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looking for a new high gain pedal to build

Started by GhostofJohnToad, October 14, 2013, 10:31:40 PM

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GhostofJohnToad

I'm jonesing for a heavy gain pedal.  I have lots of OD, Muff, and Fuzz on hand.  But I want, I guess, a distortion flavor.  I would like a 1590B size or maybe even 125B, due to my current pedal board.  Currently thinking about either building a Zvex "Box of Metal" or a Mad Professor "Stone Grey".  Not looking for a Marshall Plexi amp-pedal thing so anything that's based on that, I'm not real interested in.  Any others I should consider?

junkemail86

I built a Box of Metal and hated it, YMMV.  In that territory I prefer my Dr. Boogie (don't use that much either though).  I would also recommend looking into the Emma Reezafratzitz and DAM Sonic Titan.

Vallhagen

Quote from: GhostofJohnToad on October 14, 2013, 10:31:40 PM
  Any others I should consider?

I am obviously biased, but you shall check out the Blüe Monster. :)

Cheers
Yes i still have Blüe Monster pcb-s for sale!

...and checkout: https://moodysounds.se/

juansolo

Bengt's Blüe Monster of course. Also consider a Chunk Chunk built our way...

First you'll need to make yourself a Fet matcher and grab a multimeter. It's also worth reading this article on Fet matchery by RGKeen. Which is worth doing anyway.

Ours run J201s in Q1 and Q2, and 2N5457s in the other positions. The J201s had the cutoff voltages measured at about -0.3v, and 2n5457s about -1v.

Using the fetzer valve formula for biasing, (0.6 x supply voltage) + (0.7 x positive cutoff voltage), everything has sounded great straight away. As an example a 2N5457 with -1v cutoff would be biased at 5.4v + 0.7v = 6.1v.

For buffer stage at the end we used a 2N5457 with the highest cutoffs we had. We also swapped out C16 for a 10nF to remove some high end fizz.

Gnomepage - DIY effects library & stuff in the Stompage bit
"I excite very large doom for days" - playpunk

Cortexturizer

Without a shadow of doubt - Triple Wreck, and use the layout from R Custom. I can send it to you. Do a search for my Styx Drive build, and you will see how I made it.
All the other high-gain pedals that I've tried sound to me like I am listening to a Mesa or an over-the-top Marshall through a telephone headset.
https://kuatodesign.blogspot.com - thoughts on some pedals I made
https://soundcloud.com/kuato-design-stompboxes - sounds and jams

juansolo

If you've built the Triple from R Customs layout, try it at 18v, even tighter.

If you use other layouts the boost side means you can't. But the boost is shite anyway.
Gnomepage - DIY effects library & stuff in the Stompage bit
"I excite very large doom for days" - playpunk

Cortexturizer

Quote from: juansolo on October 15, 2013, 09:57:37 AM
If you've built the Triple from R Customs layout, try it at 18v, even tighter.

If you use other layouts the boost side means you can't. But the boost is shite anyway.
You and me exchanged a couple of e-mails dude haha you probably already forgot, yeah I did it from that layout and hardwired it to 18V. Sounds uber awesome. Best.
As a boost I used a simple LPB-1 post-dist. Sounds surprisingly good in this combo.
http://www.madbeanpedals.com/forum/index.php?topic=11174.msg100667#msg100667

cheers!
https://kuatodesign.blogspot.com - thoughts on some pedals I made
https://soundcloud.com/kuato-design-stompboxes - sounds and jams

juansolo

#7
My memory is utterly terrible *blushes*

I'd like to say it's old age, but it's always been bad.  :(

Have a bounce on me ;)
Gnomepage - DIY effects library & stuff in the Stompage bit
"I excite very large doom for days" - playpunk

wgc

Jok3r seems to be a connoisseur of high gain pedals

http://www.madbeanpedals.com/forum/index.php?topic=11654.msg105527#msg105527

Check out the dragon armor post, and there's epic threads for the Black Forest on the other forums

Haven't built these yet but plan to do 1 or 2 in near future
always the beautiful answer who asks a more beautiful question.
e.e. cummings

pryde

Triple-wrecker upper decker.

Brutal awesome gain with a great EQ

GhostofJohnToad

great suggestions guys!  Way more to choose from than I anticipated.  Good thing I have a birthday coming up soon. ;)

madbean

You should build the Upper Decker and then tell me if I should finally build it! Plus, the name....my favorite. (I have low standards).

GhostofJohnToad

I'll probably build a couple different of the high gain monsters.  Starting with the TripleWrecker.  Just need to find a pcb.  Any thoughts on where I can buy one, anyone?  Is the RCustom the consensus?  If so where do I get that?  I think I will want to run it at a higher voltage too.

marmaliser

Quote from: GhostofJohnToad on October 17, 2013, 01:16:10 PM
I'll probably build a couple different of the high gain monsters.  Starting with the TripleWrecker.  Just need to find a pcb.  Any thoughts on where I can buy one, anyone? 
T-Wrex PCB Link in this post http://www.madbeanpedals.com/forum/index.php?topic=11234.0

BraindeadAudio

I have a verified modded HM2 board layout I will sell you a board for once I get the prototype run from Oshpark...Its a complicated build, but sounds amazing.