New BOOSTER for ya !!!!

[Dragonfly]

ok so there are a few different items at Radio shack that I purchased today.  I haven't opened them yet so I can take them back.

So far this is what I got.  Please let me know if something won't work.  lol

Caps.
10uF 35v
1uF Electrolytic cap 50v
.022 Polyester-Film cap - Radial leads - 50WVDC max

Trimmer.
100k Micro-sized Potentiometer - 50VDC - 0.1W


They didn't hjave many of the resistors except the 100k ones.  I already have the 1M, so I am good there.

For the 2.7k resistors, would 4.7k work?  I already have 4.7k lol.  Call me cheap.  :lol:  (But seriously, would I notice a difference?)

Still need the 2.2M, the Tranny, and the pots.

So is the rule that (within reasonable amounts) you can go over the value, but not under?

Anyone?

The 1uF is non-polorized.  Is that a problem?

looks ok...im not sure if a 4k7 resistor would hinder your ability to bias the fet, but it should be ok.

non polarized is fine as well

[lethargytartare]

Just fired an SB up at rehearsal, and everyone loved it!  Guitarist one played a Dean flying V through a Fender Deluxe tube, and guitarist two played it with his Amer Tele deluxe through a fender reverb -- it sounded great everywhere!  I was impressed how the gain impact is "subtle" -- don't know how else to describe it, but it just puts a different color and edge on the sound that doesn't change it so drastically as to be a different sound all together...awesome.  Thanks Dragonfly!!!

ltt

[GreenEye]

Well, my conversion from breadboard to perf was a huge success!  I hope to post pics and sound clips soon.  I can't see not having clipping diodes at the end of the circuit - it really works well, and I'll probably always keep one or the other "on."  It will be interesting to see if I can capture the different subtle tonalities of my toggles in the sound clips.

This was my not my first build, however, it was my first build where I used toggles successfully, my first build in which I soldered the offboard stuff inside the box instead of splayed out all over the place, my first major (some may not think they were that major) tweaks to a circuit, and my first solder-up with only one small problem that I solved in like 5 minutes (see below).

When I first fired it up, I had forgotten to run a ground line from the drive pot.  This still produced sound, but rendered my toggles and gain pot useless.  I was afraid at first it was something on the board - and as my pics will show - I would have had a nightmare reaching my board under all the wires I placed over it.  I've got to stop burying my boards like that.  I'm with Marty on having more room in boxes from now on.

If anyone hates goofing with LED grommets like me - just put a piece of black electrical tape on the inside of the case over the hole, and poke through it with something.  Then just squeeze the led up to its hilt through the hole.  Both the tackiness of the tape and the wedging effect really holds the LED in place well.  You just need to watch the diameter of the LED hole so it will be a tight fit.

[Dragonfly]

Just fired an SB up at rehearsal, and everyone loved it!  Guitarist one played a Dean flying V through a Fender Deluxe tube, and guitarist two played it with his Amer Tele deluxe through a fender reverb -- it sounded great everywhere!  I was impressed how the gain impact is "subtle" -- don't know how else to describe it, but it just puts a different color and edge on the sound that doesn't change it so drastically as to be a different sound all together...awesome.  Thanks Dragonfly!!!

ltt

youre welcome !!!  it seems to be a big "hit" everywhere...its such an easy circuit, but sometimes those are the best !

i agree about the gain pot...adds a bit more "teeth" to it, and subtly changes the coloration of the boost...

thats awesome that its working out with all those rigs !

andy
dragonfly fx

[Dragonfly]

Well, my conversion from breadboard to perf was a huge success!  I hope to post pics and sound clips soon.  I can't see not having clipping diodes at the end of the circuit - it really works well, and I'll probably always keep one or the other "on."  It will be interesting to see if I can capture the different subtle tonalities of my toggles in the sound clips.

This was my not my first build, however, it was my first build where I used toggles successfully, my first build in which I soldered the offboard stuff inside the box instead of splayed out all over the place, my first major (some may not think they were that major) tweaks to a circuit, and my first solder-up with only one small problem that I solved in like 5 minutes (see below).

When I first fired it up, I had forgotten to run a ground line from the drive pot.  This still produced sound, but rendered my toggles and gain pot useless.  I was afraid at first it was something on the board - and as my pics will show - I would have had a nightmare reaching my board under all the wires I placed over it.  I've got to stop burying my boards like that.  I'm with Marty on having more room in boxes from now on.

If anyone hates goofing with LED grommets like me - just put a piece of black electrical tape on the inside of the case over the hole, and poke through it with something.  Then just squeeze the led up to its hilt through the hole.  Both the tackiness of the tape and the wedging effect really holds the LED in place well.  You just need to watch the diameter of the LED hole so it will be a tight fit.

i cant wait to hear those clips bro ! i have the feeling those clipping diodes will really increase the versatility of the the Sparkle Boost, and get it nicely into "overdrive" territory.

nice trick with the led!

andy
dragonfly fx

[Alpha579]

jeez, 6 pages on a simple single stage J-fet booster    has anyone compared the fetzer valve to this?

[Dragonfly]

jeez, 6 pages on a simple single stage J-fet booster  

simplicity is often best.....

has anyone compared the fetzer valve to this?

talk to martymart...i think he's built both, and could compare....

[petemoore]

Yeah, prelim results here show the Sparkle Distorts more.
 Again, tonight, I can say I think i'VE  built every Jfet Booster.
 Mini Booster [kind of in a differnt class, uses two Q's] High output.
 Stratoblaster...pretty clean boost
 Fetzer...Fendery sounding more output than Strato
 Sparkle...More Gainy sound, In the Boost / OD dept. I think. Yupp real nice, with all the talk of the SB, I couldn't hold off, first build in a couple months...good one !!!
 Only tried on the 'Lil' Lab' Tube Amp [RCA Victor]...should be great on the big one though.

[Dragonfly]

Yeah, prelim results here show the Sparkle Distorts more.
 Again, tonight, I can say I think i'VE  built every Jfet Booster.
 Mini Booster [kind of in a differnt class, uses two Q's] High output.
 Stratoblaster...pretty clean boost
 Fetzer...Fendery sounding more output than Strato
 Sparkle...More Gainy sound, In the Boost / OD dept. I think. Yupp real nice, with all the talk of the SB, I couldn't hold off, first build in a couple months...good one !!!
 Only tried on the 'Lil' Lab' Tube Amp [RCA Victor]...should be great on the big one though.

nice !!! thanks for the comparisons...its interesting to see what the differences is the "sound" of seemingly similar circuits are...


the question a few people have asked is how the fetzer and the sparkle compare to each other...i guess i should build a fetzer sometime soon and find out for myself

[petemoore]

Sounds to me like the Sparkle has greater internal distortion of the Jfet, I happen to like Jfet 'n Amp distortion characteristics.

[lethargytartare]

Just an in-the-field update -- we played out Saturday (Drivin' South), and my guitarist had the SB I made for him in his rig.  He uses it through long portions of the set and is quite happy with it!

Cheers!

ltt

[Dragonfly]

Just an in-the-field update -- we played out Saturday (Drivin' South), and my guitarist had the SB I made for him in his rig.  He uses it through long portions of the set and is quite happy with it!

Cheers!

ltt

nice !  glad its working out for ya....wasnt he the one using a SHO prior to this ?

[adgators89]

on the layout, what is the grayish/silver thing.  as you can tell I am new to this.  and also what is a "tranny"

thanks

[Torchy]

crp

[adgators89]

thanks for the help, I appreciate it

[petemoore]

K...Got her boxed up and installed with switch !!!
 Plugged HB pickup into SB then MkII "n 4 x 12'' GB speaks...
 WOW...What A great sound !!!
 Excellent performance !!! Played that for quite some time, Very Happy !!

[Dragonfly]

K...Got her boxed up and installed with switch !!!
 Plugged HB pickup into SB then MkII "n 4 x 12'' GB speaks...
 WOW...What A great sound !!!
 Excellent performance !!! Played that for quite some time, Very Happy !!

thanks !  i hope it gets LOTS of use at your place Pete....

i'm really proud of this circuit....it absolutely kills with Marshalls !  

andy
dragonfly fx

[seanm]

I was unable to view the schematic. Does anybody have a copy?

[Dragonfly]

I was unable to view the schematic. Does anybody have a copy?

use the "search" function on this forum...its in the thread  "weekend builds sparkle boost schematic" ....

andy
dragonfly fx

[lethargytartare]

Actually my other guitarist (dean player) uses the SHO -- I let him play the SB for a while, but I built it for the guy who has it now (tele player).  Dean-player gave it rave reviews as well...  

Just an in-the-field update -- we played out Saturday (Drivin' South), and my guitarist had the SB I made for him in his rig.  He uses it through long portions of the set and is quite happy with it!

Cheers!

ltt

nice !  glad its working out for ya....wasnt he the one using a SHO prior to this ?