A very useful Boost (takeoff on MiniBoost)

[Dave Z]

I finished my Stomplab "Tristan" this last weekend, and it was pretty darned amazing. Main mods to the famed Orman Mini-boost design was an idea I stole from the MatchBox at Runoffgroove - variable capacitors inter-stage.

I'm using (where Jack O had a 3.3 uF) the following caps on a 5-way dualpole from Smallbear:

2uF (N.P.) compared to a tant, the electrolytic gives more than bass, you get a big wooly sound...fuzzy around the edges and huge even with a bridge PU.

1 uF Tant - the tants tighten up the base, more crisp. With a bridge PAF, this is big & bold, think AC/DC...a strat bridge PU sounds bold, a strat middle PU is huge,  but defined.

.22 uF Film Here we start getting cleaned up on the low end - perfect for strat neck or middle PU, or PAF on the neck...cleans out the wool. Leaves enough bass for a big sounds through a distortion box...add to a TS9 for SRV tones.

.02 uF Film - getting thinner here, but still pretty nice. This will make a PAF bridge PU cut, especially with a TS9 after...neck PUs are nice and clean for rhythm with a mellower treble than using your bridge PU straight

.002 uF - does not work so well, will replace with .01 and see how that goes.

All in all this is a really nice sounding pedal, gives you sweet tone & a bit of an edge when you need it, even at modest volumes. I have a hard time turning it off! Much rounder, sweeter OD than a Screamer. Or use it to make your screamer scream.

What I like best is that it takes the thinness out of the first string...even on a strat, gives those treble notes some body they just never had. Can't recommend this one enough, whatever you pick for a filter..frankly, I like the 5-choice switch, would not think of giving it up!

BTW schem & pics here:

http://briefcase.yahoo.com/fenderelectric

[Steben]

Looks like you could save on parts a bit: R5 could be swapped with a 1k trimmer with the center lug connected to the cap like in a Fuzz Face.

But it looks quite useful off course! ;-) You get an A+ from me.

[Dave Z]

Good point Steben....but what I had was a 10K trimpot lying around, I tend to schem what I used. When I build another one (likely!) I'll try the 1K trimpot

[Marcos - Munky]

Looks cool!!! Thanks for share it.