Klon/Klone mods for bass?

[deepestend]

I have a populated klon clone board that I'd like to use for bass, i'm just not sure what mods to do to it. Obviously, I can switch in a bigger input cap, but I've heard that there are more components that need to be switched out. Does anyone know what? This is a board with the standard values that have been circulating for the past few years (and might not be quite right).

 

[johnk_10]

first i'd finish it to make sure that it works well as it is, then possibly mod it for more low end.
the input and output coupling caps are already fine (large enough values) for use with a bass.

 

[Feral Feline]

JohnK, you often mod your various clones to your own taste, but when you say you mod something for low end, what does this typically entail (or are they some of your trade secrets )? I've been quite curious about this for some time.

 

[johnk_10]

it's definitely no secret. it all depends on where in the circuit that the low end is being lost and that varies from circuit to circuit.

 

[deepestend]

Yes. Sometimes it's as easy as just adjusting the input/output caps to allow a better bass signal to get in and out of the pedal. Sometimes, though, you really have to get into the circuit (as John said) to figure out where different frequencies are boosted or cut to figure out how to make it more bass friendly. And sometimes its a case where if you mess with one section of a circuit, you have to compensate by adjusting components in other areas. The Klon is that kind of circuit as I understand it.

 

[Feral Feline]

I thought so, top secret ... only the pedalluminati know such stuff . Wish I'd paid more attention in physics and math class. Wait, I never took physics...

I kinda guessed there was no simple answer. *sigh*

I might not ever become a pedal guru, but I'd still like to take a stab at some pedal-build kits some day. Yeah...

 

[neuman]

Be sure to check out diystompboxes, build your own clone and freestompboxes.org A lot of information is out there and many threads dedicated to specific pedals and mods.

 

[deepestend]

I actually have been to all of the usual suspects and while there is some good general advice, nothing totally specific. If you want to build one on madbean's kingslayer board, here is a thread that talks about some values to add in: http://www.madbeanpedals.com/forum/index.php?topic=16153.0

However, there is no def report on how and if these mods really work.

 

[johnk_10]

i just checked out the mods that I did on mine.
looking at this schematic (madbean's) I replaced the components with different values marked with the red arrows to yield more low end:

 

[deepestend]

Nice. What Madbean version is this ... nevermind Sunking vs 1.

These mods are interesting: looks like you're really just changing out 2 caps, a resistor, and both of the TL072 op amps.

 

[bassmusic17]

Anyone try the Way Huge Saucy Box yet? Self proclaimed "klon killer".

 

[johnk_10]

it's the sunking which is the same as the Klon schematics that I've seen posted on the forums.

 

[deepestend]

Thanks again!

 

[Feral Feline]

Thanks for posting the modded schematic, JohnK.

 

[deepestend]

I thought so, top secret ... only the pedalluminati know such stuff . Wish I'd paid more attention in physics and math class. Wait, I never took physics...

I kinda guessed there was no simple answer. *sigh*

I might not ever become a pedal guru, but I'd still like to take a stab at some pedal-build kits some day. Yeah...

In case you are wondering... just looked at some old notes and found out what needs to be changed on the Klon to give you an idea of what John is doing here--though these notes aren't comprehensive as the change of the 15k resistor to 1k or 1k5 is essential. From my notes (the C8 in my notes is C7 on the diagram above):

To mod a klon for bass, I'd need to change the input cap, the low frequency cut off cap and tone stack frequency response.

As far as I can tell, that means changing c1 (100nf) to 390nf, changing c8 (82nf) to something higher, and maybe changing c15 (3.9nf) to something higher. Is that right?

 

[Snaxster]

Hello OP, John, and All,

Yesterday I rolled several op-amps in a Mythical Overdrive I bought from RimRock Effects recently. Attached here is a table of my observations. Never mind my flowery descriptions and lack of measurements.

The point is that in Klon(e)s that use two op-amps for audio (don't touch the further one in the charge pump) rather than a single (quad, I think) op-amp for audio, and have sockets for those, there is an opportunity to tune the pedal for bass guitar and to one's taste by swapping in a different model op-amp in one or both of the sockets.

I liked my Mythical Overdrive stock. It sang sweetly. Now, with the two new op-amps swapped into it, I like it even more. Much more. Of course YMMV.

Since it is a statistical certainty that I will destroy this pedal if I try to swap caps into it, I will leave it as it is. Instead I will try customizing a Madbean or similar build, since I would like to hear that approach. Thanks for sharing your info here.

Happy Holidays,

Snaxster

i just checked out the mods that I did on mine.
looking at this schematic (madbean's) I replaced the components with different values marked with the red arrows to yield more low end:

 

[deepestend]

Nice work. Thank you!

 

[Snaxster]

Thank you. My pleasure.

 

[deepestend]

I'm going to order those op amps when I get back from the holidays.

 

[Snaxster]

Thanks to John K, who noticed a typo of mine in another thread, in which I cited "OPA604AP" though I meant "OPA2604AP".

Then I checked the PDF I attached in this thread, and found I made the same typo in it. So I just corrected that and reattached the corrected PDF in my first post in this thread.

To confirm: one of the op-amps I tested in my Klone was the Burr-Brown OPA2604AP (it was not the OPA604AP).