Messages

I see. I wired up the tagboard version and didn't get any sound. We're you able to get a functioning sound using the original vero layout with the 2M going to 9V?

Yes I was but I had to use a lower gain transistor like the 2N3904 or a 2n2222.

Hey Roctopus,

Is this how you have your Em Drive wired after you adjusted the tagboard layout?

Not quite. I have one side of the 2M resistor going to C of the Transistor and the other side going to B.

Thank you everyone for the encouragement. With a few design tweaks I think I can get the LED's to line up just right and use ribbon cable instead of individual strands of wire. Tweaking...always tweaking

So here is a 5 Channel True Bypass Looper I built. I also designed some 3PDT footswitch pcbs with a resistor and trim pot to control the individual brightness of each LED. It also make assembly and wiring a lot faster and easier

Here is a the "Black" version of Madbean's Neutrino (Lovepedal Eternity) with a clean blend mod by JMK Pedals and also a LED brightness trim feature like in VFE Pedals. Turned out great and I really enjoyed creating the pcb

So I ended up getting a 2n3904 transistor and put it in another EM-Drive clone I had that was made per Guitar FX Layouts specs with the 2M resistor going to 9v and the other side to the Base of the transistor and it sounded good. Still not as loud or gainy as the original but it indeed proves a lower gain transistor works best for that vero design. I also plan on trying the 2n2222 to see if that beefs things up a bit.

All in all after testing my first build (with the 2M to C and B of the 2n5088), my second build (with the 2M to 9v and B of the 2n3904), and finally an original EM-Drive, I have to say that I feel like my first build sounded better and closest to the original. Perhaps I'll make a few demo videos and y'all can be the judge.

Happy Building!
Roctopus

Stevewire,

Thanks so much for the info. Radio Shack has a 2n3904 NPN locally so I'm gonna run and grab it and report back. I believe the CTS pots I got are the same as in my retail version.

http://www.allparts.uk.com/online-shop/vintage-amp-parts/electronic-components/potentiometers-for-amps/potentiometer-cts-250kl-intensitytreble-control-p-15773.html

Roctopus

Perhpas it's possible that the transistor was a NPN or PNP and was reversed?  Or lack of black goop on the PCB (just kidding!)  Nice job, btw.  How do you like the sound? 

That could be the case. I like the goop theory though too The sound is good. It's a great clean boost and mild overdrive.

Hey gang! Been a while since I posted anything on here. I just finished a clone of the Emerson EM-Drive based on the vero from Guitar FX Layouts and a retail version of the EM-Drive as a comparison. I had issues with the Guitar FX Layouts version, particularly the 2M resistor that was connected to 9v and the Base of the transistor. It always sounded spit-farty and gross. So, with some help from a friend, I ended up connecting one side of the 2M resistor to the Collector and the other side to the Base of the transistor and it worked so much better. I'm not sure why I couldn't get it to work the FX way. Maybe someone can shed some light to that for me. I also added a 1M pull-down resistor to the circuit and I'm still trying out different transistors.

Happy building friends!
Roctopus

I LOVE this!!!! Amazing job braj!

wow this is great! i'v been working on one myself and i really appreciate the insight. you rock!

great build man! really nice

pro level build man. good job!

very nice build bro

this is amazing! such craftsmanship. very impressive