Friedman Golden Pearl - Verified

[anders]

Unverified layout of a new Friedman pedal, a medium gain od with a diode clip switch and a treble cut switch. Here is the schematic.

*Edit* Updated the layout with correct cap values and switches to SPDT on/off/on

[HamishR]

Well I built it and it works! Actually it sounds quite good.  It likes my Strat more than my Duo Jet and has a surprising amount of bassiness to it.  So for once I don't feel the need to add any lows.

The hi-cut switch is interesting - it's not just a treble roll-off; it seems to shift the treble or something.  Initially I wondered why you would have a treble cut switch if you have a tone control but it does more than just slice off some highs.  It's relatively subtle but useful I guess.

Overall it's a bit more compressed than I usually like but it's cool.

Thanks Anders!

[anders]

Thank YOU Hamish.

[GrooveChampion]

Built it, boxed it, sounds FANTASTIC....though I used bright green LEDs.

[Gainiac]

Built, definite keeper.  I dunno why there isn't more buzz on the pearl b/c after building 2 (this layout and pcb) I can confidently say this little gem is a 9V Klon Killer; I own a storebought Archer & MXR sugar drive for comparison.  

Anyway, my advice is socket the leds and try a number of color/size combos as the circuit is very responsive to these changes, I even sometimes found going from 3mm to 5mm to make a noticeable change to tone.  FWIW I found my fav combo to be a 5mm green & 5mm IR (purple lense) but a pair of 5mm IR will give you a very mean snarl that also sounds good.  I also have to Agree with Hamish in that both switches are very usefull so give them a chance and don't just hardwire it right off the bat.

[Gainiac]

And thank you for taking the time to draw this up Anders, would be a great addition to the website imo.

[HamishR]

As I sometimes do with pedals I like, I work out which bits work for me and leave out the bits I don't need.  So i built another of these without the switches.  I used red LEDs for clipping and simplified the treble so i didn't need the hi-cut.

So now it's just another 3-knob OD - but a very good one!  Amazing that there is still room in the world for another 3-knob overdrive.  :-)  But there really is.

(edit)  Just in case anyone is interested - and i have no reason to think that you might! - but here is what I did to the original Golden Pearl in (a) an attempt to simplify it, and (b) make it suit my playing better.  I like to prune anything I don't use.  Then I can't use it by mistake.  :-)

[Teddeeh]

Hello.
After reviewing there are changes needed. Then verified.
Spdt, on off on. For both.

Hi cut, its 2n2 and 3n9
Not 22n and 39n.

Toodles xx

[anders]

Cool. Thanks for the heads up. layout updated.

[Teddeeh]

You are most welcome.
Thank you tho for all your work for the community.  You kick serious ass.

[anfra98]

someone works on the voice switch?

[BetterOffShred]

It looks like it's just changing from the 4148s to the yellow diode pairs for clipping.  Make sure you have the diodes soldered in anti-parallel (one facing the other direction of the other) if it's not working.

[UnklePhil]

HamishR, I built your modded/simplified version, just swaped one red led for 1N4148, to make it a little more dirty.
It's really a great circuit.
Thanks a lot!

[guimprado]

Voice SW. 1 goes into C1 or C4?

[alltrax74]

It can go where ever you want from C1 to C7 (before the trace cut at C8)
C1 is the easiest

[guimprado]

Tks, I asked cause the + sign =D

[guimprado]

And then I realized it was for the leds lol

[guimprado]

What is the best way to do the offboard wiring on this pedal?

[alltrax74]

Like any other true bypass switching pedal, see the offboard wiring section
http://tagboardeffects.blogspot.com/2012/02/offboard-wiring.html

[guimprado]

Where goes the Gain 3 and the Tone 1 in the simplified mod?