This is a library of perfboard and single-sided PCB effect layouts for guitar and bass. I'm not an electrical engineer by any stretch of the imagination, just a DIY'er who likes drawing layouts. It is meant for the hobbyist (so commercial use of any of these layout is not allowed without permission) and as a way to give back to the online DIY community.

Tuesday, May 1, 2018

Darkglass Microtubes B3K

Gotten a few requests for this one and I finally got around to doing it. It's a bit of a hodge-podge–3 dual opamps, a hex inverter, and a JFET mu-amp array. Definitely not fitting this in a 1590B, but will fit nicely in a 1590BB with the pots board mounted. Info and schematic here.



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80 comments:

  1. SandorMay 2, 2018 at 5:29 PM

    On the vero layout (left side) you used two further not defined red leds, on the left side I read 1N4148 diodes. Why? Which is the factory standard?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownMay 3, 2018 at 8:07 AM

      You could use either depending on your taste. I think the 'original' is probably 1n4148.

      Delete
    2. Effects LayoutsMay 3, 2018 at 9:13 AM

      The original is 1N4148s. I think I mistook them for LEDs on the schematic initially, then when I went back through and double checked I realized they were 4148s, changed them on the pcb side, but forgot to on the perf.

      Delete
  2. UnknownMay 4, 2018 at 9:59 AM

    i love this, finally some did it :D
    will you be doing B7K maybe?

    ReplyDelete
  3. SkeetVanDerchuckMay 4, 2018 at 9:16 PM

    I built it, I’m having issues with the 4049. On the tagboardeffects layout they used an unbuffered one. But all schematics say other wise. I Don’t have one on hand to test that theory out.

    ReplyDelete
  4. NathanMay 5, 2018 at 6:16 PM

    Hi. Do you think a potentiometer will work instead of the switch for the attack? Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  5. SandorMay 8, 2018 at 2:39 PM

    Verified with the components above. You might vant to socket the J201 and try other FETs, like 2N5457 for more round sound and less distortion. It isn't distorting much, at least for me. Very mild and musical, good for bass. If you want more distortion a BAT46 (in place of the two 1N4148) or another low low forward voltage schottky could be a good mod, but I did not try it. I think I will box this one as it is.

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    Replies
    1. SandorMay 8, 2018 at 2:47 PM

      AD712 in the place of TL072 in the upper left corner makes it sound more hard. Slightly more distortion, more rock.

      Delete
    2. Effects LayoutsMay 8, 2018 at 4:08 PM

      Thanks for verifying and for the notes. Good stuff!

      Delete
    3. SandorMay 8, 2018 at 9:49 PM

      One more thing... are you sure th upper 4148 goes to +9V? Not to blue line next to it coming from the leg 8 of the upper left dual OP-amp? This could explain why is there so little distortion. I compared your layout with this: http://tagboardeffects.blogspot.hu/2017/05/darkglass-microtubes-b3k.html

      Delete
    4. SandorMay 9, 2018 at 3:49 AM

      I am not sure. It sounds good as it is, but I really don't understand why is it going to +9V.

      Delete
    5. Effects LayoutsMay 9, 2018 at 9:18 AM

      The schematic on FSB says it goes to +9V

      Delete
    6. SandorMay 25, 2018 at 5:44 PM

      In the end I have tried this circuit with the above mentioned BAT46 mods. As predicted, there is more distortion on tap, but can be tamed. I have found it more useful like that. Another note: C100K is really useful in this circuit. If you can not find reverse log pot, put a 240K res between the pins 1 and 3 of a linear 250K pot. It makes it a reverse log ~130k pot. Fits nice here.

      Delete
  6. NathanMay 10, 2018 at 2:25 PM

    Quick advice for those who etch their own boards with the toner transfer method: the extra through hole of the 220nf capacitor on the attack 3 switch is very close to the attack 2 rail so... watch out.

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  7. DanjoJune 30, 2018 at 4:45 AM

    Has anyone else found the tl072 on the drive pot side is oscillating? Either that or it’s super noisy and being amplified by subsequent stages. I have tried isolating the output from the attack switch (grunt switch on the schematic) capacitors to no avail. I am hoping someone can suggest a solution as I am striking out.

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    Replies
    1. skinnyjimmyMarch 18, 2019 at 12:11 PM

      Did you sort this mine appears to be doing this now? replace TL072?

      Delete
    2. skinnyjimmyMarch 18, 2019 at 5:41 PM

      This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
    3. skinnyjimmyMarch 19, 2019 at 10:56 AM

      Check your 100uF Capacitors if its oscillating as described above. I Just changed mine and it's now working normally.No oscillation and No hiss!! Pots and switches still not quite working properly though. all acting like volumes (have i got my pot leg orientation wrong?). BUT Mine is somewhat usable now. :D

      Delete
    4. Víctor HugoFebruary 21, 2022 at 8:05 PM

      Did you solve that issue??. I have something like that. The circuit works wrong. The pot does not work, only in the Middle position. I changed the electrolitic caps, but it does not work.

      Delete
    5. plague docDecember 10, 2022 at 12:35 PM

      I used LM358 instead of tl072 in the drive knob section (upper left corner of PCB and it fixed the issue for me

      Delete
    6. plague docDecember 21, 2022 at 5:03 AM

      Also using shielded wire on the attack switch central lug (labeled grunt 2 on this vero) helps with this problem a lot. Whis this thing applied, no oscillations at all even using tl072

      Delete
  8. AidanJuly 5, 2018 at 10:42 PM

    Just wondering what are the values and tapers for all of the pots?

    ReplyDelete
  9. Vander EffectsJuly 6, 2018 at 8:48 AM

    Hi! in which folder from the transfer image library is the pcb? thanx in advance, Max

    ReplyDelete
  10. andresguevaraJuly 19, 2018 at 11:35 AM

    Greetings group, someone can provide me pdf layout of Fender Bassman FET Preamp DeadAstronaut, MXR M81, MXR M80 or similar. Nice sound !!!!!
    Thanks and success👍.

    ReplyDelete
  11. andresguevaraJuly 19, 2018 at 11:52 AM

    Greetings from new group, kual bass preamp recommend me of effectslayouts ???, thanks and success.

    ReplyDelete
  12. skinnyjimmyAugust 3, 2018 at 1:30 PM

    I can Verify it toally works :D. I just finished the wiring and plugged it in, Boom! Thats the sound i've been looking for. Thanks man! Awesome addition to my pedal board :D

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    Replies
    1. andresguevaraAugust 7, 2018 at 11:31 AM

      Good morning, I am a beginner and I also want this pedal, could you pass me the drawing of the wiring ???, I will be grateful !!!, motivates me and gladdens your achievement, thanks and success. andresguevara111@hotmail.com

      Delete
    2. Effects LayoutsAugust 7, 2018 at 1:13 PM

      There's not a more detailed drawing for off board wiring for this specific effect. A drawing of general off board wiring can be found in the General Layout Notes tab along with info that should help you figure out how to connect the toggle switches to the board.

      Delete
  13. UnknownAugust 7, 2018 at 12:17 AM

    Is is possible that you make a layout for any other Darkglass pedal or any bass preamp?

    ReplyDelete
  14. MikaAugust 8, 2018 at 3:33 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  15. MikaAugust 8, 2018 at 3:36 PM

    or.... this schematic not correct

    https://www.google.pt/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwiFhuC_md7cAhXNuFkKHcJgD9sQjRx6BAgBEAU&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpeperspedals.blogspot.com%2F2017%2F02%2Fa-brief-guide-into-tracing-out-pcb-to.html&psig=AOvVaw07csjMkfAnXIbQkiZ9zWMs&ust=1533843140361215

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Effects LayoutsAugust 8, 2018 at 11:11 PM

      The schematic I used is linked above, and the layout's been verified... That other schematic looks right tho. What error are you finding?

      Delete
  16. MikaAugust 9, 2018 at 6:37 PM

    In schematic... IN > (1M) > .1 > 10k > (1M) > IC+
    In your PCB.... IN > (1M) > .1 > (1M)> >IC+

    Toggle switch Attack and Grunt named where changed !?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Effects LayoutsAugust 11, 2018 at 2:24 PM

      The 10k resistor is definitely there... Toggles are the same names as what I've seen online...

      Delete
    2. MikaAugust 12, 2018 at 3:31 PM

      Ok... tanks. Regards

      Delete
  17. MikaAugust 9, 2018 at 6:42 PM

    Position of R5(1M) is diferent... between C4(.1) and R4(10k) in your Layout..
    and R5(1M) between R4(10k) and IC+ in schematic above

    ReplyDelete
  18. ioannizAugust 13, 2018 at 9:16 AM

    guys the drive pot (C) is reversed logarithmic ?

    ReplyDelete
  19. UnknownSeptember 12, 2018 at 3:22 PM

    Works fine! Thanks! At first i cannot find j201 so i tried BF245B and it works, but it was vary noisy. Finaly i ordered j201 from china and it works so much better with j201.

    ReplyDelete
  20. JavierNovember 5, 2018 at 6:22 PM

    Hi there, I can't find the PDF ready to transfer, do you have it at hand to share? Because the PNG has a bigger size when I open it into Photoshop... there's some trick to make it the right size? Thank you very much in advance!

    ReplyDelete
  21. snakepitFebruary 17, 2019 at 11:10 PM

    Hi guys, someone could help me, I made this layout, but I get no response, no distortion or changes, only with the pot blend, I only get a small change of tone, and probe with different pots, change the tl072, but I do not have another 4049 to test, I have a pair of J201 and 2n5457, but I do not get any distortion signal, could it be 4049? is the only component that I have not changed, could someone pass me the 4049 measurements? Thanks and regards

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. skinnyjimmyMarch 12, 2019 at 3:21 PM

      In regards to the 4049 Hex Buffer I have 2 builds of this pedal and one is not working i only just realized the Code on the IC which is working is 4049 UBE <----- and the other not working 4049 BE <----

      Does this mean i have the wrong one?? as far as i can see even on the packet it says there all the same inverted hex buffer (4049UBE, 4049BE, 4049) but im not having any luck

      Delete
    2. Effects LayoutsMarch 12, 2019 at 3:35 PM

      The BE version is buffered. I believe the circuit needs the UBE (unbuffered version) to work correctly, just like with most 4049-based guitar effects.

      Delete
    3. skinnyjimmyMarch 12, 2019 at 4:34 PM

      awesome, you just saved my day bro.. UnBuffered ones now ordered :D thank you for the super quick reply dude

      Delete
  22. AjazzbassilioApril 19, 2019 at 5:43 PM

    The components side layout seems missing .Can you upload it again? Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  23. bibiMay 11, 2019 at 9:55 AM

    is it possible to have the gerber file for edit the pcb? thanks a lot for your job. Franck

    ReplyDelete
  24. UnknownSeptember 4, 2019 at 10:13 AM

    Hi, I have a issue, my built dont have the overdrive sound, only clean sound and the blend pot works too. I'm using the CD4049UBE.Any knows whats happening ? sorry about my english

    ReplyDelete
  25. PapproniSeptember 23, 2019 at 3:07 PM

    My pedal doesn't work... I see that i should have used a NP 1 uF capacitor. Can a normal electrolytic capacitor effect the operation?

    ReplyDelete
  26. UnknownSeptember 26, 2019 at 4:37 AM

    Hi! i have an issue. Pedal sounds like farting. And there is a tons of clipping when drive is on maximum. i`ve inspected FET section by soldering output straight to 1 leg of attack switch and it sounded clean. Then i`ve inspected DRIVE section and there is clipping. Dont know what to do( Sounds like a fuzz not an overdrive

    ReplyDelete
  27. Pedro_MarizOctober 8, 2019 at 5:51 PM

    I have some sugestions that worked for me:

    - Increase the 220pF of the grunt switch to 470pF
    - Reduce the 4049 feedback resistor from 470k to 330k
    - Increase the 100R 4049 supply resistor to 1k
    - Also make a boot's trap before the 9V input of the board, it means, put a 100R in series, like the rat, that gonna improve the noise performance

    Yet, all these mods didn't worked well to me, and the pedal was more like a gate distortion, the oscilations stopped, but it could be more, I espected it.

    So, my final solution was to replace all the 4049 section, to a mosfet muff distortion block, and gess what? Sounded lika a charm! ahahah No oscilations, giant sustain, all the switches did they role super well, I'm super gratful to all the mates that inputed so much information about this thread, that's my 2 cents.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. talkingloudAugust 29, 2020 at 10:43 PM

      This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
    2. talkingloudAugust 29, 2020 at 10:47 PM

      in the case This mosfet would be the 2n7000? will it replace any other transistor? please man help me i'm new at this and my english sucks kkkkk

      I followed all the steps you put above (placing the 100r on the 9v, the 330k replacing the 470k and the 470pf replacing the 220pf) then it got much better the hissing decreased a lot but it got a little sustainer with the gate cutting very fast distortion, then I understood more or less what you said below about the mosfet there was the only question I had

      Which transistor to use
      and where to put it

      please man help me !!!!!!!

      Delete
  28. LuchoOctober 18, 2019 at 1:26 PM

    This works perfect using a CD4049UBE.
    Thank you!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. PapproniOctober 19, 2019 at 3:13 PM

      hi would you post voltages of the ICs please?

      Delete
  29. IosutxooJanuary 3, 2020 at 6:21 PM

    Podría decirme de qué material son los condensadores 1uf , soy novato perdonad y gracias!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. PROWERJanuary 30, 2020 at 11:15 AM

      Son no polarizados, busca de poliéster o cerámicos multicapas

      Delete
  30. aptalfunkJanuary 12, 2020 at 9:59 AM

    thanks a lot! do you think I'd have any problem if I use 2.2k or 4.7k resistors instead of the 3.3's on the layout?

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    Replies
    1. Effects LayoutsJanuary 13, 2020 at 11:18 AM

      I would probably try doing a pair of resistors either in parallel or series to create 3.3k. Google parallel and series resistance.

      Delete
    2. aptalfunkJanuary 15, 2020 at 6:50 AM


      aptalfunkJanuary 15, 2020 at 6:43 AM

      I checked it and applied. It works amazing! Great tone variability... Thank you sou much!!

      Btw I'm getting too much deep noise. Do you think it'd be solved when I put eveything inside the enclosure?

      Delete
  31. aptalfunkJanuary 15, 2020 at 6:43 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  32. SynesthesiaJanuary 26, 2020 at 11:56 AM

    Hi, I want to put an eq control for the obsidian, I am thinking in putting it right before de volume stage. Do I must put it before R25 (on diagram) or before IC 4.A?

    ReplyDelete
  33. CKLabMay 9, 2020 at 1:06 PM

    Just finished this, TI 4049UBE, 2n5458 jfets, 1n914 diodes, all else as specified, ran legs on perfboard. Works perfectly, sounds great. Thanks so much for this!!!

    ReplyDelete
  34. ESPIRITUD LIBREDecember 18, 2020 at 2:12 PM

    hello I would like to send a request for the darkglass vmt

    ReplyDelete
  35. USBOctober 19, 2021 at 10:22 AM

    Hello
    I finished it but the CD4049UBE gets too hot, which I don't think is normal, can somebody confirm it?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Effects LayoutsOctober 20, 2021 at 10:22 AM

      Try increasing the value of the 100Ω resistor just above the 4049 (goes from voltage to pin 1) up to 470Ω or even up to 1k.

      Delete
    2. USBOctober 20, 2021 at 8:02 PM

      Thanks!!!! i put a 1k and now its stay cold
      you are great!

      Delete
  36. Víctor HugoFebruary 20, 2022 at 7:49 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Chris915August 29, 2022 at 3:00 PM

    I can confirm the board and parts are good and working.
    Just finished with all the stock components. (Except 2).
    1. I don't have 330nf, i used 220nf
    Doest it make a big difference? (I do have a 470nf)
    2. I don't have a C100k, I used a B100k for gain. The Gain is not evenly spread out in full rotation. Hi gain is only on position 8 to Max. Any suggestion to make a C100k or Mod? Thanks in advance.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Chris915August 29, 2022 at 3:06 PM

      Btw.. Gain is farting at Max. Thats fine with just wanted the gain spread evenly.

      Delete
  38. Weerapat WetchapanJuly 4, 2024 at 10:38 AM

    Can I use MPF102 instead of J201?

    ReplyDelete

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