"Promiscuous Girlfriend" So many types of dirty with 5840 Submini Pentodes

[frequencycentral]

Aron is now stocking 5840 submini pentodes in the store: http://diystompboxes.com/zencart/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=19  So it's time for a few new 5840 projects. I've been working on this one on and off for the past month or so. It's evolved into something with quite a few interesting tonal possibilities.

First off, you'll notice that it has switchable diode clipping, this idea was suggested to me by Derringer in my "Muff Minor" thread, so I tried it and it worked well, adding a bit of sizzle to the clean boost and overdrive. There is a slight volume loss when the 'Dirt' switch is engaged, though there's enough boost in the circuit to compensate for this.

This design originally started out as a low voltage circuit, as it developed I thought it would be nice to get the voltages a little higher, so I added a little charge pump circuit based around a MAX1044 to get up to around 35 volts. Thanks to R.G. for his +18, +25, or +33 from one 9V battery on which the charge pump circuit is based.

The tonestack is based on the BM tonestack, with just a few value changes to suit the circuit.

What does it do? Well it does clean boost with the Gain set at minimum, flick on the Dirt switch and you get some nice diode clipping too. Turn up the Gain and you'e into overdrive territory with diode clipping, flick the Dirt switch off and you get even more overdrive. All with some nice tonal variations courtesy of the tonestack. So many types of dirty, hence the name "Promiscuous Girlfriend".

I'll be adding soundclips later today with any luck.

I'm just putting the finishing touches to perf and PCB layouts, John Lyons has kindly consented to make up some PCBs for anyone whose interested. My good forum buddy Toney is putting together a vero layout too, so all bases are covered.

So, tubes available for Aron's store, layouts in three different formats, PCB availability - what are you waiting for?

[frequencycentral]

Perf layout, unverified, I'll build it soon.

[frequencycentral]

PCB layout and PnP, unverified, but pretty much identical to the perf layout, so when the perf is verified so will be the PCB.

[slacker]

Looks cool Rick, I'll have to get some of those tubes before Aron sells out. Love the name.

[Toney]

So happy to see this finally realized!
A lot has gone into making this happen from all corners of the globe!
I'll be offering a Vero sometime really soon. I have a killer week coming up so hopefully by the weekend. It's already Late Sunday night in Melbourne.
Cheers, this should be a real winner. 

[frequencycentral]

Here's some soundclips, they don't explore every possibility but give a bit of a flavour.

Signal path:

Squier Telecaster Custom (bridge humbucker)  >>>  Promiscuous Girlfriend  >>>  Roland Bolt 60 watt tube combo  >>>  Shure SM58  >>>  Event Echo Gina 24 soundcard  >>>  Wavelab

No other processing.

The first clip has the effect bypassed, then with minimum Gain and the Dirt switched off: http://files.getdropbox.com/u/967492/Bypass%20and%20Boost.mp3

Minimum Gain, Dirt switched on: http://files.getdropbox.com/u/967492/low%20Gain%20plus%20Dirt.mp3

Maximum Gain, Dirt switched on, Tone set low: http://files.getdropbox.com/u/967492/high%20Gain%20plus%20Dirt%20low%20Tone.mp3

Maximum Gain, Dirt switched on, Tone set high: http://files.getdropbox.com/u/967492/high%20Gain%20plus%20Dirt%20high%20Tone.mp3

Maximum Gain, Dirt switched off, Tone set low: http://files.getdropbox.com/u/967492/high%20Gain%20no%20Dirt%20low%20Tone.mp3

Maximum Gain, Dirt switched off, Tone set high: http://files.getdropbox.com/u/967492/high%20Gain%20plus%20Dirt%20high%20Tone.mp3

[tranceracer]

I like it, very interesting tone!  Ballsy overdrive with a touch of fuzz!  Added to my to do list.   

[frequencycentral]

[Derringer]

damn you do nice work FC !


those tubes look like missiles ... they aren't perchance the ones that were actually used for missile guiadance are they?

[frequencycentral]

damn you do nice work FC !


those tubes look like missiles ... they aren't perchance the ones that were actually used for missile guiadance are they?

Thanks Bill!

The romantic in me says intercontinental ballistic missile guidance systems. 

The realist in me say geriactric hearing aids. 

[Derringer]

hahahha


well ... in either case ... they are being put to a better use now!

[frequencycentral]

There's a missed trace on the PCB layout, and I've subtley changed a couple of component positions having now built it, so I'll delete and re-upload the layouts when I've amended them.


EDIT: Now fixed!!

[doitle]

Your perf boarding is otherworldly... I cannot even fathom making such a perfect perfboard. It's just too much for me to handle. You really need to make that tutorial video I mentioned in the other thread!

[biggy boy]

The sound sample sound great Rick. niice work as usual.

[doitle]

Those long runs on your perfboard of the amplifier... Are they wire with no insulation on them or what are they? I must know your secrets. Do you make some sort of rail that follows where all the traces are of stripped wire and then solder components to that hovering rail?

[frequencycentral]

Those long runs on your perfboard of the amplifier... Are they wire with no insulation on them or what are they? I must know your secrets. Do you make some sort of rail that follows where all the traces are of stripped wire and then solder components to that hovering rail?

Some of the long runs are bent component legs (mostly resistor), pop the component into the board, bend the legs over flat to the board so they're pointing in the direction they need to go, then solder. Where there are short gaps to fill I use cut off resistor legs as bridges. Where there are long runs I use wire with the insulation stripped. I generally place and solder the components then do the long runs as oppossed to the 'hovering rail', but I do sometimes use a 'hovering rail' too - I did that on my Phase 180 build for the really long runs. The disadvantage of bending component legs to make the bridges is that it's difficult to remove the component if you make an error, so be sure it's correct to start with, and work from a layout you're really sure of.

[frequencycentral]

Just drilled the enclosure, everything appears to be in the correct position. Now to sand it and apply the graphic.

[everettsorb]

Greetings.  Am VERY interested in this as well as the boost but want to buy a all ready made PCB.  Where are they?
Thanks bro. Please contact me at everettsorb@aol.com regarding this.

[frequencycentral]

Greetings.  Am VERY interested in this as well as the boost but want to buy a all ready made PCB.  Where are they?
Thanks bro. Please contact me at everettsorb@aol.com regarding this.

Hi, I'm sure John Lyons would be more than happy to provide a PCB for you. But give it a week, as I'm in the middle of my build and need to confirm that my layout is bug-free before John makes up any PCBs.

I've already had to move C2, C9 and C14 to different locations on my perfboard to make room for the output socket - this would only matter if you plan to box it up the same way I have. I'll update the layouts anyway sometime this week.

[frequencycentral]

Graphic now applied to the enclosure:



I love it when a plan comes together.........................now I need to wait for it to dry..............