My perfect distortion pedal (just a random idea)

[Pierre]

One side is a over hot JCM800 emulation. Maybe a preamp copy with J201s or other transistors? Using the Thunderchief as a model, it should be possible to get a Zakk Wyld type of sound (yeaaah that's what I'm aiming at, except with more mids).

Otherside is a clean boost. Entirely transparent.

Problem is, should the boost be before or after the Distortion?
Before for even more beef and destruction.
After to boost the amp more.

Would it be possible to have a footswitch to swap the Boost circuit for before or after the distortion then?

The clean boost would probably be based on the EH linear booster. Fairly transparent and powerful enough for most applications I think. But feel free to suggest other simple designs if it's ethical. This is just for fun and it won't happen for a while anyway, I'd have NO WAY of getting PCB or drilled casing

Or instead of a clean boost, a fairly transparent OD which could be used with a seperate bass/high controls that could also act like a boost. Yum.
So in fact, a heavier Plexitone basically.

ErikH gave me schematics for the JCM800 side but I can't try them myself yet. Meanwhile, any of you guys know of something that could tickle my fancy?

 

[joelap]

Re: My perfect distortion pedal (just a random idea)

That JCM800 replicator, are you referring to the one with 6Jfets? I think I've seen that schematic.

I just built a Dr. Boogey (Mesa Dual recto simulator) and my wiring is flawless and my the solder connections are perfect. This pedal has about 6 pots in it, was a pain in the ass to drill the enclosure for 6 pots but I had a large enough enclosure, and the wiring wasnt too much of a pain for this pedal for some reason. The build was easy, but no sound is coming out right now because my trimpots arent biasing the Jfets properly,as I've found out. To be honest, if you're willing to take your time with it (as with almost everything), its not too difficult.

As for a clean boost, I wouldnt recommend the EH Linear boost because I didnt like that setting of my buildyourownclone.com tribooster pedal. Didnt really find it all that "clean" to be honest. For the ultimate clean boost, and the one I'm currently building, I'd recommend this: http://www.muzique.com/schem/mosfet.htm This thing has CRAZY amounts of clean gain available almost the full travel of the pot. The one I'm building is the first schematic posted (normal version), but I'm adding a DPDT switch that will put an active mid contour in and out of the circuit, which can scoop or boost the mids for a different tone for soloing.

EDIT: there's also guys on the diystompbox forum www.diystompboxes.com/sboxforum that will make PCB's for you if you're interested. A guy by the name of "Basic Audio" made my Dr. Boogey PCB for me, maybe he'd be able to make you a JCM800 sim pcb? the AMZ mosfet booster also has a PCB available on their site, so basically... house both PCB's in one box and you'll be good.

 

[Pierre]

Re: My perfect distortion pedal (just a random idea)

Thanks A LOT bro! That's really cool stuff there.

 

[Rushfan2112]

Re: My perfect distortion pedal (just a random idea)

Fulltone has a new pedal coming out for high gain to replace the Distortion Pro. It also has a clean boost, and you can run it series or parallel to the distortion.

http://fulltone.com/cshframe.html

 

[frankfalbo]

Re: My perfect distortion pedal (just a random idea)

Whoa that Fulltone looks like exactly what you're after, assuming you like his overdrive circuit in there. I was going to offer to make you one to match your descriptions, but I'd be using a pre-existing pedal for the overdrive circuit, so for $225 retail Fulltone has me beat hands down.

I was also going to say that the boost order is probably best on a toggle switch, because you have to accomplish so much with one switch. You have to route the input, the output, and the connection as well. So I'm thinking it's a 4-pole double throw. Perhaps a 3pdt, but on a Fulltone 3pdt footswitch, then you wouldn't know which order you were going in because you'd have no "poles" left for an LED. But with a mini toggle you could see which position you were in.

 

[V!N]

Re: My perfect distortion pedal (just a random idea)

Screw that dude, look at the nice rack with the chorus.

 

[V!N]

Re: My perfect distortion pedal (just a random idea)

have fun !

 

[Pierre]

Re: My perfect distortion pedal (just a random idea)

Well I decided to go for it. As soon as I source all the parts and build a testing rig (I have no way of finding a drilled case for it ) I'll tweak and tweak until I get a great modern JCM800 sound. Or until it sounds cool but nothing like a JCM800.
It'll have the standard 3 band EQ unless it really is all better without it, all on 10. And standard level and gain controls too.
I think I'll also try that MOSfet boost.
Any other additional information is welcome thanks for all the help so far!

PS: This is just one of those 'because I can (er... kinda can...) thing. I think it'd be a fun project and eh, if I do get a decent distortion pedal out of it, all the better. But I hope it'll teach me a lot too.

 

[ErikH]

Re: My perfect distortion pedal (just a random idea)

To get closer to the Zakk sound, or gain level, I'd put a Super Overdrive circuit in place of the booster, or the Wylde Overdrive (for his more modern sound). A good booster would still push it, but more gain would be had with an OD circuit. But then again, you could keep the booster in place and hit the pedal with an actual Super Overdrive or Wylde Overdrive when you wanted to.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: My perfect distortion pedal (just a random idea)

Fulltone GT-350 all the way. Don't even waste your money on cheaper alternatives......just spend the $225, and possibly pre-order one.

I can't wait to get one of those.

 

[Pierre]

Re: My perfect distortion pedal (just a random idea)

Eh if i had anywhere close to 225 bucks I would but right now my budget sits closer to 50 Enough to prototype it on perfboard.

Eh well either way my local maplin doesn't have anything I could use. Not any of the proper JFETs or MOSFETs. So the project is on hold.