HBE Hematoma mods:

kaputsport · #1 05-08-2011, 10:32 PM

So I like the pedal as it sits for what it does, but I feel I can get much more out of it. I have a stock purple (s/n 14) one that I want to mess with a little bit.

I ordered a set of matching Op Amps per the listings on the website to try the stacked Op Amps mod they list. I am still waiting for them to arrive.

I am also looking at some other mods to do, caps and resistors to change to bring out some interesting character to this great overdrive/boost pedal.

Anyone modify theirs, or know of any mods? Got a schematic?

Builders and modders, please chime in.

kaputsport · #2 05-09-2011, 09:52 AM

Got a reply from Joel at HBE. They do not offer a schematic, nor will they offer any support for modifications...

Good to know thy stand behind the pedal... and it's owners.

rratajski · #3 05-09-2011, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaputsport

Got a reply from Joel at HBE. They do not offer a schematic, nor will they offer any support for modifications...

Good to know thy stand behind the pedal... and it's owners.

The reason is that they can't be responsible if you mess up as per their instructions. Ex-I put in this vw engine in my kia...it fit, but now my transmission won't work...
I see both sides of it.
Personally, I wouldn't want customers to mod my pedals even w/ my instructions...too risky and a money-losing situation in the long run

kaputsport · #4 05-09-2011, 10:16 AM

While I can see your point, most people are afraid to dive in and change things. Being a previous tech for many different companies, I know my way around a soldering iron. Hell, we even built our own pedals before, and thought about selling them...

So changing a cap or resistor to get some more high out of the pedal is a 5 second job with no problems...

As for money losing, if you needed their help, they would make money, on parts, replacement boards and other things... Sounds like they want to guard their design.

BrandonBass · #5 05-09-2011, 12:16 PM

may i ask whats with the hematoma that u dont like?

RCCollins · #6 05-09-2011, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaputsport

While I can see your point, most people are afraid to dive in and change things. Being a previous tech for many different companies, I know my way around a soldering iron. Hell, we even built our own pedals before, and thought about selling them...

So changing a cap or resistor to get some more high out of the pedal is a 5 second job with no problems...

As for money losing, if you needed their help, they would make money, on parts, replacement boards and other things... Sounds like they want to guard their design.

if you find the hematoma too dark, there are plenty of other tubescreamer clones to choose from. Personally, that's what I DO like about it.

In fact, a cap swap alone might well do the trick you're looking for - but if you've got those mad soldering skills and all, you shouldn't need a schematic just to do that, am I wrong? Try looking on one of the stompbox forums, and if you can't find a schem for the hematoma, a Power Screamer schem should be close for that section.

kaputsport · #7 05-09-2011, 01:07 PM

The hematoma when blended in my signal path is extremely dark, almost no top end crunch. It is probably due to the clean being let in.

I am all for protecting a companies work, but I want to make this pedal a little more responsive for my tastes.

As for the "need" for schematics... It was more based on location, and value used before cracking open the pedal to root around.

I mean honestly, it is just a cap... I'll post results.

kaputsport · #8 05-09-2011, 02:23 PM

Anyone else have any mods they have done, or links to places you have seen others do?

rratajski · #9 05-09-2011, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaputsport

While I can see your point, most people are afraid to dive in and change things. Being a previous tech for many different companies, I know my way around a soldering iron. Hell, we even built our own pedals before, and thought about selling them...

So changing a cap or resistor to get some more high out of the pedal is a 5 second job with no problems...

As for money losing, if you needed their help, they would make money, on parts, replacement boards and other things... Sounds like they want to guard their design.

Put it this way...you're the business owner and you sell me your pedal. I get it, ask you which part to replace. You tell me, I swap the part, and it doesn't work. I put the old part back in and it doesn't work...
Now I have to send the pedal to you and you have to figure out what I screwed up...possibly at your expense. If you can't figure it out or the whole board is messed up, who loses? The company? The customer?
It's a recipe for disaster! Sorry man...

Maybe the do want to protect their schems. If someone out there wants the schem, they'll trace it and call it a day.

Like I said, I see both sides of it! Would they consider modding it?

kaputsport · #10 05-09-2011, 04:12 PM

No, they will not, and they would not know what I wanted.

Point being, I bought the pedal, I want to mod it. I am asking for information from the builder. If I break it, I break it. It is not their problem. I would never claim them to not handle their customers well based on a mod I made that went south.

It just seems funny that is all.

I guess I'll play around, and report back. BTW, the op amps are here.

rratajski · #11 05-09-2011, 05:48 PM

Have you looked at any regular TS schematics? GGG version?

kaputsport · #12 05-10-2011, 01:21 AM

Yes, but that does nothing for me in terms of knowing what HBE used for the pedal we have now. If I knew tha values of the components, I could order what is needed, and do all the component swaps while in there once, not three to four times...

dune2k · #13 05-10-2011, 05:58 AM

Trace it! Trace it!

There's no schematic around, at least that I know off. I just saw a couple of gut shots and they seem to cover some stuff in goop...

kaputsport · #14 05-12-2011, 03:52 PM

Okay, well here is an update:

I received by pair of matching op amps yesterday and assembled them and installed them.

If you are like me and want a little more of everything out of this pedal, this is the mod. It cost literally $3.50 shipped from overseas for the parts.

The pedal can now get aggressive. Basically, the gain knob from 0-50% is what it used to be at 0-100%. Just a little more breakup, a little more sizzle but still retains the dark character.

Highly recommended...

BrandonBass · #15 05-22-2011, 01:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaputsport

Okay, well here is an update:

I received by pair of matching op amps yesterday and assembled them and installed them.

If you are like me and want a little more of everything out of this pedal, this is the mod. It cost literally $3.50 shipped from overseas for the parts.

The pedal can now get aggressive. Basically, the gain knob from 0-50% is what it used to be at 0-100%. Just a little more breakup, a little more sizzle but still retains the dark character.

Highly recommended...

thanks for the info, but i personally like my hematoma stock. Even at stock it has a tad too much gain for my liking, ive never felt like i needed more out of it