Breadboarded a Harmonic Jerk

oldrocker · October 01, 2007, 09:06:05 PM

I tried this circuit the other day for the first time if you can believe that. I just thought it was just another Fuzz Face. Now I realize it doesn't sound anything like a FF. The one I'm trying is without the GE diodes. I really like it. It sounds like an overdrive pedal more than fuzz. I'm glad I took the time to try it. I avoided even looking at the circuit for such a long time. It looked too simple to sound good but here's an example of a simple circuit that is worth building. I'm so pleasantly surprised.

96ecss · October 01, 2007, 09:10:48 PM

I've been wanting to build one for a long time. I even had all the parts set aside for it. I never got around to it and used the parts for other projects. I think I'll have to put it back on the to build list.

Dave

foxfire · October 01, 2007, 09:36:20 PM

it was one of the first pedals i did and it went on my board almost as soon as i finished it. i could get a nice nasally sound with the fuzz maxed and the volume at around 9 or 10 i think? any way i just put together this puppy, http://www.geocities.com/george_giblet/effects/percolator_later_rev1_1.png. i haven't really gotten to play it yet but i'm pretty sure it will be replacing the jerkulator. i love it when you make a pedal not expecting all that much and it ends up sounding really good.

FisTheGoon · October 02, 2007, 01:00:57 PM

Hi guys.Can anyone upload the sound sample of this pedal?I'm curious bout the sound maybe can try to build later.

mac · October 02, 2007, 01:17:44 PM

As in the FF, I strongly suggest using trimpots for the collector resistors and the feedback resistors, until you find the optimal point. Also play with the clipping diodes.
If you are going for the Harmonic Percolator read this:
http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=55987.80

mac

foxfire · October 02, 2007, 01:27:26 PM

Quote from: FisTheGoon on October 02, 2007, 01:00:57 PM
Hi guys.Can anyone upload the sound sample of this pedal?I'm curious bout the sound maybe can try to build later.

there is a link for sound samples of the HARMONIC JERKULATOR here, http://www.home-wrecker.com/harmonic.html.

oldrocker · October 02, 2007, 05:39:42 PM

Has anyone tried a tone control with this? I was thinking a BM tone stack. Thoughts?

foxfire · October 02, 2007, 05:43:28 PM

you might have to add a recovery stage to make up for signal loss but, other than that it would probably be nice addition.

oldrocker · October 02, 2007, 07:24:23 PM

Since I still have it breadboarded I will try to get a tone control going and see how it works. I'll tweak away at it each day when I get home from work. I'll let you know what I come up with.
Also I tried some diodes with this and I like it better without any personally.

foxfire · October 02, 2007, 10:58:10 PM

thanks, cause i still haven't gotten myself a bread board and i do like this circuit a lot.

oldrocker · October 03, 2007, 08:02:00 PM

I tried the BM tonestack and I think it sounds good. I used a .0047 in place of the .0039 and it gets a nice high end tone. It didn't seem to really need a recovery stage at the end for some reason. I'm still working on it.

foxfire · October 03, 2007, 10:28:12 PM

just curious, what transistors are you using? have you played around with them any?

oldrocker · October 04, 2007, 05:22:42 PM

I'm currently using the 3906 and 3904. I was thinking of trying 2N2222 or even a BS170. I'm curious to hear what they sound like.

Dragonfly · October 04, 2007, 05:26:48 PM

Try a hybrid perc...

oldrocker · October 04, 2007, 07:18:14 PM

What is a hybrid perc

Is there a schem for it?
I like the 3904 the best. I tried a 4401, 5210, 2222, MPS 42A and a BS170. The 3904 had the most stable and full sound to my ears. The BS170 had a bassy tone and the 2222 seemed to add a little noise. It was interesting to compare them though.

foxfire · October 04, 2007, 09:50:53 PM

Quote from: oldrocker on October 04, 2007, 07:18:14 PM
What is a hybrid perc Is there a schem for it?
I like the 3904 the best. I tried a 4401, 5210, 2222, MPS 42A and a BS170. The 3904 had the most stable and full sound to my ears. The BS170 had a bassy tone and the 2222 seemed to add a little noise. It was interesting to compare them though.

i'm not sure if he is speaking of what i'm thinking he is speaking of but, did you check out the link i put in my first post in this thread? it is a more "authentic" version of the perkulator that uses a si npn and a ge pnp.

Dragonfly · October 05, 2007, 12:44:09 AM

Basically sil-germ hybrid like the original...even the jerkulator can be tweaked for this, and imo, greatly improves the tone...

mac · October 05, 2007, 03:35:35 PM

And 2 Ge's are even better

mac

Dragonfly · October 05, 2007, 03:39:32 PM

Quote from: mac on October 05, 2007, 03:35:35 PM
And 2 Ge's are even better

mac

And tacking a nice one knob tonestack followed by a "full range" Rangemaster circuit on the end of a Perc makes it even better !

foxfire · October 05, 2007, 11:23:25 PM

Quote from: Dragonfly on October 05, 2007, 03:39:32 PM
Quote from: mac on October 05, 2007, 03:35:35 PM
And 2 Ge's are even better

mac

And tacking a nice one knob tonestack followed by a "full range" Rangemaster circuit on the end of a Perc makes it even better !

so what would that be, some sort of tonebender? whatever it is it sounds like it could be cool.

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Breadboarded a Harmonic Jerk