BAJA Small Clone

bajaman · Post by **bajaman** » 07 Oct 2007, 10:38

Hi folks
I have heard a lot of positive comments regarding the Electro Harmonix Small Clone, so I thought I would build one to evaluate it.
I found a layout and schematic etc., at Francisco Pena's Tonepad site, but I wanted to fit it into a Hammond 1590B case with a DC input socket and battery, and the Tonepad board was too long to fit, so I set to work reducing it's size.
I wanted to mount the potentiometers using 30 amp fuse wire to the rear (tracks) of the circuit board. I used stick on 3mm thick rubber bumpers on the rear of the alpha pots to avoid shorting against the solder tracks etc. I had to bend the extension wires to fit the pad layout - a bit tricky but worked surprisingly well.
I used a 1M linear pot - instead of the reverse logarithmic pot specified - no problems - and a 10k linear pot for the depth control, rather than the slide switch. I cut a notch to clear the DC socket which I mounted on the audience side of the case - like boss and ibanez etc.
I was pleasantly surprised when it worked first time, and it sounds really nice for a simple circuit - well worth the building effort in my opinion.
Anyway here is the board and layout if anyone wants to give it a go.
Have fun and enjoy
bajaman
layout
PCB
label

bajaman · Post by **bajaman** » 07 Oct 2007, 10:47

One helpful suggestion - cut the layout picture and glue it to the circuit board after you drill the holes, then use a sharp pointed tool and punch through the paper, and insert the correct components where marked - instant component layout - cheaper than a silkscreen

higher res artwork is available - just PM me
cheers
bajaman

markm · Post by **markm** » 07 Oct 2007, 11:51

My hat's off to ya Steve, some really nice work right there!
Not easy fitting all that into a small space.
Great job and Thank You!!

Aharon · Post by **Aharon** » 07 Oct 2007, 12:05

Thanks again baja.....................I love this forum!

Aharon

goaltoday · Post by **goaltoday** » 07 Oct 2007, 12:20

Before there was the EH Nano Clone and now... the Baja Nano Clone.

Thanks!!

bajaman · Post by **bajaman** » 07 Oct 2007, 12:24

Thanks for the positive comments guys - I will post some gutshots tomorrow - must sleep now
ciao
bajaman

neilnil · Post by **neilnil** » 08 Oct 2007, 03:17

It's exactly what I was looking for!!! Thanks very much Baja!!!!!
Jun

polarbearfx · Post by **polarbearfx** » 08 Oct 2007, 03:21

GUTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

bajaman · Post by **bajaman** » 08 Oct 2007, 04:13

pictures as promised

https://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa2 ... F0001s.jpg
https://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa2 ... F0002s.jpg
https://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa2 ... F0003s.jpg
https://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa2 ... F0004s.jpg
bajaman

bajaman · Post by **bajaman** » 08 Oct 2007, 04:19

Stay tuned in for my next project - exclusively on freestompboxes.org

grolschie · Post by **grolschie** » 08 Oct 2007, 08:43

... and it sounds great too.

Goop_buster · Post by **Goop_buster** » 10 Oct 2007, 23:41

Very nice work

Damn how do you find time to do all these nice projects

bajaman · Post by **bajaman** » 11 Oct 2007, 02:28

Damn how do you find time to do all these nice projects

Well - if I watch TV I fall asleep - it hypnotises me I guess

SO - I spend far too much time tinkering on the computer - that keeps me awake until at least 1:am

bajaman

markm · Post by **markm** » 11 Oct 2007, 03:39

bajaman wrote:
Damn how do you find time to do all these nice projects
Well - if I watch TV I fall asleep - it hypnotises me I guess SO - I spend far too much time tinkering on the computer - that keeps me awake until at least 1:am
bajaman

Ah yesss, lack of rest, I know it well.

marmora · Post by **marmora** » 26 Feb 2008, 03:53

Is there a way to make this into a dual chorus? As in, with a switchable second rate and depth.
Maybe there's some info here:
http://www3.telus.net/public/david65/pe ... ualChorus/
http://www3.telus.net/public/david65/pe ... -Works.gif
http://www3.telus.net/public/david65/pe ... FO-pcb.gif

minor7th · Post by **minor7th** » 26 Feb 2008, 10:48

marmora wrote:Is there a way to make this into a dual chorus? As in, with a switchable second rate and depth.
Maybe there's some info here:
http://www3.telus.net/public/david65/pe ... ualChorus/
http://www3.telus.net/public/david65/pe ... -Works.gif
http://www3.telus.net/public/david65/pe ... FO-pcb.gif

There's a layout for the circuit board and a daughter board it over at Tonepad that turns it into a stereo fx. To quote from that page:

"The PDF now includes an add-on schematic for stereo outputs, this is done inverting the phase of the modulated singal and mixing it back with dry signal on a second output. This way there is chorus on both outputs and when used in a stereo amp setup the effect is really superb!"

I'm not sure if that's what you're after- prolly not- but it may help.

(I will vouch for a dual amp setup being vastly superior to a one amp setup. I use a DD2 to split the signal. I think it's an underused gear configuration.)

mike_a · Post by **mike_a** » 27 Feb 2008, 14:38

Baja, this is a beautiful build!

If you don't mind me asking, I would love to hear how you do the finish.
It looks like a painted 1590B box (which paint method?) and then a full faced label.
Is it a sticky paper label with clear coat on it?

I'm really a noob at the finish part, so I would love to get some pro tips

Thanks,
Mike.

bajaman · Post by **bajaman** » 27 Feb 2008, 20:44

Hi Mike A
I use Duplicolor white spray can lacquer paint - 3 thin coats, but for production models I get them white powdercoated, because it is a far more durable finish.
For the label - I print it on my printer using coated photo type inkjet paper (epson), then I laminate it with a cheap home A4 hot laminator.
Then I trim the label and attach it to the case with Nitto double sided adhesive tape. ( you could use a suitable tube glue if unable to find the Nitto)
A craft knife and round file are used for the switch, led, and potentiometer mounting holes.
cheers
bajaman

mike_a · Post by **mike_a** » 27 Feb 2008, 22:03

Thanks!

I will try that.
Love to see more finished builds.

bajaman · Post by **bajaman** » 27 Feb 2008, 23:53

I will have to build some more then

bajaman