Jordan - Bosstone  [schematic]

Discussion regarding early stompbox technology: 1960-1975 Please keep discussion focused and contribute what info you have...
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drewl
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Post by drewl »

Anyone ever build one of these?
I was bored so I slapped one together. It won't work with the 150k resistor from Q1's base to ground no matter what value I tried.
Anyway, I have a test box for trying new circuits I can wire it up to and try it when I get home.

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Dan N
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Post by Dan N »

There are several schematics, including a known wrong one. Which did you use?
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The Rotagilla
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Post by The Rotagilla »

Built one, tried both schematics and was underwhelmed. :|
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drewl
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Post by drewl »

I built this one below

http://schematicheaven.com/effects/jordan_bosstone.pdf
I found another schem with the second transistor a PNP, so I don't know which was the wrong version.
I'll swap Q2 and see.
It's kinda like the EH Muff Fuzz.

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Post by IvIark »

Yes Q2 should be PNP
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drewl
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Post by drewl »

I tried it out and with the correct Q2 and it works with the Q1 base resistor.
Not that I'll ever use this thing, I've got like a dozen little boards lying around of different fuzzes I've built for the heck of it.
If they sound great, then they get put into a pedal.

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Post by jrod »

Dan N wrote:There are several schematics, including a known wrong one. Which did you use?
For clarification, please, is this the known wrong schematic? http://schematicheaven.com/effects/jordan_bosstone.pdf

Thanks!

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drewl
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Post by drewl »

It seems so.
Q2 should be a PNP with the collector grounded.
With an NPN in Q2 spot it won't work with the 150k resistor from Q1's base to ground.
It works without the 150K, but the waveform is quite different from the correct version.
I haven't tried them out to see what they sound like yet, who knows...maybe the "wrong" version might sound better. :D

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Dan N
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Post by Dan N »

jrod wrote:
Dan N wrote:There are several schematics, including a known wrong one. Which did you use?
For clarification, please, is this the known wrong schematic? http://schematicheaven.com/effects/jordan_bosstone.pdf

Thanks!
Yes! That is the infamous wrong version.

AG has the right one: http://analogguru.100free.com/193/schem ... sstone.gif

There is also an earlier Alhambra, California NPN/NPN version with a couple parts that need values: http://users.rio.com/senorris/jordanbt/ ... CA%232.gif

I think it's a great sounding fuzz.
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John Lyons
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Post by John Lyons »

I think there are 4 different versions actually.
Or at least I have 4 different schematics for it
that are all different.
Boss tone rules!

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Post by johnnyg »

John Lyons wrote: Boss tone rules!
I completely agree!

It can get very ratty and nasty sounding - it's borderline distortion with the clipping diodes. It's a lot of fun (if you're into the Stooges kind of thing, you should like it a lot). You get weird oscillation with the attack knob (or whatever it's called) dialed fully one way.

I built mine point-to-point using IvIark's layout on here - https://www.freestompboxes.org/viewtopic ... &start=300
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Dan N
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Post by Dan N »

Oh yea, a later Alhambra. Other than the first pot, no mystery parts: http://users.rio.com/senorris/junk/bosstoneCA%3f.gif
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Post by RnFR »

build the one that AG's got on his site. it sounds great.















[smilie=bowdown.gif] STOOGES!
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drewl
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Post by drewl »

Wow, I think this one's a keeper!
I built AG's, so far just an output pot, with run of the mill 2n3904's.
it cleans up pretty good when the guitar volume is rolled back and produces some great nasty distortion when cranked with nice overtones and bloomage!

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Alex Frias
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Post by Alex Frias »

I tried several trannies combination and found low hfe ones offering the best sound!

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Alex Frias
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Post by Alex Frias »

Bu I was talking about the NPN, the Q1, ok?

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Post by RnFR »

Alex Frias wrote:Bu I was talking about the NPN, the Q1, ok?
yeah, 2n222's are good.
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Post by fuzzbuzzfuzz »

Interesting thread... :D

I have a Bosstone Clone - build around the GGG JBT board and parts-list, identical in every component, however I`m a little disappointment with the sound.... :?

I don`t own an original for comparison, but I`m judging by this JBT on Youtube:



The build I have has none of the thick octave overtones (which I think are very much part of the Bosstones signature characteristics) and seems much thinner soundwise.

Any ideas why? I checked every component and it seems identical to the JBT...strange!

Thanks :o

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Post by mikemaddux »

Build it with sag control - great trumpet tones and other stuff


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Post by Alex Frias »

Yes, I did it some time ago, just using a 100k pot for the SAG and increase a bit the caps values.



Otherwise in order to achieve more interesting Jordan Bosstone mild distortion tone I prefer to use low gain trannies and keep the original caps values.

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