BSIAB2 - if you haven't, you should

axg20202 · July 14, 2008, 07:11:31 AM

I've just boxed up this build (the current GGG version) and I'm really impressed with it. Before I started I did the almost obligatory forum search for tweaks, mods, issues etc, but now that I've completed the build I find that the stock unit is excellent and I haven't implemented any changes.

I used the stock transistors, which I roughly matched using my DMM - not sure if that's a big requirement for this pedal but what the hell. I must say I'm a little puzzled though by comments in other posts around swappinng out the J201's for lower gain transistors - all the lower gain sounds are in there stock and cranked it's not exactly extreme amounts of gain. To each his own though.

What I like about this pedal is that it preserves your guitar's tone, unlike TS pedals etc, and isn't OTT. I also found no need to mess with the filter caps as many have done - the stock tone works well with my tube amps and isn't flabby or overly bright. Also, this pedal loves to be tickled by my wah pedal. I have now realised that I don't really like, or at least rarely use, the diode-clipping disto boxes I have. Give me this pedal and my various germanium FF clones and I'm happy.

Out of the box, during testing, I did find that the circuit introduces a bit of hiss. However, when I boxed it up I used shielded cable from the in and out jacks to the switch and most of this noise is now gone.

Basically, if you haven't built this pedal yet, then you definitely should.

Cardboard Tube Samurai · July 14, 2008, 08:23:08 AM

Dammit! Like I didn't need another pedal to build already. I've been thinking of building one of these and with a review like that, I think I'll definitely have to have a crack at it now

MikeH · July 14, 2008, 10:17:20 AM

I finally just built this one too! I don't know what I was waiting for... but yeah, this thing is awesome.

axg20202 · July 14, 2008, 10:21:24 AM

You wont be disappointed - if you are searching for good low and medium gain classic distortion with plenty of character, not too much impact on your existing tone, and nice shimmering sustain...this is a great pedal to try.

Actually, I've just remembered that one of my components is not the stock value - the 470pF cap is actually a 500pF in my build I think , which probably does have some effect on the tone as I believe it has an impact on bass response. It's just the value I happended to have - no science on my part.

John Lyons · July 14, 2008, 11:27:18 AM

Yes, it's a nice one. That's why its been around here for years, consistently.

The 470pf/470K combo is a treble boost/high pass filter so making it 560p
will shift the filter into boosting high mids a little more than the 470p.
Ed Guidry likes 560P in his I believe.

john

axg20202 · July 14, 2008, 11:34:30 AM

Yeah. I'd kind of dismissed it as 'yet another distortion' - I have so many disto pedals I just never got round to trying it out. Glad I did though.

As for the cap, I should imagine my change from 470pF to 500pF makes very little difference.

Xavier · July 14, 2008, 12:34:29 PM

My two main distortions were until recently, my Dr Boogey and a BSIAB.

BSIAB is awesome, but it just eats so much bass I find it too unnatural sounding for my tastes. Nevertheless, it has the best chugga-chugga-factor

for amazing palm mutes. For 80's metal is DA pedal......... the tone stack is tricky to tweak also....I just gave it away to the other guitarist in my band. He uses it to boost his JCM800 with great results.

Mich P · July 14, 2008, 01:03:39 PM

I'm ok with xavier just miss a little low end to be perfect
Mich P.

Ed G. · July 14, 2008, 05:17:08 PM

Quote from: axg20202 on July 14, 2008, 07:11:31 AM
I've just boxed up this build (the current GGG version) and I'm really impressed with it. Before I started I did the almost obligatory forum search for tweaks, mods, issues etc, but now that I've completed the build I find that the stock unit is excellent and I haven't implemented any changes.

I used the stock transistors, which I roughly matched using my DMM - not sure if that's a big requirement for this pedal but what the hell. I must say I'm a little puzzled though by comments in other posts around swappinng out the J201's for lower gain transistors - all the lower gain sounds are in there stock and cranked it's not exactly extreme amounts of gain. To each his own though.

What I like about this pedal is that it preserves your guitar's tone, unlike TS pedals etc, and isn't OTT. I also found no need to mess with the filter caps as many have done - the stock tone works well with my tube amps and isn't flabby or overly bright. Also, this pedal loves to be tickled by my wah pedal. I have now realised that I don't really like, or at least rarely use, the diode-clipping disto boxes I have. Give me this pedal and my various germanium FF clones and I'm happy.

Out of the box, during testing, I did find that the circuit introduces a bit of hiss. However, when I boxed it up I used shielded cable from the in and out jacks to the switch and most of this noise is now gone.

Basically, if you haven't built this pedal yet, then you definitely should.

What kind of rig do you have?

axg20202 · July 14, 2008, 05:54:11 PM

I have a Frenzel tube amp (5E3 deluxe plus) running into a 2x12. In the studio I run this is in a stereo setup with a Fender BLues Junior.

John Lyons · July 14, 2008, 05:56:56 PM

You could always cut some treble and high mids which would leave you with a better bass responce.
Just reconfigure the tone stack more like the doctor boogie...

john

gtrplr · July 14, 2008, 07:27:05 PM

I did. I was one of my first builds after I got back into building/modding. I absolutely agree that it's awesome. A friend at work (named Steve Miller, oddly enough, and no not THE Steve Miller) likes it better than anything else he's tried, including my modded DS-1, red llama, and a stock Dano Metal (new one with metal case & true bypass). I've been trying to convince him to build one, but he just says he's not a builder. I think he's hinting around for me to build it for him, which is a possibility. I really want to build myself a "May Queen" first, tho.

mnordbye · July 15, 2008, 01:56:18 AM

"Trebly" pickups seems to miss out on the bass in this circuit, but with my backup guitar, there's plenty of bass actually. Mine's not completely stock though, changed all transistors to J201s, which makes this high-gain friendly too. Introduces some noise though, but nothing that can't be solved with some shielded wire.

Great circuit anyways! 3 thumbs up!

Magnus Nordbye

axg20202 · July 15, 2008, 09:22:33 AM

My guitars are all single-coils, my main axe being a maple-necked Strat with Bareknuckle 'Irish Tour' pickups - these are vintage hot, but not OTT HOT pickups (as hinted at by their name if you know the reference - answers on a postcard to.....), but it is a naturally bright guitar. I don't find that the pedal is particularly lacking in bass - perhaps slightly compared to bypass but not enough to leave me wanting. I think perceptions of being bass-light may have more to do with how this pedal sits with the particular amp and the rest of the chain than the guitar per se.

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BSIAB2 - if you haven't, you should