Blues Driver Mods

[smallstonefan]

James,
I believe any of the 1Nxxxx series of POWER diodes will do the trick. Don't discount placing the Germanium diode across D1, all you do is tack solder it to the back of the board for trialing, and if you like it install it, if not then remove it and no harm done. When ever I need to reduce a value of resistor that is already installed I bridge it with a value as calulated by Ohms law (parallal resistance)to give the desired value. This is quick and easy and helps preserve the PC board.
John G

That's a great tip, thanks!

[smallstonefan]

James,
I believe any of the 1Nxxxx series of POWER diodes will do the trick. Don't discount placing the Germanium diode across D1, all you do is tack solder it to the back of the board for trialing, and if you like it install it, if not then remove it and no harm done. When ever I need to reduce a value of resistor that is already installed I bridge it with a value as calulated by Ohms law (parallal resistance)to give the desired value. This is quick and easy and helps preserve the PC board.
John G

If you tack it on, isn't it installed? You're not replacing D1 right, just adding the Germanium to it?

[Jay Doyle]

when you parallel diodes the one with the lower threshold is the only one that will turn on. Therefore if you parallel a silicon diode with a germanium, only the germanium will ever turn on.

[smallstonefan]

when you parallel diodes the one with the lower threshold is the only one that will turn on. Therefore if you parallel a silicon diode with a germanium, only the germanium will ever turn on.

Ah, I see. So if I like it, is it best to remove the original and leave the GD in its place?

Thanks again, I'm ordering the parts today...

[Jay Doyle]

Ah, I see. So if I like it, is it best to remove the original and leave the GD in its place?

For the absolute best mechanical strength, yes you should, but there isn't an urgent need to do so.

[smallstonefan]

thanks!

[John G]

SSF/Jay,
The only reason I paralleled the GE with the SI is lazyness and not wanting to wreck the PC board. I have changed the "too much brighness mod", I now re install C17 but add a new cap(470pF-1nF) across CN-1&CN-2 on the main Pc board. This preserves the treble at low drive settings but shaves of highs as the drive control is increased. The cap value I settled on was 680pF. PS I now have removed the GE diode because there is a bit too much compression, maybe I will need two GEs is series.
Cheers,
John G

[Jay Doyle]

The only reason I paralleled the GE with the SI is lazyness and not wanting to wreck the PC board.

I think that it is a prudent thing to do, wrecking a pc board is easy to do when making mods, so why risk it when you can do the same thing safer?

I don't think it lazy, I think it "far-sighted"  

[petemoore]

What I'm interested in is what booster ckt you had put on there, I assume its at the the output...for the SS boost mod?
 I've got mine at right around unity, seems a little prone to skweek a little under certain conditions [playing nothing with guitar up thru FF],  I haven't tried it out on stage but thinkin' about tryin different booster ckt on it. MXR MA clone for some reason or nuther didn't seem to like it in there [with the SS in a Wah shell]...and had to be eliminated.
 It's very,very nice, and Should be Boosted...
 I was in there Phazoning Out again today...get the SS so it's slowly VOLumeATIng [the way it does on the
'other side' of the switch], then set the EZ vibe to a moderately qwuicker pace, I started scootin' around not so vaguely like a track on Electric Ladyland Ya know...SaWeeuueooooasHH.h.hssshahhHhhIEEeeeeee...I heard flangie was done using a tape machine on recordings, pretty wild, I like the instant flangeing...easier to develop playing style with an efkt when you can hear it in real time.

[smallstonefan]

OK, I'm ordering parts today - one last question (I hope).

The Blues Driver actsas a nice clean boost. I'm thinking of putting two Gain pots in the pedal, with a switch to choose one or the other. Then, I could keep one down so the pedal acts as a clean boost when on, and the other crancked for my distortion. I could even do a crunch/high gain combo.

What type of switch would be required? It seems to me a 3PDT would be necessary - to switch all three leads on the pots. I'd prefer to be able to use just two poles so I could hook up an LED to the 3rd, but I'm not sure if this is possible. For example, could the ground lead be run directly to both pots and then I'd just have to switch the other two leads?

Thanks - I can't wait to get started!

[Chris R]

how are you going to fit another pot and another switch in there ?

C

[smallstonefan]

how are you going to fit another pot and another switch in there ?

C

I'm transplanting the entire thing into a Hammond C-style box. I've done this for a few other pedals of mine. It gives me a chance to add true-bypass, better jacks, etc. I think I'm going to do my Analalog Man DynaRoss at the same time.

I might even put an extra level pot in along with the gain pot. I just got off the phone with my pedal-making friend. He thinks this can be done with two poles, so the third can run an LED. The only thing shared would be the tone pot, but it would be like having two pedals in one (on the BD2). As for the DynaRoss, I could add a second set of pots and a switch and have two different Dynas in one.

I'm stoked!

[Mike Nichting]

did yu try replacing the one transistor with a  germanium??
That is part of the mod too. I saw the pic that shows which one but I can't remember. It was up towards where the wires connect to the board and on the right side.

 That is supposed to be a great mod~!!

Mike N.

[smallstonefan]

I just ordered the parts yesterday (I think so at least, I haven't received a confirmation from Small Bear). So hopefully in a week or two I'll get started.

[Jay Doyle]

James,

I would sell your AnalogMan box on ebay and then use the money to purchase parts for the Ross project on GGG or TonePad, and then you will have money left over for beer or food or whatever.

That is, if you are going to move it to another box anyway, why not just start from scratch and make a profit?

Just an idea.

Jay

[smallstonefan]

Jay, you are a FREAKING GENIUS!