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DIY Stompboxes => Building your own stompbox => Topic started by: biggy boy on April 19, 2009, 03:55:55 PM

Title: Dual Channel pre-preamp ValveCaster/VooDoo OD
Post by: biggy boy on April 19, 2009, 03:55:55 PM
Hi
I finally got around to boxing up my first project, a Valvecaster.

What I ended up doing was making a two channel Pre-preamp.
The left hand input is the Valvecaster, running at 157 volts DC.
The right hand channel feeds into a VoooDoo OD with double clipping.
I plug it into a two channel PA and that feeds into a stereo speaker.

The two front tubes are for a future project, the back one is the Valvecaster.
This was my first attempt at makeing my own effects, It was a lot of fun.

(http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m297/biggy-boy/amp1.jpg)

(http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m297/biggy-boy/amp2.jpg)

(http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m297/biggy-boy/amp3.jpg)

Glen
Title: Re: Dual Channel pre-preamp ValveCaster/VooDoo OD
Post by: punkin on April 19, 2009, 04:00:29 PM
WOW!!!

Nice wood work...way classy looking. Very impressive workmanship. So,...how does it sound?
Title: Re: Dual Channel pre-preamp ValveCaster/VooDoo OD
Post by: kurtlives on April 19, 2009, 04:04:01 PM
Nice work, looks classy.

Kinda bummed you didnt use those EL84s in front. You could generate a sweet sounding 15W with those two in cathode bias.
Title: Re: Dual Channel pre-preamp ValveCaster/VooDoo OD
Post by: biggy boy on April 19, 2009, 04:07:01 PM
Quote from: kurtlives on April 19, 2009, 04:04:01 PM
Nice work, looks classy.

Kinda bummed you didnt use those EL84s in front. You could generate a sweet sounding 15W with those two in cathode bias.

Hey you never know! But I would need a good suggestion project for them???
Oh thanks by the way!
Title: Re: Dual Channel pre-preamp ValveCaster/VooDoo OD
Post by: biggy boy on April 19, 2009, 04:14:01 PM
I don't have any sound clips of the ValveCaster yet, just the VooDoo

I posted these on another post, but here's the VooDoo at max gain

http://www.aronnelson.com/DIYFiles/up/metal1.mp3

http://www.aronnelson.com/DIYFiles/up/metal2.mp3


Glen
Title: Re: Dual Channel pre-preamp ValveCaster/VooDoo OD
Post by: mnordbye on April 19, 2009, 04:24:01 PM
Very good and classy looking! May i ask where you have bought that wood, and what kind it is?
Title: Re: Dual Channel pre-preamp ValveCaster/VooDoo OD
Post by: biggy boy on April 19, 2009, 04:32:02 PM
Quote from: mnordbye on April 19, 2009, 04:24:01 PM
Very good and classy looking! May i ask where you have bought that wood, and what kind it is?


Thanks mnordbye
I get the wood rough cut from the mill, I get it after it has been kiln dried.
The wood is Walnut and maple.
I used the scrap wood from my guitars and basses that I make.
Title: Re: Dual Channel pre-preamp ValveCaster/VooDoo OD
Post by: frequencycentral on April 19, 2009, 05:25:10 PM
OMG! That is FCUKING AWESOME! Very expensive looking piece of kit - fantastic piece of work Glen.  :icon_eek:
Title: Re: Dual Channel pre-preamp ValveCaster/VooDoo OD
Post by: biggy boy on April 19, 2009, 07:05:54 PM
Quote from: frequencycentral on April 19, 2009, 05:25:10 PM
OMG! That is FCUKING AWESOME! Very expensive looking piece of kit - fantastic piece of work Glen.  :icon_eek:
Thanks Rick
The middle concentric knobs are supposed to be for the VibraCaster part of the amp :icon_sad: One day I'll get that part working :icon_biggrin:
I'm thinking because of the valvecaster running on 157 volts, it would push more current though it. Maybe I need a bigger pot 1Meg for the depth pot of the VibraCaster section.
I built the Hearthrob tremolo and it works good.

Glen
Title: Re: Dual Channel pre-preamp ValveCaster/VooDoo OD
Post by: Taylor on April 20, 2009, 01:13:23 AM
Quote from: biggy boy on April 19, 2009, 03:55:55 PM
This was my first attempt at makeing my own effects

..... :icon_eek:

Wow. Do you have any experience with amps or any electronics? I'm pretty blown away if this is your first electronic project.
Title: Re: Dual Channel pre-preamp ValveCaster/VooDoo OD
Post by: biggy boy on April 20, 2009, 08:09:04 AM
Quote from: Taylor on April 20, 2009, 01:13:23 AM
Quote from: biggy boy on April 19, 2009, 03:55:55 PM
This was my first attempt at making my own effects

..... :icon_eek:

Wow. Do you have any experience with amps or any electronics? I'm pretty blown away if this is your first electronic project.

No experience with amps.

This is my first guitar effects project.
Before coming here I didn't have a clue how to do audio  stuff.
But I did make 2 etched boards about 3 years ago, for a Lithium polymer battery chargers and a low battery alarms.
From my Radio controlled electric airplane days.
Plus it helps a little that I'm a construction and maintenance electrician, though electronics is not part of my job.
The biggest help has been this forum, there is so much great info and very very helpfull people.
Thanks everyone!!

Glen
Title: Re: Dual Channel pre-preamp ValveCaster/VooDoo OD
Post by: petemoore on April 20, 2009, 08:35:33 AM
   Woods are my favorite Colors !
  Way to get creative mahn !
   Super fine job on the details and the follow through !
  Electric eye candy while you play is a big +Feature IME, light 'looks different' in a space charge.
Title: Re: Dual Channel pre-preamp ValveCaster/VooDoo OD
Post by: biggy boy on April 20, 2009, 09:20:04 AM
Thanks Pete
The finish is Tung oil from Lee Valley

http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=1&p=20050&cat=1,190,42942

I use it 90% of the time for my guitar and bass builds.
Only did a spray lacquer job once. I like the hand rubbed finish better over natural wood.
Title: Re: Dual Channel pre-preamp ValveCaster/VooDoo OD
Post by: Renegadrian on April 20, 2009, 10:57:14 AM
Quote from: frequencycentral on April 19, 2009, 05:25:10 PM
OMG! That is FCUKING AWESOME! Very expensive looking piece of kit - fantastic piece of work Glen.  :icon_eek:

I agree...You made a GREAT piece of tube s.hit!!! How I love it!!! The wood work looks great!!!
GREAT JOB, man!!!
Title: Re: Dual Channel pre-preamp ValveCaster/VooDoo OD
Post by: biggy boy on April 20, 2009, 12:10:12 PM
Quote from: Renegadrian on April 20, 2009, 10:57:14 AM
Quote from: frequencycentral on April 19, 2009, 05:25:10 PM
OMG! That is FCUKING AWESOME! Very expensive looking piece of kit - fantastic piece of work Glen.  :icon_eek:

I agree...You made a GREAT piece of tube s.hit!!! How I love it!!! The wood work looks great!!!
GREAT JOB, man!!!

Thanks Adriano

Not bad for a lefty HUH  ;D
Title: Re: Dual Channel pre-preamp ValveCaster/VooDoo OD
Post by: punkin on April 20, 2009, 12:43:33 PM
Lefties are some of the best people I know :-) we're in our right right mind.
Title: Re: Dual Channel pre-preamp ValveCaster/VooDoo OD
Post by: frequencycentral on April 20, 2009, 12:45:18 PM
Quote from: biggy boy on April 20, 2009, 12:10:12 PM
Not bad for a lefty HUH  ;D

What? Your a lefty? That makes it all the more amazing!  :icon_biggrin:
Title: Re: Dual Channel pre-preamp ValveCaster/VooDoo OD
Post by: Renegadrian on April 20, 2009, 01:11:40 PM
(http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn151/Wmurchie/Random%20stuff/leftorium.jpg)
Title: Re: Dual Channel pre-preamp ValveCaster/VooDoo OD
Post by: biggy boy on April 21, 2009, 06:50:15 PM
Here's a clip of the valveCaster lead.
Once again I apologise for My beginner skills.

http://www.aronnelson.com/DIYFiles/up/ValveCaster.mp3