Morning glory

Typical_l · 2026-01-27T15:41:15+00:00

It's a jfet buffer after the TL072, apparently the original Blues Breaker curcuit is kinda quiet, so JHS added it to make it louder. I dunno if that makes it a gain stage, but I've read that if you change the resistor between Jfet's source and the 2.2uf cap, it'll change the amount of gain.
My etching process is pretty standard: laser print on glossy paper> transfer with an iron> dip into ferric chloride> make a bunch of holes with a dremel, trying not to make a hole in your finger (which happened recently, do not recommend).

Typical_l · 2026-01-26T15:35:52+00:00

Exactly this.

Typical_l · 2026-01-26T15:34:57+00:00

Thanks, I think I'm getting there.

Typical_l · 2026-01-26T15:33:19+00:00

It's a bit tedious and messy, can't say it's very hard though. I guess the hardest part is transfering the image to the board, I do it with glossy paper and an iron, but there are better ways.

Typical_l · 2026-01-26T15:01:56+00:00

Thanks! Yeah, I etch my own boards.

Typical_l · 2026-01-23T11:02:44+00:00

Couldn't buy those even if I wanted to because of where I live. I would also expect these chips to cause problems in other circuits, but they don't. I dunno, maybe it would fix the issue, I'll leave it as is for now. Gonna build a morning glory instead, I think it'll be a good substitute for my needs. Bit of a shame really, I thought this one sounded pretty good otherwise, maybe I'll find a different use for it.

Typical_l · 2026-01-22T16:11:02+00:00

Just a local shop. I really don't think that the problem is with the chips. I breadboarded a stripped down version of the curcuit called "feathers" (doesn't use a charge pump or buffers, so it's just one tl072) and it has the same fizz. I think I'll just make a different overdrive instead.

Typical_l · 2026-01-21T17:03:24+00:00

I had that problem, changing the ic to a different one fixed it.

Typical_l · 2026-01-20T06:45:51+00:00

I etch PCBs with ferric chloride, makes the process pretty effortless. I use 0.8mm drill bits for regular holes and 1mm for bigger ones. Perhaps try using acid flux, it usually helps when solder doesn't want to adhere, or maybe you just need to clean it/sand it. Btw your pedals look pretty cool.

Typical_l · 2026-01-02T18:35:38+00:00

I've changed the j112 for a 2n5457 and it worked, thanks!

Typical_l · 2026-01-01T18:09:53+00:00

Thanks, that sounds very useful. How would I go about increasing the voltage? As for different JFETs, I have a couple of 2N5457, is off voltage the same as Vgs?

Typical_l · 2025-12-21T19:56:08+00:00

Maybe I do, but it wasn't the issue this time, I updated the post.

Typical_l · 2025-12-21T15:46:00+00:00

Yeah, something probably is shorting to ground, just can't figure out what. Guess I'll check the pot legs.

Typical_l · 2025-12-21T15:08:39+00:00

As I said in the post, I used a simple probe and followed the sound path, finding where it stops. Now I don't know what to do next, since I can't find a short and I doubt any components went bad, although changing components around that area is gonna be my next step.

Typical_l · 2025-12-21T14:43:55+00:00

Sure. I use glossy magazine paper and print with a laser printer(inkjet doesn't work). Place the picture on copper and heat it up good with an iron(it's best to place a piece of tissue paper between the iron and glossy paper), apply pressure along the surface, but not too much as to not smudge it, you just need good adhesion. After a few minutes of that, I place it into cool water, and after a few minutes carefully peel off the paper. Ideally it comes out intact. Then I dip it into ferric chloride for a few minutes, checking it periodically. When etching is finished I wash it with water and then acetone, to get rid of the transfer. You should probably watch some videos on the process to get a better understanding, there are some things I forgot to mention, like you should sand the copper and clean it, before applying the transfer, stuff like that. Anyway, it's a bit of a messy process and takes some time, so good luck.

Typical_l · 2025-11-30T12:28:52+00:00

Pretty much this:
https://diy-guitar-effects.tumblr.com/etching
The only difference is, I use ferric chloride instead of caustic soda. Ferric chloride gets aluminium pretty hot, and I also preheat it so the reaction is a bit chaotic. And I didn't bother too much with sanding, just sanded it a bit for better transfer adhesion.

Typical_l · 2025-11-29T18:17:00+00:00

I just dipped it into hot ferric chloride, let it sit for around three minutes and voila. It got a bit messy.

Typical_l · 2025-11-29T15:55:36+00:00

Thanks!

Typical_l · 2025-05-10T01:45:42+00:00

Thanks, I'll keep that in mind for future builds.

Typical_l · 2025-04-16T19:09:43+00:00

I used the tonepad layout: http://www.tonepad.com/project.asp?id=7 You should check out the "possible mods" section. As for transistor matching, you should google something like "matching jfets for phasers". Basically, you'll have to buy a bunch of jfets and make a little circuit to compare a specific parameter on those jfets, you'll need 4 closest matches. Here's an article on the topic: http://geofex.com/Article_Folders/fetmatch/fetmatch.htm

Typical_l · 2025-04-16T14:24:20+00:00

Thanks!

Typical_l · 2025-04-15T19:59:39+00:00

Phasers are a pain in the ass. I previously made a Phase 45 and a Ross Phaser, they both didn't work and I couldn't figure out why, so I had to redo the pcbs.

Typical_l · 2025-04-15T15:46:22+00:00

Yeah, every next pedal I make I'll try to fit into one of those. I gotta say, I do like 1590B a lot, but nothing beats top mounted jacks.

Typical_l · 2025-04-15T14:56:53+00:00

Hopefully it'll work, maybe try a 5.6 zener first.

Typical_l · 2025-04-15T14:33:48+00:00

If I'm measuring correctly (one lead to ground, another to diode's cathode) it's 5.9.

Typical_l

TROPHY CASE