GuitarPCB | Site-Wide Activity https://guitarpcb.com/activity/ Activity feed for the entire site. Sat, 05 Sep 2026 05:52:14 -0400 https://buddypress.org/?v= en-US 30 hourly 2 1e828cfff89713d12a3c73af3754684b Mr.K became a registered member https://guitarpcb.com/activity/p/23531/ Sat, 05 Sep 2026 05:52:14 -0400 0 2fd418d15cb104c08b0cfe3515cf8602 Kevin Barlow became a registered member https://guitarpcb.com/activity/p/23530/ Sat, 05 Sep 2026 05:52:05 -0400 0 c87d37bcf260c639b2123f9ae1ce785b jmgrabowski replied to the topic NostalgiTone Harbinger Fuzz Completed! in the forum Show Off Your Build https://guitarpcb.com/community/topic/nostalgitone-harbinger-fuzz-completed/#post-40474 Sat, 05 Sep 2026 02:33:28 -0400 Sweet faceplate. I finished mine up last month. Wizard came out a little too red but it still rocks.

]]> 0 b6bc2f347acdb4ba609598c3394293ae Barry replied to the topic Build help needed... in the forum GuitarPCB Build Support https://guitarpcb.com/community/topic/build-help-needed/#post-40467 Fri, 04 Sep 2026 19:24:21 -0400 That is a very good idea to get your feet wet.

That said, take your time and digest everything while you wait. Study text and build photos etc..

]]> 0 9f29d8b007cb19e2b3c43cd9e741ad95 kenjancef replied to the topic Build help needed... in the forum GuitarPCB Build Support https://guitarpcb.com/community/topic/build-help-needed/#post-40466 Fri, 04 Sep 2026 19:14:34 -0400 I’m hoping I wasn’t mean about what I said. I know you put in a lot of time and effort into that post, which I greatly appreciate. All I wanted to do was let you know that I saw it and will read it in detail when I have time this weekend, that’s all…

I have Tayda doing the box for it, and I got in touch with Small Bear Electronics and just…Read more

]]> 0 854b6f41842e94e554b6f9dacbe72381 Barry replied to the topic Build help needed... in the forum GuitarPCB Build Support https://guitarpcb.com/community/topic/build-help-needed/#post-40463 Fri, 04 Sep 2026 07:06:38 -0400 “After all of the components my biggest question is what side of the PCB is the top and/or bottom.”
I answered that in the first paragraph above and covered several important details you’re going to need to know before starting.
The photos in the Beginners Pedal Building Guide, along with the accompanying text on Page 2, also show which side the…Read more

]]> 0 ae27c3cc6be7e0d31daf1dfbf0832add kenjancef replied to the topic Build help needed... in the forum GuitarPCB Build Support https://guitarpcb.com/community/topic/build-help-needed/#post-40462 Fri, 04 Sep 2026 02:57:52 -0400 That’s a lot of info!! I skimmed through it just now, but wanted to reply to say that I saw it. I read and downloaded the beginner pedal guide. After all of the components my biggest question is what side of the PCB is the top and/or bottom. I don’t have the boards in front of me, but I think I can figure that out from the Guide.

I truly…Read more

]]> 0 941a5c6571a74cb4828c8c05de8a7857 Steve replied to the topic NostalgiTone Harbinger Fuzz Completed! in the forum Show Off Your Build https://guitarpcb.com/community/topic/nostalgitone-harbinger-fuzz-completed/#post-40461 Thu, 03 Sep 2026 20:04:38 -0400 @JasonWickersham I’d have to agree with you on the faceplates! Please post your results on your findings with the various clipping options.
I am sure that there are others what would interested in them as well.
Thanks!
Steve

]]> 0 9e53d8c60651443cb60f5a5723b05655 JasonWickersham replied to the topic NostalgiTone Harbinger Fuzz Completed! in the forum Show Off Your Build https://guitarpcb.com/community/topic/nostalgitone-harbinger-fuzz-completed/#post-40459 Thu, 03 Sep 2026 11:55:11 -0400 Looks great. Gotta love the faceplates!

I have another of these boards in my stash, and need to work it up.
Goal is to take some guidance from @Barry ‘s Diode clipping workbook and play around with some options.

]]> 0 4188f714b868bf1ace1536b335724c9f JasonWickersham replied to the topic Popular Clipping Options in the forum General DIY Pedal Discussion https://guitarpcb.com/community/topic/popular-clipping-options/#post-40447 Tue, 01 Sep 2026 11:49:08 -0400 @BRD I have read the data sheet on those devices, and came to similar conclusions.. It has been more of a thought experiment on my end, “What interesting could be accomplished with these parts?”

IIRC, I have seen some passive ring modulator-ish type designs with these, but that has been about it.
None the less, might be a fun avenue to…Read more

]]> 0 1ded2ef233f723d466ca8922d209100f brd replied to the topic Popular Clipping Options in the forum General DIY Pedal Discussion https://guitarpcb.com/community/topic/popular-clipping-options/#post-40445 Tue, 01 Sep 2026 00:12:08 -0400 Jason,

I  recommend using some sockets. Your rig will determine what sounds good. I also added an option to switch to 3 BAT41’s for asynchronous clipping on that same pedal but never liked it in the mix.

I took a quick look at the rectifier bridge diodes you asked about. They have some extra leads to take 2 AC signals and make them DC. I may…Read more

]]> 0 492402f9641f94d7122d69a45c7992cf Barry replied to the topic Popular Clipping Options in the forum General DIY Pedal Discussion https://guitarpcb.com/community/topic/popular-clipping-options/#post-40444 Mon, 31 Aug 2026 23:46:06 -0400 @ Jason: I have never considered GBI40M. I will look into that.

With regards to Bat41 my personal favorite application for those was in the DumbleTone. I was pleasantly surprised by the result.

I will wait for some people to try 1N5817 in place a Germanium like 1N34A before adding anything because I don’t want to spoil the party with my interpretation.

]]> 0 712c19d5ffcf1f51030bace06650a42a JasonWickersham replied to the topic Popular Clipping Options in the forum General DIY Pedal Discussion https://guitarpcb.com/community/topic/popular-clipping-options/#post-40443 Mon, 31 Aug 2026 22:43:22 -0400 BRD, I have mostly used BAT 41 in TS style builds
I have a few 60s OD boards that need work up, and will give the BAT41 a go on them, as 4198s had been my usual in that style circuit.

]]> 0 425c480b1d561769bb9f2a4eedf4ec34 brd replied to the topic Popular Clipping Options in the forum General DIY Pedal Discussion https://guitarpcb.com/community/topic/popular-clipping-options/#post-40441 Mon, 31 Aug 2026 21:18:59 -0400 Big O

I used a set of BAT41’s in one of Barry’s older Blues Buster boards which is very similar to the new NT 60’s Overdrive. I did an extensive diode shootout before deciding the BAT41’s sounded better with my rig that the usual 1N914’s or 1N4148″s. Thanks for mentioning those.

The Ge Si combo should work well, it could be very amp like, Have…Read more

]]> 0 ca6fa1477efc1d06b32e8c31eafbdffe JasonWickersham replied to the topic Popular Clipping Options in the forum General DIY Pedal Discussion https://guitarpcb.com/community/topic/popular-clipping-options/#post-40439 Mon, 31 Aug 2026 14:42:54 -0400 I had not considered use to the 5817 as a potential replacement for germanium diodes.. I will have to experiment on some Emexar boards I have laying about.

Barry, R, Steve: have any of you guys ever used bridge rectifier chips for clipping purposes?
I have eyeballed these guys and had questions..
GBI40M-T Diotec Semiconductor | Mouser

]]> 0 dbe9ac56f0d87ed8387ec3f12565abda R replied to the topic Popular Clipping Options in the forum General DIY Pedal Discussion https://guitarpcb.com/community/topic/popular-clipping-options/#post-40437 Sun, 30 Aug 2026 23:27:37 -0400 Interesting articles and circuitry. I bought a dozen OBN germaniums on ebay from Cal. Vf measures .25 to .31. I’m just starting a Klon clone build with sockets and shall try some of these ideas. Maybe make several bread boards to switch in to see what results.

But the voodoo board comes first 🙂

Thanks

R

]]> 0 f77e43c1ec9dd9717c432e6e221ad9a7 Barry replied to the topic Build help needed... in the forum GuitarPCB Build Support https://guitarpcb.com/community/topic/build-help-needed/#post-40435 Sun, 30 Aug 2026 11:30:28 -0400 Hi and welcome,
I see you are a beginner. It is definitely better to ask questions than to just go for it and hope for the best.
As previously pointed out, it will require some reading. Fortunately, everything you need to know is here. Once you understand the basics, you will discover that the BOM in every build document, along with the silkscreen…Read more

]]> 0 f485666d48035ce62e9a3318ab18be44 BQFS replied to the topic Build help needed... in the forum GuitarPCB Build Support https://guitarpcb.com/community/topic/build-help-needed/#post-40434 Sun, 30 Aug 2026 05:55:20 -0400 The great danger of buying a kit or a pcb plus instructions for a DIY project is that you don’t know enough to deal with it if something goes wrong, and when you are just starting out, trust me, there are lots of ways to go wrong. At least you know how to solder. That’s great, because MANY problems are created due to poor soldering technique.

On…Read more

]]> 0 5feae7be5950d03e3276ec0432697146 kenjancef started the topic Build help needed... in the forum GuitarPCB Build Support https://guitarpcb.com/community/topic/build-help-needed/ Sun, 30 Aug 2026 04:35:07 -0400 Hoping I don’t get flamed here, but I need some build help…

A few months ago I bought the Zoso PCB’s without really looking at the build guides and such. I can solder like nobody’s business, but I can’t read schematics at all, and the parts list in the guide is a little hard for me to understand. I assume “R” means resistor, and “C” means…Read more

]]> 0 eb3b09863eb54211a2811fbfd4d0949a Pato became a registered member https://guitarpcb.com/activity/p/23512/ Sat, 29 Aug 2026 22:35:31 -0400 0 cc75102159e560210700e051fb4c7b63 Big O replied to the topic Popular Clipping Options in the forum General DIY Pedal Discussion https://guitarpcb.com/community/topic/popular-clipping-options/#post-40428 Sat, 29 Aug 2026 21:45:37 -0400 Something I learned more recently (within the last 2 or 3 years) is that a BAT41 diode can be somewhat like a Ge diode for clipping and potentially a substitute.

Also, you can get somewhat asymmetrical clipping using a Ge diode paired with a Si diode such as a 1N914 as they have different forward voltages.

Just a couple of things I have learned…Read more

]]> 0 0111c3aa68aa75adb0f3d8f56d1f4eef brd replied to the topic Popular Clipping Options in the forum General DIY Pedal Discussion https://guitarpcb.com/community/topic/popular-clipping-options/#post-40420 Fri, 28 Aug 2026 21:08:49 -0400 That article is a great read, It suggests that the 1N5817 Schottky diode is a compromise between hard clipping silicon and soft clipping germanium diodes. The curve traces show that the 1N5817 does have a medium knee and a low threshold, so it could work well as a substitute for a 1N34A.

Another take away that I wasn’t aware of is the stated e…Read more

]]> 0 5bd3422ef61e74cacd7a8e19be06dbf5 Soozay replied to the topic Boogie '57 Biasing in the forum General DIY Pedal Discussion https://guitarpcb.com/community/topic/boogie-57-biasing/#post-40419 Fri, 28 Aug 2026 18:52:16 -0400 Yep, that’s exactly where I’m. Was just wondering if there’s any quirky/fun exploration to be had via rebiasing. If not, it works really well at 5v.

]]> 0 35a2c719b8de0f3327594483c3a0da8c Barry replied to the topic Boogie '57 Biasing in the forum General DIY Pedal Discussion https://guitarpcb.com/community/topic/boogie-57-biasing/#post-40418 Fri, 28 Aug 2026 18:43:16 -0400 The standard biasing for any non-fuzz would be half the supply, so 4.5v to 5v is what you want for proper operation.

]]> 0 83a5bc9106548148e5df310939c7c6df Soozay started the topic Boogie '57 Biasing in the forum General DIY Pedal Discussion https://guitarpcb.com/community/topic/boogie-57-biasing/ Fri, 28 Aug 2026 18:14:56 -0400 Hey all –

For fun, I’m thinking about rebiasing the transistors in my Boogie ’57. Right now, they’re all biased to a standard 5v; anyone have any suggestions I can try? I’m not looking for any specific sound, I’m just playing around.

Cheers,
Dave

]]> 0 08f16ebbc3d79a2a6942cbeef4f759d4 Barry replied to the topic NostalgiTone Harbinger Fuzz Completed! in the forum Show Off Your Build https://guitarpcb.com/community/topic/nostalgitone-harbinger-fuzz-completed/#post-40412 Wed, 26 Aug 2026 19:20:20 -0400 Very nice, and it is always excellent IMO to get the kids involved.

 

]]> 0 3a969a88984a38c9d0b071554fdd1673 Barry replied to the topic Popular Clipping Options in the forum General DIY Pedal Discussion https://guitarpcb.com/community/topic/popular-clipping-options/#post-40406 Wed, 26 Aug 2026 03:00:21 -0400 I’ve been thinking a little more about the 1N34A vs. 1N5817 comparison. The forward voltage difference between the two really isn’t all that great which the chart or datasheets confirm.
What I find more interesting is the actual shape of their I/V curves and the difference in the “knee” where they transition into conduction.
The reason I am curio…Read more

]]> 0 8c4000fc9eb2d4edc852b1d16df8c4fa Steve started the topic NostalgiTone Harbinger Fuzz Completed! in the forum Show Off Your Build https://guitarpcb.com/community/topic/nostalgitone-harbinger-fuzz-completed/ Tue, 25 Aug 2026 20:09:15 -0400 Built around the spirit of the old Op-amp Big Muff, this thing is pure ’90s/2000s sludge and grit. Think massive, saturated walls of fuzz that made those doom, stoner, and grunge records hit so hard. It’s got that raw, amp-crushing edge that turns a simple riff into something heavy and alive. The controls are super responsive, so you can go fro…Read more

]]> 0 249c2a1f2797baf25c6bf8e51cb91a12 Barry replied to the topic Popular Clipping Options in the forum General DIY Pedal Discussion https://guitarpcb.com/community/topic/popular-clipping-options/#post-40392 Mon, 24 Aug 2026 17:26:51 -0400 “I didn’t expect to break the internet with my post”

That said, as the owner of the site, I have access to information that shows me exactly how many people are stopping by and reading these posts, and I bet you would be surprised by the numbers. The biggest difference between today and ten years ago is that people used to take the time to c…Read more

]]> 0 6933c92424870c0973a1280418c19b51 brd replied to the topic Popular Clipping Options in the forum General DIY Pedal Discussion https://guitarpcb.com/community/topic/popular-clipping-options/#post-40391 Mon, 24 Aug 2026 11:08:31 -0400 I didn’t expect to break the internet with my post, but it’s here and it’s searchable, and I just hope it might help somebody someday.

My short answer is, yes, I would expect there to be a difference that would be noticeable. With that said, it’s worth noting that 1N34A’s can have considerably different curve traces. You can find some graphs do…Read more

]]> 0 2972d8d176a579532bc83c6f8c1bc7b7 Barry replied to the topic Popular Clipping Options in the forum General DIY Pedal Discussion https://guitarpcb.com/community/topic/popular-clipping-options/#post-40385 Sun, 23 Aug 2026 17:32:22 -0400 This is excellent, BRD, but I was hoping this wouldn’t just be a conversation between you and I. 😄
This is one of the most advantageous areas for DIYers to explore and typically an easy modification. More importantly, when you understand what is actually going on, you can get exactly what you want instead of randomly guessing at different clipping…Read more

]]> 0 214d3da5a0a1c8b0e883ac17f5aaa1d0 brd started the topic Popular Clipping Options in the forum General DIY Pedal Discussion https://guitarpcb.com/community/topic/popular-clipping-options/ Sat, 22 Aug 2026 20:14:21 -0400 Hi All

After reading Barry’s new guide: How Gain, Headroom & Clipping Shape Your Tone, I thought it might be interesting to post a few clipping recipes used in some popular pedals for a reference and as an invite for others to share their favorites. These schematics are all used in feedback (soft) clipping stages but can also be used for signal p…Read more

]]> 0 71a67f7e9d21a16739386787f1a6bdf8 Matt Corsi became a registered member https://guitarpcb.com/activity/p/23496/ Fri, 21 Aug 2026 01:07:34 -0400 0 35106157cb6daa05919deaf138002377 krendler became a registered member https://guitarpcb.com/activity/p/23495/ Fri, 21 Aug 2026 01:07:24 -0400 0 a13999596916d95290ac62d4ef6e04cc Daveas became a registered member https://guitarpcb.com/activity/p/23493/ Tue, 18 Aug 2026 17:02:12 -0400 0 5effc62d7d2a866868b94d1086ed6f9c Barry replied to the topic New Guide: How Gain, Headroom & Clipping Shape Your Tone in the forum General DIY Pedal Discussion https://guitarpcb.com/community/topic/new-guide-how-gain-headroom-clipping-shape-your-tone/#post-40333 Tue, 18 Aug 2026 17:01:05 -0400 Thanks, @brd. I spent a good deal of time on this and had to make some decisions about what to include and what to leave out. My goal was to keep it easy to understand for anyone, while still providing enough information to help take them to the next level.

]]> 0 5de20e76cfd81202ee537ed302c61bbb nick became a registered member https://guitarpcb.com/activity/p/23491/ Tue, 18 Aug 2026 16:21:25 -0400 0 c57b509ef4bf94725b6a7b4206ce2f46 Byrdhouse Compressor became a registered member https://guitarpcb.com/activity/p/23490/ Tue, 18 Aug 2026 16:21:14 -0400 0 eac66aaf29ffd620503cacef14d97307 MathU41 replied to the topic NT Preamp Boost: correct IC? in the forum GuitarPCB Build Support https://guitarpcb.com/community/topic/nt-preamp-boost-correct-ic/#post-40329 Tue, 18 Aug 2026 00:47:10 -0400 See my previous comment. 😀
Glad posting it up helped the future builders!

No problem, mistakes happen. They’re just usually on my end, and why I use sockets for every IC now!

]]> 0 43bda32626096676da2dfc8fe7dba9af Barry W Davis replied to the topic NostalgiTone Rock Hard Finished!! in the forum Show Off Your Build https://guitarpcb.com/community/topic/nastalgitone-rock-hard-finished/#post-40326 Mon, 17 Aug 2026 23:21:48 -0400 Build looks great, I got in the habit of reading all build reports ahead of any build.

 

]]> 0 d4af6fdcbe1c229604f628a678046324 Jonah became a registered member https://guitarpcb.com/activity/p/23487/ Sat, 15 Aug 2026 04:44:00 -0400 0 8f7ee65ccac69c254649fe7f2b3c6cfd brd replied to the topic New Guide: How Gain, Headroom & Clipping Shape Your Tone in the forum General DIY Pedal Discussion https://guitarpcb.com/community/topic/new-guide-how-gain-headroom-clipping-shape-your-tone/#post-40288 Thu, 13 Aug 2026 14:45:54 -0400 Nice work Barry, your new Tone Shaping guide is excellent; it takes an easy dive into a broad range of electronic circuit topics. I would say it’s a must read if your new to pedal building or if you want to jump into the rabbit hole of modifying pedals. There are answers to some questions that are often asked on the forum and explanations to t…Read more

]]> 0 b17d1223252062761cca5dadc68b145f Barry replied to the topic New Guide: How Gain, Headroom & Clipping Shape Your Tone in the forum General DIY Pedal Discussion https://guitarpcb.com/community/topic/new-guide-how-gain-headroom-clipping-shape-your-tone/?view=all#post-40287 Thu, 13 Aug 2026 03:57:17 -0400 I hope people are finding this new guide useful.

]]> 0 8c054d305c39a0805d2dc4191e1454ce Barry replied to the topic NT Preamp Boost: correct IC? in the forum GuitarPCB Build Support https://guitarpcb.com/community/topic/nt-preamp-boost-correct-ic/?view=all#post-40275 Wed, 12 Aug 2026 17:41:28 -0400 Wow, OK. That was a typo.

Several conflicting reports and I should have looked closer at the symbol and not the text.

I got it sorted now and thanks for pointing it out. It is a TL071 and not TL072.

]]> 0 7093d90288740d0af0f40d3c1abf8570 jd6string replied to the topic NT Preamp Boost: correct IC? in the forum GuitarPCB Build Support https://guitarpcb.com/community/topic/nt-preamp-boost-correct-ic/#post-40273 Wed, 12 Aug 2026 16:57:17 -0400 Thanks MathU41. I had the same issue with the preamp boost section of a Rock Hard build. The TL072 would not work, so I changed it out and installed the TL071 and it worked. I noticed in a couple of photos in the “Show your build” thread that a TL061 was used in one build and a TL071 was used in another build. Thanks again for your post about…Read more

]]> 0 8feaa4e8bdf2302dd16fe4d6d0cc0aea Barry replied to the topic NostalgiTone Rock Hard Finished!! in the forum Show Off Your Build https://guitarpcb.com/community/topic/nastalgitone-rock-hard-finished/?view=all#post-40272 Wed, 12 Aug 2026 16:11:40 -0400 For clarity the Preamp Boost section requires a TL072 not a TL071.

If you happen to need support post a separate Support thread.

]]> 0 cf7227f41681a7f47c17674ea8fc05c3 AxelS became a registered member https://guitarpcb.com/activity/p/23476/ Wed, 12 Aug 2026 15:30:04 -0400 0 f957d73b4b5443a0d6fddc4231002930 DeepPurple became a registered member https://guitarpcb.com/activity/p/23475/ Wed, 12 Aug 2026 15:29:53 -0400 0 8f1903cbf0fee9a46d990457931936d5 Kurre1974 became a registered member https://guitarpcb.com/activity/p/23474/ Wed, 12 Aug 2026 15:29:33 -0400 0 b0c7634b2d6b97beea1f6f1b10e56cbb Craig W became a registered member https://guitarpcb.com/activity/p/23473/ Wed, 12 Aug 2026 15:28:46 -0400 0