I would like some help designing a treble boost/tube overdrive...

[frequencycentral]

You need to run the two 5977 tubes' heaters in series with each other on a 12 volt supply. Would it be easier if I just re-draw the Valvecaster with pinouts for 5977? It's not a problem.

[Brossman]

Hey, that'd be great!  Thanks a lot!

[frequencycentral]

Here ya go:



Any questions?

[Brossman]

Yeah, what do I do with pins 2, 4, and 7?

Also, to run 12V through a 9V DC power jack, I assume I need a "voltage doubler" after the 9V to be my power source?

EDIT: Looking back to Matsumin's original schematic, he used a 9V power supply...?  Haha, now I'm fairly confused...

[frequencycentral]

Yeah, what do I do with pins 2, 4, and 7?

Look at the data sheet - no connection to pins 2, 4 and 7.

Also, to run 12V through a 9V DC power jack, I assume I need a "voltage doubler" after the 9V to be my power source?

You need a 12 volt power source. Not a 9 volt power source with a voltage doubler. That won't do it, as the tubes' heaters require more ma than a voltage doubler can provide.

EDIT: Looking back to Matsumin's original schematic, he used a 9V power supply...?  Haha, now I'm fairly confused...

Yeah, he did. A mistake to use a stock Valvecaster on 9 volts IMO, as the voltage is mismatched to the heaters. And we are not talking about a stock Valvecaster here anyway.

If you really want to run at 9 volts, you will need to run the two 5977's heaters in parallel (as opposed to series shown in the shematic I drew) from a 6 volts supply. You could use a 7806 voltage regulator to derive your 6 volts, or a small LM317 based circuit.

[Brossman]

I just got the tubes in a couple days ago.  I will begin gathering my supplies and building as soon as I can.  However, I'm moving soon, so I'm on hold for a couple weeks.

Thanks for all your help!  I'll give you an update when I make some progress!

[Brossman]

UPDATE!!

I have all of my supplies in!  I have spent my free time (what little I get with 17 Cr. hours of school...) working on and improving my plans for the pedal.  I have, at the last minute decided that for a little variety (and tonal experimentation), I want to add in a Ge Diode clipping circuit...Any suggestions/comments/advice/criticisms?

So far...
     - consulting as many schematics as I could, I finally came to the conclusion that this circuit is to go just between the First 5977, and the 100k Gain pot, using a DPDT switch.
     - I have 4 Ge 34a diodes.  Should I use 2 or 4 for symmetric clipping? (or, rather, which would sound better? or has more versatility?)
     - OR would it be better to use 3 diode for Asymmetric clipping?
     - OR would it be best to leave it out of this circuitry all together? (even though I REALLY want it...)

Anyway, I'm ready to embark on my work as soon as I've acquired some good solder, as my last project went very poorly due to crap solder. (it got finished, but man was it a pain.)

Thanks, Guys!

[Renegadrian]

Dunno, my POV is to go strictly TUBE when I go...TUBE!!! So no opamps, no diodes, no $.it!!!
Else, let your ears be the final judge...

[Brossman]

Well, they WERE an after thought, so I suppose I COULD leave them out, but...yea.

[Brossman]

UPDATE!!

Here are some pics of the box!  Forgive me for the quality, if it's not to your satisfaction.

I still have to find a place to do the soldering, as I'm not allowed to in my dorm room.  But, seriously, dig the ventilation...


http://img8.imageshack.us/i/img1555d.jpg/

http://img9.imageshack.us/i/img1548n.jpg/

http://img9.imageshack.us/i/img1547mh.jpg/

http://img8.imageshack.us/i/img1549n.jpg/

Any advice on how to make it look nice?  Or should I just leave it unpainted - kinda Industrial looking?  (IMO, that would look sorta crappy...)

NOTE: I checked the links and they all worked for me.  But if you can't see them, please send me a message and I'll do what I can to resolve the situation.

[moonbird]

Hello all --

Hey great thread - did anybody ever build this beast?? I have a couple of 5977s I need to find a home for. thx.