Holy !%#?$@!....

....it works!! And first time I plugged into it, too!

I'm referring to the "Build Your Own Clone" TS-808 Tube Screamer overdrive pedal kit I bought & built. If you have decent soldering skills and you can follow directions, you can do it, too. Lots of fun, I might add, if you're a little on the geeky side, like me.

It even comes with two different IC chips--the stock TS-808's JRC4558D and a "high fidelity" RC4558P chip that several of the "boutique" pedal makers use--and an IC socket so that you can swap 'em at will.

The thing sounds great; plenty of grind on tap, but without sounding harsh or grainy. Very impressive.

Here are some pix and a couple of clips. I haven't painted/labeled the casing yet, but will probably get to that at some point. The clips were recorded using my LP and my Strat, played through the Tweed 4x10 model on my AD30VT. Gain setting on the amp was just under half, so that it would stay fairly clean. The LP clip has three pairs of riffs--the first in each pair is without the TS clone, and the second with it. I finished up the clip with the start of my latest EVH learning project, the first part of Panama.

For the Strat clip, I played the lead-in to SRV's Pride & Joy, first clean, then with the TS clone at about 60% gain, then a third time at full gain.

LP Clip

Strat Clip

Way freakin' cool Vood! I was just going to dig up that ol' BYOC thread & ask if you had made any progress.

You did a nice clean job & holy $@#%^^$ it sounds great.

Do you have any design plans for the box?

Cause y'know...if *I* had a vote...

I'd call it Mojo Hand.

I can just see you going into the boutique pedal biz:

Voodoo Pedals!

That is great, VDM. It's so fun to make your own stuff, and of course especially when it works really great too. Congrats.

Now you gotta paint it in some fun colors! Take a look at www.drscientist.ca for inspiration.... hehe... or not.

That is really cool! How good at soldering do you have to be? I am not, but I can learn.

Sounds great DVM, but the "Voodoo Screamer" needs some yellow paint!

Ooops, I forgot that there already is a company called Voodoo Lab which makes pedals.

Very cool DVM, nice paying as well !. Yup, gotta name that puppy and give the case some flash.... I like tot's mojo reference.. maybe .. " Voodoo Mojo Box " you can paint it red and glue some chicken bones on it.

Thanks for the feedback & name ideas, guys. Some really good ones there, plus I thought up a couple, too. Maybe I can prevail upon on of our gracious admins to set up a poll for me, and all you Fretters could vote on which name you like best!

So far, here's what I've got:


And a couple of my own:


Any more to add to the list?

Voodoo Screamer... (with chicken bones of course)

i've seen t-shirts with a mojo hand logo...so that's taken....
http://www.mojohand.com/2alrightm.htm

and of course voodoo itself is already taken....so.....

How about combining voodoo and mojo and call it a vooJo?

ww

I just listened to your clips and I have to tip my hat off to you. I think you did an excellent job putting that pedal together and it sounds great to these ears. I never heard of these kits until your post and you've gotten me awfully curious now to try my had at building one. Please post back again with pictures of how you painted the pedal. I'd like to see the finished product.

ted s said:

Very cool DVM, nice paying as well !. Yup, gotta name that puppy and give the case some flash.... I like tot's mojo reference.. maybe .. " Voodoo Mojo Box " you can paint it red and glue some chicken bones on it.

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Chicken head knobs....*REAL* chicken heads!!!

OK, OK, but go with ted_s & use bones for knobs.

At the very least Vood, label the gain knob

"Mojo"

And under that put an arrow with the word "more" in the direction of "more Mojo".

You can dial in just the right amount of Mojo & when you need more Mojo, well then you've got it on tap.

duhvoodooman said:

Any more to add to the list?

Click to expand...

If we had a vote....

Thanks, StingX.

For any of you who might be inclined to try one of these kits, I recommend them highly, but realize that they involve a LOT of fine soldering work. Every resistor, capacitor, diode, transistor, etc. that you see on that green PCB had to be soldered into place, as well as every wire. The board is set up nicely with small metal eyelets for every solder point. The toughest part is the very small size of the space you have to work with. I just took my time and double checked every solder joint that I did, and everything worked out fine. But be forewarned--THIS IS NOT A GOOD PROJECT FOR LEARNING TO SOLDER!!

In addition to giving you two slightly different IC chips, they also give you (1) two different kinds of diodes so, that you can alter the stock symmetrical clipping mode to different degrees of assymetrical clipping, and (2) two different capacitors for one of the board's cap positions, which alter the tone. The stock cap (0.047 uf) gives a midrange "hump" that is apparently characteristic of the original TS-808, and the second (0.22 uf) flattens out the frequency response some and gives significantly stronger bass.

The difference between the two IC's is quite subtle, to my ears, with the stock chip being a bit sharper in its tone than the "hi-fi" chip that's also included. The stock chip has a little more aggressive edge to it that I prefer.

I went with the most assymetrical clipping that I could get from the two types of diodes provided, after reading that the assymetric clipping was (a) more tube-like in character, and (b) SRV preferred it! Reading through the BYOC forum, the most common mods of the TS-808 clone involve mounting different types of diodes (including yellow LED's!) on a small piece of perfboard (available at Radio Shack) and wiring them up to a 3-position DPDT toggle switch, allowing you to switch between clipping modes. I may try that at some point, but I'm happy with the sound I've got for now.

I initially installed the larger cap for the stronger bass response (that's what you hear in the first clips I posted), but I decided after playing through it for a couple of hours that it was too bassy/boomy, so I switched to the smaller stock cap today. Much stronger midrange! And since the guitar is basically a midrange instrument (at least it is, the way I like to hear it!), I think it sounds much better. The big cap definitely tended toward muddiness on chords down at the end of the neck. A cap of a rating in between the two (like 0.10 uf) would be interesting to try; might give a nice compromise between the two extremes. I may very well try that.

Posted below is a link to a clip I recorded to show the difference between the two IC's (listen carefully!) and between the two caps (very obvious). These are recorded with my Epi Dot on the bridge p'up through my Vox AD30VT, using the Tweed 4x10 model and some reverb. The same riffs are repeated four times. The sequence of hardware is:

Take a listen & see what you think:

http://duhvoodooman.com/audio_clips/TS_Clone_test.mp3

tot_Ou_tard said:

Chicken head knobs....*REAL* chicken heads!!!

Click to expand...

LOL!! Now that would get some attention!

tot_Ou_tard said:

OK, OK, but go with ted_s & use bones for knobs.

Click to expand...

Cool idea. Know anybody who sells bone knobs??

tot_Ou_tard said:

At the very least Vood, label the gain knob "Mojo"

Click to expand...

Now, that's a keeper of an idea!

tot_Ou_tard said:

If we had a vote....

Click to expand...

Hey, this time you do! And the other Fretters, too!

Sounds like if I want the TS 808 unit like yours, I might be better off getting it assembled for $115.00 ;-)

How about "Duh Voodoo Stomp?"

Looks great, DVM. I wish I had the soldering talent that you have!

Mojo Screamer.

& the light'll tell you if your mojo's workin'.

Turning up the mojo gets your mojo risin'.

For the geeks in the house.

Tube Screamer's Secret:

http://www.bteaudio.com/articles/TSS/TSS.html

The Technology of the Tube Screamer:

http://www.geofex.com/Article_Folders/TStech/tsxtech.htm

Man, sweet tones and the build just looks super professional!

I like Da Voodoolizer! How about some glow in the dark skull knobs?

http://www.customshopparts.com/knobs/

sunvalleylaw said:

Sounds like if I want the TS 808 unit like yours, I might be better off getting it assembled for $115.00 ;-)

Click to expand...

I originally thought that since these DIY units are already priced at $75 bucks that to spend a few more to get one already built is a no brainer. I paid under $100 for my TS9 and then another $45 bucks to have it modified at keeley electronics. I think though, that this is not really about money, it's more to hone skills and the ability to take this to another level. I have an interest because I like experimenting with tone and would love to mutate these projects into something else that you can't buy off the rack. Plus the satisfaction one gets after completing the build is a nice feeling. Good on you, duhvoodooman. I really like how it ended up and the sound is great.

tot_Ou_tard said:

For the geeks in the house.

Click to expand...

Now, who the heck would that be???

The ~10% of that TS technology article that I could understand was extremely interesting. I was stunned to read how incredibly similar all of the various Tube Screamer models actually are. The basic circuit design is the same, with the differences being in a small number of the components used.

For example, consider how the Ibanez TS-9 reissue pedal goes for $100, while the TS-808 reissue will set you back $170. The difference? Well, from what I read, they will almost certainly contain the same "opamp" IC chip, the JRC4558D. So their sum total difference is two (2!) resistors on the output buffer stage, which cost Ibanez less than a penny apiece. Find them on the PCB (many web references available for this) and replace them with the appropriate resistor ratings for the TS-808 and you just saved yourself $70. Better yet, find a good condition used TS-9 on eBay for $70 or so, and you'll save yourself a C-note! Eye-opening, huh?

stingx said:

I originally thought that since these DIY units are already priced at $75 bucks that to spend a few more to get one already built is a no brainer. I paid under $100 for my TS9 and then another $45 bucks to have it modified at keeley electronics. I think though, that this is not really about money, it's more to hone skills and the ability to take this to another level. I have an interest because I like experimenting with tone and would love to mutate these projects into something else that you can't buy off the rack. Plus the satisfaction one gets after completing the build is a nice feeling. Good on you, duhvoodooman. I really like how it ended up and the sound is great.

Click to expand...

I completely agree for him or for anyone with any skills. But based on what Voodoo was saying, this is not a good learning project for a beginner. I haven't soldered anything since I was in high school or maybe even jr. high. After I am done coaching skiing for the year, I may look on the site for an easier project to learn on.

duhvoodooman said:

Now, who the heck would that be???

Find them on the PCB (many web references available for this) and replace them with the appropriate resistor ratings for the TS-808 and you just saved yourself $70. Better yet, find a good condition used TS-9 on eBay for $70 or so, and you'll save yourself a C-note! Eye-opening, huh?

Click to expand...

Now maybe that is a project I could handle. BTW, I vote DaVoodolizer with labeling the gain knob Mojo.

EDIT: For FYI, my first two pedals, which should arrive in the next week or two, will be the Boss DS-1 and the Bad Monkey.

Nice job DVD R
I like VooDoo Screamer
or
VooTube Screamer,,,hehe

sunvalleylaw said:

Sounds like if I want the TS 808 unit like yours, I might be better off getting it assembled for $115.00 ;-)

Click to expand...

If your objective is to end up with an "original specs" TS-808 clone at a very reasonable price, a great way to go would be to find a good used TS-9 (these commonly go for $60 - $80 range on eBay) and then change two resistors on the output stage, as described in that Geofex.com article that Tot posted the link for. That keeps the amount of soldering to a bare minimum, and you can get the required resistors at Mouser.com for a few pennies each (I have all the part numbers). If you still don't want to try it, I'll bet you know somebody who knows how to solder and would do this small job for you. Heck, I'd do it for you myself, as long as you covered mailing costs to & from.

stingx said:

I think though, that this is not really about money, it's more to hone skills and the ability to take this to another level. I have an interest because I like experimenting with tone and would love to mutate these projects into something else that you can't buy off the rack. Plus the satisfaction one gets after completing the build is a nice feeling.

Click to expand...

EXACTLY, Sting! Much more of a motivating factor for me than the price was (1) the learning experience of building my own pedal from scratch, (2) the challenge and enjoyment of the build itself, and (3) the ability to tweak/modify the pedal to achieve different tones and end up with an "all my own" finished product. I may yet order a couple of additional compatible opamps to try in the IC socket, and I'm almost certainly going to try an in-between capacitor on the clipping input to give a compromise between the stock midrange "hump" and the overly boomy bass I got with the 0.22 uf cap. I may even delve into a switchable clipping mode modification. The possibilities are almost limitless!

duhvoodooman said:

I\


EXACTLY, Sting! Much more of a motivating factor for me than the price was (1) the learning experience of building my own pedal from scratch, (2) the challenge and enjoyment of the build itself, and (3) the ability to tweak/modify the pedal to achieve different tones and end up with an "all my own" finished product. . . . The possibilities are almost limitless!

Click to expand...

I would love to build the pedal myself, for all the reasons above. I especially like the swappable IC socket thing. I was just not sure about handling it as a first project. I will have a Bad Monkey shortly, so may just find an easier starter project to learn some skills and wait on the TS 808 project. Since I am involved with the Scouts, learning could be part of a scout project. (Now who's the nerd )

sunvalleylaw said:

ISince I am involved with the Scouts, learning could be part of a scout project. (Now who's the nerd )

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i guess i am....i'm involved with scouts too! My kid is only 10 but i think he is going to stick with it....i like the scout project idea!

ww

warren0728 said:

i guess i am....i'm involved with scouts too! My kid is only 10 but i think he is going to stick with it....i like the scout project idea!

ww

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My 9 year old guitarist son is a Cub, as is my 6 year old. A pedal may be a bit advanced but I am sure we can come up with a beginner project where we will all learn together. BTW, his Pinewood Derby car was Pack champion last year!!

seems we have a lot in common....my 10 year old is learning guitar too and the first year we entered the pinewood derby (as a first year tiger cub) his car had the fastest time of the entire pack!

ww

"Chicken Bones" That's what you should call it.

Chicken bones. Conferring with spirits and ethereal deities. Visions of graveyard rituals. These are the images movies and superstition have conjured about the practitioners of the religion of voodoo, or Vodoun.
African Bone Readings - Divining tools are used in spiritual readings to bring insight and look into the future. The voodoo priest or priestess "throws the bones," reading the future according to the bones' position in relation to each other. The bones symbolize human characters, the family, and the positive or negative forces influencing their lives. Red stones represent negative forces of the underworld. Brown stones represent wisdom and perception.

You could make the knobs to look like stones.

"Now introducing the hot new Chicken Bones overdrive pedal from Voodoo Electronics."

sunvalleylaw said:

I would love to build the pedal myself, for all the reasons above. I especially like the swappable IC socket thing. I was just not sure about handling it as a first project. I will have a Bad Monkey shortly, so may just find an easier starter project to learn some skills and wait on the TS 808 project. Since I am involved with the Scouts, learning could be part of a scout project. (Now who's the nerd )

Click to expand...

Get the scouts to put some together for you. Make it a merit badge project and sell all but one. Then you'll have yours and some extra money to take the troop to the Sun Valley On Ice Burlesque Show.