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GK rails in a pedal?
- Thread starter sprag
- Start date
yep. that's how i'd describe it too.
Now it's time for you to strip down, put a sock over your junk and rip out some RHCP covers.
-Frank
Now it's time for you to strip down, put a sock over your junk and rip out some RHCP covers.
-Frank
I got to step two and then I realized I don't have a bass nearby.
Also I'm at work.
Heads up... Pin 7 of the IC is missing the first two diagrams. Also, D1 is missing the trace to pin 2 of the IC on the first two diagrams.
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- Feb 16, 2008
- 21,240
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- John K Custom Basses
thanks for the heads up. I have no idea how that happened but it's fixed now.
for anyone that's going to build it themselves, please use this corrected layout:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
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Really glad I was sitting down for this.
Great great tone. Thick isn't a thick enough word.
Good work.
- Its not a sound I've ever heard a GK make, but sounds great anyway. For me, the "rails" sound has always had its grit centered around the mid and low frequencies, almost like the top end remains unaffected. But then again, there is a certain "sizzle" that is really hard to put a finger on. I can coax it out of my 700RBII at high volumes at rehearsal with ease, but the best examples I've heard have been hearing the RB's live at larger venues. Chilli Pep's and Tool probably have a plethora of examples on YouTube. Hearing the Avett Brothers bassist using a 700RB at a festival with a P bass is what swayed me toward buying mine. I had previously owned an 800 and 400 a couple amps prior.
Still a great sounding box, though.
OK, so is this the finished design then, no more changes? Awsome work by you guys, some real talent here! Now...who will be making this for me to buy??? Also, will I need a preamp before this? How will this work in the signal chain? This would be the Poweramp? If so, how much power is this?
I am sure John hasn't had the chance yet to try a lot of different EQ and preamps before this pedal. I am fairly certain that an EQ with boosted lows and mids before it will have a different tone.
-Frank
This is a pedal that emulates the sound of a pushed GK poweramp. You'd put it in your signal chain the same as other pedals, between you bass and amp.
I'd be curious to hear John's thoughts but just based on the design goal I'd consider putting it at the end of an effects chain, as I tend to do with amp emulator pedals.
John finalized the voicing a few days ago, so there most likely won't be any more updates.
-Frank
- Feb 16, 2008
- 21,240
- 23,638
- Disclosures
- John K Custom Basses
no. it's not a poweramp. it's a pedal to try and simulate a poweramp breaking up a little.
it can also distort a lot if you want it to (way more than poweramp distortion)
Phew, that sure has a certain brashness to it. Very cool.
I'm not a GK user myself, but I can't wait to hear what the guys who have them say about how close this hits to the real deal!
- Feb 16, 2008
- 21,240
- 23,638
- Disclosures
- John K Custom Basses
IMO, the way to make it sound like an amp 'hitting the rails' is by just slightly using the input level and/or boost controls to add just a little grit/grind to get that effect. of course, since it has some much more drive available than that, it's kind hard not to turn them up and instead use the pedal as an overdrive/distortion.
IMO, the way to make it sound like an amp 'hitting the rails' is by just slightly using the input level and/or boost controls to add just a little grit/grind to get that effect. of course, since it has some much more drive available than that, it's kind hard not to turn them up and instead use the pedal as an overdrive/distortion.
Makes total sense. The earlier parts of your clip had a definite Flea vibe to the tone, but then it just got crazy after that, in a good way though.
I wonder how it responds to touch- the hallmark of the rails sound is that it's a response to digging in hard I think.
Teijo K.
Commercial User
This has been amazing thing to follow, and I want to thank both of you. Just awesome thing you did for the whole community.
I am planning on making a Rails pedal, but I though I would leave the booster off. So just to make sure, do I need more than the main pcb?
- Feb 16, 2008
- 21,240
- 23,638
- Disclosures
- John K Custom Basses
you'll also need the -9V inverter.
you also connect Input level 2 to where the Boost Sw2 is noted on the main pcb and replace it's link with a 1uf capacitor
Teijo K.
Commercial User
Thank you!
Good thing I am not attempting this on my own, I have a friend thats done effects helping me out.
