Lost Topic: attenuator to simulate rolled off guitar volume knob

[jzilla]

hi,
for some reason this topic was removed from the board.  not sure why.  we were discussing how to use a pedal to lower the guitar volume.  the purpose would be to quickly switch from a clean tone (pedal on) to a natural amp breakup (pedal bypassed).  this is implying that the amp is at the point where it breaks up when the guitar volume is maximum. 

some of the suggestions were to mod a volume pedal or more simply, put a passive volume control into an enclosure. 

i'm looking for the cleanest, simplest solution.  it would be a set and leave kind of thing.  it's kind of the opposite of how i would normally think of a pedal since i would turn it off when i want the desired effect of the natural amp overdrive...

this would be a good solution when using guitars with multiple volume knobs like a 335 or les paul.

cheers!
-j

[GREEN FUZ]

Several threads posted over the last few days were lost. Aron has explained the reasons why elsewhere. Rest assured it wasn`t because of the content of your post.
  I haven`t had the chance to do that idea I was talking about. I`ll try over the next few days. I`ve already said this but I think a volume pedal is the way to go or a boost on all the time except when you want it clean.
I`m intrigued as to why you want to do things in `reverse`.

[jzilla]

Several threads posted over the last few days were lost. Aron has explained the reasons why elsewhere. Rest assured it wasn`t because of the content of your post.
  I haven`t had the chance to do that idea I was talking about. I`ll try over the next few days. I`ve already said this but I think a volume pedal is the way to go or a boost on all the time except when you want it clean.
I`m intrigued as to why you want to do things in `reverse`.

cool.  i wasn't sure if i made a forum faux paux...

my reasoning behind doing things in reverse is because i can't get the same break up using a boost.  my favorite sounding overdrive is with the amp at 2:00 and no pedals.   nothing else gets me there!

cheers
-j

[aron]

Here's the old thread.

http://evelien.coreisp.nl/~stompbox/smfforum/index.php?topic=58582.0

[aron]

I read the thread. Build a box with a volume pot  and LED if you want. Bypass it with a switch.

Or purchase R.G.'s pedal as he said.

[jzilla]

I read the thread. Build a box with a volume pot  and LED if you want. Bypass it with a switch.

Or purchase R.G.'s pedal as he said.

awesome.  do i need anything more than just a volume pot wired with a switch?  (any other components in the circuit?)

[aron]

Just the volume pot BUT if you want, you can put a treble bypass cap+resistor across the volume pot like some other people put on their guitars.

See the wiring diagrams at kiman.com for more details.

[GREEN FUZ]

I hadn`t read the last few posts in your previous thread. I`m gratified to see my original idea has been confirmed. If you want an indicator whether it`s on or not you`d also need an LED + battery, input/output jacks and of course an enclosure.

[jzilla]

so i'm adding the treble bypass from the kinman pdfs to my 'attenuator' box.  here's the kinman pdf:
http://www.kinman.com/images/inside/toneWorkshop/tone/Strat_Wirogram.PDF

and i'm wondering how to wire the input and output.  does the input connect to lug 1 on the pot or to the twisted together resistor and cap? 

also lug 3 is the ground yes?  should that be wired to the input ring?

thanks again!
-j

[Dragonfly]

Its been in my layout gallery for the last couple years... 

Active and passive versions...the active just has a LED indicator. Also, you can eliminate the small (100pF) cal if you'd like to attenuate the highs...or you could put it on a switch.

[Processaurus]

I've always thought something simple like that would make a great add on foot switch for a fuzz face type pedal that gets different good sounds by interacting with the volume knob.  Better than fiddling with your guitar controls when you're using your paws to play, and its more consistent.

[Dragonfly]

I've always thought something simple like that would make a great add on foot switch for a fuzz face type pedal that gets different good sounds by interacting with the volume knob.  Better than fiddling with your guitar controls when you're using your paws to play, and its more consistent.

Also in my gallery... 

[jzilla]

nice dragonfly!  i think this will be such a useful thing.  question: i have a 500k pot.  will that be cool?

thanks,
-j

[jzilla]

here's the final product.  used it today and it seems to do exactly what i hoped!  i know this is a very simple circuit but it was my first non kit pedal.  exciting for me...  thanks for all the help.  i wouldn't have been able to do it without it.

cheers!
-j

[Dragonfly]

here's the final product.  used it today and it seems to do exactly what i hoped!  i know this is a very simple circuit but it was my first non kit pedal.  exciting for me...  thanks for all the help.  i wouldn't have been able to do it without it.

cheers!
-j

Awesome ! I'm glad it worked out for you  !

I didnt see the question above, but you obviously figured it out.

Also..heres a cool thing to do...ive built several of these in the same box with a boost circuit (with 2 footswitches)...you set your amp for a nice overdriven rhythm, and you hit the "clean" button to clean up the tone, or hit the "boost" button for solos. Its killer for amps like Marshall JMP's that only have one channel...it essentially turns it into a 3 channel amp !

[jzilla]

Awesome ! I'm glad it worked out for you  !

I didnt see the question above, but you obviously figured it out.

Also..heres a cool thing to do...ive built several of these in the same box with a boost circuit (with 2 footswitches)...you set your amp for a nice overdriven rhythm, and you hit the "clean" button to clean up the tone, or hit the "boost" button for solos. Its killer for amps like Marshall JMP's that only have one channel...it essentially turns it into a 3 channel amp !

that's a REALLY cool idea.  man, this stuff is addictive...