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.
Here's a really great sounding overdrive from Hudson Electronics. The Sidecar is loosely based on the Tube Screamer with a 2-band Baxendall EQ and some interesting soft clipping. It uses a PNP germanium as a diode along side an LED and a 1N4148 in an asymmetrical configuration. I've got a fabricated version available in the store as well if you prefer and the schematic is over there in the build doc.
Alright, back to the normal layouts. Here's a really unique overdrive pedal from Hudson Electronics in the UK. It features an onboard charge pump to take 9 volts up to 24, so be sure to use appropriately rated capacitors (min 35v for electros). The transformer (the big yellow thing on the board) can be found on Mouser and other online vendors. Because of the transformer I suggest building this in a 125B for the extra height. Here's the schematic for reference. From the Hudson Electronics description:
The Broadcast is a transformer coupled, discrete Class-A germanium pre-amplifier based on the classic broadcast consoles of the 1960s. In the low-gain setting, the Broadcast can cover everything from sparkling clean boost through to transparent overdrive, all with a healthy dose of volume available to push your amp. The Broadcast features a specially selected Triad steel-core transformer and a NOS germanium transistor. Advancing the gain on the Broadcast starts to saturate the transformer and the pedal’s discrete circuitry, giving rise to a gentle and dynamic compression coupled with subtle thickening of the midrange. With the gain switch in the high setting and the trim control wound up, the Broadcast starts to deliver heavier distorted sounds with a warm and fuzzy edge to them. The Broadcast covers a wide range of driven and distorted tones whilst remaining dynamic, responding well to pick attack and the subtle nuances of every player.
