Passive tone control

johnnyseven · Post by **johnnyseven** » Tue Jun 01, 2010 9:38 am

I have 2 dirt pedals in my set up that have no tone control, what I wanted to know is if it is possibhle to build a passive tone control to use with these pedals? If so would it be simple to do? I have very little skill in the electronics construction department so if someone could build one for me that would be even better, i'd obviously pay.

Post by **Doog** » Tue Jun 01, 2010 10:49 am

I did the very same thing to my very bright Mellowtone Wolf Computer, made it much more usable.

I take it you want to put the control in the pedal, rather than having it as a standalone box you'd have to switch on and off with your dirt pedal?

It's nothing harder than drilling the case, and doing 4 solder connections reeeally.

johnnyseven · Post by **johnnyseven** » Tue Jun 01, 2010 11:11 am

I was actually just after something I could put in the loop I have from my true bypass box that both the pedals are in. Also it wouldn't need a switch as i'd probably leave it on all the time as those 2 pedals are the only pedals in that loop. I just want to remove a little bit of treble from the sound without having adjust the tone control on my guitar. Also the smaller the box I can put it in the better as space is at a premium on my pedalboard.

Post by **Doog** » Tue Jun 01, 2010 11:18 am

Should be dead easy then really:

http://www.muzique.com/lab/swtc.htm

I don't quite understand why it has two resistors (the one in my Wolf Computer Mike helped me with is just a cap and a pot which acts as the resistor), maybe someone else can better explain it.

Either way, you'll be able to fit it all into a box the size of a 20 deck of smokes, maybe even smaller.

johnnyseven · Post by **johnnyseven** » Tue Jun 01, 2010 11:46 am

Thanks for that, however as I know very little about electronics the diagrams mean very little to me - but I suppose I could try and make a (slightly) educated guess on how to do it. The 2nd question now is where can I get the components, inparticular a small box to put it in?

Gabriel · Post by **Gabriel** » Tue Jun 01, 2010 12:44 pm

I use www.bitsbox.co.uk

Its a nice cheap shop, sell everything you need.

johnnyseven · Post by **johnnyseven** » Tue Jun 01, 2010 1:21 pm

I've just realised that I don't actually know what parts I need as the diagram on that website seems to be in some kind of secret electronics code. I think the circuit in the first picture will do what I want, if someone could give me a shopping list of what bits I need to buy and even a brief set of instructions on how to build I would appreciate it - i've just realised that I don't understand the diagram after all.

I apologise for being thick when it comes to electronics, I just play the guitar.

timhulio · Post by **timhulio** » Tue Jun 01, 2010 1:32 pm

Build this, leaving the volume pot out, with these values:
R1=10k, R2=47k (these are resistors- 0.25w carbon film cheapies from Bitsbox will do)
and C1=0.022uF (= 22nF) non-polarised capacitor. Polybox or polyfilm or even ceramic will be fine. You want low voltage caps.

Last time I built one of these a linear taper pot didn't work well so suggest you go for audio taper.

johnnyseven · Post by **johnnyseven** » Tue Jun 01, 2010 1:50 pm

Awesome Tim, thanks.

Just one question, what does the triangular symbol made up of horizontal lines mean?

chisa · Post by **chisa** » Tue Jun 01, 2010 1:57 pm

ground

johnnyseven · Post by **johnnyseven** » Tue Jun 01, 2010 2:02 pm

Nice one Chisa.

Bill Oakley · Post by **Bill Oakley** » Wed Jun 02, 2010 4:11 am

Maybe you should just buy an EQ pedal.

johnnyseven · Post by **johnnyseven** » Wed Jun 02, 2010 10:16 am

That would work but i'm trying to reduce the amount of pedals on my board.

Bill Oakley · Post by **Bill Oakley** » Wed Jun 02, 2010 2:25 pm

Sorry. It sounds like you want to build a pedal so I assumed that would be adding a pedal.

Post by **Doog** » Wed Jun 02, 2010 2:35 pm

Presuming Johnny doesn't want a footswitch for this tone box (seeing as it's just gonna be in a bypass loop), it can be way smaller than your standard EQ pedal (Danelectro Fish & Chips aside) plus as it's passive, you won't need to factor in a power cable also.

johnnyseven · Post by **johnnyseven** » Wed Jun 02, 2010 3:10 pm

Doog wrote:Presuming Johnny doesn't want a footswitch for this tone box (seeing as it's just gonna be in a bypass loop), it can be way smaller than your standard EQ pedal (Danelectro Fish & Chips aside) plus as it's passive, you won't need to factor in a power cable also.

You're correct, no footswitch required - just the box + tone pot.

Bill Oakley · Post by **Bill Oakley** » Wed Jun 02, 2010 3:13 pm

I see. I didn't realize that was an issue.
Well Johnny. If you pick a tone control, I'll help you build it.
Fender, Marshall, BMP, SWTC, etc. Let me know and I'll help out if you need me to.

johnnyseven · Post by **johnnyseven** » Wed Jun 02, 2010 11:02 pm

Thanks Bill. Once I get round to getting the bits and finding the time to build i'll give you a shout if I have any issues.