breaded up a son of screamer..however..

[Kipper4]

Everything except R7 R1
2x3mm red leds D2 D3

[J0K3RX]

My DIYLC layout is almost done, I'm pretty sure this is my final answer...

Since you're 3/4 of the way to Crunch Boxville might as well...   

[Ben Lyman]

Rich- I finally ditched R1, see my updated schematic last page, everything possible is tied to VB as well. Also got the "TS/Metal" switch.
Hmm... R7 is the 1K b/t pin2 and 22nF to ground? Isn't that an important one?
Also, check out the 27k to minimize the gain pot lowest setting.

Jim- Crunchbox presence pot! hmm... I have an old Crunchbox V1, always been one of my favorites, only 3 knobs on that one. I already have a layout going that has 3 board mounted pots and one toggle switch, that's usually about my max. I know I always say this too much but I'll say it again... over and over until the world finally understands: More switches and more knobs equals less music! 

[J0K3RX]

They put it on the inside on the later version.. one 20k trim and one 22n cap, makes a world of difference in the Crunch Box. Sounds good without it but, sounds really good with it. Most of the ones I have built in the past I just used a fixed resistor instead of a pot.

[Ben Lyman]

Most of the ones I have built in the past I just used a fixed resistor instead of a pot.

Same fixed r every time? 20K or other?

I just had another thought for this... how about some diodes to ground at the output like an MXR Dist+? Would that even do anything? 

I would test it but I'm going on a 3 day fishing trip in the morning. In the meantime, here's what I have to look forward to on my return...
Board mounted pots yo!

[deadastronaut]

Enjoy the fishing ben ...

[bloxstompboxes]

Most of the ones I have built in the past I just used a fixed resistor instead of a pot.

Same fixed r every time? 20K or other?

I just had another thought for this... how about some diodes to ground at the output like an MXR Dist+? Would that even do anything? 

I would test it but I'm going on a 3 day fishing trip in the morning. In the meantime, here's what I have to look forward to on my return...
Board mounted pots yo!

On the diodes to gnd, check out the DOD FX53 Classic Tube, Classic Fuzz, and the Supra Distortion. I did a layout on here for all those somewhere on here. They are all the same circuit with different values.

[deadastronaut]

ok, just tried bens latest,  it loses the metal edge and becomes a little flabby on the low end to my ears, did an a/b comparisson recording..feels a little less bitey too.

with my version with the ''5k' tone which is fine now , .seems more bitey

just my 2p. YMMV.

i,ll try the 'prescence' in a bit...cheers jim .

[duck_arse]

DA (t. o.), are you using the 51pF across the first stage still, or gorn wit the Lyman 470pF? by my calcs, the 470pF will take off A LOT of top at full gain.

and, if you hard wire the back-to-back leds across the first stage, you can then just switch in the 2 x 4148's, which will save not only a led (we know how much you like leds) but also a wire connection.

[deadastronaut]

hi ducky.. nope, i  am using a 47p...(didnt squeel even without, but just in case left that in)

i have 3 sets of diodes/leds setup to test/try out..

i'm a greedy piggy, but i'll prob settle on 2 sets...


added the pres pot, nice addition ...used a 10n/25kpot


i was using 2x 1n4148's in series, and 1 led opposite way..

[deadastronaut]

my diode config observations:

1: 1n4148/led  nice tight metal...good all rounder

2: 1n4148 x 2  nice compressed sustainy...good for solo's

3: 2xleds, more open metally...good for old rock riffing..

4: 2x1n4148's and led...great all rounder...

kinda leaning towards  1+4, but i also like 2/3 too.......hmmmm...decisions....

[Ben Lyman]

Dangnabbit! I knew it was too good to be true 

I was just looking at this: http://www.electrosmash.com/images/tech/tube-screamer/tube-screamer-tone-graph.png
And I do see a missing puzzle piece... the 20k pot or, in your case the 5k pot.

When I get home I will try a 5k fixed r across pin 5 and 6 to better simulate the "fully turned tone pot" or better yet, maybe a series 3k9 and 1k with the 220n hanging from the middle, like an "almost fully turned pot"

I still don't know how you keep it from squealing like me and Rich experienced.

Here's what I was talking about earlier if you were only using the diode switch pictures in your schematic, just eliminates one of the LEDs and has the same effect:

[deadastronaut]

Hhi ben , yep gotcha on the led...cheers.

ive rigged up 4 lots of diodes, the prob is i like all of them.....but i,ll restrain myself
from having 5 switches , and go with just 2.....not be a greedy piggy

tthe electro smash shows the circuit for full open tone...so id try that,

but the 5k works for me...


yep i dont get much squeel, even without the 47p, i presume that will go when boxed...shielded in etc...

[Ben Lyman]

I know what you mean, every time I try some weird new diode combo I like it too! Maybe you could put all the diodes in give each one it's own toggle with a jumper wire on it 
I think my fav is your #4 "great all rounder"

But the Electrosmash thing: If you look at their "full open" diagram it's missing the 20k resistor that would actually be there if you turned the 20k pot fully up. In your case, this resistance is 5k, so I wonder if throwing a fixed 5k on mine would bring back the bite.

I'll find out tonight when I get home

[Cozybuilder]

And we want to see pictures of your fish!

[deadastronaut]

+1

[Ben Lyman]

Ha! There it is, one crab and too small to keep 
First time I've ever crabbed with a pole, I never even knew people did that until this weekend.
Oh well, maybe next year I'll do better


Edit: Just added a 5k1 between pins 5 and 6, definitely made a difference, I'm going to add it to my DIYLC layout.
I don't think it can ever be made to sound like yours Rob, but at least now I am pretty sure it really is like having the tone knob turned all the way up.
Electrosmash left that out of their schematic but it really made an audible difference.

Pictured below is with the (R15) 5k1 added, which I will be using in my final build.  But also shown is a temporary experiment with (C12, D4, D5) 2x 1n4148 and a small cap, I probably won't add them but they had some interesting results. They change it so much that I can't decide if it's for better or worse, just completely different, would be best on a switch if at all. Easy enough to throw on the board if you are messing around.

[Ben Lyman]

Tested my perf build and all seems well so far. I socketed my 470pF and 4.7nF just in case. I was able to use Rob's 47pF without any squeal so I started lowering the 4.7nF and got some pleasing results. I was able to go all the way down to 1nF with that one, now it has all the good biteyness and still has all the metal chuggawoomp in the bottom end. It's a bit noisy as it is but I will get it boxed up soon and find out if it goes away.

[deadastronaut]

im still messing with tone control... playing with T-filters etc..

been down the SWTC/BMP etc etc...just werent cutting it..


with the 220n/220r coming off pin 6, instead of the usual tone, did you find it changed it a bit?.
seems like the should be a resistor across 6/5...hmmmm.....
just spotted the 5k1..


i totally removed the 220n after the 1k btw..it took out a bit of 'flubby bass' to my ears.

d4/d5?...

[rutabaga bob]

5 pages and counting....