BLACK FOREST High Gain Preamp - Based on the Bogner Uberschall

[J0K3RX]

Think of it this way.. if you are looking at the board from the component side try to picture it like the schematic...

This picture should help...? You can play connect the dots or in this case connect the pots

Hint: My boards are almost laid out just like the schematic and, I did the first one for you You may ask why? Cause I suck at creating boards

[J0K3RX]

Couple of questions  :  

(1) I assume this is designed to go straight into the power amp section, rather than into the regular guitar jack ?  I've built a Dr Boogey and a Soldano S1 (AMT Legend) and they both improve when I bypass the preamp on my Blackstar HT-5.

(2) The pots are numbered 1 to 3 with the square being 1. Is this looking from the bottom with the lugs to the north ?

You built the AMT S1? Must share...? Do you have any clips of it? I built it a couple times from the schematics in "another forum" and it sounded like sh!t... I figured if I really wanted a SLO100 I would just find the actual schematic and do it myself.

About how to run this thing... try whatever you want, it's not like it's gonna explode Since it's a "preamp" it would probably be best to either run it into a power amp or direct for recording but I would not exclude trying to run it into the front of an amp... They do it with the Dr.Boogie and it's a preamp just the same and I have heard good results...

pakrat: You said your board looks huge? How big is it, any pics? Should be quite small...

[scuzzphut]

The photos of my AMT S1 build are here -------->  http://imgur.com/a/qw342

YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO LAUGH AT THE GUT SHOT !!!

I had this thing apart and back together so many times that couldn't be bothered tidying up when I finally got it working.  

There's a couple of single header sockets you can see at the top right. I was experimenting with different caps, then decided that I preferred no cap. Just in case anyone's wondering. Build from |V|ark's vero here -----> http://tagboardeffects.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/amt-s1-legend.html


Here's a wee mp3 clip of it.  Guitar -> AMT S1 Clone -> Holy Grail Reverb -> FX Return on Blackstar HT-5 -> SM58 about 1" away from the grille

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/557078/amts1.mp3

[J0K3RX]

The photos of my AMT S1 build are here -------->  http://imgur.com/a/qw342

YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO LAUGH AT THE GUT SHOT !!!

I had this thing apart and back together so many times that couldn't be bothered tidying up when I finally got it working.  

There's a couple of single header sockets you can see at the top right. I was experimenting with different caps, then decided that I preferred no cap. Just in case anyone's wondering. Build from |V|ark's vero here -----> http://tagboardeffects.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/amt-s1-legend.html


Here's a wee mp3 clip of it.  Guitar -> AMT S1 Clone -> Holy Grail Reverb -> FX Return on Blackstar HT-5 -> SM58 about 1" away from the grille

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/557078/amts1.mp3

WoW! I see you told |V|ark... Wonder why he still has it on hold? Anyway, you got it working so who gives a sh!t what it looks like under the hood! I have NEVER made a good looking vero...EVER! Mine always end up looking like something the cat puked up after I'm finished I really don't like vero, it's confusing for me... And, I absolutely can't make my own layouts on vero! The whole concept is nice, no drilling and all but I always get some goofy looking and funky working sh!t in the end! Anyway, nice paint and it sounds pretty good!  

[pakrat]

The photos of my AMT S1 build are here -------->  http://imgur.com/a/qw342

Very clean, nice looking box scuzzphut!

[J0K3RX]

scuzzphut: I can't wait to hear what the Uberschall sounds like through the FX return of your Blackstar HT-5!

[scuzzphut]

......going to have to learn some Slayer riffs !

[J0K3RX]

Slayer  

Update: You know how I was complaining about the tone stack and the bass not really having any range, almost no difference from 2 all the way to 10... Well, I fixed that! I think now the tone stack is VERY good! Good news, no board changes

Changes - New values:
R21 - 33k
R17 - 22k
Treble - B100K
Mids - B10K

Optional:
If you want to leave out the Presence control/pot just replace R18 with a 33k resistor and C21 with a 10nF cap, then stick a jumper in the holes for the Presence pot lugs 1 and 2

[pakrat]

Good news, no board changes

Well that's a relief, I already etched the board....

[J0K3RX]

Good news, no board changes

Well that's a relief, I already etched the board....

You should see mine now! I'm still using the first board, all kinds of mods and crap hanging off of it... Looks like a transistor orgy! 

[pakrat]

That's how my boards usually end up after debugging. A shame too, they look so nice when they're new.

[J0K3RX]

OK, I think I have perfected this! I tested it direct and also through a MosValve power amp into a 4x12 cab. All I gotta say is "WOWZERS!!!" To quote Cypress Hill, this thing is "INSANE IN THE MEMBRANE" ***WARNING*** THIS MAY CAUSE MELTING OF THE FACE! 

After a lot of messing around I added a gain boost which you can either make foot switchable or toggle switchable or leave it off, your choice.. I strongly recommend that you add it because it is quite a noticeable boost in gain and it really sounds good!! Not muddy at all, nice and tight, more sustain and gain of course! Great for switching between rhythm and lead! You may want to experiment with the two resistor values to get the gains you like, these are just the values I liked with my guitar which has average output stock pickups. If you have EMG's or other high output pickups you may want to adjust these resistors accordingly..!? I have also made changes to the tone stack which is now fully functional, required no board layout changes, just different part values...

In the beginning I was considering adding some sort of tube screamer circuit to this but now you definitely "DO NOT" need a tube screamer!!! This has more tight massive gain than you will probably ever need! My MosValve was screaming for vengeance with this little beast running into it!!! Sounded like a $3000 custom high gain amp! Not kidding! And, running direct it just kills! Not sure if it sounds like a real Uberschall but I don't think I changed enough parts to affect the over all tone from the original schematic.. Anywho, this thing just flat out kix @ss and sounds mean as hell!!!

REV 3.1


Here is the off-board wiring minus the pots.. let me know if you see anything I can do differently/improve...?

[J0K3RX]

Jut FYI - Shielded wiring is highly recommended!

[deadastronaut]

indeed...

[scuzzphut]

JOK3RX - can you give us the latest version without the blue background please ?  My printer hates me !

[haveyouseenhim]

I just pm'd you a pic of it.  i just used the color fill tool on ms paint

[scuzzphut]

thanks hysh    should have thought of that myself, on reflection....

[pakrat]

Thanks for all of the work you have put into this J0K3RX! Ordering parts now.....

[23]

Man I wish I was still building pedals, read this whole thread and I rarely do that. Wicked job.

Sands

[pakrat]

Man I wish I was still building pedals, read this whole thread and I rarely do that. Wicked job.

Sands

Consider this as your way back in man, another set of ears couldn't hurt! And yes, wicked job indeed...