Green Ringer secret?

[ljudsystem]

Ok, I've breadboarded this circuit twice now and all I get is a clean signal. I've matched resistors, diodes and capacitors. I've tried both silicon and germanium diodes, different transistors. I've tried different mod but the only thing that made a difference was an orman boost in front of it which gave it a little hair but no octave effect.

Sigh... Whats the secret to making this circuit work?


Btw, yes, I play with the neck pickup, tone rolled down.

[Elijah-Baley]

I hesitated a lot of time before to build this effect, though it is pretty easy to build. But I knew it's a bit tricky.
I build with the stripboard and I found a simple layout and easy layout, how I would, but the version is a clone of the Green Ringer: Earthquaker Devices Tentacle.
It's very similar to the Green Ringer, my built has worked well at the first time.

Here's the link for the details of the critical components of the circuit and the layout: http://tagboardeffects.blogspot.it/2016/11/earthquaker-devices-tentacle.html

Try also to take a look to the schematic.

[ljudsystem]

Ok, thanks. I'll try it out!

[Mark Hammer]

1) Stick a 10k variable resistance and 10uf cap in series, and run them in parallel with R5.  This will provide more "push" to the phase-splitter (Q2).

2) Use Schottky diodes for D1/D2.  They should be close in forward voltage, but don't drive yourself nuts with matching.

3) Stick a back-to-back pair of silicon diodes in series with a 1k resistor, and run then from the junction of C5/R13 to ground.

4) Since #1 above has the potential to increase output, replace R13 with a 50k log pot, to achieve effect/bypass balance.

This won't turn it into a Foxx Tone Machine (my preferred octave-up unit), but it will noticeably improve the performance of the GR, and yield better and more audible octaving.

[bool]

Foxx is a goody

[Elijah-Baley]

One day I would like to try the Foxx Tone Machine, but I think the Green Ringer is another kind of sound.

[Mark Hammer]

The Foxx is distinctive because of the feedback network in the front end that  enhances the "push" for the fundamental before it hits the phase-splitter.  The Ringer has a much simpler front end.

[allesz]

And what about the last transistor stage? It could be turned from buffer to gain stage quite easily...

[Mark Hammer]

Maybe, but more utility comes from boosting the input, since it affects the response of the doubling circuit, not just the output level.