THUNDERCHIEF build question

KerryF · December 06, 2006, 07:09:17 PM

Can I use a Ceramic Disk 470pF capacitor in this or do you think that its going to not sound as good? And is there any good substitues for the 680nFs (.68uF)?

powerplayj · December 06, 2006, 07:25:29 PM

Quote from: call1800ksmyazz on December 06, 2006, 07:09:17 PM
Can I use a Ceramic Disk 470pF capacitor in this or do you think that its going to not sound as good? And is there any good substitues for the 680nFs (.68uF)?

I did the 470pf ceramic without any noticeable consequence... I have since found a poly film to use but the difference was not noticeable.

KerryF · December 06, 2006, 08:13:24 PM

Thanks! What about the .68uFs? Anyone have a substitute if possible?

KerryF · December 06, 2006, 09:59:55 PM

WOW I finished this thing and it biased right up extremely easy. No debugging what-so-ever. What a thick, fat, heavy tone. Made me very happy to not have to debug this one. I cant wait to test this even more, but I am off to clean this up and shorten some offboard wires. Then to work on the Phase 45 to get to my EVH stompboxed rig

.

powerplayj · December 07, 2006, 06:32:14 PM

Quote from: powerplayj on December 06, 2006, 07:25:29 PM
Quote from: call1800ksmyazz on December 06, 2006, 07:09:17 PM
Can I use a Ceramic Disk 470pF capacitor in this or do you think that its going to not sound as good? And is there any good substitues for the 680nFs (.68uF)?

I did the 470pf ceramic without any noticeable consequence... I have since found a poly film to use but the difference was not noticeable.

Oh wait

I was thinking about the BSIAB2. Sorry, haven't tried a ceramic in the Thunderchief. Doesn't look like it has spoiled your fun anyway. Enjoy the TC. I tried a few mods but like the "bright" mod the best.

KerryF · December 07, 2006, 07:30:57 PM

Ok, well I put all the jacks and bypass and power on it, and I am having a bit of problems. Theres a hum sound when bypassed and a very high screech sound when on the effect. The effect is still working, but has a horrible screech. When I disconnect the power, theres no hum though. I tried to use an Adaptor and a Bsttery and still the same. Whats wrong??

Barcode80 · December 07, 2006, 07:45:37 PM

something is probably screwy in the power filtering. do a search in here for squeal.

KerryF · December 07, 2006, 07:46:45 PM

What do you mean power filtering?

KerryF · December 07, 2006, 09:24:17 PM

Ok, when I touch certain leads from the pots, it stops. Also, if I lift up the board a little or move it around, the sound cuts out of gets quieter... Wierd. Whats wrong? Please, Thanks.

Barcode80 · December 07, 2006, 10:08:23 PM

99% positive it is a grounding issue. check to make sure you have everything grounded, make sure you have no solder bridges.

KerryF · December 07, 2006, 10:28:58 PM

Tomarrow I will check again. But I cant see how theres any problems because I tested it (worked), shortened all the leads (worked), then added bypass, power, and jacks (hums). So theres nothing different except those things... Hmmm...

Barcode80 · December 07, 2006, 10:50:57 PM

you might want to check your dc jack, your battery leads, or your switch then

KerryF · December 08, 2006, 07:40:54 PM

Ok, I took off all the offboard wiring and tested it again (with terminal board) and it works perfectly. So I will redo the offboard stuff to make sure its right

KerryF · December 09, 2006, 12:02:09 PM

I put the jacks by themselves on and it worked.

I then put the power supply and switch on and tested it. It didnt work with one of my adaptors (was still squeeling). I tested it for voltage and that 9v adaptor was giving off about 13v! But then I tested it with a 3-12v adaptor on the 9v setting and it worked fine. I guess the 13v was making the transistors not biased, since they are biased to only 9v. So its all good right now. I am about to finish putting on the bypass. Hopefully I will post some sound clips today.

This thing sound the best through my Valve Junior. It sounds ok though my Hartke amp, but the best with the real tubes backing it

. The lead/rhythm channel mod doesnt really sound like channel changing. It actually sounds very much like treble pickup on one side, and bass pickup on the other side of the switch. You know, like a dark/bright switch which is really nice sounding

KerryF · December 09, 2006, 01:06:28 PM

Uhhh! This is so frusturating... Now I put the switch on it and I am getting horrible squeeling. I dont know whats wrong... I even tried to cover the whole circuit and offboard with a piece of aluminum foil to shield it, but it was the same. Anyone know what this could possibly be?

Barcode80 · December 09, 2006, 03:26:28 PM

check the switch for continuity with a DMM. check switch wiring. you may have gotten a dud switch. generally if you have a working pedal, and then you add a part, then it messes up, logic says...

KerryF · December 09, 2006, 04:01:12 PM

Yes I did check the switch. And the continuity is correct on both sides... Its really wierd why that would be causing it though.

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THUNDERCHIEF build question