Suhr Riot

Gotten a few requests for this one. The Riot distortion from Suhr is built around 2, dual opamps (4580 in originals, but others can be used) with several clipping options for a great high gain experience. You can pretty much use whatever diodes you want, but it's laid out for 2 LEDs always clipping, with the option of adding either 3, 1N4148s in asymmetrical orientation or 4, 1N34s in series. You can also try replacing D4 with a 1N4148 (I've included pads for that on the PCB), or changing the color of the LEDs. Really, just experiment with what you have on hand and chose what sounds best to you.

Gretsch ControFuzz

For Fuzz Friday I give you the ControFuzz from Gretsch. Originals are pretty rare and it's an fairly unique design based around a single 4558 chip. I found a build report from LucifersTrip over on DIYSB, and he suggested a slight mod to the Distortion control that improves the circuit, so the layout below is based on that.

CultureJam Triton Delay

Here's nice delay from CultureJam. It's based on the Rebote 2.5 delay and has a lot in common with many other PT2399 delays. However...

The Triton, diverges from the base concept by adding a second Delay Time potentiometer and a unique (in the DIY world) modulation effect. The Delay pots are selectable via footswitch (latching), and when switching from one time setting to the other, the delay time change happens slowly, just as if you were manually turning the delay time pot on a standard delay pedal. This causes a gradual pitch bend that slowly resolves to unison if a note or chord is struck and held when toggling between Delay pots. To control the speed of the pitch bend/resolve, there is a pot labelled “Slow”. Making the transition speed slower also makes overall delay time longer.

This is version 3.1 of the Triton, and includes all controls externally (the original PCB by Pickdropper had the Tone pot as a trimmer). Here's the schematic for reference, and the demo below is of an older version, but you get the idea.

In case it's not clear in the layout, the Time Switch is the 2nd footswitch.

Rockett Flex Drive

Here's another interesting take on the Tube Screamer circuit from Rockett Pedals. The input and output buffers are removed and there's an added JFET gain stage following the IC. There are also switches to select different clipping diodes and treble response.

Apocalypse Audio Thundertone

Fuzz Friday! Here's a cool fuzz based on the old Supro Thunderbolt amp using NPN germanium transistors by RnFR from the Apocalypse Audio blog. Here's what he had to say about it:

I have been thinking about modeling the Supro Thunderbolt with FETs, but then thought- I just got in these cool new Tesla GE's, why not use those? So that's what it is, the preamp section of the legendary amp used by Page and supposedly Hendrix, done up NPN germanium style. I had to eliminate a few resistors towards the end to bring up the volume and lowered the value of an emitter resistor to up the gain a bit. Also, I made the resistor on the input variable so you can adjust the input impedance for guitars with different pickups.

The real gem of this circuit is the tone pot- totally counter-clockwise you get a nice full range tone with plenty of mids. As you go clockwise it goes to a very muffled tone, and as you go even further, it goes to a very thin, cutting tone. There are some very cool sweet spots, and a lot of versatility. I like it better than a regular muff style control, but it does cut plenty of signal- hence the two gain stages after it.

It's a cool sounding circuit. Nicely voiced and does a good overdrive type sound. If you don't have the trannys, you could change out the 33K Rc's to trimmers and adjust to taste. The Tesla trannies are extremely consistent, so no trimmers needed.


Here's the schematic for reference.

Menatone Blue Collar

Here's an oldie but a goodie from Menatone. The Blue Collar was released around the same time as the Red Snapper and is more compressed and focused in comparison. It's also based around the Tube Screamer without the input buffers and with several mods. This layout reflects a newer version of the Blue Collar, but the older one can be built on the same board. Just increase the input cap to 100n, omit the 56p cap from pin 5 to ground, lower the output cap to 100n, and use an A250k pot for the Volume control. Here's the schematic for reference.

Valve Wizard Equinox II

Here's a reverb circuit that doesn't require a Belton brick–the Equinox II by Valve Wizard. It uses 2, PT2399 delay chips with a pretty standard input/output buffer built around a TL072. The original uses a J112 for switching the tails function, but I've simplified that with a just DPDT footswitch. Use one side of the DPDT for turning the reverb on/off, and the other side for LED indication. If you don't want/need tails with your reverb, just jumper the 2 switch pads. It's gonna be a snug fit in a 1590B, but it will fit.

I was able to verify this over the weekend and it works great and will fit nicely in a 1590B.