The Gain Chain
The Story
This is my third pedal build—and one that is completely custom-built. I started with a breadboard, taught myself how to lay that out on stripboard, designed my own PCB, and then went to work building a pedal that I can call my own! The pedal started out with simple waterslide decal graphics, but then graduated to proper UV-printed enclosures.
Demo (2024)
This is my 2024 demo of the pedal prototype, back when it still featured waterslide decal graphics.
Features
- Controls: Drive, Tone, and Volume knobs with an added 2-way distortion toggle.
- Circuit Highlights: Dual LPB-1 stages, with tone control and switchable symmetrical clipping in between. The clipping comes from either BAT-41 diodes (tighter, darker tone) and red LEDs (brighter, later clipping). A "view hole" that lets you see the LED clipping action, when cranked!
- The enclosure features custom-printed graphics using carefully chosen iconography, tying everything together visually.
Tweaks
- Custom electrolytic capacitor value across the Drive pot for a defined EQ profile.
- Parallel resistor on the Drive stage that reduces over-saturation.
- B10k volume pot that ensures a nice boost with minimal sweep variation.
- Defined voltages on both 2N5088 transistor collectors for a unique gain profile.
Tone Options
- Lower volume output produces a neat bright, almost "fuzz" tone.
- Jacked knobs unleashes a wild, overdriven and saturated crunch.
Purchase
The Gain Chain is available now for purchase, in either the "Light" colorway (white enclosure), or the "Dark" colorway (black enclosure). The pedal is $179.99 plus $20 flat-rate shipping. Head on over to Square via the "Buy Now" button below to pick one up!
Want one?
I would love feedback and thoughts! If you are interested in one of these, it would be an honor to make one for you.