Landgraff Dynamic Overdrive/Clay Jones Overdrive

Probably two of the most hyped Tube Screamer clones around. The only real difference between the Dynamic Overdrive and a TS808 is the clipping switch, offering symmetrical red LEDs, diode lift, and asymmetrical silicon diodes. The Clay Jones Overdrive is mostly the same, just without the clipping switch (just LEDs), and a Burr Brown OPA2134 in place of the JRC4558 opamp. If you want to build the Clay Jones version, omit the 1N4148 diodes and place a jumper between pads 2 and 3 of the clipping switch pads. Like most Tube Screamer clones, what you use for Q1-2 doesn't matter all that much. The Landgraff uses 2SC1815 transistors (BCE pinout) and the Clay Jones uses BC546B transistors (CBE pinout). Alternatives would be the usual 2N3904, 2N5088, etc. The layout below follows the more common CBE pinout. For a drilling template, use the Cmat Mods Signa.

Nocentelli JFET Boost

Here's a recent design by Nocentelli. A single JFET stage into a Baxandall EQ stage with a BJT gain recovery stage. Originally designed with an opamp gain recovery stage and no gain control, Nocentelli redesigned it for a lower parts count and easier build. I added a trimmer to the JFET stage so it's easier to bias correctly. More info here on FSB.

Way Huge Purple Platypus

Here's a bit of a rarer old school Way Huge circuit from the 90s. It's essentially what would happen if a Red Llama and a Foxx Tone Machine had a baby. Original thread on FSB here with schematic.

BJFE Folk Fuzz 3.5%

For Fuzz Friday, here's a great fuzz design by Bjorn he did for the DIY community. Q1-2 can be either silicon or germanium, and Q3-4 are used as clipping diodes. Here's the schematic for reference. Should be an easy fit in a 1590B.

SMD to Through-Hole Conversion

There are a lot of circuits (a lot) that use J201/2N5457 JFETs. Sadly, these components in the TO-92 package are out of production, and many of those that can be found online are either barely within spec or completely out of spec. So I thought it would be good to have a conversion board to use SMD transistors (that are current production and much more consistent) in through-hole layouts. Just solder some header pins to the holes of this board and you're good to go. I've also done a conversion board for BJTs, as some common through hole transistors are already being pulled from production.

If you don't feel like etching, you can pick these up in the store.

Wampler Tweed '57

Here's another (and more complicated) amp emulator, and another great design from Brian Wampler. This one stacks JFET stages much like the Cranked AC. It emulates a dirty Fender tube amp with a 3-band tone stack. I added trimmers so it's easier to bias the JFETs and it's laid out for board mounted pots in a 125B enclosure.

Lumpy's Tone Shop Lemon Drop/ZII/Series 7

Here's a simple little overdrive designed to emulate the old Vox 4 and 7 series amps (used by the likes of Jimmy Page and the Beatles). Pots are board mounted and it should fit in a 1590B easily. I've added a trimmer to bias the JFET at little easier. Schematic and voltages can be found here on FSB. From the manufacturer:

The 7 Series Overdrive captures the aggressive qualities of the solid state preamp found in the 4&7 series amps by using a pseudo hybrid setup consisting of a specifically selected silicon transistor for the first stage which adds a distinct bite and growl.  That pushes an FET stage into clipping adding some warmth, sustain and amp like dynamics to the tone and feel.  The end result is a highly effective emulation of the amp and a unique sonic blend that could be characterized as a "fuzzy overdrive." 

Basic Audio Scarab Deluxe

Happy Fuzz Friday! Revisiting one of the early layouts of the blog–John Lyon's Scarab Deluxe. Been meaning to draw it up with board mounted pots for a while. Ian Nelson sent me his version and with a little modification we can check that off the bucket list. Great sounding fuzz based on MicTester's Hot Silicon.

Mid-Fi Electronics Pitch Pirate

Here's the Pitch Pirate with board mounted pots. Like the Deluxe version, the LFO is designed to be grounded when the effect is turned on (hence the pad at the top of the board). Just use the true-bypass wiring diagram in the General Layout Notes and leave out the LED wiring. Then just connect the corresponding pads on the board to the lugs of the switch. The on/off indicator LED (pads at the top of the board) is connected to the LFO ground so that will turn on and off (and show the rate) with the LFO. It'll fit just fine in a 125B with top mounted jacks, but will also fit in a 1590B if you wire the pots off board (or maybe with long leg pots mounted to the component side? YMMV).