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Friday, February 12, 2016

Black Arts Toneworks Pharaoh

Happy #FuzzFriday, everybody! The Pharaoh is a variation of the classic Big Muff circuit, and one of the best out there. It features a modified tone stack with an added highs control. There are also 2 toggle switches added, one that switches between 2 resistors at the input, and one that switches the clipping diodes of the 2nd gain stage. This last switch allows you to select standard silicon diodes, asymmetrical germanium diodes, or no diodes at all. I've added a pull down resistor to the PCB side in case you encounter switch popping. It might fit in a 1590B, but if it were me, I'd feel more comfortable with a 125B. Speaking of which, here's the drilling template for a 125B.




Edit: Q1 should be an MPSA18 and Q2-4 are 2N5089s.
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43 comments:

  1. UnknownFebruary 12, 2016 at 10:40 AM

    Yesssss !!!! Thank youuu !! Q1 - Q4 ?

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  2. wainer.said@gmail.comFebruary 12, 2016 at 2:08 PM

    thanks for the layout , impeccable as always

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  3. UnknownFebruary 12, 2016 at 3:32 PM

    Olala!!! I'll to verify this one.

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  4. UnknownFebruary 12, 2016 at 4:59 PM

    Verified!!! This thing is loud...be aware that you may have to sort a few 5089's other wise this thing will oscillate and squeal.

    ReplyDelete
  5. GuilhermeFebruary 13, 2016 at 11:53 AM

    Q1 is MPSA18 on the original

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  6. UnknownFebruary 13, 2016 at 1:32 PM

    Changed Q1 to MPSA18. well worth the swap.

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  7. visualdistortionFebruary 17, 2016 at 5:05 PM

    D7 and D7 are 1N4001 on the original.

    ReplyDelete
  8. DewilApril 4, 2016 at 12:41 PM

    Hi!

    I suspect those yellow 10UF's are tantalum?
    Just asking because not sure about the orientation, can someone give a little help with those. Otherwise done with the whole build.

    Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  9. UnknownApril 5, 2016 at 8:10 AM

    yea, the negative leg of the first 10uF in the signal path(the bottom one)goes from the 39K/390K resistors. The upper one's negative leg goes next to pad 3 of the volume pot.

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  10. DewilApril 5, 2016 at 11:02 AM

    Wow, that was fast. Thank you very very much.
    I can start designing the graphics of the box soon. \o/

    Cheers.

    ReplyDelete
  11. RobotmeisterMay 1, 2016 at 5:19 PM

    Another nice build! I replaced the input hi/low switch with a b500k pot like on the supreme version, which I would recommend, as it works brilliantly.

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  12. UnknownJune 24, 2016 at 3:59 PM

    Im new to electronics and Im guessing that If the power input says +9, it needs a powersource with +9v center, but if it says just 9 its negative center.... right?

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    Replies
    1. Effects LayoutsJune 24, 2016 at 6:14 PM

      No a standard pedal supply is center negative. +9v means you connect the positive terminal of either the dc jack or battery to that pad. Check this out:

      http://neunaber.net/blogs/brian-s-notes/13849473-pedal-power-basics

      Delete
  13. UnknownAugust 11, 2016 at 2:49 PM

    Many Thanks for this circuit!!! Just one question: where can I find the Transfer Image?? I cannot find it in the library...

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  14. UnknownAugust 14, 2016 at 10:26 PM

    Would you be able to do one for the supreme version of this pedal? I can't imagine there are too many differences.

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  15. Ki Baradha LegiwaSeptember 12, 2016 at 6:30 AM

    can't find the 5817 anywhere in my local area, is there any reccomended substitute for it?

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    Replies
    1. Effects LayoutsSeptember 12, 2016 at 7:40 AM

      That one's for polarity protection. You can use a 1N4001 or even a 1N4148

      Delete
    2. Ki Baradha LegiwaSeptember 12, 2016 at 8:34 AM

      Ah, I see.. Thanks for the reply!

      Delete
  16. Ki Baradha LegiwaSeptember 25, 2016 at 2:15 AM

    Hi.. I found that there are slightly different placement between the perf and the pcb layouts. The 100k with 1k resistors beside the higher tantallum and the 470pF ceramic with the 470k resistor beside the lower tantallum are swapped. Will it affect the circuit or not?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Effects LayoutsSeptember 25, 2016 at 7:32 AM

      The connects are the same, just the placement of the parts are a bit different. If you're building this on perf follow the left side of the image. If you're building on PCB follow the right side.

      Delete
  17. Tony SanchezMarch 3, 2017 at 5:45 PM

    Can LEDs be used instead of diodes on this board and the Qs 2&4 be swept for 2N1308s similar to a EQD Hoof?? Also how would you connect a 6 way switch instead of the 3way to mimic the supreme? Great work!!

    ReplyDelete
  18. IvMMarch 5, 2017 at 2:45 PM

    I recommend to use 500k pot instead a on/off/on switch in the clipping selector.
    This is the method used in the Swollen Pickle MKII.
    :-)

    ReplyDelete
  19. UnknownMarch 28, 2017 at 4:14 PM

    Are you sure there must be all the pots B-type????

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    Replies
    1. Effects LayoutsMarch 28, 2017 at 7:10 PM

      You can use log pots instead for fuzz and volume pots if you want. The tone control pots are definitely lin though.

      Delete
    2. UnknownMarch 29, 2017 at 10:18 AM

      just need to know if B type makes smooth control of fuzz and volume

      Delete
    3. Effects LayoutsMarch 29, 2017 at 10:24 AM

      Both A and B types were used in original big muffs. Smoothness isn't going to be affected by the taper of the pots. The schematic I based the layout on didn't specify the tapers. I think the tagboard layout says A types for fuzz and volume. YMMV

      Delete
    4. IvMMarch 29, 2017 at 10:49 AM

      My humble experience: in the gain pot it's the same, due the amount of gain and where's the pot located.
      Not the same for volume: it must be audio taper due the function and location, at the end/output of the circuit as voltage divider.

      Delete
    5. UnknownMarch 29, 2017 at 2:43 PM

      Okey, will try on weekend. Thanks for layout, it's prefect!!

      Delete
  20. UnknownMarch 30, 2017 at 2:50 PM

    There is a little difference with resistor 2M... What for is it??

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    Replies
    1. Effects LayoutsMarch 30, 2017 at 3:01 PM

      It's an optional pulldown resistor so the effect doesn't pop when the footswitch is engaged.

      Delete
    2. UnknownMarch 30, 2017 at 6:03 PM

      wow. Nice solution

      Delete
  21. IvMApril 24, 2017 at 11:30 AM

    I only have left to get the 10uf capacitors...and its impossible.

    Can I use electrolytics, with the (-) facing in the direction of ground?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Effects LayoutsApril 24, 2017 at 11:42 AM

      Yeah that should be fine. Orient the - side of the top one towards Vol 3, and - side of the bottom one towards the 39k/390k resistors.

      Delete
    2. IvMApril 24, 2017 at 11:49 AM

      Great.... THANKS!!! :-)

      Delete
  22. UnknownJune 3, 2017 at 12:17 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  23. BCOctober 6, 2017 at 7:32 AM

    Hi and tanks for the nice info compiled here.
    I wonder about the clipping caps values. The schematic from bug muff page have 47nF instead of 470nF here.
    Have you noticed that ? I guess it has an influence on sound but did not try it...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. VApril 7, 2019 at 2:58 PM

      There is a big difference if you use 470nf or 47nf. Original Rams head had 47nf's. There are conflicting schems of Pharoah circulating with both 470 or 47nf.

      Delete
  24. Avalanches to HeavenJuly 3, 2019 at 11:31 PM

    One small thing I noticed the board on the right has the 2M and the left doesn't have it. Thanks though, this will be fun.

    ReplyDelete
  25. AlexApril 25, 2023 at 12:54 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete