Shredmaster is an excellent circuit [build report]

[Khas Evets]

The shredmaster schematic is hard to read. There's been some debate about the schematics floating around the net. Is there any chance we could get a reshoot of that one?

[frankclarke]

I can't read the values either . Although the GM Arts schem is copied from the one in the picture http://users.sa.chariot.net.au/~gmarts/pix/a_msm.gif . Marshall may actually send you the schematic if you contact them. BB2: http://thebin.free.fr/FSTBX/bb2.pdf

[shredgd]

I'm not starting another thread because I would have titled it the same way: the Shredmaster is really an excellent circuit!

I built mine after hearing a friend's VS Jekyll & Hyde and doing some search... I actually used a log pot for the treble pot, as in the VS, just because it was what I had, and I think the log taper really fits the circuit well.

It is a high gain (not extremely high, but enough for many) overdrive/distortion pedal with a very rich eq section, which lets you dial in the sound you want. It's got bottom end, differently from many other pedals, and it sounds even better than many amps. It will get a fixed place in my pedalboard, probably replacing my BSIAB2: it's sad to say this, the BSIAB2 being my favourite high gain overdrive pedal for very long, but the Shedmaster can do what the BSIAB2 does, and better.
It is a very touch-responsive circuit even at maximum gain, I'm impressed!!

Probably the ultimate high gain pedal, I suggest you all to build it!

Giulio

[thisismunich]

Hi Guys,

Off topic (apologies) - I've had my shredmaster for a while now, it's been gigged and toured pretty heavily and taken a battering once in a while, but generally it's been on a board the whole time and safe.

Over the past few months it's been showing an intermittent fault where the pedal is switched on with full shredmaster roar coming out of the amp. But then the sound dies out (it fades to silence a bit like a loss in power) and stops making any sound. I switch it to bypass and back on again quickly and it works again back to full sound/power. Sometimes only to die out again maybe 5-15 seconds later. Throughout all of this the red light works perfectly when the pedal is on, it shows no sign of fatigue.

I have taken it to an electrician, but he says there is nothing wrong with it (obviously he is wrong).

Does anyone have any idea what this could be? I'm going to take the pedal to another electrician with the schematics, but i am starting to lose hope! I am in a touring band and i cant afford £150 to purchase another on ebay and i'm not the most educated chap in the field of circuit board electronics!

PLEASE HELP ME!!!
James

[thedefog]

Hi Guys,

Off topic (apologies) - I've had my shredmaster for a while now, it's been gigged and toured pretty heavily and taken a battering once in a while, but generally it's been on a board the whole time and safe.

Over the past few months it's been showing an intermittent fault where the pedal is switched on with full shredmaster roar coming out of the amp. But then the sound dies out (it fades to silence a bit like a loss in power) and stops making any sound. I switch it to bypass and back on again quickly and it works again back to full sound/power. Sometimes only to die out again maybe 5-15 seconds later. Throughout all of this the red light works perfectly when the pedal is on, it shows no sign of fatigue.

I have taken it to an electrician, but he says there is nothing wrong with it (obviously he is wrong).

Does anyone have any idea what this could be? I'm going to take the pedal to another electrician with the schematics, but i am starting to lose hope! I am in a touring band and i cant afford £150 to purchase another on ebay and i'm not the most educated chap in the field of circuit board electronics!

PLEASE HELP ME!!!
James

James,

Are you using a battery or an external power supply?

[thisismunich]

Since the problem began to occur i have used several different sources of power: Boss Daisy Chain (from a TU-2), Jim Dunlop Brick and a T-Rex Fuel Tank Classic. The problem hasn't changed, it's stayed consistent..... consistently inconsistent!!

[Ice-9]

sounds like the fault could be a dry solder joint on 1 or more components, or a faulty footswitch  or jack sockets. Most likely the dry solder joint.

[thedefog]

Since the problem began to occur i have used several different sources of power: Boss Daisy Chain (from a TU-2), Jim Dunlop Brick and a T-Rex Fuel Tank Classic. The problem hasn't changed, it's stayed consistent..... consistently inconsistent!!

It's probably the switch or as Ice-9 said, a bad solder joint. You wouldn't hurt anything if you cracked it open and re-melted all of the solder joints. Just leave the iron on long enough to remelt each little point completely (with a hot iron, no more than 3-4 seconds). Just don't bridge anything or knock any of the components/wires out of the holes while you're doing it. If that doesn't fix it, then you might have to replace the switch.