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I wanted to build a Honey Bee pedal for a long time. Originally planned on using veroboard, but after a couple of frustrating vero builds I decided to get a PCB for this one. So I got the Killer Bee.
At first I was going to leave off the boost, but then figured I might as well use it, since it’s there. Also, I had an “easy order switch” board that I ordered a few years ago and never used–might as well use it and make it so I can switch the boost and effect order. Why not add the volume mod to the boost?
I had heard that some people prefer green leds, and others red, in this circuit, and I also had a “dpdt mod board” that was waiting to be used, so figured I’d add that too.
What started as a simple 3 knob pedal is now a 4 knob/2 toggle/2 footswitch pedal. I thought I’d be able to fit it into a 1590BB, but as I started creating a drill template, I realized it’ll be tight. I happened to have a 1590XX that I was saving for a different project, but decided to use it for this instead, so I wouldn’t have to worry about squeezing it all in.
Here’s the final version:
Some observations:
The stock boost is really loud. As shown in the schematic, there’s a 33k resistor from boost to output, with a 68k resistor from output to ground. I kept the 33k but replaced the 68k with a A50K pot and an 18K resistor to ground. The 18k keeps the lowest point of the sweep above unity at its minimum (but still a pretty good boost), and with the knob at the max it’s the default “full” boost. When engaged it’s always boosting (there’s no way to turn it 0), but I can control the boost level.
With the clipping options, I didn’t notice a huge difference between green and red leds–at least not enough to keep both. I replaced the greens with a blue and a bat41 for asymmetrical clipping. This gives a raspier overdrive on this setting, whereas the two reds are smoother.
Great job! I love complex builds!
Looks nice!
Thanks for your thoughts on the green vs. red LEDs. I have a Bee in progress and have been debating which way to go.
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