Looking for my first DIY - Distortion with Crunch

[THRobinson]

Haven't played in years, but I have a nephew who plays now and I'm just getting into DIY electronics as a hobby... thought making a pedal would be a fun project to do after I make a Ruby Amp/Little Gem.

Although I can't stand Nickelback, I love how the guitar sounds at the start of Animals. Is there any chance that there's a DIY schematic/how-to for a pedal that does a similar sound? Been browsing on YouTube at some pedals and a lot of neat ones out there, but more often than not they sound a bit more buzzy, no crunch to them.

Anyone know of something that might work?

After that, I want to build the Mockman I think it's called... similar to Tom Scholz's Rockman from Boston... but that would be for myself. 

Thanks

[Hatredman]

A good starting point is finding out what gear they use.

Scarlett Johansson uses a Burst Box with her Telecaster.

[Hatredman]

On Google, "nickelback rig rundown", first hit:

https://www.premierguitar.com/articles/Rig_Rundown_Nickelbacks_Chad_Kroeger_Ryan_Peake

Scarlett Johansson uses a Burst Box with her Telecaster.

[THRobinson]

From what I can tell he uses a rack full of stuff the size of a fridge... I'm no further ahead to be honest.

Just figured with all the DIY'ers here making pedals, someone probably knows something that sounds similar. Crunch Box 2, just found that on YouTube, sounds pretty good, but still lacking a bit more crunch.

[Plexi]

Maybe Zvex Distortron or Box of Rock?

[EBK]

Although I can't stand Nickelback...

It's that constant hybrid singing/vomiting sound, right? 

[THRobinson]

It's that constant hybrid singing/vomiting sound, right? 

Oh, it goes beyond just the whining, I mean, singing.

@Plexi - Good call on that Zvex Distortron, watched a few reviews on YouTube and sounds pretty good.

[robthequiet]

Box of Rock, with tube screamer in front, my vote.

[Plexi]

I'm finishing one Box of Rock at this moment.
The owner asked me to place the SHO before the distortion.
Not my taste...I would like the SHO have more highs/mids to boost.

Something I really love about the BoR is the tone stack design: keep the mids and have a huge range.

[THRobinson]

Box of Rock, with tube screamer in front, my vote.

Found a comparison between the two on YouTube but no example of both together. Though for now, just looking to make 1 box simply to see if I can make it work.

Got a bunch of parts and such, bought a few variety kits, and a few specific caps for doing some re-capping, building a couple of Ruby/Little Gems... but seriously, those will be the first things I have ever built, so, pending the success of those will determine how many pedals I make, if any.

Got a handful of 4cmx6cm boards coming in, and bought a pair of aluminum boxes off eBay (1590B - 11.1cm x 6.0cm x 3.1cm) which from the diagrams I found of a few pedals, I think should be the right size.

I don't actually play anymore, not in 20yrs. Mostly doing these for my nephew. Building them and doing the artwork, is more for me. It's a win/win for both of us.

[Plexi]

In that case, I'll go for a simple tube screamer: a simplified one, without buffer.
ROG Tube Reamer, AMZ Son of Screamer

[Plexi]

In that case, I would go for a simple tube screamer: a simplified one, without buffer.
ROG Tube Reamer, AMZ Son of Screamer

[robthequiet]

I don't actually play anymore, not in 20yrs. Mostly doing these for my nephew. Building them and doing the artwork, is more for me. It's a win/win for both of us.

Don't worry, as you test the boxes you'll get back in. Rock'n'Roll never forgets 

Putting the overdrive in front of the preamp, without cranking up too much, gives you some nice harmonics and a bit more gain & texture -- can be a bit more responsive. Thus the Klon, for instance, as an always-on gateway device.

[THRobinson]

I use to love working on guitars, but very mediocre player. Had about 13 at one time... sold them all, regret selling a couple of them... but I still have my BCRich Warlock from like 1992. That was a gift so, can't sell that one.

Also, I have half a Washburn N2... garage sale for $10. someone pulled the Floyd Rose and tried to put a two-piece on it like a Les Paul and kinda mis-measured the holes. I ended up with glue/wood/clamps, filled in the back where the springs were, and front where the damage was done. also relocated the 3-way switch. Then summer came and too busy to finish until winter.

Will put through-the-body ferrules and a new bridge, and paint it since wood finish is shot now. I'll probably use it as the test guitar, and again, make a Mockman for myself.

[THRobinson]

Came across a pedal today, really liking it... Anyone have a link to the build info? If one exists...

https://youtu.be/w-2a5_Mqd7c

Chuleta Fuzz Pedal

[Plexi]

Came across a pedal today, really liking it... Anyone have a link to the build info? If one exists...

https://youtu.be/w-2a5_Mqd7c

Chuleta Fuzz Pedal

Nice nasty fuzz there...!
Sounds similar to a Triple Fuzz... but I didn't found anything.

[THRobinson]

Ya, they had a Top 21 List or something similar and this was listed... loved it, but not sure if it's something they designed, or something already in existence that they gave their own name to, or what.

Review is 3yrs old... tried going to Toyroom Guitar Effects' site and guess no longer building pedals. :S

[Ben Lyman]

Hi TH, I highly recommend this "Cool One Knob Fuzz" by Gus Smalley:
http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=111894.msg1030810#msg1030810

[THRobinson]

Any chance of a link to a demo of it? see what it sounds like?

I don't have enough parts in my inventory yet to build random pedals, I'll have to find a few I want to make, buy the parts plus extras and start building up that way.

Really liked that Chuleta Fuzz Pedal though, hoping someone knows where a diagram may be.

[Ben Lyman]

Any chance of a link to a demo of it? see what it sounds like?

I don't have enough parts in my inventory yet to build random pedals, I'll have to find a few I want to make, buy the parts plus extras and start building up that way.

Really liked that Chuleta Fuzz Pedal though, hoping someone knows where a diagram may be.

Afraid not, I made it when Gus first posted the schematic and I remember it sounds like a Muff Fuzz, the link you posted also sounds like a Muff Fuzz to me.
Any fuzz designed by Gus is sure to be a winner, he is very good at making Si fuzzes that sound like classic Ge fuzzes.
Do you have a breadboard? I breadboard everything first, then I know what to expect.