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Author Topic:  Matchbox schematic
Gareth Carthew


From:
West Sussex, UK
Post  Posted 28 Nov 2007 10:24 am    
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Hi all!

I know there are a number of commercial units available but being of limited funding and always prefering a homebrew for the enjoyment factor I decided that the next quick and easy project will be a homebuilt matchbox.
Just the basic set up, tone & volume akin to the Goodrich 6A or 7A.

However I'm also a bit impatient so I wonder if anyone has a schematic for a good sounding, "field proven" matching amplifier befor I go ahead and design from scratch?
I'm not expecting anyone to give up their personal secret especially if it's making them money but if there are others like me who've taken this path befor and are happy to share their experiences I'd be interested to hear some opinions.

Thanks guys

Gareth
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Dave Stagner


From:
Minnesota, USA
Post  Posted 28 Nov 2007 11:11 am    
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If you can live without a tone control, there are LOTS of buffer schematics out there (and lots of alternatives to the Matchbox).
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1967 ZB D-10
1990 OMI Dobro
Recording King lap steel with Certano benders
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Dave Stagner


From:
Minnesota, USA
Post  Posted 28 Nov 2007 11:16 am    
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Hmm... try googling around for "j-fet mu-amp" or variations thereof. Many of the boutique boosters are based on this circuit, and there's lots of information available.
_________________
I don’t believe in pixie dust, but I believe in magic.

1967 ZB D-10
1990 OMI Dobro
Recording King lap steel with Certano benders
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Jack Stoner


From:
Kansas City, MO
Post  Posted 28 Nov 2007 11:25 am    
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The MXR Microamp does partially what a Matchbox or similar unit will do. It provides a low impedence output. There are schematics available on the web for the microamp. Just, it doesn't have tone controls on it, but it does have volume.
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Gareth Carthew


From:
West Sussex, UK
Post  Posted 28 Nov 2007 3:57 pm    
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Thank you gentlemen.
Some usefull suggestions there!
Adding a tone control to a preamp is a trivial matter so I'll definatly give those a look-see.

I've got a bunch of suitable amp circuits in various books here and there and thanks to the internet I know there are dozens more.
Unless anyone has a particularly well voice circuit they've found I'll just start testing.

Thank you for your help!

Gareth
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Brad Sarno


From:
St. Louis, MO USA
Post  Posted 28 Nov 2007 5:18 pm    
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These buffers, including the Matchboxes, aren't really "voiced" with any EQ shaping, so any decent clean buffer that can handle the output of a steel pickup would do. I like the jfet idea. You could always add a tone control at the input identical to the kind of tone control that is on many steel guitars.

Brad
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sonbone


From:
Waxahachie, TX
Post  Posted 29 Nov 2007 2:14 am    
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Start with one of these basic jfet buffers and then modify to suit your needs.

http://www.muzique.com/lab/buffers.htm
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Dave Stagner


From:
Minnesota, USA
Post  Posted 29 Nov 2007 9:03 am    
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sonbone wrote:
Start with one of these basic jfet buffers and then modify to suit your needs.

http://www.muzique.com/lab/buffers.htm


That's a terrific reference. Thanks!
_________________
I don’t believe in pixie dust, but I believe in magic.

1967 ZB D-10
1990 OMI Dobro
Recording King lap steel with Certano benders
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sonbone


From:
Waxahachie, TX
Post  Posted 29 Nov 2007 10:36 pm    
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You're welcome Dave! There's lots of good stuff at the AMZ website, you just have to dig through the site a little bit to find some of it.
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