Pigtronix Philosopher’s Tone

Posted by on 17 December, 2011 Leave a comment (10) Go to comments

I’m weak for compressors and this one seems really interesting. Let me know if you try this layout before I get around to it.

Update (17.12.2011): mysticwhiskey verified this one already over at FSB.

Update (08.04.2012): Finished mine a few days ago. It really annoys me that I put +9v on the decal (I subsequently scribbled over it with a fat, black marker). Other than that I’m really happy with how the board-mounted pots worked out. And it sounds decent too, but not my favorite compressor.

Build, Compressor, Hard, Layout, Overdrive, Verified
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10 Comments.

  1. Harald 27 February, 2013 at 22:24

    Thank you! :) And I agree on the grit part. Don’t care for it.

  2. Andrew 26 February, 2013 at 05:20

    Great layout! Especially like the board-mounted pots spacing. This thing sounds great, but I might tweak the grit diodes. That red LED is a bit harsh if you have treble present—when rolled off, it’s more palatable. Many thanks for this!

  3. Harald 31 January, 2013 at 12:03

    That looks great, johnk :) And green vero… very cool.

  4. johnk 31 January, 2013 at 01:55

    thanks for posting this one Harald! mine sounds awesome, including the germanium distortion. I too was unhappy with the overall gain of the pedal, so I added a clean mosfet booster at the end of the circuit, as well as an 18V charge pump. I absolutely love mine now. I added an extra stomp switch so it’s a philospher’s twin (germanium) now. ;-)

    here’s a couple of pics of it:
    http://johnkvintageguitars.homestead.com/Effects/Compressors/PT-01.jpg
    http://johnkvintageguitars.homestead.com/Effects/Compressors/PT-02.jpg
    http://johnkvintageguitars.homestead.com/Effects/Compressors/PT-01.jpg

    here’s a pic

  5. Harald 11 May, 2012 at 23:50

    Alright. Good to hear the Vactrol came through for you. And I agree it’s a bit irritating it’s only unity gain. And I also think that grit part is pretty useless; I don’t use it.

  6. 9Lives 11 May, 2012 at 03:15

    ok I take it back. The vtl5c6 worked WAY X 10 better that the home made coupler. The only gripe I have is the lack of boost at the end and that you can’t completely squash the grit on a clean setting

  7. 9Lives 10 May, 2012 at 05:41

    I just finished this project. Anyone else notice that maximum gain is unity? I haven’t tried the vtl5c6 yet. It’s in the mail. I have a bright blue led w/ 1903 ldr from smallbear. It does compress but I expected more. :/ I’m hoping my octocoupler is just off. Other than that, the layout was great. Fit nicely in the enclosure. I’ll post again when I get the correct part.

  8. Glenn 19 December, 2011 at 18:47

    Thanks, tinkercreek:The local electo store had one big board left and should do me for awhile, but thanks for the parts #

    Happy holidays, to everyone here!

  9. tinkercreek 19 December, 2011 at 15:37

    Glenn

    They have vero at Mouser Electronics. They call it stripboard though.

    Mouser Part #: 854-ST3U – about $10

    I can get 20 or thirty projects out of one board.

  10. Glenn 17 December, 2011 at 02:30

    Hey, Harald, thanks for doing this layout.I saw that you posted this at FSB, i gave a thanks for that.

    Only problem is my local electronics store has no more vero’s NOOOOO!!!!!
    I will look at radio shack, but up in Canada Radio Shack doesnt have very much… Oh well…there’s always EBAY
    Thanks again, and from the youtube of this pedal, it should be a keeper, if I find some boards..
    Happy Holidays.

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