Lovetone Brown Source Project.

nelson · July 29, 2006, 06:14:56 AM

I reverse engineered the Lovetone brown source from pictures kindly provided by someone from another forum.

The PCB layout is verified.

Its a great little overdrive and has a pleasing response to picking dynamics. It does the old "on the edge of break up" sounds well and has a huge range on the tone control due to the rotary switch changing cap values in the tone stack.

As usual socketing the dual opamp and experimenting with different IC's is recommended.

Its been built and verified by me on this PCB layout.

http://www.esnips.com/web/nelsonsOtherStuff

markusw · July 29, 2006, 06:30:42 AM

Thanks a lot!!

Now the endless BS rev-engineering story has a happy end

Markus

Bernardduur · July 29, 2006, 06:34:47 AM

Thanks a lot man; you made my day!

I had this unit completed up to 99% for so long; now finally I can finish it!

Thanks again!

Torchy · July 29, 2006, 07:25:33 AM

Toney · July 29, 2006, 08:17:00 AM

Nice one all round, guys .

Can't wait. Thanks!

pbrommer · July 29, 2006, 10:43:14 AM

Looks great. You guys are great assets around here.

Patrick

Torchy · July 29, 2006, 12:09:19 PM

Well ... that didnt take long did it

TELEFUNKON · July 29, 2006, 12:46:44 PM

so the secret of the Lovetone has been lifted:
take the output from the second opamp`s inverting input!

wonder why the veroboard`s series outputresistor R14 is floating, though?

jimbob · July 29, 2006, 12:47:20 PM

nice work! I think Ill give it a build sometime in the next week.

Ghandi · July 29, 2006, 12:58:10 PM

I'm not sure if that is really correct with the output from the inverted input?!

To my ears it sounds a lot more like the sound samples on the net with the output taken from the output of IC1B, I just tried it.
What makes a big difference is changing the 47nF cap on the old schem after the transistor to 470nF.

Cheeres
Ghandi

nelson · July 29, 2006, 01:00:04 PM

Its correct.

I know it doesnt "look right" but thats how it is.

Gilles C · July 29, 2006, 02:09:40 PM

Quote from: TELEFUNKON on July 29, 2006, 12:46:44 PM
so the secret of the Lovetone has been lifted:
take the output from the second opamp`s inverting input!

wonder why the veroboard`s series outputresistor R14 is floating, though?

Maybe a trace cut shouldn't be there at the right of R14 lower lead, going to Volume 3

Gilles

Ghandi · July 29, 2006, 02:13:16 PM

@ Nelson,
it doesn't only look right but to my ears it sounds more like the sound samples with the output taken from the output of IC1B.

Have you done an A B test with an original unit?
And... any idea what the original IC is?

peace, love and bananas
Ghandi

nelson · July 29, 2006, 02:33:36 PM

Quote from: Ghandi on July 29, 2006, 02:13:16 PM
@ Nelson,
it doesn't only look right but to my ears it sounds more like the sound samples with the output taken from the output of IC1B.

Have you done an A B test with an original unit?
And... any idea what the original IC is?

peace, love and bananas
Ghandi

Ghandi,

I spent hours triple and double checking the pictures. That is how the original is laid out. If it sounds better to you in another configuration thats fine, use it. However the original rev 5 PCB definately has the output tapped from the inverting input of the opamp.

The original IC had the markings sanded off as in all lovetone pedals.

I have not a/b'd it with an original, it does match the original electronically.

newbie builder · July 29, 2006, 02:34:20 PM

Thanks!

Connoisseur of Distortion · July 29, 2006, 03:38:54 PM

very nice work, nelson!

the list of Lovetone pedals to reverse is shrinking... we really will need that Flange With No Name

nelson · July 29, 2006, 05:07:45 PM

Quote from: Connoisseur of Distortion on July 29, 2006, 03:38:54 PM
very nice work, nelson!

the list of Lovetone pedals to reverse is shrinking... we really will need that Flange With No Name

Thanks COD,

I am trying to "rent" a ? flange to reverse engineer it. I am not holding my breath though.

Isnt there a phaser too?

Torchy · July 29, 2006, 06:53:45 PM

Sorry, corrected.

Bernardduur · July 29, 2006, 07:25:32 PM

The doppelganger should be sounding quite nice........

OK, I finished it and it sounds exactly like the original; easy to get that edge just by picking dynamics

9 volts · August 03, 2006, 07:52:26 AM

Hey there I've had a go at the pcb layout and seem to be having trouble. I'm getting a sound but it's really blatty

There are two capacitors that may be giving grief.
1- the 47u is it non polarized or polarized ?
2 the 4u7 from the vol pot - 220r to the 3k9. Wondering about the correct direction.

I'm using a 2n3904 which I figured should be ok.

Has anyone completed and rocked out with this one yet? I can't wait to get this one happening
Thanks

News:

Lovetone Brown Source Project.