TS9

[FlyingZ]

I finally built a TS9 from the Tonepad/GGG schematic but it doesn't sound as good as the original. I started swapping upgraded parts for original like TA75558P and K30A with no improvement.

Both my originals have the TS9 openness and the clone sounds generic. Has anyone been through this already that could help or should I keep swapping?

What remains not stock:
1uF/NP are film
Tants are film
I could not recognize the original diodes so I used 1N914's

I returned the 51pF to ceramic and that helped a little. I bypassed the tone pot with resistor values taken from on of my originals with no real change.

[ianmgull]

There are no shortage of mods for the TS on this forum. I've built probably over half a dozen in my time (yes i love me some tubescreamer). Can you try to explain a little better what exactly you don't like about the sound? Perhaps even post voltages so we can determine if your circuit is/isn't functioning properly as well.

[jkokura]

That's interesting, because in my AB test between the TS808 I built from Tonepad with my 1982 TS9, the Tonepad sounded better.

Truth is, if you like the sound, go for it! I bet the Diodes have something to do with it though. I think I used 1n4148's, but I could be wrong. I also used electrolytic NP caps, and I used Tants for those spots, and a Silver Mica for the 51pF. I wanted something fairly stock TS808, so I used those values. Did you use TS9 or TS808 specs?

Jacob

[FlyingZ]

Ill read about what voltages to record. The sound hmm...  it's not a big difference but is consistent with both originals.

Original:
Tighter bass
Louder mids up from 10th'ish fret only

Clone:
Smoother (better as a standalone)

Makes me think it's in the tone section. I'm going to test the 510k parallel with volume now.
Edit: I saw a 510k in parallel with volume pot on the full schematic.

[jkokura]

Yeah, there is no 110k in the tonepad project...

Are you sure you used the right values for everything? Maybe that's it.

Jacob

[FlyingZ]

Supply = 9.28v

Q1
C = 9.28
B = 4.41
E = 5.55

Q2
C= 9.28
B= 4.41
E= 5.28

IC
P1 4.63
P2 4.68
P3 4.63
P4 0
P5 4.63
P6 4.63
P7 4.63
P8 9.28

The component values say correct but I did not verify the caps with a meter. Next step
The 510k had no effect on the problem so I removed it.

Yeah, there is no 110k in the tonepad project...

sorry my typo is corrected, it's a 510k and true it is not on Tonepads or GGG's schematic.

[FlyingZ]

The tants made a big difference but still not perfect. The answer to my question has been answered; use all the original cap types. I'll pick up some NP 1uF tomorrow and see if that fixes the slight sibilance loss.

[FlyingZ]

I give up! Too much time spent on a cheap pedal.

Some notes:
Original chip = Slight improvement
Correct buffers = Slight improvement
Ceramic cap for 51pf = Slight improvement
Film for the NP = No change
Tant for the .22 = Slight improvement

The original still has a deeper low mid. I checked 90% of the values. The difference must be in the resistor type or switching. That's as far as I go.

[zombiwoof]

Just curious, did you try a JRC4558D or a RC4558P in the pedal?.  Those are the original chips that most guys like in a TS.  The TA75558P is the later chip that also came in the reissues that many don't like as much.  It is not one of the early IC's that are favored by most.  The chip alone is not going to make a massive difference, but many report that those two sound the best.

Al

[FlyingZ]

I swapped between RC4558P(new), RC4558P(Malaysia), and TA75558P and found the TA75558P best. I did use the "D" in an 808 project but it's not the best TS9 chip.

[Quackzed]

the diodes have a big impact, you should at least try some different combos and even try some different 1n914's as diodes... a slightly higher turn on voltage in diodes can 'open' up a pedals distortion character, and 2 different 1n914's can sound a bit different. not a ton of difference but still enough to matter.
best thing to do... put in sockets for the diodes. then you can always try something out and change it back without overheating and cutting parts...