Advice for choosing a basic distortion effect to build need

[robbiemcm]

I decided to build a new distortion pedal after I couldn't get the Obsidian Overdrive working, I guess that one was just too hard for me. So I'm going to start simpler, but probably not one like the beginner one on this forum. I want one that may have a few less components than the obsidian overdrive as I'm not planning to try and make it as small as possible as there would be more chance for me to screw up again. So are there any relatively simple ones that in your opinion produce a good, realtively noiseless gain/distortion/overdrive sound.

Thanks for all the help you can give me,
Robbie

[bograt]

My 12 year old daughter and I made this one for our first attempt:
http://www.smallbearelec.com/Projects/TweakO/TweakO.htm

[bwanasonic]

I'd give Joe Davisson's Easy Drive a try:

http://www.diystompboxes.com/analogalchemy/pedals/easydrive.html

Not sure what you have in mind for an overdrive sound, but this one is a good all-around circuit that works especially well with the guitars volume/tone controls. It's also a good test bed to explore the effect different combinations of diodes/LEDs have on the clipping.

Kerry M

[jmusser]

I second the Easy Drive! I made one for the first time the other day, and it was a wonderful circuit. If you look around on search, you can find my review on it, where I raved for two hours! The 2N3904 sounded great in there, but I subbed a OC140 germanium in it's place, and it was also wonderful. I plan to mod it to switch between the two tones. it's plug and play, but there is also a second addition that shows how to add a volume control, and maybe tone.

[mac]

Obsidian uses mosfet bs250. Most likely you damaged some of them with your own electrostatic charge. If use mosfets my advice is to solder sockets so if one is damaged while handling you can replace it easily. And remember to touch some metallic stuff like the case of a transformer to discharge yourself, take your shoes off and use some cotton socks.
Start with the easy drive, read some basic electronics and gradually begin to mix parts of pedals.

mac

[robbiemcm]

Yeah, I used the 2N7000s instead of the BS250s as I couldn't find any of the latter in Australia. I would love to solder in some sockets, and that would probably fix the problem. I've always suspected I might be frying them.. but anyway, I have no idea where to get any sockets. Altronics would be a good place to look, but I couldn't find any online..

Anyway, the Easy Drive looks absolutely perfect! Looks quite simple, very few components (won't cost as much!) looks like a great place for me to (re)start. I'll build it over the next few weekends probably.

The only problem is, I don't know where to find the 2N5089. I remember someone telling me there was an alternative to it, and I managed to find it in one of the stores. But due to my brilliance: I didn't write it down, and now it appears as though the post has disappeared. I was sure I'd find it by checking all my most recent posts, but it just doesnt seem to be there..

Thanks for your help.

[robbiemcm]

Anyone able to tell me what an equivalent for the 2N5089 is? I'm guessing it's the 2N3904 as that's what many people seem to be using.. I can find that one in the stores aswell. If I were to use that or whatever the equivalent is: would I have to make any changes to the circuit? Resistor values?

thanks

[criss]

G day
Im also from oz( melb ) and if you ever need anything feel free to give me a yell .  I have a friend who orders from the U.S and will put items onto his list when he sends it off .

You can get IC sockets from dick smith , they sell one that has 30 odd sockets in a long line . You can cut these up for whatever config you need .  Code for the IC socket is P4300 costs $2.78  .  You can also get the 2N3904 Code is Z2070 there 35 cents .

They sell plenty of other transistors cheal so grab a few different ones and plug them into your sockets .

[robbiemcm]

Thankyou so much, those IC sockets will definitely save my life! Even if they don't solve the Obsidian Overdrive problem it eliminates one possibility, plus I won't have to worry about frying transistors anymore. Something which I thought would have been quite easy to get has proved impossible for me. 3PDT footswitches don't seem to exist here, not sure about the eastern states. But I've looked at the online stores of many shops we have here in WA and I just can't find them, really annoying. Came close with this one, but it has been discontinued.. no idea why..

http://www.altronics.com.au/index.asp?area=item&id=S1153

I might just have to buy some from Aron, however it would be nice if there was a place locally where I could just go and pick them up rather than waiting for an order to come in.

[criss]

No probs gld i could help out a fellow builder .

I always use the IC sockets  , mainly so i can try plugging in different transistors . ( plus not frying them is also a plus )  :  )

Same this side of oz we can t get switchs .

Cheers mate

criss

[robbiemcm]

I emailed Altronics to try and see why they discontinued the item, but I still havn't got a reply yet. Wow this is annoying, it'd be far better if they just got a nice stock of 100 of them every now and then and put them in store until they sold out. there is no way they'd lose money off them..

[criss]

Good idea , ive been hassleing dick smith also . What i do is hassle them via email , and ask the shop manager and make him writedown what you want , then he hopefully asks head office . If we keep doing it we may get results . Hassle every store you see , let them know thres a big market for them and they can make $$$$

same goes for enclosures . show them what people are buying . tell them radio parts , alltronics are selling hundreds of that type to the diy builders . They what that type so you should stock them . Let them know your serious and know your stuff . And if they bring these products to headoffices attention they will sell and it will bring in all the diy effect makers and they will need wire , caps etc . Its a win win for them .

but hey you always have aron , his prices are great and he deserves the sales , so i dont want to step on his toes re sales to oz .

[phaeton]

Choosing a basic distortion:

I've had a great deal of fun with Jack Orman's Muffer:

http://www.muzique.com/schem/projects.htm

(scroll down a lil bit and you'll see it).  It's a nice, simple little circuit that sounds good as is but lends itself well to all kinds of mods.  IMHO this should be *the* beginner project, not a FuzzFace.

my $0.0257 + tax, title, licensing fees, dealer prep and federal surcharges.

[octafish]

BC549C is a good sub for the 2n5089 and has a supplimentary PNP that can sub for the 2n5088, BC559. High Gain Low Noise.

[PenPen]

I second the Muffler. Great circuit, easy to build, plus it demonstrates a common method for tranistor amplification, as opposed to the goofy design of the FF. Once you build and understand the muffler you will understand the gain stages of most distortion and booster designs. Very flexible too.

[robbiemcm]

Do you mean BC549, or is BC549C different??

Anyway, I'll buy a pack of 25 of each of these: BC549, BC559, 2N3904
And then I'll buy all the other components for the Easy Drive, build it on breadboard and see which I prefer, the BC549 or the 2N3904 (Providing the BC549 is what octafish meant)

Criss: We could try and encourage some of the people on this forum to spam Dick Smith asking why they havnt got the 3PDT switches and some other things

[brett]

Hi.
I agree with Kerry etc that the EasyDrive is a simple project with good results.

Anyone able to tell me what an equivalent for the 2N5089 is? I'm guessing it's the 2N3904 as that's what many people seem to be using.. I can find that one in the stores aswell.

The 2N5089 is very similar to the MPSA18.  In either case you'd probably have to get them from Small Bear Electronics.  The 2N3904 has lower potential gain (hFE) and may be slightly noisier, but in many cases the differences will be small.  But even closer is the PN100, which you can get almost everywhere.  It's mate is the PN200 (similar to the 2N5088).

If you're really keen to get 5089s and it's just one or two, email me your address and I'll post them.
cheers

[robbiemcm]

Don't worry about sending me any, if I'm desperate for some I'll just order them in from overseas. It wouldn't be right to have you sending them to me. Are there any circuits where it is crucial that you don't use a substitute and that you MUST use the 2N5089 or 2N5088?

[petemoore]

  Using sockets and trying different types of Si NPN's explains'...
  Most all of these circuits will work with these transistors, some respond to lower or higher gain transistors, depending on how they are used in 'X' circuit.
  2n5089 and MPSA18: low noise/ high gain, just like it says in the Data sheet [IIRC Gain is 600+], it's probably worth trying a HG/LN transistor in this circuit...isn't this the one that attempts to see how much gain can be wrought from 1Q?
  2n5088: great general purpose, not as high gain as 5089's
  BCxxx: transistors have a different 'character' to their sound [various gains]
  2n3904: generally work, but if high gain is called for or desired, they may fall below [depending on the circuit] the desired gain [IIRC these are around 200-300hfe, medium gain]
   2n2369: Low gain, great for FF Q1
   2n2222 also 'lower gain, most I measured were a little higher than 2369's.
 

[robbiemcm]

Alright so from what I've read here, this is my guess at the subsitutes, tell me if I'm wrong..

2N5089: BC549, MPSA18, PN100
2N5088: BC559, PN200

I can get  the BC549, BC559, PN100, PN200 and 2N3904 so I think I should go and buy 10 of each of these after i finish my exams