MXR's Randy Rhoads Distortion+ pedal

I'll give you $25 if you build one for me.
For $25 look for a Mosky D250X. It has a switch for both DOD 250 and Distortion+ clipping configurations. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAA150TPsGU

I recently built an Electra but went in a different direction for the output stage. The Electra schematic is missing a resistor in series before the clipping diodes like the DOD 250 and Distortion Plus. Without it, there isn't enough juice to drive the clipping diodes. So, I added a second transistor stage instead to drive the diodes in a DOD 250 asymmetric clipping configuration. I used NOS Germanium transistors and diodes for a thick, creamy, warm overdrive sound.



 

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The Electra is not really all that close to a Dist+, but a complete kit including enclosure can be had for 25lbs of British money. It would be a great way to get into pedal modification and building what with all the documentation that comes with it.
They use the same clipping configuration. There's no magic going on with the IC.
 
The Dist+ has a bit more filtering and as such is more frequency selective than the Electra. You could very easily mod one to be nears as makes no difference to the other though.
 
For $25 look for a Mosky D250X. It has a switch for both DOD 250 and Distortion+ clipping configurations. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAA150TPsGU

I recently built an Electra but went in a different direction for the output stage. The Electra schematic is missing a resistor in series before the clipping diodes like the DOD 250 and Distortion Plus. Without it, there isn't enough juice to drive the clipping diodes. So, I added a second transistor stage instead to drive the diodes in a DOD 250 asymmetric clipping configuration. I used NOS Germanium transistors and diodes for a thick, creamy, warm overdrive sound.




Ha ha I don't know a resistor from a capacitor from a diode.... I would botch the surgery guaranteed!
 
Aren't these point to point or at least, not SMD?

It has traditional thru-hole components with the jacks and switch soldered to the PCB. So not 100% like vintage. Same circuit though from what I can tell. I saw the guts of one of these RR pedals this weekend on a FB pedal group I'm in.
 
Aren't these point to point or at least, not SMD?

Very few guitar circuits outside of old amplifiers have ever been point to point. It's just not worth it in pedals because of how small a footprint they need, the time and skill it takes to do, and how little margin for error there is.
 
For $25 look for a Mosky D250X. It has a switch for both DOD 250 and Distortion+ clipping configurations. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAA150TPsGU

I recently built an Electra but went in a different direction for the output stage. The Electra schematic is missing a resistor in series before the clipping diodes like the DOD 250 and Distortion Plus. Without it, there isn't enough juice to drive the clipping diodes. So, I added a second transistor stage instead to drive the diodes in a DOD 250 asymmetric clipping configuration. I used NOS Germanium transistors and diodes for a thick, creamy, warm overdrive sound.




I have one on the way now. Thanks for the heads up.
 
I don't know, I've seen fuzz pedals with 1/5th that many components sell for 5 times the cost
 
His tone on the live album is insanely good, one of the best sounds of '80s metal. His studio album tones not so much.


This? Really? This still sounds kind of tinny and fizzy. It is a step up from the studio records, for sure, but I'd much rather listen to his successors play the same repertoire, even through less high-fidelity mediums:


 
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This? Really? This still sounds kind of tinny and fizzy. It is a step up from the studio records, for sure, but I'd much rather listen to his successors play the same repertoire, even through less high-fidelity mediums:



I've never once found that live tone to sound fizzy or tinny in the least. I guess we just have different ears. Personally I think it is much better than Brad Gillis' live tone on Speak of the Devil.
 
I loved Brad's tone on SOTD much better. Randy (live or studio) was pretty fizzy and tinny to me, though. I like his playing, but the guitar tone keeps me from listening to it much.
 

Sounds good to me. IDK how you fuggers can bash 50 yr old tone.
Like bashing the Wright Bros plane cuz it can't do 3 Mach like an SR-71.
Randy was thee guy with thee cutting edge guitars & gear many wanted to be and still aspire.
Funny how his playing & tone isn't up to standrads here yet you all go Koo Koo for a polka dot pedal that wasn't even his.
Regards.
 
Randy was never recorded very well live so those examples against a much better overall recording is really apples to oranges. And I agree that getting after RR is just wrong, the guy was incredible and just a kid when he died. In my opinion the songs that he recorded with Ozzy were far above anything that followed. And Blizzard was recorded in a barn with a tin can and string and it still kills. Give the guy a freeeking break.
As far as the pedal, well don’t ask me, I don’t know.
 
I loved Brad's tone on SOTD much better. Randy (live or studio) was pretty fizzy and tinny to me, though. I like his playing, but the guitar tone keeps me from listening to it much.

Yeah I always go for SOTD, Tribute, or No Rest when I'm in an Ozzy mood.

Not to snub Jake, I love many of his songs but not the albums as a whole as much as those 3.

I'd take both of Jake's albums over Randy's studio albums.
 
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