True bypass for Russian big muff?

h8mtv · Post by **h8mtv** » 08 Aug 2009, 02:14

Can I add a true bypass or any other mods to my black Russian big muff? The switch it dead on mine and I bought a 3pdt and that has 9 posts, the original has 6. A true bypass would be nice, the tone sucks when distortion isn't engaged.

lolbou · Post by **lolbou** » 08 Aug 2009, 06:33

It is, even if a DPDT would have been enough (you don't really need a LED to know when it's engaded, do you?)...

See here: http://www.generalguitargadgets.com/dia ... dt_std.gif, and just leave one side of your 3PDT unused (the LED side on this pic ffor example http://www.little-black-box.co.uk/image ... wiring.jpg)

Cheers...

h8mtv · Post by **h8mtv** » 08 Aug 2009, 21:24

Found this too.

http://www.singlecoil.com/docs/russian_muff.pdf

h8mtv · Post by **h8mtv** » 09 Aug 2009, 15:33

I am using this as directions for the true bypass mod on my black Big Muff.

It is not terribly clear to me looking at my pedal where I should cut the trace. Beyond that I have 2 yellow wires coming from the center poles on the tone and sustain knobs that I am not sure where to connect with info given in the pic alone. I am otherwise pretty well converted I think. Any ideas?

RnFR · Post by **RnFR** » 09 Aug 2009, 15:38

search the forum for a correction to the russian muff that soulsonic found. there is an error in the original layout.

h8mtv · Post by **h8mtv** » 09 Aug 2009, 15:47

https://www.freestompboxes.org/viewtopic ... ian+bypass

This one?

h8mtv · Post by **h8mtv** » 09 Aug 2009, 16:56

Well, I wired it up and the led lights up but no sound. I still am not 100% sure where to cut the trace. Can anyone point it out to me?

RnFR · Post by **RnFR** » 10 Aug 2009, 10:50

on the diagram it looks like you should cut the trace between the 39K resistor and the input jack.

sinner · Post by **sinner** » 10 Aug 2009, 11:01

h8mtv wrote:Found this too.

http://www.singlecoil.com/docs/russian_muff.pdf

OT; Highly recomended shop based in Germany, expensive but IMO worth it, I had a pleasure to deal with them when I was pimpin my guitar. Greate guy to deal with, pro seller/buyer relation, greate FAQ/know how section

h8mtv · Post by **h8mtv** » 10 Aug 2009, 18:53

RnFR wrote:on the diagram it looks like you should cut the trace between the 39K resistor and the input jack.

That looks like it to me also, but it is the only point it gets any signal, does not make a terrible lot of sense to me, but I am a phone man.

h8mtv · Post by **h8mtv** » 10 Aug 2009, 20:46

h8mtv wrote:I am using this as directions for the true bypass mod on my black Big Muff.

It is not terribly clear to me looking at my pedal where I should cut the trace. Beyond that I have 2 yellow wires coming from the center poles on the tone and sustain knobs that I am not sure where to connect with info given in the pic alone. I am otherwise pretty well converted I think. Any ideas?

I have cut the trace. Where do I terminate the vol2 (out) from the switch? I think I have it otherwise correct.

jcsugrue · Post by **jcsugrue** » 11 Aug 2009, 04:42

h8mtv wrote:
h8mtv wrote:I am using this as directions for the true bypass mod on my black Big Muff.

It is not terribly clear to me looking at my pedal where I should cut the trace. Beyond that I have 2 yellow wires coming from the center poles on the tone and sustain knobs that I am not sure where to connect with info given in the pic alone. I am otherwise pretty well converted I think. Any ideas?
I have cut the trace. Where do I terminate the vol2 (out) from the switch? I think I have it otherwise correct.

That refers to lug #2 (middle) on the volume pot

h8mtv · Post by **h8mtv** » 11 Aug 2009, 21:49

And what connects to center position of sustain pot?

jcsugrue · Post by **jcsugrue** » 12 Aug 2009, 12:38

h8mtv wrote:And what connects to center position of sustain pot?

The wire from the pcb that is labeled S-2 on the diagram. Each wiring on the bottom of the diagram is labeled with its corresponding lug on the pot. V=volume, t=tone, s=sustain. Here is a reference if you aren't familiar with how the lugs are numbered on a pot.

h8mtv · Post by **h8mtv** » 12 Aug 2009, 19:40

I really feel like I have bitten off more than I can chew here. I really appreciate all the help.

h8mtv · Post by **h8mtv** » 12 Aug 2009, 21:14

I have gone over it and everything is hooked up properly as far as I can tell. Bypasses fine but when I engage the circuit the light comes on but I am dead. No sound at all.

jcsugrue · Post by **jcsugrue** » 17 Aug 2009, 20:49

h8mtv wrote:I have gone over it and everything is hooked up properly as far as I can tell. Bypasses fine but when I engage the circuit the light comes on but I am dead. No sound at all.

I did two of these this weekend. The best advice that I can give you is to remove all the wires and rewire it from scratch with some colored wire. Not only will it make it a lot easier to identify which wire goes where, but it's also an improvement or the stock wiring, which has been frayed on every black russian muff I've ever seen.

h8mtv · Post by **h8mtv** » 27 Aug 2009, 00:56

I did the mod mostly because I thought the original switch was bad. Now I have the bypass wired properly but the pedal is still dead. Now I need to fix or have the pedal fixed.

h8mtv · Post by **h8mtv** » 29 Aug 2009, 01:38

Fixed it today. After going it over it 4x I found a loose connection.