freestompboxes.org

Blend wrote:three resistors highlighted seem to me with these values....

I think you are right..

I am starting to trace it and it is officially a nightmare...

Can you tell me where and what are the wires coming to and going from the board? I also need to know what knob is what and what switch is what.

This one is really a challenge...

Thanks for getting this going JOK3RX, and thanks for your work too jymaze!

jymaze wrote:I am starting to trace it and it is officially a nightmare...

Can you tell me where and what are the wires coming to and going from the board? I also need to know what knob is what and what switch is what.

This one is really a challenge...

How's this?

I would ignore the LED knob lighting...

Even the fx loop is no big mystery... that could be left off as well.

J0K3RX wrote:Is this a lot like the Ampeg VH-140C or is it my imagination?

Here's a schematic I once did for a VH-140C pre, from some hand-drawn schematic posted elsewhere:

does the VH-140C that have a gate as well?

coldcraft wrote:does the VH-140C that have a gate as well?

nope, but a nice sounding preamp just the same... good one to have but not quite the tight metal!

I can draw a double sided board for this if I have to... I can make a schematic better if I have that. Unless, jymaze blows my mind and makes one from what I have posted so far... either way I am gonna get this thing!!! Just too good not to get!! Remember jymaze I own this thing so ask all the questions you need and I will assist!

I made very god progress. Got it at 95%. But there are some pads that go nowhere (see picture).

It was pretty hard, and I still have to figure out some stuff around the PSU, but the most important parts are done.

jymaze wrote:I made very god progress. Got it at 95%. But there are some pads that go nowhere (see picture).

It was pretty hard, and I still have to figure out some stuff around the PSU, but the most important parts are done.

Here you go sir! You name it, I'll do it

One last thing: Can you clarify around the 22u cap just under the 3 areas I highlighted in my previous post? I think I got it, but there is a lonely pad not tied to anything so I want to be sure... The PSU section is still a little messed up, but it is not important, it can be improvised.

It has nothing to do with the Ampeg, it is more a sort of asymmetrical clipping with inverters (look at SSX series by Carvin) and some heavy eq. The noise gate is just like the one in the Black Forest/Peavey amps, but the twist is that the setting of it is tied to the gain knob... Clever stuff here!

I'll post the draft schematic before the end of this week. I just need to retrace again as I always trace 3 times to make sure things are right. There was no inside ground or power plane by the way. Which makes that layout even more insane...

There is one pad to the right of the middle 22u cap that is a via hole linking a 100k resistor to a 1M resistor on the other side... Could that be what you are talking about?

I figured the gate was like the JSX but I thought maybe there was so extra mojo on this one? Maybe not... What are all the large diodes doing? Clipping?

It's pretty slick to have the gate tied to the gain. Perhaps that could be an improvement to the BF as well, eh JOK3RX?

jymaze - The gate on the Tight Metal seems to not cut the highs like the gate on the BF? Wonder why that is?? I knew he was using that for the gate I just thought he might have added some extra mojo sauce..?

Yeah the dual gang gain/noise gate is a good idea... tracks the gain.. It really is great on the TM! But then again, I kinda like the free wheeling noise gate so I can find the sweet spot.


James Brown really knows how to pack a lot of stuff on very little real-estate! (Lots a stuff on a small board)

coldcraft wrote:board looks like a pain to build though. the layout is pretty random.

Yeah, it's definitely not like Wamplers pretty corn rows and the parts all on one side... 100% hand made, no wave solder here! This thing is heavy too, feels like a brick! Solid chunk of steel case, even the knobs are heavy steel...

I will post the schematic tonight. I think it is accurate, have to check one more time but at least you will see a pretty good draft.

jymaze wrote:I will post the schematic tonight. I think it is accurate, have to check one more time but at least you will see a pretty good draft.

Can't wait!!!

jymaze wrote:I will post the schematic tonight. I think it is accurate, have to check one more time but at least you will see a pretty good draft.

Remember, I can check it against the board...

If we nail this one I will buy the Tight Rock... If you still have any life left in you after this one that is!

Here it is... I had to drive from Philly to Columbus, OH during the night of Wed to Thur because of a cancelled plane... I just could not stay awake yesterday at night, hence the delay in posting.