EH Switchblade to Harmonic Jerkulator (Redux)

A request for interesting fuzz pedals on an online forum made me suggest a number of circuits. The Harmonic Jerkulator was chosen. I took a commission and built a version of Tim Escobedo's circuit (with silicon transistors and no clipping diodes) into an EH Switchblade pedal. I think it was a success, from treble boost to chunky, gated-fuzz.



It's not going to make all guitarists sound like Steve Albini, but it has a character unlike many other fuzzes and overdrives that is fun to play. I was not trying to recreate the original Harmonic Percolator (by Interfax), but to make a pedal which could give a range of tones that would have impact when used live, and would deliver useful shelving (without needing to use extra EQ) when used in a studio.

It creates plenty of hiss and rumble, and even had traces of radio ghost voices in some settings; It does a great job of distorting that is not done by digital plug-ins.

Oh Yeah - Belfast Record Fair 220912

The Oh Yeah Centre Belfast will be hosting another Record Fair on Saturday 22 September.

There will be a host of my creations available to try and buy.
Here are some prototype enclosures with laser cut zigzags:


Blurb from their site:
"
The quarterly Belfast Record Fair, wth a variety of stalls to meet all your music needs. This month for the first time the record fair will feature special vinyl only DJ sets, plus live beatboxing and turntablism.

www.facebook.com/belfastrecordfair

Oh Yeah Music Centre, 15-21 Gordon St, Belfast, BT1 2LG

12pm - 5pm

"

Build-A-Booster Workshop 180812 - UPDATED

UPDATED
Here are a few photos from the workshop:



And here's a short video clip of the first test:



Build-a-Booster Workshop

Beginners build a booster unit in one day.
No knowledge of physics is required.
Learn basic soldering.

In four hours participants will build an amp-slapping boost circuit including:
in / out jacks, control pot and bypass switch.
Tools are available in the workspace.

1 - 5 pm
Saturday 18 August 2012

£35 (+ £5 for an aluminium enclosure)

To book a place - dodgystereo at gmail dot com

Example of a booster:

ZVEX SHO Tribute


Address:
Upstairs workshop @
1b Jameson Street, Belfast
(Beside the Errigle Inn on the Ormeau Road)

FET Booster / Vox Tonebender Tribute

Another two circuits I found online - tweaked to have the dodgy kind of character I like.

FET Booster
This is based on Donald Tillman's circuit (read his article, "An FET Preamp Cable"). I tried four different FETs before choosing the one which produced the most interesting grit when cranked up full.

Vox Tonebender Tribute 1
Based on a layout by Richard Boop. I've tried a variety of PNPs; they're socketed as I haven't settled on a pair yet. They're all producing bright, high gain, silicon fuzz so far, which I like. The original specified germanium transistors (SFT363/SFT337).

I changed capacitor values from the originals a little on each build. I've played them through two different practice amps and they both do different jobs. The FET booster is good for clipped rhythm work and the Tonebender does heavy riffs and solo wailing well.

Harmonic Jekulator Tribute 170312

Circuit based on Tim Escobedo's Harmonic Jerkulator. This is based on the original Harmonic Percolator. Click the link and enjoy some words from Steve Albini.