Melanhead Headcase and M.O.D. build report (now with pics)

[tungngruv]

Built both of these over the last few days. To make this short and sweet, they both sounded so good through my Ibanez 7strings and 79" Marshall JMP that I put them both up in the same box w/ 2 switches so I could go between two very good and usefull tones. The M.O.D. is a really defined overdrive and the Headcase (modded Rat, right?) has a lot more gain. Both have very different but great rock tones. I see what you mean about the Headcase not being mushy...... I run them with more volume than gain, letting my amp do some of the work. Melahead, I know you claim to be just a "tweaker", but these two sound pretty fine to me!!!!! BTW, the polarity question about the 1 uf and .68 uf caps I asked? I was right, + to the op amp side of the circuits. Thanks.     

[Melanhead]

Built both of these over the last few days. To make this short and sweet, they both sounded so good through my Ibanez 7strings and 79" Marshall JMP that I put them both up in the same box w/ 2 switches so I could go between two very good and usefull tones. The M.O.D. is a really defined overdrive and the Headcase (modded Rat, right?) has a lot more gain. Both have very different but great rock tones. I see what you mean about the Headcase not being mushy...... I run them with more volume than gain, letting my amp do some of the work. Melahead, I know you claim to be just a "tweaker", but these two sound pretty fine to me!!!!! BTW, the polarity question about the 1 uf and .68 uf caps I asked? I was right, + to the op amp side of the circuits. Thanks.     

GREAT! ... and thanks! ....... glad to see someone else is getting enjoyment outa my "tweaking" ... 

Yup the Headcase is a Rat type circuit but using a 4558. I wanted to see what it would sound like, plus the 4558 is a lot less money and I have a tone of 'em!  ... It's been tweaked though to my liking ... so I guess it started as a Rat.

Both circuits, I'm sure, will be tweaked more over time 

[tungngruv]

I'm using a couple 4559's I got from Conn. of Distortion. They sound great. Like I said, I really like em. You did good!!

[Melanhead]

I'm using a couple 4559's I got from Conn. of Distortion. They sound great. Like I said, I really like em. You did good!!

Cool ...

I'm assuming you built the MOD lite ? without the second clipping stage ( as I never really got it working right ... )

That's cool about the 4559 ... I've never tried 'em.

[tungngruv]

Yes, the mod lite, although I did build the first M.O.D. also with the distortion side. I thought it sounded great but the gain on the dist. side was pretty buzzy at higher settings. I love the sound of a cranked tube amp with an OD giving the little "extra" push by keeping the gain around 10:00 and the volume cranked just above unity gain. I actually used that pedal at a band audition. I got the gig too!!!

[Melanhead]

Yes, the mod lite, although I did build the first M.O.D. also with the distortion side. I thought it sounded great but the gain on the dist. side was pretty buzzy at higher settings. I love the sound of a cranked tube amp with an OD giving the little "extra" push by keeping the gain around 10:00 and the volume cranked just above unity gain. I actually used that pedal at a band audition. Kind of funny, other guys coming in with huge pedal boards and I come in with a guitar, amp and your OD. I got the gig too!!!

Yup ... the buzzyness is why I scrapped the second gain stage ... It was interesting though but I didn't have the time to perfect it ... I figure if I leave the layout and the schema up long enough someone will get it working right

Congrats on the gig ! ... I can see the copy now "Show up with a M.O.D. and you're sure to get the gig ..." ... 

[tungngruv]

They sounded so good, I couldn't choose between them.

[Melanhead]

Way cool! ... I'll have to make one for myself  ...