Roland - AF-100 BeeBaa

Discussion regarding early stompbox technology: 1960-1975 Please keep discussion focused and contribute what info you have...
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Dan N
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Post by Dan N »

Here's one with what looks like Fuji(?) 2SC372Y's in the first two positions:

http://www.stompboxes.co.uk/forum/viewt ... f=9&t=5190

I've never seen one without 2SC828's before. The Y would be the lower hfe range 2SC372 type.
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Post by fernieite »

First post. - I just bought this beauty! Any idea how these two trannys will affect the sound (if any) compared to a regular set of 2SC828's? There's also a cap on the underside of the board. Is that normal? Thanks.

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Dan N
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Post by Dan N »

Nice score! I doubt if the different transistors will make much of a difference. The 2SC828 Q is the lower gain range version of that transistor. I thought it interesting that Roland used Toshiba ( fuji was just a mind freeze in my other post) transistors. Left over stock from Ace Tone?

Is Q3 a 2SC644?

If you mean the electrolytic on the back, it is a normal power filter cap. Mine didn't have one but many do.
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Post by fernieite »

Cool, thanks a lot man! Yeah, that's the cap I was talking about. And Q3 is the normal 2SC644. The seller sent me quite a few detailed pics, if you want. Thanks again.

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Post by fernieite »

fernieite wrote: The seller sent me quite a few detailed pics, if you want.
As long as he's cool with that, that is....

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Post by hewie »

Here's a reallllly messy vero layout that I've had sitting around for many moons. Someone might like to give it a go. It's verified by me.
rolandbeebaa.gif

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Post by LaceSensor »

I cleaned up the vero layout and added the C17 and R25 to the board.
If anyone with fresh eyes wants to take a peek over it id be glad of that.
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Roland Bee Baa v2.jpg

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Post by gigelmargel »

Hello LaceSensor,

What schematic have you used?

Thx!

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Post by LaceSensor »

gigelmargel wrote:Hello LaceSensor,

What schematic have you used?

Thx!
whatever was used for the vero above

its verified now, too, works.

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Post by LaceSensor »

anyone recommend a way to get a bit more volume out of this sucker? Seems unity is at full tilt on the volume control...

thanks!

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Post by DrNomis »

I actually made a Roland AF-100 Bee Baa some years ago, using a Vero layout I came up with, I don't have the layout with me now because I used some graph paper to make it and I've since lost the piece of graph paper, anyway, I seem to remember using some high-gain BC series NPN transistors and got good results, one thing I did notice is that there was quite a bit of output level difference between the two filter setting in my build, might try building one of these again..... :thumbsup
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Post by LaceSensor »

I just checked the voltages on Q3 compared to RG Keens notes (http://www.generalguitargadgets.com/dia ... a841b3e85a)

Im using 2n3904 and Q1 and Q2 are in the asme ballpark as RGs testpoint readings.
Q3 is reading about C - 0.5v B - 0.7v E - 0.6v so something might be up with my vero.

Ill recheck everything :(

I also find that in "boost" mode, its just super loud, not a treble booster, more like a lofi massive volume boost....

I can of course try other transistors....

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Post by LaceSensor »

Checked my build, and Ive soldered C5 the wrong way round so ill change that first... :applause: :slap:

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Post by DrNomis »

If I remember rightly, Q3 is the second distortion stage, so it's collector voltage should be something like 4.5V or thereabouts, so it looks like your Q3 transistor may have gone Collector-Emitter short, have a look at the track-side of the board with a magnifying glass and check to see if Q3's Collector and Emitter haven't been inadvertently shorted out with a solder-bridge..... :thumbsup
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Post by joguther »

Hello, I have a question: I want to know if I can use 2N3904 transistors for this project, as recommended here I can not find at any place, thanks.

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Post by mictester »

joguther wrote:Hello, I have a question: I want to know if I can use 2N3904 transistors for this project, as recommended here I can not find at any place, thanks.

Yes you can, but be sure to get the pinouts right.
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Post by LaceSensor »

Built this on the GGG layout, and it fired up and works perfectly. Therefore I need to review my vero again, and my vero build.
I have been over the layout multiple times and feel its accurate, but I could be wrong.

Anyway, here is my build:

Sounds really cool in the fuzz modes! Added a switch to bring C7 (4.7nF across E>B of Q3) which tames some harshness and mellows the highs, so essentially 4 different fuzz tones, and a treble booster.
The treble booster is quite harsh and barely starts at unity - so its really a boost.

I can see how this would benefit from some modern changes - ie change the esoteric treble boost to something more usable. But I wanted to build it to the vintage specs.

I added some of my own modern mojo - Bicolour LEDs for the modes, 9v DC power (original was battery only) and making it fit in a 1590BB.

This is going to go to a famous player for him to compare to his original unit for me and maybe make it onto his pedalboard - very excited!

Image

Image

Image

Well worth looking into if you like your interesting fuzz tones.

Bicolor LEDs!
Image

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Post by controller700 »

Made it in 2009:

Image

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Post by LaceSensor »

controller700 wrote:Made it in 2009:

Image

amazing. What are the sliders on the side for?

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Post by LaceSensor »

LaceSensor wrote:
gigelmargel wrote:Hello LaceSensor,

What schematic have you used?

Thx!
whatever was used for the vero above

i.

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