First Build For The Bare Box# 1

[smallbearelec]

I have just posted the first of what I hope will be many builds using the modular approach that I came up with for the Bare Box # 1.

https://www.smallbearelec.com/Projects/OhMyDarling/OhMyDarling.htm

While this one is "just a Rangemaster," I know many people will appreciate that the Darlington configurations eliminate the need to use scarce and expensive parts to build a superior version of this classic pedal. Of course, my next job will be turning the perfboard version into a PC board. I should have that done in the next few weeks, and we will release a full kit. Also, we will start to build some finished pedals to order--customers will be able to have their choice of circuit configuration, transistors, knob colors, and anything else we can think of.

To anticipate a question, I actually did try designing using those nice Molex connectors a long time ago. But I got discouraged because terminating the leads is very difficult using ordinary hand tools, and the proper Molex tool is ridiculously expensive. Working on the  Bare Box # 1 gave me incentive to approach the problem again, and I found a good answer in some of my long-ago experience.

Back in the early 80s, while I was living in New York's Hudson Valley, I took a job knocking on doors for a component distributor. Though it was overall a bad professional move for me, I did get to visit a variety of small manufacturers in that area. A number of them were shops that bought bulk plugs, headers, pins and wire and built assemblies to order for the local IBM plants. Fast-forward 30 years or so; I asked one of these companies to make the connectors that you see in the article. I now have almost everything you would need for a basic build posted in the Stock List, and terminated wire in various colors is getting done as I type.

With our best wishes for a joyous holiday season, we hope that this latest evolution of the "Beast" inspires lots of new builds, new builders and musical madness.

SD and the Small Bear Staff

[Mustachio]

Love the molex connectors! The finished interior and finish looked awesome! Gonna have to give some of these molex connectors a try on my next barebox. Nice work getting us some new stuff for DIY!

[midwayfair]

Beautiful aesthetics on that build.

I can't believe that with the first run sold out that there aren't more pictures of builds in these posted. This and Moustacio's contest entry are all we've seen.

[R O Tiree]

Neat work there, Steve.

[Gus]

post 18
http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=98244.0
I had not seen the Sziklai pair in an effect before.

Edit found this https://www.smallbearelec.com/HowTos/GeDarlingtons/GeDarlingtonPairs.htm

[culturejam]

post 18
http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=98244.0
I had not seen the Sziklai pair in an effect before.

http://www.buildyourownclone.com/board/viewtopic.php?f=41&t=36437

[smallbearelec]

http://www.buildyourownclone.com/board/viewtopic.php?f=41&t=36437

Thank you so much for pointing this out! I had thoought about creating a "Szik" "three-transistor Fuzz Face." It would use a hybrid silicon-germanium Sziklai pair (could be PNP or NPN depending on what you have available) with the gain adjusted to replace one hard-to-find/expensive device. Maybe this would be for the Q2 position, tweaked to a gain of 125 or so. Then Q1 is a 2N440x or 2N412x, which are not hard to find in the 80-90 range, and you are off to creating a "perfect" FF for a few garbanzos.

SD

[jdub]

Beautiful, tasteful work there, Steve.  I find the modular approach very intriguing, but it seems a bit more work intensive than my current approach.  Do you find this to be the case?

[smallbearelec]

I find the modular approach very intriguing, but it seems a bit more work intensive than my current approach.  Do you find this to be the case?

Doing the circuit on perf,  of course it's a god-awfully difficult build, though very satisfying. But once I get a PCB made it will be like assembling a toy! And there will eventually be lots of circuit "blox" that can be screwed-and-plugged in place.

[jdub]

Sweet!

[radio]

Dig the 5 Pot PCB!

And the 'anti-mojo' transistors of course