AMZ Q&D Compressor
This is my second attempt at this build, and it is a real winner. I had some trouble with the first build. I think that arose from a faulty SSM2166 IC, a faulty potentiometer, or some other gremlin that I can’t figure out. Rather than give up, I did a second build. All I can say is wow. I need to experiment with it more, but it really seems to just make my basses tone so much more…present, I guess. More reviews to come, but here is the finished project.
Finished AMZ Q&D Compressor
Gut shot
A HUGE thanks to Jack Orman at AMZ FX for his willingness to offer advice during the first build. Also, a hat tip to my mates at the diystompboxes forum for their help as well.
Marshall Supa Fuzz
See pics in the debugging post below. Works now. Thick, woolly fuzz and sustain for days. Kind of a one trick pony, but a great fuzz tone to lock in.
Here’s the project…http://www.guitarpcb.com/apps/webstore/products/show/3051599
More debugging fun…
Marshall Supa Fuzz (GuitarPCB Pumped Up Tonebender with Bass Mods)…
Works awesome on the board…can’t seem to get the power flowing when it is boxed up.
Some pics
Supa Fuzz!
Supa Fuzz Boxed up…no juice 😦
Supa Fuzz Powered by the board – works great!
Debugging AMZ Q&D Compressor
I put together an AMZ Q&D Compressor. I am having some difficulties and was wondering if anyone can offer some insight.
First – here is the tech page with the schematic – http://www.muzique.com/tech/2166.htm
It seems to work very well, except for the GATE pot. When the GATE pot is cranked all the way up, it works. If the GATE pot is anything less than dimed, I get horrendous feedback and squealing.
I did some voltage testing –
Q1 – 2n5457
D – 9 v
S – 5.46v
G – 4.5 v
U1 – 78LO5
1 – 5v
2 – 0v
3 – 9v
U2 – SSM2166
1 – 0v 14 – 4.95v
2 – .14v 13 – 2.25v
3 – 2.47v 12 – 0v
4 – 2.47v 11 – 4.95v
5 – 2.26v 10 – 1.42v
6 – 2.26v 9 – 4.95v
7 – 1.56v 8 – .58v
D1 – 9v
Other notes: I changed C6 to 10uf, as I play bass, and C8 to 100uf, to address any power supply hum.
If I turn the GAIN all the way down, I can back off of the GATE a bit, but it is all but unusable unless it is fully dimed.
Argh….
Q&D Compressor 1
Not that anyone will notice, but…
I am organizing my life a bit, and using this space for pedal discussions only. I am way behind on that . Much more to come.
And I awoke…
But no bouncing around the room, at least not for the moment. But, I am reactivating this blog now. More to come soon!
Latest obsession
Tonebender Fuzz Mk II
- Tonebender gut shot 2
Tonebender gut shot 1
I play bass guitar. It’s a gift to myself, although I wish I had more time to practice and play.
That said, a while ago I got some effects pedals – a really cool DOD FX-72 Stereo Bass Flanger, a Digitech Bass Synth Wah, and a lame but cheap overdrive pedal. Then, I found this website – www.buildyourownclone.com. How cool – build your own effects pedals. I bought a whole bunch of them. Then, they sat on my shelf for a few years, collecting dust.
Until now.
For reasons I can’t explain, I grabbed my soldering iron and put teh first one together last week. Way, way freaking cool. Its a clone of the Solasound Tonebender Fuzz. And, just as promised, it gives the bass a ton of thick wooly fuzz while retaining a lot of low end. It will be a great toy to play with. Oh, and I will eventually paint the enclosure as well.
Hello…
Yep. I did it. Here is my little piece of internet real estate. The American dream for the new millenium, available to all.
Great Gig in the Sky 