ampeg scrambler screams octaves but lacks gritty fuzz?

[hellwood]

  maybe my tycobrahe and my shin-ei FY-2 have poisoned my ears, but is the scrambler a wimp? ive never heard a real one, but all of my voltages are comparable to other successful build reports and im a little disappointed w/ the lack of "all hell breaking loose".

     Q2 Hfe -225 (2n3904)
V-9.77
Q1  C-9.56       
       B-4.56
       E-3.66
Q2  C-3.57
       B-.951
       E-.289
Q3  C-9.61
       B-4.75
       E-3.69
Q4  C-9.22
       B-4.75
       E-3.69

  two other questions: 1)should Q2's collector be closer to 4.5? 2)Hfe suggestions? thanks!
     

[Solidhex]

I wouldn't really rely on the Scrambler for any full on fuzztones. The octave craziness seems to be its best feature. I've built a number of Scrambler clones and I also have one of the Ampeg reissue ones. Its the same story. I like em though. I think it seems more distorted and gainy when you listen to someone playing through one as opposed to when you're the person playing through it if that makes any sense.

--Brad

[hellwood]

thanks Brad!

[Mark Hammer]

I've mentioned this before, but stick a basic Distortion+ or DOD250 circuit in the same box as the Srambler and you will be more pleased with the Scrambler's performance.  Unfortunately, the Scrambler lacks any sort of sensitivity control.  As a result, it is difficult to nail any tones that ARE fuzz-like (as opposed to destructo-mode sonic implosions).  I've found the D+/Scrambler combo works nicely by permitting identification of the needed amount of push at the front end, as well as a bit of tone-shaping for optimum octaving, in addition to the "normal" sonic cave-in the unit is capable of.  If one sets the Texture control for minimum octaving/rectifying, a strong push from the D+ into the unit with Blend set to mostly straight rather than octave, can produce some nice high-energy distortion.  In some respects the two units support each other; the D+ needs additional output (which the set-for-clean Scrambler can augment nicely), and the Scrambler needs better control over the output.

[nordine]

try other diodes

[hellwood]

try other diodes

sounds tempting although are you sure those are for clipping and not the octave effect?

[Cardboard Tube Samurai]

The Scrambler is an incredibly quiet pedal. I'm trying to rectify this with one I made for a friend and I'm looking at putting the LPB2 into it as I can't find any other way of giving it more balls.

I've mentioned this before, but stick a basic Distortion+ or DOD250 circuit in the same box as the Srambler and you will be more pleased with the Scrambler's performance.

Is that before or after the Scrambler?

[Mark Hammer]

Before.  The output level control of the D+ section serves as input drive control for the Scrambler.  That's why it's such a nice combination.  If the blend control is panned all the way over to the unaffected side, then the D+ output control also doubles as an output level control for the two effects together.

An LPB-1, or indeed ANY booster circuit with a level pot, will probably do nicely as an input stage to adjust the drive for the Scrambler.  The thing I like about the D+/Scrambler combo is the manner in which not only do you get adjustable drive and output level, but you get  tone-shaping for the Scrambler AND the option of having a slightly hotter D+ output on its own.  Between the gentler perversion of the D+ and the more severe audio perversion of the Scrambler, there is a huge palette of possible tones.