Topics

1

Open Discussion / Maxon 863 schematic?

« on: August 22, 2019, 08:01:41 PM »

Anybody know where I can find a schematic for the old Roto Tone 1 from Maxon?
The closest thing I could dig up was the 909 but that’s not quite the same.

2

Build Reports / Sailor Moon set of 1590G projects

« on: August 10, 2019, 12:39:37 AM »

Inspired by my daughter's love of Sailor Moon, we've just finished a set of all ten 1590G projects including the discontinued Sawse. We built them in 1590B enclosures though. Definitely easier to work with and still a good fit for the control layouts.
I had the idea right after Brian released the "G" projects but we just finally got around to finishing them.
We're going to be debuting them at a local gamer/anime/comic con her in Jackson, MI on August 24th. We'll have a table set up in the Vendor's hall with some other game/anime inspired builds.
Just need to finish making up some cables and getting everything wired up!

3

Open Discussion / Easier ordering 1/8W resistors from Tayda

« on: July 09, 2019, 05:45:19 AM »

There are a bunch of things I don’t mind ordering from Tayda. I’ve never had any problems with their resistors and ordering the 1/4W metal films is super simple with their “easy ordering” page. I’ve started having a couple of PCBs made recently that are laid out for 1/8W resistors and thought “sure would be nice if they had that option for those too”.
So I sent them a message via Facebook. They responded pretty fast and it looks like it’ll be happening soon!

4

How Do I? Beginner's Paradise. / UV Printing from PPP or Mammoth.....

« on: May 04, 2019, 12:01:10 PM »

I want to try ordering some printed enclosures but haven't done it before. Can anyone share their process for getting graphics onto their templates and submitted for printing? I'll probably try messing with it tonight a little bit.
I do all of my graphics in Inkscape and have been printing decals on my own. I just want to make sure I'm getting it right before I spend a lot of money in trial and error.
Mammoth has a minimum order of 10 pieces to get the price break on the setup fees, PPP is 20......
PPP has far more options for powder coat colors. Mammoth will do custom colors but.....
Anyway, pros/cons to both and any tips on successfully submitting print templates would be greatly appreciated!

5

General Questions / Non-Threaded toggle switches

« on: February 23, 2019, 02:42:48 AM »

I've got a couple of boards that have pretty tight control layouts. I was thinking of using the toggles that have smooth shafts/bushings and don't use any nuts/washers. Kind of like what you might find on a lot of Electro Harmonix and other pedals. I'd like to save as much room as possible for labeling the controls without having to move the lettering too far away from the switch.
Does anyone know where I can find some of these that would work as direct replacements for the typical threaded shaft switches that everyone stocks?
I suppose I could just use the regular ones and leave off the nut and washer but that would look a bit...... unresolved.
Thanks!

6

Tech Help - Projects Page / Quieter than expected Tonebender

« on: January 14, 2018, 08:17:13 PM »

Sooooo, I built one of the 2017 Tonebender boards from the “classics” section of the shop. When I got it done and fired it up, it was considerably quieter than I expected it to be. I’m pretty sure I had a bad trimpot because the voltage jumped back and forth like crazy with just minor adjustments. I also thought changing R8 for a higher value might increase output. I listed a bunch of different transistors to try out too.
Now, some time has passed and I got back around to it. I replaced the trimpots and removed R8 and put in sockets. I already had sockets in for the transistors.
So, trimpots are good and I was able to easily and accurately adjust bias.
I played around with R8 and settled on 1k5.
I tried a bunch of different transistors in various combinations.
Still, it seems like this thing should be louder overall than it is. I have to set the fuzz control pretty high and keep the volume control close to max just to be a bit above unity.
It’s not even close to the first pedal I’ve built but it is my first Tonebender. Silicon or otherwise.
Is it just not that loud of a circuit?
Am I missing something?

7

Build Reports / Orange Phaser (stage fright)

« on: January 22, 2017, 10:20:04 PM »

Started this one a while back but was missing the LM13700's
It sat on the back burner for a few months but still finally got it wrapped up.
The decal ended up a bit to the right of center and the "n" of stun is a little bit under the washer for the toggle...... oh well, live and learn. It does sound great though!

8

Build Reports / Klon Centaur clone

« on: January 11, 2017, 02:25:21 AM »

Built this on an Aion Electronics board.
Turned out pretty great if I do say so myself!
Didn't get a gutshot but it's pretty clean. Two of the pots had to be wired off board to make the layout work. I wanted to go with a traditional theme with an obvious twist!

9

Open Discussion / Soft-touch relay switching

« on: December 28, 2016, 08:46:18 AM »

So I've built a few switching circuits that are available out there. I'm thinking about putting my own layout together. Before I order parts to start breadboarding I have a question.
The ones I've built use a 5V regulator and relays with 5V coils. There are similarly sized relays that have 9V coils. Why not just use the 9V relays and eliminate the regulator?
Most trannies or IC's that might be used in such circuits are rated for well known her 9V.
Why use a regulated 5V supply for these switching circuits?

10

Open Discussion / Has anyone used this supplier?

« on: November 28, 2016, 11:58:04 AM »

dsmcz.com

Someone shared a link on a facebook post.
Looks like there might be some good deals there if it's all legit stuff......
Anybody heard of em, tried em?

http://dsmcz.com/prestashop/

11

Open Discussion / Enclosures for loop switchers

« on: November 20, 2016, 08:29:15 PM »

Does anyone know where to find different sizes of these?
I've seen the 1032L types on Smallbear and the like.
What if I just want to build a looper with three loops/switches?
Or if I want to go bigger with eight loops/switches and still have reasonable spacing between switches?
Maybe I need to try some different filtering options over at Mouser........

12

Open Discussion / The good folks at Small Bear...

« on: October 18, 2016, 07:40:37 AM »

I ordered a White 1590B with my last order. The invoice was correct but they accidentally picked/shipped a Black enclosure instead.
I sent them a copy of the invoice with an email explaining the mix-up. I said I'd be happy to send back the black box if they'd send along the white one I wanted.
I waited a couple of days but didn't see a response so I figured I'd just send back the wrong one with the original invoice and hope for the best.
Before I could get to it, I got an email back from them with a tracking number for the new white enclosure. They apologized for the mistake and said I could keep the black box for the inconvenience!
That's good business! I've seen a few posts about having some trouble with orders from them as well as others. Overall I've had pretty good luck with orders from multiple vendors. I just like to take the time to point out the good stuff too.
So, thanks for taking care of me Small Bear!

now where did I put that list of pots I need to order............

13

Open Discussion / Creating new pot values......

« on: October 11, 2016, 01:44:51 PM »

So I've been thinking it would be easier to order a whole bunch of just a few values of pots then add resistors to come up with new values. This way, if I want to build something that calls for an odd value pot, I don't have to place an order and wait for a single item.

Here's something I've seen referenced here before. There are options for calculating new values for linear and tapered pots:

http://www.diystompboxes.com/analogalchemy/emh/emh.html

My question is, would this be a good idea or can anyone point out specific reasons/situations where this would be a bad idea?
Sure would be nice to just keep 2 or 3 values each for A, B and C pots then just make whatever value is called for......

14

Open Discussion / Small single conductor shielded wire?

« on: September 26, 2016, 07:47:58 AM »

Where can I find some?
Seems like whenever I search for the stuff, the best thing I find is smallish sized coax cable.
I've used some and made it work well enough but it's still way thicker and stiffer than I'd like.
I've installed new pickups and re-worked the electrics in plenty of guitars. I've removed some stock wiring that uses single conductor, shielded wire and it's not much thicker than comparable standard hook-up wire. So, I know the stuff exists.....
I haven't been able to find anything quite like it anywhere. I'm not sure if it's something that might be manufactured as a special order item or.........
I'd like to find a good source for this stuff so I can use it for my input/output connections just as an added precaution in preventing noise. Would also work well for some cases of off-board wiring. Anywhere the conductor would have to pass close to other parts of the circuit where noise could be induced.
So, does anyone else use SMALL shielded wire in their builds?
If so, can you point me in the right direction?
Many thanks!

15

Build Reports / "ATM" (Mimik & Ping multi)

« on: September 23, 2016, 09:57:16 PM »

Stuffed a couple of 1590G projects in a box along with a TH Custom soft touch relay bypass and a small piece of strip board for the power connections.
Planning wasn't perfect and the Ping board ended up a bit cocked.
Oh well, sounds awesome!