EHX NYC Reissue Big Muff V9

[DanielC]

Basically, I took IvIark's layout for the black Russian Big Muff and changed the values to agree with the schematic for the NYC Reissue. Here's the schematic that I used (source). I believe this schematic is most likely accurate, because I found another one that agrees with it (source).

Note that this circuit is slightly different from the version posted here in October. My version is the "reissue" from ~2000, whereas the version IvIark posted is a more modern revision.

I hope it's ok that I modified IvIark's existing layout rather than making my own from scratch. I figured it would be nice, too, in case anyone wants to compare it to the black Russian. But let me know if you'd rather me take it down.

EDIT (2014 Dec 9): Verified! I know it's like eight months later, but I finally built this on Thanksgiving day using this layout, and it works.

[Muadzin]

Maybe it should include that mids switch? Like in the other Muff layouts IvIark did. I find it an incredibly useful feature that I include in all my Muff builds.

I built me a NYC reissue Muff using the Musikding kit and I found it to be a good one. With the mids switch of course. I know the NYC version doesn't get a lot of love, because everything used to be bettah in the past, but I put it up against a number of Triangle and Ramshead specs builds and it held up quite well.

[DanielC]

This is way late for a response, but I just recently built this pedal, finally.

I know a lot of people like the mids switch, but I'm personally not a big fan. I included a mids switch on a black Russian Big Muff build I did a while back, but I've always found myself leaving it in the "off" position. Plus, I built my Russian Big Muff in a 1590BB, and I wanted to fit this one into a 1590B, so I left out the switch for sake of space.

If anyone wants to add in the mids switch, they can easily compare to Mark's black Russian layout; it's only two additional wires.

[Muadzin]

I agree that adding the mid switch is dead easy. I even add it to real PCB muffs (just solder a wire to the collector of Q3). And while I prefer the pure Muff sound as well, its really helpfull in a band situation where you disappear into the mix. Just flicking that switch from scoop to flat can be enough to suddenly cut through the mix again. Which is why I think it's mandatory for those who play Muffs in actual bands. Leave it off at your own peril.

[j-pee]

hi, thanks for the layout, and the verification,

you said: "I hope it's ok that I modified IvIark's existing layout rather than making my own from scratch."

knowing IvIark (like we all know him) we can be sure that it is OK :)

moreover, I love it,
I love looking at the two one after one, using the left and right arrows on my keyboard...
the value changes couldn't be visualized better :)

also, this adaptation by you just makes the vero side project of the big muff history more organic :)

[baranismen]

I have just finished this and surprised that i have one shotted this lol. It works just fine, but as i couldnt find any 1n6263,i tried 1n5817 and it sound quite floppy. Changed one pair with 1n4148 worked well. I ll just tinker around the tone stack and maybe trannies. But i can say its verified!

Ps i aint sure if i do right by using 5817 as clipping and compression diodes, maybe its not for that purpose. I just used them for being schotky.

[atommm]

hi!
i was wondering, are you using the 4148 as a replacement of the suggested diode?

[baranismen]

Hi man

Yes, i changed all to 1n4148 and its far more better. Tried some other diodes but 4148 are the most dynamic and powerful to my ears.

[IvIark]

atommm wrote

hi!
i was wondering, are you using the 4148 as a replacement of the suggested diode?

You could do but the 1N6263 are Schottky’s so you will get a bit closer if you use something like a 1N5817 which we also commonly use

[atommm]

your answer was quite fast!, lovely.
would you mind changing contacts or something? i really enjoy talking about pedals and stuff.
and thank you, i was quite afraid that the 4148 wouldn´t work well for de Dx diode (1n 5817 that its not doing clipping)

[atommm]

Yeah, i know but i didnt find any 1n5817, will a 1n4148 work well in replacement of a 1n5817?

[IvIark]

I think the 1N4148s are used more commonly in muffs but it depends if you want it to be more like the original. I tend to prefer the 1N4148 than other options

[atommm]

Thanks, i will try to use 1n4148 instead of the 1n5817
my question cames from the other schemathics ive seen, they just have 4 diodes, and they were doing clipping, so this extra fifth diode its new for me

[IvIark]

It’s just a reverse polarity protection diode. For that I would prefer to go for the 1N5817 because there will be less of a voltage drop using them

[atommm]

So if I use a 1n4148 I have to reverse the polarity?

[IvIark]

No. The Dx diode is used for reverse polarity protection. No matter what diode you use you will use it in the same orientation.

When you use a series diode for reverse polarity protection then you get a voltage drop equal to the forward voltage of the diode.

So if you start with 9V and use a 1N4148 for polarity protection then the voltage reaching the circuit may only be 8.3V. (9V - 0.7V forward voltage of the 1N4148)

If you use a Schottky with a lower forward voltage then the reduction may be 9V - 0.3v and so you have 8.7V reaching the circuit.

Some pedals may sound better at a lower voltage but in my experience I want to get as close to the expected voltage that the original pedal expected. Otherwise you could change the character of the pedal

[baranismen]

Well what i mean was the 4 clipping diodes, not the dx 😆