Mod to OD level (gain) pot

[ElectronAvalanche]

Hi there,

I played around with my HRM and tweaked it a bit.

In my SLO clone I used a trick on the OD channel gain knob connecting the pot's input lug to the wiper. This gives a brighter but still full sound. In the HRM where I use a 100k "Gain" pot this makes for a nice sound. The Gain comes on a bit faster, but that is not a problem, since one can back off the OD input trimmer easily.

I do not use snubbers on this build and the OD is really nice. What is the consensus on this? HRM with or without OD tube snubbers?

I used plain vanilla metal film on this build, no Dales. I think the generic MF can give a bit more "character" sometimes.

On another note:

Do you guys set the Mid pot as a variable resistor (wiper and ccw lug connected)?

Cheers,

Dominik

[Funkalicousgroove]

To me the snubbers are a case-by-case basis, some amps need them, some don't-

[butwhatif]

Another thing I've found, as the bright sw is a little too abrupt for me-is to put 100-150k in series with the bright cap, across the bright switch--it adds a bit of clarity in 'bright off' mode--

[butwhatif]

double post

[kiwiandy]

In addition to changing the taper of the gain pot, connecting the wiper and input lugs will create a variable high-pass filter, progressively cutting the bass response as the gain is decreased. I tried it out, but found that the overdrive gets quite thin-sounding at low-gain settings. I usually use single-coils, but it might be a useful mod for humbuckers that sound muddy in overdrive mode.

[Tonegeek]

I do not use snubbers on this build and the OD is really nice. What is the consensus on this? HRM with or without OD tube snubbers?

Do you guys set the Mid pot as a variable resistor (wiper and ccw lug connected)?

I did not need snubbers on my HRM. The Dumble way on the mid pot is as a variable resistor (a la Fender), but I did mine Marshall style which is tieing the mid trim input to the Bass trim output leg and the mid wiper to the cap and the mid output to ground (some Dumble versions use a 100 ohm resistor for some unknown reason, then on to ground). BTW as Dogears pointed out to me, the Marshall way makes not much difference the only one being it adds 20k (the value of the mid trimmer) to the value of the bass resistance. Bottom line- can't hear it...