New Brian May Treble Boost (PICS)

[JerryP]

Thought I would post some pictures of my new Treble Boost pedal, just completed. It's based on the TonePad Brian May TB Project using stock components but using a BC557 transistor as I couldn't get the 2N5087 listed in the project PDF. I didn't include a LED on this think I may be regretting that now but not a showstopper.



Am pleased with the overall sound however, the Boost control tends to do a volume sort of thing, I presume this is correct. It most definately makes the sound more 'trebly' but not sure if this is because it's cutting the lows more than boosting the highs? Any comments on this would be welcome.

Overall, I am pleased with this, my third build (a Distortion + and Red Fuzz previously) and getting better each time with lessons learned each time. Even managed to get some graphics on this one.

Regards

Jerry

[MartyB]

Cool graphics Jerry!  Have you tried some germaniums in there?  Mine have scrounged Japanese germs from old audio apps.  You might do some comparisons.

MartyB

[brian wenz]

Hello Hello--
  Looks great!  How did you do the graphics?
If you can get a good germanium tranny you should build  the stock Rangemaster circuit.....I always use the RM as a "point of camparison" to my other treble boosters.
Brian.

[Rodgre]

It most definately makes the sound more 'trebly' but not sure if this is because it's cutting the lows more than boosting the highs?

Awesome job!

To answer your question in a way, the way I think of treble boosters is that they ARE cutting lows, and then boosting the signal, hence boosting the treble. I don't necessarily think of them like I would think a normal EQ circuit, like boosting the hi-shelf on a mixing board, or boosting a high frequency on a graphic EQ.

Roger

[RDV]

Nice job but I would recommend grounding that output jack.

RDV

[brian wenz]

Hello RDV--
     Wouldn't the  metal box take care of the ground?
 I notice another Hammerite finish on a treble booster box........I've GOT TO GET some of that stuff!!
Brian.

[RDV]

Hello RDV--
     Wouldn't the  metal box take care of the ground?
 I notice another Hammerite finish on a treble booster box........I've GOT TO GET some of that stuff!!
Brian.

Better safe than sorry, if the jack comes loose=intermittant sound.

RDV

[brian wenz]

Hello RDV--
     You've brought up a good point.  Have you ever had any "ground loop" problems [more noise, etc.] by running the jacks to ground??
I would ground everything and then have people tell me that it could create more noise in the circuit.  What's yer experience with this?
Thanks--
Brian.

[stm]

In my experience as EE I can add the following:

Never trust on o ground connection through a chassis (box) unless you are making really solid contact with the chassis.  This means the chassis must be:

a) treated for good SURFACE conductance, so it makes good contact with your connectors, or...

b) you should run a wire soldered to the connector and then bolted to the chassis.

Remember that bare aluminum oxidizes very promptly in contact with air (it still looks like aluminum), thus good contact is not ensured in that way.  Most likely it will conduct, but a poor contact can create IMD (intermodulation distortion).

[JerryP]

Thanks for all your comments.

I hope to be able to try some germaniums, see what sort of difference that makes to the sound as it is now. Any advice on what I may look to try in place of the BC557? (at this point I should say that I am in no way an electronics expert, learning but still very new!)

The graphics were done after some deliberation in quite a straightforward way. I did the design in Macromedia Freehand MX (making sure that I got the dimensions sorted for the various offboard components) and then printed it off on good quality photo paper. I then got it laminated and cut out the design. It was then glued on using some EXTREMELY sticky spray on glue designed actually for sticking down carpet tiles! it needed a bit of cleaning up after (you can still see some of it around the switch that I need to clean up) but the good thing about it being laminated is that you can wipe it with pretty much anything and it doesn't smudge/run/fade etc. Didn't use any Hammerite though...

With regard to the Output Jack, Tonepads PDF hints that this grounding can be done via the enclosure and given that I tightened it pretty TIGHT I would hope for no problems. I'm still very new in terms of playing (40 year old trying again!) if I ever gigged with it, perhaps then I would go the extra mile with things like that. Thanks for the tip thought RDV much appreciated.

Thanks again guys.

Jerry

[Marcos - Munky]

Looks great!!! Try to find germaniuns in the parts stores. If you don't find one, go to a place that repair old electronic things and ask for one, they may have one.

[brian wenz]

Hello Hello--
      Yeah, I agree with [and do]  all the aforementioned prep and tightening procedures but I'd still like to get more opinions on the noise generated in a circuit as a result of different grounding techniques.
Anybody??
Brian.

[RDV]

Hello Hello--
      Yeah, I agree with [and do]  all the aforementioned prep and tightening procedures but I'd still like to get more opinions on the noise generated in a circuit as a result of different grounding techniques.
Anybody??
Brian.

I've never experienced any ground loops because of circuit grounding, and my comments result from being a full time gigger and hedging allbets to make sure there will be no failures(though they happen anyway).

I take my new pedalboard I posted the pictures of to the gig last night and the singer steps on the plug going into the wah-wah and ruins the whole thing. All that work, and I had to rip the thing apart cause it was time to play. I was furious.

RDV

[brian wenz]

Hello Hello-
      Singers....yeah, all they wanna do is put lyrics inbetween perfectly good guitar solos!   [and step on stuff.....]
   I don't think I've ever noticed any big difference in noise with different kinds of grounding in my pedals, but alot of guys with more experience then me kept talking about the merits of "star grounding" and other "do's and don'ts" .   I'm like you, everything I make is used in a band situation, so maybe there is a SMALL difference when measured in a controlled test with all the right scopes and  meters.....
Brian.

[RDV]

I do try to star ground when possible. I always do it when I perf. I also do it if I buy one of GGG's excellent RTS PCBs cause he usually puts enough ground points on there to do so.

RDV

[GreenEye]

I like your label method!  

Beats sanding, priming, baking, painting, baking, painting, sanding, baking, kiln firing at 3,500 degrees F, clear coating, acid washing, and final polishing (sorry, that was vodka talking).

[bigjonny]

You might try yer luck w/ this stuff:
http://www.adorama.com/3MMA11.html

Silicon beads w/ glue in 'em.  Squeegie the glue to the back of yer paper; position it on the metal; squeegie again.

3M is pretty great for sticking stuff in general:
http://www.3m.com/us/mfg_industrial/adhesives/

[vdm]

hey! really nice looking pedal - and it's pretty neat inside too! the laminated paper idea is a good one, i might have to give it a go, and compare it to some other methods when i get the chance.

oh and btw, RDV, that my friend, is why i always use right angle jacks coming out of my pedals at the beginning and end of my effects chain. Just lowers the decreases the surface area where one (evil singers and unwanted bandmates friends) could step on it and break the jack/lead.

trent

[JerryP]

Thanks VDM, I am really pleased with the look of the pedal and the graphics. It's a simple method but quite effective I think. Obviously the laminated piece needs to be stuck very well and so far the adhesive I have used has proved a good choice. It's not exactly silk screening but far less effort!

[jayp5150]

Looks awesome!  Maybe I'm missing something, but if there's no LED, then what's the 3rd pole of the 3pdt doing?  Just wondering.