Tone Bender Mark II Professional

[jsleep]

New Project on an old worn out subject :-)  Nothing new here, just kind of put it all together in one comprehensive project page.  The last version listed on the page is the one by RDV that was floating around here a while ago, built with silicon transistors.  RDV: let me know if I got all the resistor values correct, there were several versions.  Please let me know if anyone finds any mistakes, etc.  I tested all the versions on the boards, but sometimes mistakes still creep in.  Some great information on this one at Fuzz Central too.

http://www.generalguitargadgets.com/v2/index.php?%20option=displaypage&Itemid=182&op=page&SubMenu=

Thanks,
JD Sleep

[RDV]

Cool!
C3 should be .1uF, but other than that it's great!

RDV

[jsleep]

and R3 is 47k not 10k, right?

JD Sleep

[RDV]

and R3 is 47k not 10k, right?

Yes, R3 is 47k, that first schem I sent had some mistakes.

Thanks for putting it in, I still play a bit through mine, I think it's quite worthy.

RDV

[jsleep]

ok, update to C3 has been posted, thanks RDV!

JD Sleep

[zener]

Well, can anybody give a description on how those three sets of transistors sound like in the MKII?

Maybe some sound clips one of these days?

[phillip]

Don't forget the 0.01uF capacitor that's on the outside (input jack side) of the input capacitor on the original MKIIs (and some Supa Fuzz).  It keeps the circuit from being so darn trebly

On the original ToneBender MKII, R3 was 100K, but on the Supa Fuzz it was 47K.  The 47K sounds better in the circuit IMO...keeps it from sounding gated and tightens the sound up a bit.  R5 and C3 were also originally 470R and 0.01uF respectively, just like the Fuzz Face.

The schematic below is what most agree to be the all-original circuit, but of course there were parts value variations throughout the production.  OC75 transistors were also used I believe:



Phillip

[RDV]

I've never seen that .01uF to ground at the input on any posted schem but yours. It seems like a very good idea though, the excess treble is why I made my out-cap .1uF.

Regards

RDV

[phillip]

I've never seen that .01uF to ground at the input on any posted schem but yours. It seems like a very good idea though, the excess treble is why I made my out-cap .1uF.

Regards

RDV

I'm not sure why it's always left off.  A while back Stuart Castledine mentioned that there was indeed a 0.01uF cap on that outside of the input capactor, and I went back and looked at some pictures of the guts of original MKIIs that I've collected, and sure enough, there it was.  It definitely helps to get rid of some of the highs that will otherwise poke your eardrums out

Phillip

[jsleep]

Hi Phillip,

I'm not sure what you are saying, are you talking about C3 or another cap that is not on yours or my schematics?

JD Sleep

[phillip]

Hi Phillip,

I'm not sure what you are saying, are you talking about C3 or another cap that is not on yours or my schematics?

JD Sleep

I just meant that the output capacitor is indeed 0.01uF like the Fuzz Face, and that there is a 0.01uF capacitor on the outside of the input capacitor (that's is usually left off), which is there to help remove some of the highs from the circuit.

Before I found out that there was a 0.01uF capacitor on the input to ground, I changed the output cap to 0.047uF to get rid of some of those highs.

Phillip

[jsleep]

oh, great! I guess I did it wrong.  I missed that when looking at your schematics and stuff.  

Well, I'll replace the pulldown resistor with the 0.01uF cap.  Pulldown resistor can be added right onto the switch if needed.

JD Sleep

[Gus]

don't forget the Hot Silicon.

[joao bernardo]

I just built a hot silicon yesterday and I really liked.
Thanks Gus and Doug Hammond.

[Lonestarjohnny]

I built the Hot Silicon about a month ago and through my Super it kick's butt, Nice Pedal for me, thank's to Doug and Gus.
JD

[jsleep]

Hi Gus,

Yes, I considered that, I decided that it would "over-complicate" this simple board layout and that I will address it separately.  Maybe just an dinky add-on board for the tone control.

JD Sleep

[aron]

Horrid drawing, but some may find this interesting.... FAT tone.

[R.G.]

I don't know if there's a lot of interest, but a couple of years ago I did a PCB layout of an "Omni-Face". By selective population you can build any of the fuzz face and derivatives on it.

[Lonestarjohnny]

Thanks Aron, I'm lookin for a Sweet Fat tome for The Lead in Little Wing, I've been trying all kinds of pedal's but no dice, I'll know the tone when I hear it, but for now, everything sounds too thin, I'll build your version and see if it's what I'm lookin for,
JD

[brian wenz]

Hello Everybody--
   If you want a great example of a Tonebender MK II near-saturation, get a copy of the Yardbirds "Little Games" album and listen  to "Smile on Me".    The solo has Page playing his Telecaster through a MK II that appears to be set on "destroy" !
Brian.