PlayGTR.Net - Blog

OCD Clone

2009-03-04T11:27:00.000-08:00

The schematics have been around the net for a while, so I though of giving it a go. I am happy I did because this baby lives up to its name. Really nice fat distortion with quite a bit of sustain...Even the finish came out nicely! The circuit is based around the usual TL072 op amp with two 2n7000 transistors used in the clipping section instead of the usual diodes.

Check out the video for sound samples...i will post the pics of the guts soon.

Fuzz Face DIY pedal BC108

2009-03-03T08:06:00.000-08:00

I always passed on the fuzz pedals hype, thinking it was something to do with the fact that Hendrix used it and nothing more. I did try a few in the past, but always opted for a warmer overdrive type pedal.
Since I got into building my own pedals I started a looking into building a fuzz face, as it is a very simple circuit...I was not impressed by my first few attempts...until I read this excellent article by R.G. Keen on his website www.geofex.com about picking transistors and biasing properly.

http://www.geofex.com/Article_Folders/fuzzface/fffram.htm

Also check out the general guitar gadget version of the fuzz face, where It replaces the 8k2 resistor with a 10K trim, that allow you to bias the transistor properly, also useful to 'tune' by ear if you wanted to do so:

http://www.generalguitargadgets.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=101&Itemid=26

http://www.generalguitargadgets.com/pdf/ggg_ff5_lo_npn.pdf

Another great site to find out about different versions of many fuzz pedals is fuzz central: this is the page about the Dallas Arbiter fuzz face:

http://fuzzcentral.ssguitar.com/fuzzface.php

So after trying a few different combinations I decided to go for a silicon late 60' early 70's fuzz face, similar to what Hendrix used in his last few albums, using two toneful BC108...funnily enough I found out Eric Johnson uses a silicon fuzz face as well, with a BC183, very similar transistor to the one I used.

Of course the finish had to have something to do with Jimi, so I found a great picture and printed the graphics on a adhesive vinyl sheet...I love the results...straight on my pedalboard!

Check out the video for a sample of different sounds this pedal can make!

Some kind of Lovepedal Eternity?

2009-02-23T09:10:00.000-08:00

I decided a few months ago I was no longer happy with my pedalboard and wanted to change a few things around...also I wanted to start using pedals made by myself, rather than buy into the hype of 'the latest-coolest-flashy-est' pedal on market. So I started browsing the net for sites that could give me some ideas and schematics of all sorts of overdrive pedals to put to the test on my breadboard.

After a few more or less successful attempts, I ended up surfing into http://revolutiondeux.blogsp ot.com/ great blog that shows all sorts of schematics of old and new pedals. Most of them are from the guys from freestompoxes.org. I think I ended up with something along the lines of a Lovepedal Eternity (the burst version) with more bass and accentuated 'butteryness'. I used a LM1458, even though I did like the usual TL072 as well...try them all and see what pleases your ears the most.

I will change the finish to make it more pleasing to the eye at some point in the future...for now green marker pen will do!

Basic Schematics:
http://revolutiondeux.blogspot.com/2008/01/lovestuff-ecstacy-overdrive.html

I'll post my version at some point...at the end of the day this is basically a tube screamer, with a few tweaks, I am sure you are better off starting from a tube screamer and changing some values until happy...I have been playing a ts-9 (808mod) for years, maybe that's why I ended up building this pedal.

Sample: Stratocaster Deluxe with Texas Special, into a Laney Lc30 all tube amp, mic'd with a SM57

Runoff Groove Little Gem DIY 1/2watt Amp

2009-02-23T08:41:00.000-08:00

This is another simple DIY project you might want to try: a simple LM386 based 1/2 watt amp. I built it and put it in a small plastic box, all in one evening.
It drives an 8ohm cab (mine has an Eminence Legend in it I got next to free) and does not sound bad at all. Great for practice at home or when you have annoyed all your neighbours setting your 100watt all-tube amp just over zero.

Schematics: http://runoffgroove.com/littlegem.htm l

Sound Sample: A short sample played with a Strat with Texas Specials, straight in. First totally clean, gain all-up towards the end. Of course recorded with a well tested SM57.

Line 6 expression box thingy with switch.

2009-01-23T11:19:00.000-08:00

I have posted a video not too long ago on my youtube channel about this thing, and many viewers have asked me how to build one...there you go a very rough sketch of the wiring diagram.
This is the video:

I don't know what value pot there is in the original Line 6 pedal, just by reading on forums around the net, it could be a 20k lin, but feel free to experiment to find the one you like best.
enjoy.

MrG Blues backing tracks

2009-01-13T01:57:00.000-08:00

http://www.MrGCentral.com/blues

This website hosts a great selection of blues backing tracks, great quality files and played with live instruments. Hosted on the Nimbit network, these 12 tracks are great fun to play to, but also they are a great learning tool. They go through all 12 keys, 12 different styles, going through a selection of tempos, from very slow to fast.

check them out.

Hendrix's medium-well guitar auctions for £280,000.

2008-09-06T01:33:00.001-07:00

The first guitar that Jimi Hendrix ever set light to onstage has been auctioned for £280,000 at the Fame Bureau's 'It's More Than Rock And Roll' auction at the Idea Generation Gallery in London. Jimi grilled the 1965 Fender Stratocaster in the picture at the end of his show at the Astoria in Finsbury Park (London) in March 1967. Tony Garland, recovered it after roadies put the flames out and stored it in his parents' garage in East Sussex, until last year when it was found by Garland's nephew. American collector Daniel Boucher won this piece of history bidding just above the guide price and promises to play it(!)...I am sure that will be a fret-burning performance! (sorry...sometimes jokes write themselves...)

Song Surgeon - a must have tool to learn those impossible solos.

2008-09-04T01:15:00.000-07:00

From time to time companies get in touch to have their product promoted on my website. It is rare that I find something interesting, but when the the guys at TmjEurope got in touch I was pleasantly surprised with their very handy SongSurgeon. With this piece of software you can easily slow down, change pitch, EQ and loop audio samples. This is great when you are trying to figure out parts of solos that are too fast or maybe hard to get at normal speed. The totally foolproof user interface is simple and intuitive and compared to an audio editor, SongSurgeon comes at a fraction of the price.

Highly recommended!

Great Ear Training page.

2008-07-31T21:50:00.000-07:00

Just a quick post to point you towards this great page.

http://www.good-ear.com/servlet/EarTrainer

Really...all you need for basic/intermediate ear training, from interval recognition to chord recognition, scales, cadences and more! also a nice section on Perfect Pitch...give it a go. I will definitely spend some time on this page to refresh my aural skills...

Vox Virage

2008-07-17T06:36:00.000-07:00

I am quite curious about these new Vox Virage Guitars. For sure they have borrowed a lot of their looks from Gibson, having said that, they are quite innovative because of their pickups. These are built so that you can have, from both the front and back pickup, a single coil sound, a P-90 and an Humbucker sound at the flick of a switch. The usual row of poles has been replaced by a blade, like in a Joe Barden style pickup. I assume that by adding the different coils wrapped around the blades you increase the output, changing the ‘style’ of the pickup. Visit www.voxvirage.com if you want to know more about them…

DIY Amp stands

2008-07-14T03:40:00.000-07:00

I always find hard, especially at small gigs, to find the right 'place' for my guitar amp. As a 'pro' you are expected to be loud enough to hear yourself well and be heard from the rest of the band, without blasting anybody. We are all well familiar with the cliché of the mega-loud-egocentric-guitar-hero and in most situations, we want to avoid that Spinal Tap moment. I have always found amp stands very handy, especially when you want to monitor yourself well, at moderate levels: follow these links and you'll find two easy to achieve DIY amp stands made with PVC pipes. Good luck!

gaussmarkov: diy fx » Another PVC Amp Stand

PVC guitar amplifier stand - Instructables - DIY, How To,

Hours of fun: Hobnox Audio Tool.

2008-07-10T01:44:00.001-07:00

I discovered this page not too long ago, and I wanted to share it with you. I assure you, whether you are into electronic music or not, it will bring hours of fun. This is the link:

http://www.hobnox.com/audiotool-startpage.1046.en.html

Once you click 'Start Audiotool Demo' and accept the terms of usage you are presented with something like in the picture.

All you do now is create your beatz and plug in the (very Boss-looking!) effects...good luck!

I wonder if something like this exists on line for guitar, something like a flash based 'virtual pedalboard'...I shall find out.

John Mayer: Where the light is

2008-07-09T01:37:00.001-07:00

Today I am not going to write about who John Mayer is dating, too much has been said about that...instead, I am here to give the man a million thumbs up for his new live DVD "Where the light is". I mean, the guy is giving a big lesson to everybody in artistic integrity. He could have easily given in (like most artists do these days) and ask Madonna to duet with him, in a shiny Timbaland-coated hit, instead he has embraced the blues and tradition and has been producing quality material for eight years now...just check out the trailer and you'll know what I mean. And if he's good enough for Eric Clapton...he's good enough for me!
In this concert release you'll find an acoustic set, a smartly dressed John Mayer Trio set with Steve Jordan and Pino Palladino, and a full-blown set featuring the entire band.