EP-PRE revisited

[spaceace76]

You can get parts from lots of places. Where are you located?

There are no gutshots of the EP-Pre that I'm aware of. The only things I don't the specifics on for the EP-Pre are what JFET Peter uses (though the Xotic uses a 2N5457, which is a close equivalent to the TIS58, so it's a good choice here too) and how he sets up the volume control. If you read his ad copy it mentions wiring the volume control "in reverse". I'm not sure what he means by that, perhaps it's just a normal volume control instead of the one on the schematic, since it's not driving the EP-3 circuit.

There are a zillion ways to put together pedals. If you're starting out though, you may want to work on a PCB rather than a breadboard or vero. It sounds like your Dad is mostly building it so perhaps this is not an issue.

if you need more pedal building info, i'd say start looking around on a forum, http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/ is a great site.

you'll also need the schem for the EP-3:
http://schematicheaven.com/effects/ep3_9068-9450.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
notice that though it's listed as a JFET it's drawn as a regular bipolar transistor

[donbarzini]

I didn't even realize the Xotic EP-Booster could operate at 18v and I had no idea about the dip switches inside for bass and treble. I will definitely have to try it at 18V this evening.

[leadguy]

The 2N5457 is pretty common.

[motrock]

You can get parts from lots of places. Where are you located?

There are no gutshots of the EP-Pre that I'm aware of. The only things I don't the specifics on for the EP-Pre are what JFET Peter uses (though the Xotic uses a 2N5457, which is a close equivalent to the TIS58, so it's a good choice here too) and how he sets up the volume control. If you read his ad copy it mentions wiring the volume control "in reverse". I'm not sure what he means by that, perhaps it's just a normal volume control instead of the one on the schematic, since it's not driving the EP-3 circuit.

There are a zillion ways to put together pedals. If you're starting out though, you may want to work on a PCB rather than a breadboard or vero. It sounds like your Dad is mostly building it so perhaps this is not an issue.

if you need more pedal building info, i'd say start looking around on a forum, http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/ is a great site.

you'll also need the schem for the EP-3:
http://schematicheaven.com/effects/ep3_9068-9450.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
notice that though it's listed as a JFET it's drawn as a regular bipolar transistor

I live in Central Illinois... the black hole! HAHA

I don't know where to get PCB Boards specifically for pedal, cases to put them in, etc. This is a first for me!

[motrock]

I didn't even realize the Xotic EP-Booster could operate at 18v and I had no idea about the dip switches inside for bass and treble. I will definitely have to try it at 18V this evening.

SO you own the EP-Booster? How do you think it sounds?

[donbarzini]

I didn't even realize the Xotic EP-Booster could operate at 18v and I had no idea about the dip switches inside for bass and treble. I will definitely have to try it at 18V this evening.

SO you own the EP-Booster? How do you think it sounds?

I like it better than the EP-Pre. To me, it sounds/feels more like plugged into a real EP-3 with more boost available. I think it is built way better as well. With the EP-Pre, I only liked using it clean, not with gain, it sounded like one of those sonic maximizer pedals. However, many men like the EP-Pre over the EP-Booster so this is only my opinion.

[spaceace76]

I live in Central Illinois... the black hole! HAHA

I don't know where to get PCB Boards specifically for pedal, cases to put them in, etc. This is a first for me!

ah good. that makes it easier for me to recommend places. futurlec is good if you're looking for cheap parts. they have great deals on lots of stuff, not all of it is the best quality but their caps and resistors are fine. the only thing that i don't like is their shipping is slow. you'll get your order in about 2 weeks after you place/pay for it. since you're in the US, you can use Mouser (huge catalog, pay attention to what you're ordering!) and Smallbear, a site dedicated to guitar electronics, for pedals at least.

http://www.mouser.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.smallbearelec.com/StoreFront.bok" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.pedalpartsplus.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

all three have good selection, fast and reasonably priced shipping. if you're getting parts for one project PPP or Smallbear will be fine, for bulk stuff futurlec is great, and anything SB, PPP or Futurlec don't have, Mouser will likely have. SB and PPP have enclosures, you can even get them pre-drilled and powder coated if you like.

As for PCB's, if you're doing the soldering I'd say etch a board.
There are lots of resources on etching, but these in particular helped me:
http://tonepad.com/photoessay.asp?photo ... quenceNo=1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://tonepad.com/photoessay.asp?photo ... quenceNo=1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

With perf or veroboard there is no etching involved, but you have to make the connections yourself. This type of thing is really personal preference, whatever you feel comfortable doing will be fine. You will probably want to practice soldering a bit before you begin though.

I'm going to throw a EP pre together soon so I'll see how it goes.

sweet! let us know! i'm actually sitting on some NOS TIS58's just for this project. Unfortunately I can't really afford to build anything right now...

[T.J.Fuller]

It amazes me how quickly people give up so easily on hard to find NOS parts.

http://quarndon.co.uk/index.php?main_pa ... s_id=18169" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

135 TIS58's in stock.

also, my Echoplex Ep-3 has motorola NOS fets
I'll post the number if anyone cares for yet another flavor to this circuit.

[spaceace76]

It amazes me how quickly people give up so easily on hard to find NOS parts.

http://quarndon.co.uk/index.php?main_pa ... s_id=18169" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

135 TIS58's in stock.

also, my Echoplex Ep-3 has motorola NOS fets
I'll post the number if anyone cares for yet another flavor to this circuit.

Do you mean us or the pro builders? I've only got about a dozen NOS TIS58's, so it would be nice to find a modern equivalent. What's the number on your motorola FET's?

[nondeplume]

You can get parts from lots of places. Where are you located?

There are no gutshots of the EP-Pre that I'm aware of.....

Second post on page...not super duper detailed but the gist is there...
http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showth ... 23&page=53

[T.J.Fuller]

It amazes me how quickly people give up so easily on hard to find NOS parts.

http://quarndon.co.uk/index.php?main_pa ... s_id=18169" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

135 TIS58's in stock.

also, my Echoplex Ep-3 has motorola NOS fets
I'll post the number if anyone cares for yet another flavor to this circuit.

Do you mean us or the pro builders? I've only got about a dozen NOS TIS58's, so it would be nice to find a modern equivalent. What's the number on your motorola FET's?

Mainly the pro builders, didnt Peter say at the start he had a hard time sourcing his FETs ?
I believe it was because he was trying to stay true to the vintage circuit.using closer match to the original circuit.

I guess I got ruffled when I saw that the exotic pedal was using such a commonly sourced FET.
I've never looked inside of my ep-pre but, I'd bet Peter used something a little less generic, for tonal purposes.


the Motorola equivilent is MPS 8098.

[Good Guest]

the Motorola equivilent is MPS 8098

Hate to trell you this but that is a npn transistor not a fet....You might want to replace it with a fet and restore the mojo.

[T.J.Fuller]

the Motorola equivilent is MPS 8098

Hate to trell you this but that is a npn transistor not a fet....You might want to replace it with a fet and restore the mojo.

no I'm just glad you kept an eye on my post!!!

my bad ...I have a ton of circuit notes from having my echoplex apart.

I forgot that the middle board is the input ( preamp board )

I do have a TIS58- and the mojo...thankfully

BUT, a NTE132 would be a better quality FET for an ep-pre circuit , as a sub for TIS58

thanks Good Guest

...carry on

[spaceace76]

You can get parts from lots of places. Where are you located?

There are no gutshots of the EP-Pre that I'm aware of.....

Second post on page...not super duper detailed but the gist is there...
http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showth ... 23&page=53

yeah not very detailed, but it looks like the volume control is just an ordinary volume control. I have to commend Peter on his fantastic build quality though! neat wire runs, shiny solders, and that custom 3PDT with gold contacts looks sturdy.

So T.J. you've got an EP-Pre? Can you see what Peter used? I've heard lots of bad stuff about NTE transistors, and the few I've used weren't so great. My local electronics shop carries them though, so I guess they're worth a shot when I get around to trying this out.

[Tone_Chaser]

A good gut shot would be great. Also both sides of the board. We could then figure out what's going on there. There is no POT in teh schematic so I'm kind of curious what the value is and where it is connected, etc.