ZD T pedal

[tubenit]

I have a Zenith Drive with dual controls. So I wanted something a little different and thought I'd try to see if I could get a very mild and VERY transparent OD tone.

After looking at numerous schematics posted on the internet and then trying some tweaks, I did the following mods: C1 is .033, eliminated the Q's & LED and just used IN4148 diodes, C3 = 220p, 100k gain pot with detents, 25ka volume pot, increased the bass and treble pot values & CA3260E opamp. I tried 6 different opamps and this sounded the clearest. There are some other minor mods also. You can look at the instructions for the build which posts the schematic and layout board.  The Zenith Drive can be found here:  http://www.guitarpcb.com/apps/webstore/products/show/3496072

The pedal is super super quiet at idle. It is the most transparent effects pedal I've ever used. Being a tube amp fanatic, I don't like the tube tone colored much. This is sort of like a "MORE of the best of the amp" pedal.

I am using it as a clean boost to mild overdrive pedal.  For more overdrive that is smoother, I prefer the Zenith Drive.

With respect, Tubenit

[Geezer]

Looks great, T!

I'm working on a version of this now and your updates and tips are most helpful!

G

BTW, the CA3260E is an interesting animal....actually a BiMos amp (MOSFET low input impedance input amp and CMOS output).....no wonder it gives clean performance.....quite different than the standard 4558-type varieties.

http://www.futurlec.com/Linear/CA3260E.shtml

[tubenit]

Update on this TimZee design.  I've modified it a little.  I used a TL072 with this one.  The CA3260 also sounds good.

I built this using the Zenith Drive PCB layout board from:   http://www.guitarpcb.com/

You can either use a 25k or 10K  volume pot (towards end of signal chain).   You can use .47 or .33 for C5.

I recently had a chance to try out a Timmy.  Great pedal and very versatile. I would say the Timmy has a slightly wider range of clean/boost to really pushed overdrive then the TimZee.

I would say the TimZee doesn't have quite as much distortion/overdrive but it's equally transparent and has  smoother overdrive, IMO.
I had an opportunity to try them with the same guitar and same amp and essentially A/B them.

The overdrive is now equally smooth with the Zenith Drive, IMO .......... yet is more transparent then the Zenith Drive.

With respect, Tubenit

[jojokeo]

Hi T! If you'd like to try for even more smoothness put two more opposed diodes across the gain pot or pins 1 & 2. It'll drop a bit more signal but just turn up the Vol pot a tad more to compensate. This also gives slightly more compression too but smoothness = compression in this one. I think you might like it? (you can always put it on a switch to test and/or keep as an option?)

[tubenit]

Any chance you could please post a schematic of what you are saying?  I'm not sure what "opposed" diodes are?

If you could edit the GIF schematic I posted above, I can understand what you are referring to.

I am interested in this idea.

Thanks, Jeff

[jojokeo]

To me it makes it more smooth and Klon-like/Crème Brulee-like. I also like this mod causing asymmetrical clipping but the trick is using two (both in the same direction). Put these on a switch and it gives you nice options. It's what I do on my TAZ pedals.

[tubenit]

Joe,

THANKS for sharing that, I truly appreciate it and will give it a try!

Best regards, Jeff

[CraigB]

Hey, hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!  I have a question about building Tubenit's OD with a Zenith Drive in one pedal.  This OD works beautifully, haven't built the Zenith Drive yet.  Which way would make most sense to configure in line with the guitar, OD first and then Zenith, or the other way around?

[tubenit]

I would be inclined to have the TimZee (1st) go into the Zenith Drive (2nd) and use the TimZee more like a somewhat clean boost/overdrive.

Having said that, I think it could sound great either way. 

You might want to join/post on:  http://www.guitarpcb.com/

They are a very friendly and helpful forum & I drop in occasionally to see what they're up to.  I've noticed more of a trend to approach two pedals in one enclosure over the last few years.

I'll bet they'll have some ideas or maybe someone has already done it?

With respect, Jeff

[CraigB]

Thanks Jeff, I like the idea of having the boost first in line.  That is how I have my pedalboard configured right now with a Sparkle Drive set for a clean boost and TS second inline and like how that works.  I kind of forgot how challenging it is to get everything to line up and clear when drilling the box and then assemble in such tight space.  No room for a battery in this box!

[Tone Junkie]

Jeff who did your paint job on your enclosure . That's  killer

[Ed_Chambley]

Hey, hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!  I have a question about building Tubenit's OD with a Zenith Drive in one pedal.  This OD works beautifully, haven't built the Zenith Drive yet.  Which way would make most sense to configure in line with the guitar, OD first and then Zenith, or the other way around?

Not too difficult to switch the pedal inputs when building 2 or more pedals in a single enclosure. Them so you can run them either way.  For instance, I have a Compressor (Ross type circuit) and a tone bender together.  The Compressor has a buffer lifted from the Klon and is on all the time.  The pedal works great, but I had to make it switchable.  When using the fuzz it has to hit it first to sound correct.  That impedance thingy. The fuzz is Germanium so this passes the buffer, but you can run it through the compressor, but it is not that great and makes noise.


Where this excels is when you are wanting a shimmer and complex clean (compressor and Klon Buffer) and each portion of the pedal blends the signal.


The main thing I have noticed when putting together 2 drive pedals is the second one generally takes over the tone, but since I like all different tones who is to say which should come first.  I always heard it was the rooster that came before chicken or egg.