HGE Contraptions (DIY hobby/NON-Business) -> Pedale Chitara Handmade / Modari Pedale / Wiring si Setup Chitare / Reparatii Ampuri

[Razvan S.]

HGE Contraptions 2in1 Booster (MXR MC401+BBE Boosta Grande clones, 165th pedal built) @vektor

 

[Razvan S.]

Inca o clona de Vemuram TSV808 @raducu

HGE Contraptions (hobby/non-business): HGE Contraptions Vemuram TSV808 Clone (166th pedal built)

[Razvan S.]

* HGE Contraptions Core Shaper EQ clone (167th pedal built)

Will most likely use two hifi OPAMPS when I have them instead of the 5532 and 072 (SMD adapted to THT, with the OPA1678 IC -> lower noise and clearer)

This is a parametric mid frequency eq (Mid knob + Mid Frequency knob), which also has Bass and Tone controls. Can also be used as a booster of sorts, in conjunction with the Volume knob.

In detail, the gain is +-16dB, the frequency sweep is about 300 to 3.3K, the Q is 2.4 in HI and 1 in LO. The beauty of this circuit is that the Q stays constant across the whole sweep and so does the gain.
Before this, there's a low gain input stage which gives a strong input signal and buffers the input while avoiding clipping at guitar levels throughout the circuit. The charge pump helps with the headroom, providing a +-9V supply so the boost levels can be reached without problems.
Following the bandpass, there's a very standard Baxandall 2 band EQ to take care of low and high frequency and add quite a lot of flexibility to the circuit when combined with the bandpass. 

[Razvan S.]

* Mythos Golden Fleece clone in a Silly Box 🐶 🐱 (HGE Contraptions 168th pedal built)

 

[Razvan S.]

Did a pickup swap (so a partial rewire) in my Carvin DC727 USA 7 string guitar.

Had to physically sand the DiMarzios (Illuminator neck + insane X2N bridge), because these Carvins before a certain year had smaller routings stock. Came out great!

 

Before:

[Razvan S.]

Carvin V3 Mods finally done after a lot of tests. Way more usable now!

If anyone that owns this actually wants a usable Carvin V3 head, I am posting the modifications below. You also have a detailed explanation:

https://hgecontraptions.blogspot.com/2025/12/carvin-v3-amp-mods.html

[Razvan S.]

HGE Contraptions Keeley Java Boost custom shop MP41 russian transistor version (170th pedal built).

I actually repurposed a noname pedal housing and made my own circuit clone inside haha.

A random take boosting with it before it was housed, in an FX loop switcher I did:

 

[Razvan S.]

EarthQuaker Devices Disaster Transport Jr. handmade clone (172nd HGE Contraptions circuit built)

Ibanez Mostortion MT10 handmade clone (173rd HGE Contraptions circuit built)

2in1: BOSS FA-1 + TC Integrated Preamp handmade clone (174th/175th HGE Contraptions circuits built)

 

[Razvan S.]

Colorsound One Knob Fuzz variant (HGE Contraptions 176th circuit built)

[Razvan S.]

2in1 Pedal: Horizon Devices Precision Drive + Spaceman Effects Atlas III Booster (HGE Contraptions 177th/178th circuits built)

[Razvan S.]

Wattson EFY-6 Fuzz Clone (Shin Ei FY-6 Superfuzz variant) - HGE Contraptions 179th circuit built

 Tried for fun all sorts of transistors like older C536, Toshiba C828 with lower hfe, you name it (BC209, BC239, BC107,108,109, etc).  In the end still the high hfe 2N5088 in all positions (with Q4 and Q5 matched) like it has stock sounds "the best" -> saying this because the customer wanted it to be a higher gain variant and more "od-ish" than "splatter fuzz" since he already has a Shin Ei FY-6 reissue, so then I also adjusted the internal trimmer for a beefier sound/more od-ish of sorts than that classic indefinite fuzz splatter at any setting (even if the "gating" effect of Q4 and 5 is not present now, so at the expense of some hiss as a tradeoff). A fun pedal to have, since you can just socket and go to town with the trimmer and lower hfe variants like in older superfuzz pedals. I wanted the trimmer out but the customer insisted to leave it inside and adjust to my taste.