BAJA Black Toast

bajaman · Post by **bajaman** » 05 Oct 2008, 07:30

Thank YOU too Ivan

cheers
bajaman

rocklander · Post by **rocklander** » 17 Oct 2008, 10:11

so that layout has now been used by me - does that make it verified.. ?
I have to admit to my embarrassment that I really don't know what a buffer does, but the signl passes through so I guess I got it right?

pics.

I REALLY like the boost. I have a $5 NASTY power supply I use for testing and it picks up 50Hz hum terribly but this pedal just does not seem to produce it.. the boost is very clean, and just somehow gives the tone more life.. again, thanks to you Steve.

bajaman · Post by **bajaman** » 17 Oct 2008, 10:46

Hey - glad to see you built and like it Ivan.
For your info - the buffer is like a sort of "no man's land" - on one side we have high impedance and on the other side we have low impedance (the output

).
Okay, now low impedance means more current is available to drive the next effect or amplifier input that the buffer is connected to, WITHOUT influencing any device connected to the input (for example: wah wah pedal).
It is almost like nothing is physically connected - almost like a form of automatic transmission in a motor vehicle

In practice with a simple Jfet buffer such as this you typically loose up to 10 % of the signal passing through it - no big change in perceived signal level though. What is rather neat, is that you can now turn the buffer output level down without affecting the high frequency response, unlike most guitar volume controls where a significant high loss is encountered. This means you can set the level at say 70% with the buffer on and set your amplifier gain controls a little higher to compensate - then when you turn the buffer off, you have the full volume of the guitar available again, and this can also give a nice preset boost for a clean solo when desired. The boost of course provides a far hotter, but very transparent boost above this. So there you have it - clean, crunch and over the top in one small jfet based pedal.
Where possible please use the 2SK117 for most neutral coloration. Available from MCM Electronics - thanks soulsonic

As Bjorn always says - have fun

bajaman

rocklander · Post by **rocklander** » 17 Oct 2008, 10:55

I'll play with it a bit more and see if I can figure it.. when I had it on the bench (couple of weeks ago) I seem to remember the buffer pot making a noticeable difference to the volume, but I only just got the 3pdt toggle for the buffer today (delay from futurlec - they've been very good otherwise) and put the unit in the box and I'm not feeling it.. perhaps I've transposed the wires on the pot

I'll look at it again tomorrow.

I used the 2sk117.. got them from futurlec

nice explanation of the buffer too thanks.. I think I get it now

Greenmachine · Post by **Greenmachine** » 20 Oct 2008, 19:32

Sexy looking decal. How do you do that? My pedals are as bare as an elephant's ass. I guess that's cool if you're into mysterious and minimalist; but I like a bit of color and gloss.

rocklander · Post by **rocklander** » 20 Oct 2008, 19:37

Greenmachine wrote:

Sexy looking decal. How do you do that? My pedals are as bare as an elephant's ass. I guess that's cool if you're into mysterious and minimalist; but I like a bit of color and gloss.

which decal are you talking about?

bajaman · Post by **bajaman** » 20 Oct 2008, 20:06

this one perhaps

members/bajaman/Baja/Baja%20Black%20Toast/Label.png
bajaman

rocklander · Post by **rocklander** » 20 Oct 2008, 20:20

righto.. how'd I miss that? (cos I'm SO known for my attention to detail

)

Greenmachine · Post by **Greenmachine** » 13 Nov 2008, 21:41

Yeah Bajaman; that's the one. Do you use some kind of iron-on image transfer paper?

bajaman · Post by **bajaman** » 14 Nov 2008, 01:06

Hi Greenmachine

I make all my labels (especially one off custom designs) by first, using CorelDraw (photoshop is similar), a great graphic design program. As with all software, the more time you put into using it th, the more professional the results obtained

Then, i print the label with my inkjet printer onto EPSON photo quality ink jet paper ( NOT just cheap paper

).
Then I laminate it with an "el cheapo" hot home laminator. I then cut out the label with scissors and spray glue 3M (small aerosole can) onto the back of it and using a piece of A4 paper with a (slightly smaller than the label) hole in it carefully spray the chassis top panel. After 5 minutes I press the label onto the case - job finished.
Alternatively - I use double sided sellotape or Nitto 500 professional roll adhesive (from a local screenprinter).
cheers
bajaman

marmora · Post by **marmora** » 10 Jan 2011, 03:05

I finally got my Black Toast built. Thanks for sharing with us bajaman!
I found I had to go even lower than 3.3k for the drain resistor on the booster section. A trim pot is a good idea here as mentioned.
I've only finished it a few hours ago, but like what I hear on both guitar and bass.

rocklander · Post by **rocklander** » 25 Dec 2011, 21:36

wanted to use just the buffer part (as discussed here) so I used Jurano's advice (thanks!) and made a wee layout.. will be building/testing this week. just used a 10K fixed resistor instead of a pot cos it will be 'always on'.

layout

: bajabuff-layout-1.1(c).jpg (68.41 KiB) Viewed 2416 times

pcb

: bajabuff-pcb-1.1.jpg (66.13 KiB) Viewed 2416 times

expressPCB file

bajabuffer1.1.zip: (3.88 KiB) Downloaded 134 times

Roast7 · Post by **Roast7** » 20 Oct 2012, 12:40

Well, it's my first layout, if someone can verify that everything is correct it was awesome

Some tips or corrections, I'm open hands for this

Roast7 · Post by **Roast7** » 20 Oct 2012, 13:34

some corrections

Roast7 · Post by **Roast7** » 06 Jan 2013, 19:51

Can anyone confirm if this "vero" is correct?

Lucifer · Post by **Lucifer** » 06 Jan 2013, 20:01

It's a pretty simple layout - and it would benefit you greatly if you could check it through and verify it (or not) for yourself.

You'll feel a lot more confident in your abilities that way, rather than someone giving you the answer on a plate.

Trust me, it's great fun

Roast7 · Post by **Roast7** » 23 Mar 2013, 22:10

Verified and tested

Regards

swt · Post by **swt** » 29 Mar 2017, 17:43

Hi baja. I'm really enjoying this circuit. The buffer is amazing and can cut noise from ground loops...etc in some noisy stages. Where would you put a simple treble attenuation? It's too pristine clear with fender amps...do you recommend a cap to v+ from drain of the boost...a cap to ground from gate of 2nd buffer...or a trimmer and cap to ground before tge 10k volume pot from last buffer?
Thanks a lot for a great design and for your suggestions...

bajaman · Post by **bajaman** » 29 Mar 2017, 21:55

Hi swt - i would try your last suggestion first.
cheers
Steve

swt · Post by **swt** » 30 Mar 2017, 12:15

thanks baja. i did it and it works as expected. thanks again for a nice and very useful circuit.