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Pork Loin mod
- Thread starter johnk_10
- Start date
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How can you tell it's got the old cap from that pic? Or is that not how you're deciphering?
At first I was excited reading the thread because I just purchased mine so I figured it was the updated model but I pulled off the cover and the cap read 102J. Check out this picture from the OP. Check the red cap and read the numbers. The pedal is still fantastic as it is. However they sound even better with the cap mod. There are several sound clips on this thread for comparison.
It does sound so much better with the cap mod. I just got a custom 250 built and the PL may need to worry a little haha. But I tell ya, I've never kept an OD on my board as long as the modded PL has been onboard. It's pretty much perfect for me. The way it drives and sounds, the way it reacts is just fabulous!
I have not been able to mod mine yet, but dreaming of a toggle switch on the side in a poorly drilled hole with masking tape labels 
Wife has not yet figured out how to tamper proof all my gear yet!
Any suggestions on cap values? I was thinking of a couple different values for on-the-fly changes...
Wife has not yet figured out how to tamper proof all my gear yet!
Any suggestions on cap values? I was thinking of a couple different values for on-the-fly changes...
I have not been able to mod mine yet, but dreaming of a toggle switch on the side in a poorly drilled hole with masking tape labels
Wife has not yet figured out how to tamper proof all my gear yet!
Any suggestions on cap values? I was thinking of a couple different values for on-the-fly changes...
Well, given your knowledge, you would probably have a better clue than most of us haha but then again, there are a ton of great builders on here. Hey @boomertech, what do you think?
I'm kind of a hack. Interested in any theories or opinions for sure. It could be fun to add a toggle switch with a couple of caps to select for a bit of tone option... OK, I _AM_ a hack.
Anyone notice the missing pot labeled "voice?" Interesting! Makes me wonder why WH chose to omit this part of the circuit on production PL's... Just too many knobs for most people? Since I noticed it, it stands out like a sore thumb. I feel like I just discovered a large red button in a hallway with a sign over it with large red letters stating, "DO NOT PUSH!!!"
I want to push the button.
Anyone notice the missing pot labeled "voice?" Interesting! Makes me wonder why WH chose to omit this part of the circuit on production PL's... Just too many knobs for most people? Since I noticed it, it stands out like a sore thumb. I feel like I just discovered a large red button in a hallway with a sign over it with large red letters stating, "DO NOT PUSH!!!"
I want to push the button.
For the multiple, switchable caps mod, you'd need to make a small, separate PCB (or a less-elegant perf board) with your other cap options, and to cut traces on the PL's PCB and solder directly wires from the traces to the leads of your switch, and also from your new board to the leads of the switch (and find a way to lodge everything in the pedal's housing). If you're not experienced with electronics design/repair, I'd leave this one aside. It's not rocket surgery, but there is potential to mess things up.
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Was in no mood to do anything complicated, which includes drilling holes in a chassis. So in the meantime I went ahead, did the regular mod and can now see what Johnk was talking about. While it's brighter and less muffled than before, you can definitely muffle it up again with the tone control and I guess with the internal pots you could really get it back to where it was. Maybe I should get another unmodded Pork Loin to compare.
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I think you are good with that. Here is the PM JohnK responded to me with when I asked:
any 470pf cap will do.
like this: FKC-2 470/100/5 WIMA CAP 470PF 100V 5% 2.5 X 6.5 X 7.2 RADIAL Polycarbonate
or this:
8 pcs Ceramic Capacitors. 470pF, 470 pF, 50V, C0G, P/N 1C10C0G471J050B 6B5d
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One more thing: The Pork Loin is awesome! I love it for bass and guitar on my board and so far don't even miss the Barbershop that it replaced. And although I really suck at soldering (desoldering is where most of the drama happens, though) I'm very happy that I managed to not destroy the pedal.
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I agree with Greg (and JohnK). I'm not real experianced in audio circuit design, but I don't think the capacator type in this application would be critical. As long as it's somewhere around 500pF and adequate "working voltage" I think it will be fine.
By working voltage, I mean the maximum voltage the cap is rated for. With a 9V power supply, it would probably be difficult to find a cap that's under rated for the circuits maximum voltage. Rule of thumb for "working voltage" of a cap is 1.5 x the maximum circuit voltage. To make it easy, 1.5 x power supply voltage. Almost any cap will do here.
I haven't cooked up the mod yet. Too busy at work the past few weeks. But I 2nd the awesome tone of the PL, even before modification. Glad you got it done and working! Desoldering is more of an art than a science, and it takes practice to get it down to the point of not damaging the circuit board. So kudos to you for your success!
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Hey Frank, I appreciate the warnings! I just haven't had the time to work on anything but my day job
so 0 progress. Day job beat down my eager drive to do any work at home! I might just drop in a 500ish puff cap and call it a day. All I managed to do so far is search my dump of a garage for caps. We'll see what mood strikes when day job work lightens up.
Is it new? ICYMI, recently manufactured units have a different cap value that is very close to the one proposed by the JohnK mod - if it's new there's most likely no need to break out the tools.
- Feb 16, 2008
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