I don't think you'd have to worry about components wearing out that much I've seen some pretty road worn OC-2s that still sound good even if they look like poop.
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overdrive/fuzz quest part 2
- Thread starter johnk_10
- Start date
- Feb 16, 2008
- 21,240
- 23,634
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- John K Custom Basses
AFAIK, the only components that can go bad with age in it are the electrolytic capacitors, but they should last a minimum of 20 years (and usually much longer).
- Feb 16, 2008
- 21,240
- 23,634
- Disclosures
- John K Custom Basses
just built another nice sounding overdrive for bass, the MXR CBMOD. I built this one 100% stock and thanks to its 100Hz control, it has no low end loss with a bass. it's a modified tubescreamer circuit only it can be transparent (kind of like a Timmy) without the bump switch engaged. IME, with the bump switch engaged, it goes into tubescreamer/green rhino-ish tones but with a smoother and more open top end and more low end. it also uses a darlington transistor in the first stage to drive the dual opamps with asymmetrical diode clipping.
Yeah, I guess I should have said "Are there any components that will go bad with use." I had an early 80s OC-2 Octaver until very recently that was in pristine shape and sounded phenomenal. I had a much newer MIT OC-2 that was a bit more used and didn't sound near as good. Supposedly the same circuit and all that, makes me wonder if it was a component thing.
Probably was. I've heard a direct comparison of the OC-2's from different factories, and there really isn't much difference at all IMHO.
- Feb 16, 2008
- 21,240
- 23,634
- Disclosures
- John K Custom Basses
well, components don't go bad due to use. IMO, there was probably a faulty one in your MIT one to begin with.
- Feb 16, 2008
- 21,240
- 23,634
- Disclosures
- John K Custom Basses
i drew up a vero circuit for this one from the original schematic (Gallien Krueger's Diesel Dawg), and built it the other day. three Jfets and 3 TL072 Jfet dual opamps ( that's NINE amplifier stages!). GOBS of distortion with this one:
My God man you're killing me over here with all the beautiful and wonderful creations of yours John. I wish I had half your talent. S**t!!
- Feb 16, 2008
- 21,240
- 23,634
- Disclosures
- John K Custom Basses
here's another super cool sounding one from BJFE, the Purple Pink Fuzz. it'll actually do anywhere from a low overdrive to a full out heavy fuzz. it's tones are very 'vintagey', but without the noise and unpredictability. it uses a Jfet (2N5952), a BJT (BC550C) and a germanium transistor (2N1308) to get it's voices.
- Feb 16, 2008
- 21,240
- 23,634
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- John K Custom Basses
Here's four quick clips that I just made to give you guys and idea of what these pedals sound like with a p bass.
Blackout Effectors Mantra Overdrive:
MXR Custom Badass Modified OD:
BJFE Pink Purple Fuzz:
Gallien Krueger Diesel Dawg:
Blackout Effectors Mantra Overdrive:
MXR Custom Badass Modified OD:
BJFE Pink Purple Fuzz:
Gallien Krueger Diesel Dawg:
Last edited by a moderator:
- Feb 16, 2008
- 21,240
- 23,634
- Disclosures
- John K Custom Basses
- Feb 16, 2008
- 21,240
- 23,634
- Disclosures
- John K Custom Basses
I owned an original fuzzrite for more than 30 years, and after building three completely different versions of the it (posted on the net) I found my favorite one. then, I modded the heck out of it so it would still retain the original's tone, be more bass friendly, be capable of a lot more tones and drive, and have more output. IMO, it's an awesome fuzz pedal now and totally unique.
"I owned an original fuzzrite for more than 30 years, and after building three completely different versions of the it (posted on the net) I found my favorite one. then, I modded the heck out of it so it would still retain the original's tone, be more bass friendly, be capable of a lot more tones and drive, and have more output. IMO, it's an awesome fuzz pedal now and totally unique."
John, you are KILLING me. I had one in my band in grammer school and all these years later I dream about having one again. ....................
John, you are KILLING me. I had one in my band in grammer school and all these years later I dream about having one again. ....................
That MXR Custom Badass Modified OD sounds really good at higher gain settings IMO. Was reading what you contributed towards the schematic as well. All around good job as always.
