Fine tuning my new 50W #102 build

[xpc1000]

Thank you guys for your comments! I have to say that I couldn't have done this without your help and the extensive documentation available in TAG!

One thing I forgot to mention were the final values that I finally selected for the OD section: the value of the resistor right before the level pot was nearly 100k and the 4n7 cap before the 220k resistor at the input of the OD section helped to compensate and partially remove some of the additional low end before the OD stage.

Do you have a simple drawing of the pots and resistors you used for the OD section? Trying to get a clearer picture of where you ended up. Thanks!

Starting from the #102 schematic in the files subforum:

I added a 4n7 cap in series at the input of the OD section
Added a 100k resistor at the output of the OD section, right before the ratio pot in the schematic
Removed bright cap from the master volume

[philbard]

I added a 4n7 cap in series at the input of the OD section
Added a 100k resistor at the output of the OD section, right before the ratio pot in the schematic
Removed bright cap from the master volume

Thanks! So am I correct in understanding that you have a combined 250K into the OD section, that is you added 100K in addition to the 150K that was already there?

[xpc1000]

I added a 4n7 cap in series at the input of the OD section
Added a 100k resistor at the output of the OD section, right before the ratio pot in the schematic
Removed bright cap from the master volume

Thanks! So am I correct in understanding that you have a combined 250K into the OD section, that is you added 100K in addition to the 150K that was already there?

Correct

[ayan]

I added a 4n7 cap in series at the input of the OD section
Added a 100k resistor at the output of the OD section, right before the ratio pot in the schematic
Removed bright cap from the master volume

Thanks! So am I correct in understanding that you have a combined 250K into the OD section, that is you added 100K in addition to the 150K that was already there?

Correct

I'm sure the overdrive is very smooth, but didn't you lose too much volume that way? A trick that can be used is to up the 100K Ratio pot to 250K and fine tune the series resistor, if you'd like more volume available on tap.

G.

[xpc1000]

I'm sure the overdrive is very smooth, but didn't you lose too much volume that way? A trick that can be used is to up the 100K Ratio pot to 250K and fine tune the series resistor, if you'd like more volume available on tap.

G.

Yes I loose some volume but not that much. When I tried the 250k ratio pot the sound was getting more fuzzy at high volumes, although I didn't try to fine tune the series resistor as you mentioned. I found the series resistor + 100k ratio pot a way to make it usable in almost any dial position.

[ayan]

I'm sure the overdrive is very smooth, but didn't you lose too much volume that way? A trick that can be used is to up the 100K Ratio pot to 250K and fine tune the series resistor, if you'd like more volume available on tap.

G.

Yes I loose some volume but not that much. When I tried the 250k ratio pot the sound was getting more fuzzy at high volumes, although I didn't try to fine tune the series resistor as you mentioned. I found the series resistor + 100k ratio pot a way to make it usable in almost any dial position.

If it works fine as is... maybe you just want to leave it alone.

[xpc1000]

If it works fine as is... maybe you just want to leave it alone.

I'll leave it for the moment as is but, in case I need more volume I'll definately try the trick you mentioned. Thanks for sharing your experience Gil!