The journal
Notes on tone
Circuits, parts, mods and the occasional cable rant, written at the bench. Free to read, no email required.
Choosing the Right Gain Pedal – Boost vs. Overdrive vs. Fuzz
Learn the differences between boost, overdrive, and fuzz pedals, and how to choose the right gain for your tone.
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Texas Toaster LED Clipping Mod (a.k.a. Bleed Your Toaster)
Mod your Texas Toaster with a simple 3-step LED clipping upgrade. Add more output, reduce noise, and get gritty, amp-like distortion. Learn how to Bleed Your Toaster for extra spice.
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How to Use the Texas Toaster
The Texas Toaster is your secret weapon for rich, responsive tone. Whether you’re chasing sparkle or punch, this treble and full-range boost belongs right at the start of your pedal chain. Here’s how to dial it in and let it shine.
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Zap the Zap: Are Guitar Cables Stealing Your Mojo? Part 2
Tech Your Tone – Tools of the Trade to Catch the Zap We’ve grilled our suspects and heard their testimony, but if we’re truly going to get to the bottom of tone thievery, it’s time to bring in the forensics. That means testing—real, hands-on, CSI: Cable Scene Investigation-style probing. Multimeter Madness: Measuring Capacitance Your tone
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Zap the Zap: Are Guitar Cables Stealing Your Mojo? Part 1
“Unplugging Mysteries: Do Cables Steal Your Mojo?”
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The Ultimate Tube Screamer Showdown: TS808 vs. TS9 vs. TS10
Delve into the nuances that differentiate the Ibanez Tube Screamer TS808, TS9, and TS10 overdrive pedals, and find out if their circuit variations truly impact your guitar tone.
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3D Printable Tinning Rack for Stranded Wire | Spicy Pedals
The Tinning Rack is a 3D-printed tool designed for tinning 22 AWG stranded wires. Free to download for personal use, with printing tips and material recommendations included!
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Understanding and Fixing Hum in Guitar Pedals
Hums in guitar pedals are caused by interference or grounding issues. Learn to diagnose, fix, and prevent them effectively.
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Top 5 Overdrive Pedals for the Ultimate Blues Tone
Discover the top 5 overdrive pedals that every blues guitarist needs to know. From iconic classics like the Tube Screamer to the handcrafted Jalapeño Screamer by Spicy Pedals, this guide dives into the pedals that bring warmth, grit, and soul to your sound. Whether you’re jamming in the garage or performing on stage, these pedals will help you nail that authentic blues tone.
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Why High Gain Guitar Pedals Hiss and How to Fix It
Why High Gain Guitar Pedals Hiss & How to Fix It
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Unlock the Power of O++: Mastering Overdrive Stacking
Boost Your Tone: Master Overdrive with O++!
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Unveiling Capacitors’ Magic in Guitar Pedal Circuits
Capacitors: The Unsung Heroes of Guitar Pedals
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Building a Fuzz Circuit: Embrace the Power of Simplicity
Crafting Fuzz: Rediscover Raw Musical Emotion
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Unlocking Guitar Tones: A Dive into Three Clipping Techniques
Discover Guitar Magic: 3 Must-Try Clipping Techniques!
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Understanding Resistors in Guitar Pedal Circuits: A Musician’s Guide
Dive into the world of guitar pedals and discover how resistors shape and control your sound. From tone shaping to noise reduction, learn why resistors are crucial in crafting your perfect tone.
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The Enigmatic Chorus Effect
The Enigmatic Chorus Effect: Unveiling its Technical Wizardry – Dive into the mesmerizing world of audio manipulation and discover the secrets behind this enigmatic sound phenomenon.
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Unveiling Transparent Boost Pedals
Unleashing the True Power: Demystifying Transparent Boost Pedals
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Demystifying Overdrive Tone Stacking
Demystifying Overdrive: Unveiling the Secrets of Tone Stacking for Guitarists
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