Real Scrambler components?

[phillip]

Has anyone seen the real components of the Ampeg Scrambler?  What type of capacitor is the input cap...a ceramic or a polyester film?  Also, what type of resistors did they use....carbon comp?

I can't get mine to quite sound like the originals...not as obnoxious and "slurred."  I'm not sure if it's the fact that I'm using 1% metal film resistors or a polyester film capacitor for the input capacitor or if its because I'm using a 2N5089 for Q2 instead of the BC169.  I'm using the original type 2N5306 darlington transistors for Q1, Q3 and Q4.  The diodes that I've used were 1N456 (the original type), 1N914A and 1N4148...but they all sounded the same.

TIA
Phillip

http://fuzzcentral.tripod.com/

[jsleep]

Hi Phillip,

I don't know about the real thing, let us know if you find out.  I would try a different sub for the BC169.  IIRC, the BC169 is pretty wimpy, probably need something more like a 2N3904 or something like that.  The ones I make sound just like the sound samples on tone frenzy, I use the BC169.  BTW, the tonefrenzy.com guy might be able to help you out on cap types, etc, I think he has an original.
JD

[phillip]

Thanks JD!  I'll try plugging in a 3904 from now on like you suggested.  Which darlington do you use?  I had to make a circuit board especially for the 2N5306 since it has the B-C-E pinout instead of C-B-E, but it must be a great transistor since it's still in production after some 35 years!  

I'll get in touch with the ToneFrenzy guy and see if he can help.  I think I read somewhere that the circuit boards might have been covered in goop...but I can't remember where I read that or if it's even true.  

Phillip

[Mark Hammer]

I made one the other week with 1N457's, MPSA14's (instead of 2N5306) and I think a 2N4124 or something similar.

That's one rude sound!