GuitarPCB.com ColorTone Supa Tonebender Build Instructions

Journey with us back to the fabulous 60’s! Revisit the early days of guitar effects! Who can forget the classic sounds of

the original fuzz effect as used by great performers like Jimmy Page and Jeff Beck.

Just check out the YouTube Clip here and imagine you can have these vintage tones too! GUITARPCB has recreated this

famous circuit and added some new superb and versatile features to bring this into the modern era.

● Check out the advanced tone section that provides both bass and treble emphasis.

● Select from a variety of transistor options for tonal variety.

● Go from classic clipping diodes to a wide variety of options.

● No rare expensive germanium transistors required!

Board Dimensions (W x H) 1.95 x 1.8 inches, i.e.: 49.5 x 45.7mm. This design will fit into a 1290NS/1590B size enclosure or larger.

PARTS LIST

Part Value Part Value Part Value Part Value

R1 1M R13 8k2 C1 100n C13 100n R2 33k R14 100k C2 560p C14 100n R3 100k R15 470k C3 100n C15 10u R4 470k R16 15k C4 47µ R5 15k R17 100R C5 100n D1-D2 *1N270 R6 100R R18 33k C6 560p D3 Bi-Color CA LED R7 1k R19 33k C7 100n D4 1N4001 R8 8k2 R20 470k C8 100n D5-D6 *1N270 R9 100k R21 100k C9 560p Q1-Q4 **BC546

R10 10k R22 10k C10 100n GAIN A100k R11 470k R23 1k8 C11 4n7 TONE B100k R12 100R R24 2k7 C12 10n VOL ***A100k

Build Notes

● *1N270 is a Germanium Diode. Please source working GE diodes. I supply verified hand tested ones at GuitarPCB

● **The original calls for BC546 transistors. Kits may include 2N5088. Google Datasheet for pinout before installing

Good choices are 2N5088, 2N5089 or 2N3904 but you must reverse the transistor as shown on the Circuit Board

Silkscreen since the pinout is opposite of the stock BC546. Use sockets so you can experiment or switch.

● *** Volume Pot can be decreased for less available Volume by using an A10k potentiometer. (Mod)

● B100K can be used for the Gain pot for a different feel. (Mod)

● Socket all transistors and experiment.

● Mods. D1, D2, D5 & D6 – are 1N270 Germanium. Try 1N914 silicon or Bat41’s for something different.

● Change all (8) C-100n coupling capacitors to 220n for Bass, or to be both Bass and Six String ready.

The tone stack in this circuit is quite different from simpler circuits commonly found in effects pedals. Instead of a control that is turned fully clockwise to include all frequencies and turned down (CCW) to reduce high frequencies, this tone control is a BLEND control. It balances the frequency response at 50% rotation, increases high frequencies when turned clockwise and increases low frequencies when turned counterclockwise from the middle position. We suggest you start with the control at 50% rotation and then adjust to your taste.

2N5088’s are much easier to acquire and sound excellent however Q1 – Q4 stock transistors are BC546. We chose this for the board

silkscreen as a result. If you choose 2N5088, 2N5089 or 2N3904 simply reverse the transistor orientation shown on circuit board

silkscreen when inserting the transistors. Google Datasheet to verify pin outputs of any other transistors.

STATUS LED

D3 is a common anode bi-color LED. The diagram at right shows the pin-out, schematic

symbol and pad connection for a common anode LED. The pin-out for the bi-color LED

is typically (but not always) as follows:

The lead 1 pad on the circuit board is marked with a white box. The LED will light red when power is applied and the circuit is in bypass mode. The LED will light green when in effects mode. If you wish to use a standard LED, connect the anode to the middle pad and the cathode to the right pad (non-white) to show the circuit in effects mode. If you use a 3PDT wiring board that includes an LED, you can omit this LED and R23. *R23 is the LED’s Current Limiting Resistor (CLR). If you use a different LED, you may want to change this value to adjust LED brightness.

For additional versatility get our Roto-Tone board and personalize your Fuzz Pedal

IMPORTANT NOTES ● Socket your Transistors – You may wish to change them later and makes troubleshooting a lot easier.

● I carry BC546 transistors from time to time. Check my PCB Shop. Feel free to try other types that suit your taste.

● R23 is the current limiting resistor. Brightness is a preference. 1k8 will yield a nice bright LED and the higher the resistance the

dimmer the light. 3k or even 4.7k has been used. This is your choice.

A YouTube Demo is available.

IC’s and transistors are easily damaged by heat from soldering and should never be directly soldered to the PCB.

For transistors, diodes, and LED’s, use SIP (Single inline package) sockets. You simply cut the number of sockets required with an

Exacto / Stanley knife or by gripping and rocking with pliers. This allows for easy changes and troubleshooting.

Soldering Tutorial on Youtube

Need a kit? Check out our authorized worldwide distributors:

USA – Check out PedalPartsAndKits for all your GuitarPCB kit needs in the USA.

Europe – Das Musikding Order either boards or kits direct from Europe.

PedalPartsAustralia - Order either boards or kits direct from Australia

If they do not have a KIT listed send them a note asking if they can help you out.

This document, PCB Artwork and Schematic Artwork © GuitarPCB.com. Schematic, PCB and this document by Bruce R. All copyrights, trademarks, and artworks remain the property of their owners.Distribution of this document is prohibited without written consent from GuitarPCB.com. GuitarPCB.com claims no rights or affiliation to those names or owners.