very easy build. I played around with it and decided my favorite transistor in there was a 2n5089 (2n3904 was the second choice of the ones I tried), and also played around with clipping diodes after the 10uf cap. First I tried some Schottky diodes (symmetrical clipping) but they clamped down the signal too much and there wasn't enough boost using those. LEDs had too high of a threshold and didn't clip unless the boost was turned up VERY high. I went with some 1n4148s as a nice in between mix of gain and boost and wired those up on a toggle so I can have semi-dirty or mostly clean boost. I think some, though definitely not all, people (myself included) have looked over the project simply because it is called a "Beginner project," but it is really a nice little boost.

I'll try to add some pics later today/tomorrow when I have a chance to box it up, but I have a feeling this one is going to look a bit messy...I hadn't perfed anything in a while before this and forgot how much more time it takes to make a project on perf look nice vs. the stripboard I'd been using recently.

[petemoore]

I think some, though definitely not all, people (myself included) have looked over the project simply because it is called a "Beginner project," but it is really a nice little boost.
  +1.
  It seems the word has a dissuading effect to beginners eyeing the NPNBoost, it is less 'beginner-ey' using higher parts count and a bit more wiring than simpler 1 transistor gain stages. It isn't 'less sophistocated' by any means...it seems attempting to explain around 'beginner' to a beginner causes them to sometimes believe there is something about it being 'lesser' than an 'intermediate' or 'advanced' build [1Q boosts are all ~simple].
  It was one of the first builds for me, cause it had two pots and all, still one transistor..but I didn't build so good back then, just threw stuff together on a bookcover, in a tin box, w/funky Sw..it fell apart...sounded great though, I bummed.
  I've recently built mostly Gus' stuff, he helped me out diggin into the power mosfets, NPN boost, I should probably try that again.

[cab42]

I think some, though definitely not all, people (myself included) have looked over the project simply because it is called a "Beginner project," but it is really a nice little boost.

I have had the same thoughts as well and I have mentioned this boost in a couple of threads.

I use mine all the time. I have mine set up with two transistors so that I can switch between a 2N2222 and a OC140 germanium.

Regards

Carsten

[GibsonGM]

+1
I use the Beginner Boost all the time when I play out (and when I don't, lol).  2N3904, only cuz it was laying around.   Had a few small issues with motorboating, but I'd used a larger cap between wiper & ground on my pot -- might have been the culprit.  It was ok after I changed it out.   You can go anywhere with this thing, perfect building block for experimenting.   

[MikeH]

I think some, though definitely not all, people (myself included) have looked over the project simply because it is called a "Beginner project," but it is really a nice little boost.

Guilty.      Now I have to go build this.

[Gus]

I made the npn as a kind of challege to myself.  Min amount of parts and something different than what is out there.

Bootstrapping is old: However I have not seen it in an boost effect.

I "designed" it so a lot of different transistors could be "dropped in" without worrying about bias.  At the time I built it most if not all of the parts could be bought at Radio Shack.

Another circuit people seem to like that tried it is
http://www.diystompboxes.com/pedals/gusOverdrive.gif
Another min boost EQ again different transistors can be "drop in"

It is good to read people like it and have some fun with it.

[Aharon]

I think some, though definitely not all, people (myself included) have looked over the project simply because it is called a "Beginner project," but it is really a nice little boost.

I have had the same thoughts as well and I have mentioned this boost in a couple of threads.

I use mine all the time. I have mine set up with two transistors so that I can switch between a 2N2222 and a OC140 germanium.

Regards

Carsten

Yap,I ended up with a metal can 2N2222 as my favourite.

[markm]

I have a nice layout for this little circuit, I'd post it but, the Gallery is still down.