Question about my first pedal build.

Celery_Strat · January 06, 2011, 10:41:29 AM

I'm building a TS-808 clone based on the tonepad.com design. I have a question about the two .22uF tantalum caps. There is no indication as to polarity when mounting them. I was wondering if you guys knew a solution. I have film caps I can use in their place, but i was worried it may affect the sound.

Govmnt_Lacky · January 06, 2011, 10:47:49 AM

The one that is directly off of Lug 2 of the Tone pot. The (+) side should face the Tone pot.

The other one should have the (+) side facing Pin 5 of the op amp.

Good Luck

jacobyjd · January 06, 2011, 10:49:08 AM

Pretty sure you'll want to just go ahead and use those film caps. Not sure why tantalum is specified, but they're not exactly reliable.

Celery_Strat · January 06, 2011, 10:56:40 AM

Thanks, guys. I have heard that the tants were pretty shoddy, but i figured I'd try and stick with what the plan called for, then tweak from there to my liking.

Mark Hammer · January 06, 2011, 12:12:09 PM

It'll work just fine with non-polarized caps. Use those (if they'll fit) for now. Get the darn thing running, and if you decide it's missing that special "something", THEN you can start dickering with cap type and all the rest of that stuff.

As your first pedal build, your obligation is to get it up off the ground, and experience that sensation of "Hey.......*I* did that."

Celery_Strat · January 10, 2011, 01:41:46 PM

Thanks, Mark.

Here's the box ready to receive the guts. Nothing special really. I'm gonna let my wife get at it with the brush and label it. I have a new question though. The switch in the picture is a DPDT to switch the values of Ra and Rb from "808" to "9" values. I was wondering if I could use another switch to cut the "drive" section in and out to use it as a clean boost. What are your thoughts?

MikeH · January 10, 2011, 06:04:22 PM

You can use a Spdt of Spst to lift on side of the clipping diodes. Just make sure to turn down the volume when you do or you'll knock your fillings loose

Celery_Strat · January 11, 2011, 10:18:58 AM

I think I'll give that a go! Thanks!

Manny · January 11, 2011, 10:55:48 AM

Quote from: MikeH on January 10, 2011, 06:04:22 PM
You can use a Spdt of Spst to lift on side of the clipping diodes. Just make sure to turn down the volume when you do or you'll knock your fillings loose

Yep, on this note, i've seen builds where a dpdt was used and at the same time as disconnecting the diodes, some more resistance is put after the vol pot to compensate. Takes a bit of testing of values (or a trimpot) to get this to work properly but is a great touch in my opinion.

Good luck with your build!

Celery_Strat · January 11, 2011, 11:09:00 AM

That's exactly what I was thinking. I could put a trim pot and tweak it until it's about even.

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Question about my first pedal build.