New Big Muff Perf Layout - very tiny and neat, minimal off-board wiring.

[frequencycentral]

Where did you get those great little black transistors?

They were reclaimed from a 70's Farfisa Italian Organ. I have a few more stored away for mojo-mergencies. 

[rousejeremy]

I bought an old transistor radio from an antique shop and there are a bunch that look just like the ones you have. Nothing is written on them though. Can't wait to rip them out and test them!

[Vince_b]

It may be a little bit off topic but what does "mojo" means?

[frequencycentral]

It may be a little bit off topic but what does "mojo" means?

"Mojo refers to a magical charm bag used in hoodoo. In modern usage it may also metaphorically refer to possessing a "magic touch" of creativity or charm."

ie: everything to some people, snake oil to others........

[FisTheGoon]

  Very neat and compact layout.  So how about the sound sample regarding the Clip pot?
Thanks.Nice job

[Thomeeque]

Very neat and compact layout.  So how about the sound sample regarding the Clip pot?
Thanks.Nice job

+1

[frequencycentral]

[Govmnt_Lacky]

C13 is .0047pF 

Should that be .0047uF?

[frequencycentral]

C13 is .0047pF 

Should that be .0047uF?

Correct!

I improved that layout a while back, fatter traces and better spacing for the caps. I haven't had chance to verify it, so check it over before building:

[Govmnt_Lacky]

Well, I am building off of an etched board according to the layout above and I just now found that there are NO pads for R19!!

Looks like I will be doing some improvising!

[Govmnt_Lacky]

Ok... after a little improv  I got this wired up and boxed up. I used some 2N2222A metal can trannys that I had laying around. Sounds GREAT! I may try some lower gain transistors to see if I can mellow it out a bit.

Noob Question ALERT:

I could not help but notice that the Sustain AND Volume needed to be up in order to pass a signal. Is that a normal Muff function? Or, is that particular to THIS design?

Thanks again Rick.... TOP NOTCH! 

[nocentelli]

I could not help but notice that the Sustain AND Volume needed to be up in order to pass a signal. Is that a normal Muff function? Or, is that particular to THIS design?

I believe there should be a 1k resistor between ground and sustain pot lug 1 (missng from Rick's perf layout): This will prevent the sustain pot from muting the cicuit when set at minimum.

[Govmnt_Lacky]

I believe there should be a 1k resistor between ground and sustain pot lug 1 (missng from Rick's perf layout): This will prevent the sustain pot from muting the cicuit when set at minimum.

Thanks for the tip! 

So.... according to the original PCB layout, could that resistor (1K) be installed INSTEAD OF the jumper between Sustain Lug 1 and Ground? (By R21 and R9)

Have you made this mod yourself? Where did you get the idea for the resistor to ground?

[frequencycentral]

The 1K is stock on BM's. But with me being a minimalist.....

[Govmnt_Lacky]

The 1K is stock on BM's. But with me being a minimalist.....

Thanks Rick... I dont mind splurging in this case 

There is just something about having to turn two knobs to get one result (ala the BSIAB2 with the volume and the gain pots) that I cannot stand!

I would solder in 10 parts!!! 

[Ronsonic]

Uh-oh, ceramic caps! The Mojo Police will be kicking down your door in the middle of the night for sure now! And with metal film instead of CC! If I were you I would leave the country!

JK, loving the build as always, rick!

Ceramic Disks have mucho mojo. They're all over inside old Fender Amps. Of course they cannot possibly sound as good as caps with brightly painted stripes.... But it's not like he's using Orange Drops or something.

[Govmnt_Lacky]

So.... according to the original PCB layout, could that resistor (1K) be installed INSTEAD OF the jumper between Sustain Lug 1 and Ground? (By R21 and R9)

So, I just noticed that if I install a 1K resistor in place of the jumper, I will satisfy my requirement for the Sustain (according to all other muff schems) but, it will also add 1K more resistance between Tone Lug 3 and ground (from 39K to 40K).

Will this have a big influence on the output or will it be negligable?

[Govmnt_Lacky]

So i just tested the new 1K and when the Sustain pot is at 12 oclock or lower there is a bad squeel! 

Looks like I am going to have to crack this open again and cut the trace between R21 and the 1K resistor that I put in place of the jumper. Then I need to re-establish the jumper from R21 to ground.

[Crowella]

I'll give this a build sometime this week and report on it. The new layout looks fine with me.

It looks like a great layout, thanks Rick  Your contributions are always helpful.

[Poste]

Been reading this thread and thought I would cost the build, however I am struggling to find some 1n76a diodes, what can be substituted here?
I was thinking a 1n34a but I have very limited knowledge with these kind of things.