WARLOCK- Steampunk

My inspiration for this pedal was the wood. In the right light it's dark with a red underbelly.

Couldn't help but think it's kinda evil. Witchy. Went from there.

With a theme like that. It's got to be Badass. I've always known about a boutique kiwi pedal builder called RedWitch and I knew they made a fuzz god, had a look and lo and behold the circuit

tagboardeffects.search=god

Fuzz Main With A Wrath Footswitch,, Sounds goodie.

  

Gathered my bits and as before I used sketchup for some initial design work.

 

Also had to use Inkscape to create etch masks.

 

Ordered some parts for the circuit, found the transistors needed in a metal can version, so thought I'd mojo the circuit a bit as well and started building. While I'm building I'm thinking seeing as I've only used Rune symbols for the knobs, I could really put any circuits I like in it. 2 even. All the pots and switches are for the fuzz god circuit and with so many it also gives you plenty of options for a duo combination. At the time it was just a thought.

The metal cans were duds in the end. Spec'd way low. BC109's are now bc549 in a silicone package and common as you get, so put them on the shopping list.

I had a circuit made up and working for the Catalinbread "Dirty little secret MKII". uses 5 pots and 2 switches. Waiting for me to come up with a box design. Left with one knob. mmm. The ZVEX super hard-on seems to get a rave. I've wanted to make one. So I decided to put them in for now. In the end I changed the boost to a crackle not OK version. the crackle on the original seemed to come through all the time, not just when I dialed the pot. Badass, Evil, Black sabbath, Metallica running on 18v via  switchable charge pump) coupled with a hot little booster. It's WARLOCK DOOM by accident. The circuit has a presence trimmer which I decided I wanted to mount as an external pot and managed to squeeze one of the smaller packaged pots I pulled from the fried marshall in on the side, covered with a bit from a compressor valve,

 

The RAT - Pack

 

For many years I have been using the MOOER Black Secret as my RAT option. It's small, vintage or turbo switch and sounds great cleanish or dirty - The RAT is a very versatile overdrive and distortion. I would put this on the bucket list for sure. In whatever form you choose to have - new/second hand aren't that expensive. Older ones will have the LM308 IC, which are hard to find. ( I got a few from JAYCAR @ $10 each) I've got enough to build a few. I tried the OP07 and still sounded good to me. Also have some LM208's in metal can version. Yet to try but confident they will work.

Along with the Big Muff ( now replaced with the Scarab Deluxe) was my main dirty dirt pedal and It will always be on my board.

I found the build info for this one via some help on forums from Beavis Audio Research. Link is here Beavis Audio 4 Knob Rat .

This one involves producing 2 PCB's, The main circuit and a daughterboard with different clipping options. I managed to squeeze it all in a 1590BB, but it was tight and I'd use a 1590BB2 next time if I make another like this one. On that note, I have also discovered a vero layout for this on Sabratone proco-rat-w-lots-of-options . Using a 5T rotary switch for clipping selection. With a vero size of 20 x 14 I'll most likely try for a smaller enclosure, probably have to 125b with the big 5T switch, 4 pots and 2 switches.

Again I've tried Acid Etching with reasonable success this time. Diluted the brew, used nail polish on any visible weaknesses to the mask. Fairly happy with the finish. You'll see I'm a bit of a Stranglers fan with Rattus Norvegicus in the mix. Some hand painting - clear coat. This one is serving me well.

I've placed the clipping LED's on top as well, lighting up more the harder you play

Obsessive Compulsive Distortion

 I've owned an original version 3 for many years. My general go to prior to sweet honey showing up. Definitely a pedal worth having. The circuit was found in vero from again Mark @ tagboard effects. Parts are easy and this sounds just like my original. Well maybe a slight difference. My components vs theirs is going to have some undoubtedly. A recommended build. Read the comments ( as I always do ) version 3 seems most popular.

Artwork turned out a bit better etch-wise, although the OCD got a bit munted and again a remake planted on top solved the problem.

Basic Audio Scarab Deluxe

 Up until I made this my "fuzz" option was a Big Muff. It didn't get much use. You can't hear it in a live setting. I needed something  with a bit more grunt. I love this pedal, and its a stayer for me. I'm going to re-box it in something a bit more deluxe ( and smaller) at some stage. With the bias set to not too much fuzzy It's a an awesome distortion option ( for me). I found using some lower gain 2N5088 transistors produced better soundz.

Again I got the circuit and build info from drdfx. I chose a few of his to start with. In my view it seemed he had shortlisted worthy builds and I haven't been disappointed in his choices.

Inkscape drawing left, actual right pic. Printed using Tayda printing service.

The circuit can also be found in vero layout.

Cranked AC30

 

This is another I decided to build early on from drdfx. requiring etching a PCB. artwork is Inkscape (left pic ) printed by Tayda printing service.

The circuit is a discontinued Wampler cranked AC. It requires 3 matched sets of J201 Jfet transistors.

Needed to make a JFET tester for this. SMD J201's can be found on Tayda. soldering them to adaptor boards is a trick, but not as hard as you think it will be. youtube videos are great for learning how.

I would call this a bright overdrive/ distortion. Very usable from light gain settings to heavier stuff.

drdfx have videos with soundz examples if you think you might like

 

Fuzz Factory from Musikding

 

The Factory

 

 Ok, so starting off I got a kit from Musikding in germany. “The Factory”. To New Zealand was very reasonable I thought. Against my principle of “from scratch” I know. I needed the matched germaniums, AC125’s in this case and putting together an easy circuit and the offboard wiring from a kit seemed like a good way to introduce myself to making these things.

The kit was great, easy to follow and easy to make if you’re good at soldering already.

This circuit is crazy, thats for sure.

My artwork at this stage is printable clear sticky film with clear-coat topping.

Incidentally, in my search for germaniums AC128’s at the time, i came across some from Ali-express. 10 for $10. What the hell, got a pack to see what you got. I don’t know whether they purposely plant them or it was just sheer luck , but there were 2 out of the 10 with the perfect HFE/gain measurements. One at 70 the other at 110. They sit in this now and doing the job very well. AC125’s will go on a future project. I'm aware Ali-express is risky, and it is. Last resort perhaps. I have had a fair success and some failures here for parts i cant find elsewhere for a reasonable price.