overdrive/fuzz quest - Page 35

Low Sound Love · #**681** 11-22-2012, 01:56 AM

I moved my Wampler Ecstacy drive from my guitar board to my bass board yesterday after I read your favorable review, and it absolutely slays any 'bass overdrive' I've ever played! It now replaces my EBS Multidrive as a low gain od (I really wish the EBS had a tone knob). I might have never tried it if it weren't for you John, so thanks. Now I really want to try the Triple Wreck ... Good thing Christmas is coming soon

johnk_10 · #**682** 11-22-2012, 02:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Low Sound Love

I moved my Wampler Ecstacy drive from my guitar board to my bass board yesterday after I read your favorable review, and it absolutely slays any 'bass overdrive' I've ever played! It now replaces my EBS Multidrive as a low gain od (I really wish the EBS had a tone knob). I might have never tried it if it weren't for you John, so thanks. Now I really want to try the Triple Wreck ... Good thing Christmas is coming soon

i'm glad to hear that you dig it as a bass OD. it's still one of my all time favorites too (and that's out of the 80 or so OD/dirt pedals that i now own!).

johnk_10 · #**683** 11-22-2012, 02:24 PM

got the gainster mounted in its enclosure today. IMO, after modding it for more low end, it's an awesome overdrive/distortion pedal for bass.
....obligatory pic below....

johnk_10 · #**684** 11-22-2012, 04:09 PM

i thought thati'd take pic of the 66 of the pedals that i've completed thus far. i have 8 more that i've built and tested and that still need to be mounted in their enclosures but that'll happen soon. (if i build any more, i think that i'll need to get a larger coffee table!

)

ryansalmond · #**685** 11-22-2012, 05:02 PM

What are your thoughts on the tweed 57 on bass vs the black 65?
Can't wait to hear a sound sample!

caeman · #**686** 11-22-2012, 05:03 PM

That is just insane. 66 drive pedals!

mbelue · #**687** 11-22-2012, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnk_10

i thought thati'd take pic of the 66 of the pedals that i've completed thus far. i have 8 more that i've built and tested and that still need to be mounted in their enclosures but that'll happen soon. (if i build any more, i think that i'll need to get a larger coffee table!

)

Sweet lord, how do you remember them all?
Still its a nice body of work. Keep on truckin.

MilkyMcMilkMilk · #**688** 11-22-2012, 06:57 PM

[quote=johnk_10;13423940]out of the ones that i own, my top ten, but not in any particular order:

OKKO diablo (modded into a basstard)[quote=johnk_10;13423940]

did you get the diablo layout from tagboard blog?
what did you change to make it a basstard? that's the pedal i've been wanting.

johnk_10 · #**689** 11-22-2012, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MilkyMcMilkMilk

did you get the diablo layout from tagboard blog?
what did you change to make it a basstard? that's the pedal i've been wanting.

i changed the eq points of the tone stack, installed higher value input and output coupling caps, and added a clean blend. doing those mods may not make it an exact basstard, but it's probably pretty close, and it sounds like the clips of them that i've heard posted of it.

johnk_10 · #**690** 11-22-2012, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbelue

Sweet lord, how do you remember them all?

when you hand build each one, and then tweak them to taste, you get a good idea of exactly what each one does, how it does it, and how it sounds.

caeman · #**691** 11-22-2012, 10:27 PM

It is like birthing your own child. You just know, right?

johnk_10 · #**692** 11-22-2012, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caeman

It is like birthing your own child. You just know, right?

yup.

sunbeast · #**693** 11-23-2012, 02:45 AM

Hey John- I'm working on a Rat clone right now, and am curious about your Rat mods if you have the time...

What were the original values of the input/output caps you replaced, and what did you raise them to?

Also, did you try any asymmetrical clipping in yours? I am trying to wrap my head around all the different clipping possibilities in this circuit, and asymmetric clips have sounded really good to me thus far. Do you find the germanium diodes to be significantly smoother than the silicon? I'm not particularly interested in smooth drive for this pedal. I was thinking of making the diode options: stock silicon, LEDs, asymmetric (with 2 silicon + 1 germanium, or 1 silicon and 1 LED- haven't figured out yet), and no diodes. I'm also going to put in a switch to change the clipping circuit into the feedback loop for overdrive ala the new Earthbound Audio Iron Pig (if I can fit both switches into my tiny box that is!).

Also- the voicing change you did, did it have anything to do with adjusting the 4.7uf capacitor in the clipping stage? I am trying to figure out if I am better off fiddling with Ruetz-style mods in that filter stage or messing with the actual filter/tone control cap values. Any suggestions here?

Thanks!

Thanks!

johnk_10 · #**694** 11-23-2012, 03:36 AM

i built and modded that one quite a few pedals ago so i'll have to open it up and see what i changed in it, so i should be able to give you that info tomorrow.

there's a zillion ways to do asymmetrical clipping. for example fulltone does it his fulldrive with a 1n4005 and a 1n4148. i also like the sound of mosfet transistors for clipping so you might want to try that too. for the most part, Ge diodes clip sooner (have a lower forward voltage) but, IMO, are also smoother and darker sounding.

sunbeast · #**695** 11-23-2012, 04:03 AM

How do the various asymmetric circuits differ? Is there a rule of thumb in the way the unbalanced diodes will react dependant on the difference between the negative and positive voltage routes? I guess I'll just have to fiddle around with all the different diode combos and see if there are any obvious standouts! I assembled the basic circuit already and fiddled around a bit with stock silicon pair, a single silicon, and no diodes and liked all those combos pretty well. I think the Keeley 3-way Rat mod might be similar to that IIRC.

andrew · #**696** 11-23-2012, 01:17 PM

Subscribed. Wonderfully informative thread.

johnk_10 · #**697** 11-23-2012, 06:19 PM

i built an AC clone, but had to mod it quite a bit for use with a bass since it cut the lows way too much for my taste. mine's probably closer to my RC build now, but i also added a switch to go from the stock asymmetrical diodes to mosfet clipping. it sounds really good, especially at light overdrive settings. here's pic of it mounted in its enclosure:

Jim C · #**698** 12-16-2012, 11:04 AM

Wow; an overwhelming amount of information for an overdrive virgin to read
Other than overdriving a tube amp I have never used a box but am inspired to try one in a band setting
Looking for your advice based on:
* Not looking for super heavy distortion and think just a moderately overdriven signal would suit me best
* Would like touch sensitivity and not heavily compressed
* An inexpensive pedal (can be used) that is good; finishing up some heavy bills and working on a new amp purchase (probably a 7-Pro); who knows maybe it won't be my thing
* Must have solid bass response

Having just read all 35 page my thinking is that these may be a good start:
Catlinbread SFT, EBS Multiband, Fulltone Bassdrive, and maybe the Red Ripper.
There was a clip of the Red Ripper played with mutes that had synth bass qualities; dos it do the straight OD thing well?

Any comments or suggestions?

JK - I had no idea of your extensive electronics knowledge
Your continued advice, engineering, and support to this site is GREATLY APPRECIATED

johnk_10 · #**699** 12-16-2012, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim C

Wow; an overwhelming amount of information for an overdrive virgin to read
Other than overdriving a tube amp I have never used a box but am inspired to try one in a band setting
Looking for your advice based on:
* Not looking for super heavy distortion and think just a moderately overdriven signal would suit me best
* Would like touch sensitivity and not heavily compressed
* An inexpensive pedal (can be used) that is good; finishing up some heavy bills and working on a new amp purchase (probably a 7-Pro); who knows maybe it won't be my thing
* Must have solid bass response

Having just read all 35 page my thinking is that these may be a good start:
Catlinbread SFT, EBS Multiband, Fulltone Bassdrive, and maybe the Red Ripper.
There was a clip of the Red Ripper played with mutes that had synth bass qualities; dos it do the straight OD thing well?

Any comments or suggestions?

JK - I had no idea of your extensive electronics knowledge
Your continued advice, engineering, and support to this site is GREATLY APPRECIATED

IME, the Catalinbread SFT & the EBS multidrive sound great but are pretty compressed. the Wampler ecstasy, the timmy, the Fairfield barbershop, the Wampler black '65, the holy fire, my Duality & the WIIO are probably the least compressed. and yes the red ripper also does non envelope 'normal' dirt too.

Jim C · #**700** 12-16-2012, 12:23 PM

Thanks
Rethinking my non compressed request.
I now realize that "uncompressed" in regards to an OD pedal may mean that the distortion action is dynamic (harder string attack = more distortion)
I was referring if the pedal acts more like a compressor in general terms

My gut feeling is that in a band situation it may be better if pedal output is dynamic without compression, but with a constant distortion level (which I equate more to an SVT).

Having not used a pedal, does this constant distortion theory seem right when playing rock, funk, & R&B and not being lost in the live mix?