DIEFet V1.21 Diezel VH4S Circuit Build

[mydementia]

Hey Guys.
I've had the DIEfet V1.21 PCB 90% complete on my workbench for a long time so I thought I'd finish it up...

Here's some condensed information to get the build to 'work':
1) Do NOT connect J2, J3, J4, or J5 - I assume these were previously used to size the pot required to get 1/2Vin for Vref
2) Definitely remove/don't install R25 and C32 - this seems to allow the master volume to actually have a range
3) After removing/not installing R25 and C32, you need to jumper one set of pads
4) All the J201's need to be flipped if looking at the techniguitare component layout sheet
5) Unless you plan on moving from one chassis to another often, ditch the screw terminal blocks in J1, J6, and J7 - just solder the I/O and +/- to the PCB as we typically do

Build notes:
1) The Presence knob doesn't do much...
2) The overall tone is fat flabby flabbines... not sure how else to describe it... After re-listening to the sound clips... that's pretty much what it produces... if that's what you're into, do it up.
3) I've NEVER used a soldering braid so much in one build... and I was one of the first to strip-board up Ian's EchoBase!!!  The language barrier is an added challenge to this build.

Here are a few shots of my build for reference (get the full size pix in the mydementia gallery):

Plan View:



Component Side:


Solder Side (for completeness):


Happy building.
mike

[gigimarga]

..........................................................................................
Here's some condensed information to get the build to 'work':
1) Do NOT connect J2, J3, J4, or J5 - I assume these were previously used to size the pot required to get 1/2Vin for Vref
2) Definitely remove/don't install R25 and C32 - this seems to allow the master volume to actually have a range
3) After removing/not installing R25 and C32, you need to jumper one set of pads
4) All the J201's need to be flipped if looking at the techniguitare component layout sheet
5) Unless you plan on moving from one chassis to another often, ditch the screw terminal blocks in J1, J6, and J7 - just solder the I/O and +/- to the PCB as we typically do

Build notes:
1) The Presence knob doesn't do much...
2) The overall tone is fat flabby flabbines... not sure how else to describe it... After re-listening to the sound clips... that's pretty much what it produces... if that's what you're into, do it up.
3) I've NEVER used a soldering braid so much in one build... and I was one of the first to strip-board up Ian's EchoBase!!!  The language barrier is an added challenge to this build.

...................................................

First, I have needed to do the same modifications as mydementia wrote above to make it to work.
But, the problem is the result: I wanted very much to build it after I heard the soundclips, but it was my biggest disappointment after!
Using my gear (Squier Affinity and a full-tube 18W combo with a single clean channel), the tone had nothing special: no force, no character.
I made/heard another stompboxes twice smaller which sound the same or better.
Maybe with humbuckers and a better amp it could sound much better, but I think that the goal of it is to emulate the Diezel amp, not to be used in front of an good amp.

[kupervaser]

I built version  1.1 and it worked after a small modification. But it was only minor, i can't remember it now but if you search for diefet and check the other big topic, i described the problem and the solution. I used the voltage doubler as well, and I must say it sounds pretty good infront of a tube amp. Listen to the sample please:

http://soundclick.com/share?songid=7627711

It is a Gibson SG through a Matamp GTO

[gigimarga]

I built version  1.1 and it worked after a small modification. But it was only minor, i can't remember it now but if you search for diefet and check the other big topic, i described the problem and the solution. I used the voltage doubler as well, and I must say it sounds pretty good infront of a tube amp. Listen to the sample please:

http://soundclick.com/share?songid=7627711

It is a Gibson SG through a Matamp GTO

Very nice soundclip kupervaser...but it's at millions miles away from the sound mine
Can you test the Diefet with a Squier in a Fender-like clean channel? I am very curious about that...

[kupervaser]

I am sorry, but I don't own a stratocaster, i just have gibsons SG.
Thanx

[euronymous0001]

im just curious, how would you compare this to dr boogey?
also, especially for mike, this one with freya. lastly, dr boogey with freya?

[mydementia]

Hey euro.
I built several versions of the Dr. Boogey and all were MUCH better tonally than the Diefet. 
I didn't build SoulSonic's Freya - but I did build a different SLO100 emulator that did the 'chugga-chugga' palm-mute thing almost as well as the Dr. Boogie.
My distortion DIY of choice is still the Sansamp GT2 (tonepad) - lots of flexibility and great tone.  Another fun and EASY hi-gain distortion circuit is the Krank Distortus Maximus (I think dschwartz has an awesome compact layout for this - also one in my gallery IIRC).
Happy building!
Mike

[gigimarga]

I am sorry, but I don't own a stratocaster, i just have gibsons SG.
Thanx

No problem...thank you anyway

[euronymous0001]

Hey euro.
I built several versions of the Dr. Boogey and all were MUCH better tonally than the Diefet. 
I didn't build SoulSonic's Freya - but I did build a different SLO100 emulator that did the 'chugga-chugga' palm-mute thing almost as well as the Dr. Boogie.
My distortion DIY of choice is still the Sansamp GT2 (tonepad) - lots of flexibility and great tone.  Another fun and EASY hi-gain distortion circuit is the Krank Distortus Maximus (I think dschwartz has an awesome compact layout for this - also one in my gallery IIRC).
Happy building!
Mike

not trying to hijack the thread, but how do you compare the gt2's california to dr boogey? i havent try the gt2 so i could really have the capacity to compare them,

thanks 

[FisTheGoon]

  Nice PCB layout you got there.