Name:Foomanchew
Date:4/4/2010
Build Report:a very impressive board superb!! to be honest... i have a 81 TS-9 and this came out very close sounding wise made a few little tweeks added a presence & bass switch (very good for home use) a boost well more of a Satchurator more switch very handy though few other little bits n bobs as well , but stand alone this is a quality board and very worthy well worth ago , my effort http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m478/justy73/DSCF0158.jpg

Name:anonymous
Date:2/23/2010
Build Report:0.22uF capacitors:
You may use any non-polarized film for both 0.22uF capacitors. If you must use a polarized cap (tant. etc), the negative end of the cap needs to point to ground.

Name:Mark Nakib
Date:1/22/2010
Build Report:Why in the world is this marked as .22uF Tantalum capacitors??? Tantalums are polarized, and the board calls for nonpolarized. There should at least be some sort of way to know not to get polarized Tants!!

Name:Rybow
Date:11/29/2009
Build Report:I forgot to mention that I used a tonepad PCB for this project. The PCB was really nicely done, and easy to work with. Thanks Tonepad!

Name:Rybow
Date:11/26/2009
Build Report:This is my first build ever, and I just finished it up today. I already know I am going to have to redo my enclosure. I did a crap job of drilling it, and a crappier job mounting everything. Just hooked it up, and it worked! On my clean channel, the pedal brightened the tone, and added some nice mid range grind to the sound. A really decent blues tone. When I flipped it over to my dirty channel, I was blown away! Strong mids, massive palm mutes, better sustain, clearer highs, and better definition. My amp sounded like a blanket had been taken off of it. Chords sound much more defined even with loads of gain. My pedal does add some noise, so I will investigate that further, but it may just be amplifying my pickup noise.

Since this is my first build, I really didn't pay too much attention to capacitor types. 0.22uf are tants, 51pf is poly film, 1uf, 47uf, and 10uf are electrolytic, and all the rest are mylar. I may change out the electrolytics for something else, but for now its fine. Metal film resistors, JRC4558, built to TS 9 spec. Really killer pedal!

Name:Denry
Date:11/8/2009
Build Report:I built it around LM358. Didn't use a single tantalum cap. It definitely works that way, but haven't tried any other variations, so I can't compare it to anything. I also added a switch to alternate between sym and asym clipping. Anyway, it's certainly a nice distortion and schematic and PCB on the site are valid.

Name:chuonghoang
Date:6/22/2009
Build Report:i've done the clone and now feel so confident like i can do any others project.I'm vietnamese and it's hard to find all of the parts that need to built it.i used cap 50pf and 333k instead of 222k.And ic opamp 2314 just works great,noiseless.your obvious layout make everything much more easier.this is my 2nd project after Mxr noisegate.thanks.

Name:Manav
Date:6/9/2009
Build Report:Amazing layout!
Just finished one TS808 spec and the tone it puts out is great. Noiseless and very transparent....
Used a TL072 instead of a JRC4558D...and used poly films instead of tants. The 51pF and 1uF non-polarized were multilayer ceramics.

Name:Jason Chambers
Date:6/8/2009
Build Report:Just got done with my 808 clone. Sounds spectacular. Much better than i expected considering there are fewer parts than my ts 9 has. all in all a very fun project that sounds amazing.

Name:Ryan F.
Date:5/8/2009
Build Report:Just finished building the 808 version of this pedal. Used 0.22 uF poly film caps instead of the tantalum ones. Sounds great - I really love the tones 3 o'clock and above! Thanks Francisco for the excellent PCB! Very well made and well worth the $ and the wait!

Name:chris
Date:2/25/2009
Build Report:just finished building the ts 808 (and actually making one to work after 2 trys)replaced the 51 pf with 50pf ceramic disc...have to improvise on a lot of materials...great tone...

chris from philippines

Name:recep ivedik
Date:2/10/2009
Build Report:Drive pot 1M, tone 50K, level 100K, two small red clipping leds. Strongly recommend.

Name:Nathan Noel
Date:1/16/2009
Build Report:I just recently built the Tube Screamer (TS808) using the TonePad ready to transfer layout. Works perfect and is a nice compact layout... noise free and full-o-tone.

Big thumbs up...

Name:Man o' Scruples
Date:1/12/2009
Build Report:I built mine as a stock TS-808 and found it's a very good medium-gain distortion pedal. I added a clipping switch to switch between: stock diodes, no diodes, or LEDs. Stock sounds a lot like my Bad Monkey but with a more focused Treble Punch, no clipping is very bright sounding and has enough gain to overdrive itself into some good distortion tones, LEDs have a HUGE increase in volume as well as a decrease in distortion and is an interesting addition to this pedal. Parts came from Radio Shack, Small Bear and Pedal Parts Plus. I built it is a 125B enclosure and used Carbon Film resistors, film caps for .022uf, .047uf, & .1uf, ceramic disk for 51pf, polarized electrolytic for 1uf, 10uf, 47uf, & (I added the power supply filter back into the circuit) 100uf, as well as a 20KW pot for tone. For the 1ufs, just point the + side towards the input. I did not make it true bypass since it had an input buffer and it seems to work just as well. A good project to built as the real thing is outragously expensive!

Name:MarkusR
Date:12/9/2008
Build Report:Sounds better than my ts808-modified ts9.

Excellent!

Name:irfan
Date:12/9/2008
Build Report:i built stock 808 circuit ,sound great as the original,i cant found 1n914 diode so i use 1n 4141, instead thanx FP...

Name:Guillermo F.
Date:11/27/2008
Build Report:Reemplace el integrado por el Rc4559P, el capacitor de 51 pf por uno de 56 pf, el efecto suena excelente, prueben en lugar del resistor de 4k7 y el capacitor de .047uf colocar un puente se obtiene muchisima distorsion y elevada ganancia.

Name:Matija
Date:9/19/2008
Build Report:A clasic.
Built two; one original 808 specs, except por the opamp, beacause it sounded better to my ears with ne5532.

The other one I totaly overmoded:)
Replaced OPamp with ne5532, aded amz fat switsc, which realy BOOSts the bas and added a clipper selction switch, to switch beetwen mosfet clipping (germanium diode + BS170), diode lift (boost) and classical TS clippers. I also moded it to keeley specs for extra gain. It is the meanest pedal ever!!!! i will propably change diode clippers for led-s for more crunchy sound.

Name:Kruspe
Date:9/5/2008
Build Report:Wow, it's awesome!
I made TS808 with RC4558 and symmetrical diodes. I found all parts except 0.0027 mkF capacitor. I replaced it with 0.0022. I used aluminium no polar capacitors 1mkF, 51 pF ceramic, 0.22 tantal and other is poly. Very good quality in valve amp.
Thank you, Tonepad :)

Name:Paolo
Date:8/19/2008
Build Report:Hi at all!
I've just finished to build my 4th ts808, and the fx works well this time too.. it sounds great! thanks!!
I loose the count of the fx built.. others 3 rebote, 2 phase90, small clone, rat and others, this is a passion, and I'm always happy when the fx works like this.

paolorinalduccigmailcom

Name:Greg Pec
Date:5/15/2008
Build Report:The sound of this stomp box is just amazing.I build the GT2 which is really impressive too but I always come back to the 808.I build the stock version but i will do some mods on the input cap to have more bass.

Thanx again Francesco for what you're doing.

Name:RomC's
Date:5/10/2008
Build Report:My first guitar project. I built TS808,added a switch for symetrical/asymetrical clipping. Sounds pretty cool,great tone.Used 4558D IC,2N3904 transistors,Soviet resistors and capacitors.But i couldn't find a 500k log pot, so temporarily i used 100k log pot. Soon i'll post photos and sounds. Thanks Tonepad!!!

Name:Omar CG
Date:3/13/2008
Build Report:this overdrive sounds very good... here's a clip that i do with the ts clon through a marshall valvestate vs65r using a strat

http://www.boomp3.com/m/3f716edf7ce2/tube-screamer-clon-ocg


Name:Toni Diaz
Date:2/26/2008
Build Report:I've never used the original, but I bild this one and sounds great.

Name:Mike Kidney
Date:2/13/2008
Build Report:Wow... this was my first selfmade pedal and i did it.
I took 2 TS in one pedal... and it sounds insane!!! i will post a link with pics and sounds.
Greetings, Mike

Name:WLTerry
Date:1/14/2008
Build Report:Great pedal, I made it along with a Phaser and Small Clone. Really loud and very vintage sounding. The single coils sounds a lot better with this little monster and my high output humbucker makes it roar!

The mods I've done are the ones from Jack Orman's AMZ: Fat Switch, a toggle switch for select between 0.047uf and 0.22uf, and AMZ tone mod, check this out at http://www.muzique.com/lab/tstone.htm. Also I added a toggle switch for symetrical/asymetrical clipping selection.

I'm happy with this pedal... muy gritón el pedal. Gracias Francisco.

Name:Steevie
Date:1/4/2008
Build Report:I have built this wonderful 808-device in 2005, and I am very glad with it. I foto-documented the process of it under:

https://fotoalbum.web.de/gast/djsteev/TS-Projekt

So have fun and drop me an email if you like.

Name:Darlon
Date:12/9/2007
Build Report:i've made my TS 808 from the project and... first: had to change JRC4558 to some old matsuhita electric 4558 op amp. i think it is a good chip. sounds well for me. i'm very happy with the sound of a thing. realy good overdrive. not much gain but lotta attack. essence of a tube screamer. remember guys - it's not a good pedal to use with a solid state amps. just sounds like a piece of crap. it's a tube amp driver! plug it into some valve stuff and that thing will start to scream. if u have tube amp, well... if u don't have one - forget it... sound of that copy is almost like original for me. it will be really hard to say which one is original. another one great project!

PS. i suggest to make clipping mod. kinda useful thing. some new sounds can be made with adding just one diode

Name:alex
Date:11/27/2007
Build Report:Hello. I just finished this last night and it was my first build ever! i was surprised at how smoothly it went. man, it just sounds so smooth like butter!!! ts-808 with asymetrical configuration.. Thanks FP for helping launch my newest obsession....diy guitar pedals. t one pad rocks!

Name:Brush
Date:10/25/2007
Build Report:I'm from UK, finally received the new PCB yesterday (excellent quality by the way)- 6 hours work, couple of teething issues (don't use single core cable - top tip!)and I have a totally useable Overdrive. Fantastic sounding (I am totally gobsmacked at the results). This will go on my pedal board and the others I have are going, it really is that good. P.S For those doubters, I used bog standard over the counter from Maplin electronics components, no fancy JRC or RC chips. And I used components that were as close to the value as Maplin had in stock, and it still sounds great as it is. Well done TonePad - chorus pedal next I think!

Name:bowzee
Date:10/22/2007
Build Report:I live in Brazil and here we have a few difficulties that deserve to mentioned, which are mostly not directly related to the design itself. Some of these observations may be quite universal:

1) Press-n-Peel Blue is not sold anywhere in Brazil (or at least I didn't find it), so you have to import this. You can find plenty of local online auctions for plain paper being sold as transfer film though...

2) Printing out the design on an ink-jet printer and then getting it photocopied worked 50% for me, meaning that 50% of PCB layouts on the Press-n-Peel Blue came out distorted.

3) Once you have etched the PCB, the most convenient way to make the holes is to get a hole-punch-device that looks like a stapler. I used the 0.8mm nib for all of the holes except the ones where you are supposed to connect wires, for which I used 1.0mm. I did not use the 0.6mm nib because it is too small. Using an actual drill for this task may be quite frustrating.

4) You can't find 51k or 510k resistors in Brazil, they are "not commercial values". I replaced these for 47k and 470k. Works fine.

5) You can't find 51pf capacitors in Brazil, again it is "not a commercial value". I used 47 pF. Works fine.

6) I used metalized polyester for all of the other capacitors (which are referred to simply as "polyester capacitors" here) except the two big ones, 10uF and 47uF, for which I used electrolytic. Works fine.

7) There is a big mess here concerning the A or B specifications of potentiometers, which are supposed to be A for logarithmic and B for linear. Some local manufacturers will call their linear pots A. Anyway, I was unable to find an actual 500k log pot, so I used a linear one. It works fine and I really do not understand why this pot is supposed to be log. I guess I will compare my board with an actual TubeScreamer in order to find out.

8) I was only able to get the generic 4558 IC. I think that it may be possible to find different versions here with a bit of effort although I am quite convinced that you will need a high-tech analyzer of some sort to tell the difference.

9) There are no Hammond 1590B enclosures or anything similar in Brazil, I searched for these extensively and all I found were plastic enclosures. I also found some guys online selling effects "in a sardine can", which seems to be an alternative for some...! If you want a Hammond 1590B or similar you will have to import it.

10) I had quality issues with the female TS plug, when you insert the male plug some of these will short. BTW, the short will cause the 4558 to blow immediately.

11) I couldn't find the same power supply plug that my other off-the-shelf pedals use, so I used what they sell here.

12) Placing things in the enclosure is not obvious because the Hammond 1590B is a tight fit for this project. I ended up planning and drilling two screws in a position which almost compromised the whole Hammond enclosure. I compensated by gluing some components.

13) Painting the Hammond enclosure was the hardest part of the whole project. My first try consisted of sanding the enclosure and painting it using spray paint, but this failed because spray paint does not adhere well to aluminium (it lasted 3 or 4 days until it started peeling off). So I had to use paint remover, sand the aluminium again, use aluminium-specific primer and then paint over. I do not feel confident about the adhesion of this new paint job. Probably the best solution would be to find something else instead of spray paint to paint the enclosures. I would classify the painting of a Hammond enclosure as an "Advanced" project.

14) I figured out with my first paint job that contact glue will literally dissolve spray paint. I called the paint factory and they told me that this is quite a universal fact. I was trying to glue some rubber feet on to the enclosure when this happened. I used super glue for this after the second paint job.

15) Writing on the enclosure is another problem. I could not find a white permanent marker to do this. I tried white paint but it dissolved the spray paint. Finally I used a regular black CD permanent pen but I goofed when I was writing, so I tried to remove the markings using alcohol, which is when I discovered that part of the permanent pen ink will diffuse into the paint. So I had to retouch the paint job to get rid of it.

Anyway, the final result is good. Thanks to Francisco Peña for making this available!


Name:bluesguy
Date:9/9/2007
Build Report:Hy!!!

I have made 2 gritons! They sounds great, but I´ve a little trouble when turn to max the tone control, since presents a undesirable scratch noises! I don´t use film resistor instead, I´ve used a common 1/8 resistor. Anyone experienced this problem?
However, the sounds is really awesome!!!

Name:GCollier
Date:6/19/2007
Build Report:I put this together over a weekend. It went together nice and easy, and worked from the first stomp. All in all not a bad pedal, good tone control, and reasonable drive. The sound is similar to a tube overdrive...but not quite as warm to my ears...I still prefer my modified McTube. I used and RC4558, metal film resistor and polyester caps.

Name:Musician
Date:6/12/2007
Build Report:Sounds good :) I made ts-808 with JRC4558. used film capacitors (polyester or something else - don't know exactly). my mistake was that I' thought that l will get a distortion pedal :) but instead i've got a good overdrive. still want to get more gain. May be I should put 1M instead of 500k?
!!!Thanks to Tonepad!really good layout.
P.S. sorry for bad english :)

Name:Okudak
Date:5/27/2007
Build Report:Fiz o pedal... e funcionou perfeitamente!!!
Eh um pedal incrivel!!!

Name:Stephane from France
Date:3/20/2007
Build Report:I build this one last year, and after many tries I choose to equip it with a JRC4558D. I was able to compare the sound with a true TS-808 and I feeled very pleased since mine seemed better to my ears (http://sceffects.free.fr/screamer.php ). This is a great web site. Thank you so much.

Name:Derek D
Date:3/19/2007
Build Report:Built one of these at a leisurely pace over 3 days. I built it to the 808 specs using the stock parts list, with no fancy resistors or caps. Even at that the sound is absolutely fantastic. I did use a IC socket to switch between the many usable chips, but have pretty much settled on the RC4558D. These are still in production (same assembly line, same plant, same specs) and thus are identical to those used in the 80s 808s. The new JRC4558s sound pretty good too, but are a little dull for me. The RC4558D has a little more sparkle, and more balanced tone. There are other chips that are worth a try though. Preference is key here.
I absolutely love this pedal. It cost about 30 bucks total to build, and sounds like a million. My brother has an Ibanez TS9 reissue, and this one shames it, good as the TS9s still are.

If you're thinking about a Tube Screamer consider this. Francisco's boards are really much higher quality than even the good Maxon boards in both the Ibanez and Maxon versions. And with all the info and parts available for doing a variety of mods it doesn't even make sense to go out and pay full price for a Tube Screamer, then pay again to have it modded. Get the genuine article, build it exactly to your preferences, and do it for a fraction of the price.

Everyone needs a Tube Screamer. BUILD THIS PEDAL!

Name:Simone
Date:1/20/2007
Build Report:It is really fantastic, great tone!!!
Built it!

Name:John Ellis
Date:1/11/2007
Build Report:This was my first attempt at a DIY stompbox. The information and layouts from TonePad and excellent. I did the TS-808 version with true bypass. Everything worked perfectly the first time. I was kind of worried about the quality of sound from a home built pedal but was blown away when I plugged it in. I have never owned an original TubeScreamer so I can't compare, but I don't need to. Thanks TonePad!!

Name:whit pitcher
Date:1/2/2007
Build Report:The Tonepad circuit board is top quality. Small Bear supplied quality parts and my build went smoothly resulting in a great, quiet, effect. I used the JRC chip and have a switch added for asymetrical clipping using silicon diodes. In one position the distortion seems a little smoother, but in the other I get a fuller, slightly bassier sound, but the distortion is slightly less sweet. It is subtle but enough to prompt a mod. I suspect I can mod the unit to get the bass response I want but keep the sweet distortion. This pedal as is sounds better than the store bought units I have tried. I am very pleased with it. A definite keeper!

Name:Alberto Aranda
Date:10/20/2006
Build Report:Una efecto estupendo, sonando a la primera, aún cuando lo hice en una placa de prueba.

Dos sustituciones: Los transistores que he usado son BC546, y los diodos, 1N4148. El sonido es contundente y redondo. Perfecto para mí.

Estoy pensando en poner un switch en el primer diodo para poder cambiar entre simétrico y asimétrico.

A falta de broca, lo soldé todo en supeficie. Se puede ver en http://ledlm.blogspot.com/2006/10/distortion-for-masses.html

En resumen, un gran trabajo, Francisco. Muchas gracias.

Un abrazo, Alberto Aranda.

Name:Igor M.
Date:8/21/2006
Build Report:This is a great pedal! It worked the first time. I made the 808 with symmetrical clipping and it sounds nice. I couldnt get ahold of the JRC4558 so i had to sub a TL072 (i had a bunch at hand). The TL0XX models use fets for the inputs allowing them to have a very high input impedence and makes them sound somewhat closer to the tube sound.. same goes for the JRC4558. I assume if you use almost any fet opamp, youll get good results. I still would like to get a jrc4558..

Name:Tom Peterson
Date:8/15/2006
Build Report:I've been very pleased with the board from tonepad. I'm building with a board from another supplier now, and finding it much more difficult to work with. I built the 808 version, and am very pleased with it. Other than the board, I purchased just about everything from Small Bear Electronics. I tried the 3rd diode, and found the results to harsh. After soldering in the diodes, I was concerned that I may have cooked one of them too much (this was my first pedal). I later removed those diodes and soldered in 6 of those snap off sockets that you can get at small bear. Now it's very easy to try jumper vs. diode and different types of diodes. Also, I know that the diodes aren't getting fried. If anyone knows how the pedal sounds with fried diodes, please let me know. Perhaps it's just my imagination, but it seems like the pedal has a bit more overdrive after replacing with the same diode type, but without soldering the diodes directly.

I used epoxy to fasten the 9v battery clip after roughing up the inside BB box surface, and so far that seems to be working well. After fussing with setoff screws, I fastened the board to the enclosure with carpet tape. If this is your first pedal, I recommend working out the physical fastening and placement of everything in the enclosure before it's all wired together. This was the most difficult part for me, and the only part where I know that I made mistakes.

Name:Simon Baker
Date:8/12/2006
Build Report:I built this over a couple of days this week.

It worked first time, and sounds incredible. I've never owned a TS808, but the tone of this thing is sublime.

I couldn't get my hands on small NP caps, so these are on the board with one terminal over the side, with a trailing lead. Still no problem.

I've put a JRC45558DD in there and have put Allen Bradley Carbon film resistors in for the 808 mod (these things are huge). All other resistors are metal film 1%. Originally I had metal film resistors in RA and RB, but I noticed a dramatic improvement with the old resistors.

I've got to say that this board is a work of genius, and the project went incredibly smoothly as a result. I've put in three diodes for assymetric clipping. I bought a 2pdt switch to switch from 2 to 3 diodes, but I couldn't work out how to wire it (I'm still a newbie) and I just wanted to get it running.

This was more or less my first build, but I'm over the moon.

Thanks FP.

Simon.

Name:krebsy
Date:6/4/2006
Build Report:I built this a few months back to the ts808 spec with assymetrical clipping. I used the jrc chip from smallbear. I modded this for lower overall drive, and more bass response based on the tech of the tubescreamer page. This is a great overdrive pedal! I mainly use it to sweeten up my sound and add just a touch of breakup. At high drive settings, it has a bit of a fuzz vibe, but that's not really the sound I'm after. I also have an 808 mod analogman screamer. My tone pad screamer has a fatter sound probably due to the increased bottom end. It also has a more pronounced mid hump than the a-man, but that's what a tubescreamer does!! The two stacked together have a nice sound, but it does rob some high end articulation and detail. It might play better with a silver mod a-man (which is on the way!!). Mine has some minor crackling noise with my amp at higher volumes, which I suspect may be noisy transistors, but I haven't attempted to fix it since it's not all that noticable. It's probably worth ordering extra transistors and using sockets to weed out any noisy parts. All in all a great project and fun to build!

Name:anonymous
Date:4/26/2006
Build Report:I first built the TS808 with the RC4558 chip that I ordered at Conrad Electronics. I was very unpleased with the result: it was very noisy and high gain sounded a bit harsh.
I asked my local electrics store to order the original JRC4558D, but they had over 50 in store!

Now all my troubles are gone (almost). No more noise, no more harshness, it doesn't oscillate anymore. Its just everything I wanted it to be!

Use the JRC4558D chip!

Name:Antoine
Date:3/14/2006
Build Report:This is my second TubeScreamer from tonepad and it's still so easy! Very nice result into my Fender Blues Junior :D

I've used TS9 version without any mod (I like it this way).
Pictures here http://antoine.fr.tt

It costs about 30€ to build and 5 times more to buy...
My second one is even less noisy...very impress.

Tonepad rules

Name:Jomar dela Cruz
Date:3/8/2006
Build Report:What a great sounding tube overdrive. Made a true bypass with a 3pdt stomp switch. not as biting as a distortion but will give expression to your guitar with tons of tonal expression. I made the TS-808 mod and replaced the 4.7K and .047cap going to IC1a's pin 2 with 2.2K and .1uf cap and placed a switch for Asy and symmetrical clipping. Wow what a Crunch Overdriven Tube sound. A must for any guitarist!!! Thanks A Lot!!!

Name:Justin
Date:1/23/2006
Build Report:This is my fourth effect, and only my second Tonepad build.
No parts substitutions, apart from an extra diode for asymetrical clipping. It sounded much fuller and smoother with asym-clipping, in my opinion. I found it too buzzy stock, but that could have been due to the diodes I was using.
Great job on the layout!! This is the first time an effect fired up right off the bat. Hopefully, this is a sign of things to come!

Name:Mark
Date:1/20/2006
Build Report:It's 1 am and I just finished my second tonepad project. I must say that I am very impressed by the tonal options available in this pedal. I built the ts 9 mod. I believe it to sound very similar indeed to a real ts 9 that I played. Maybe a bit too trebly on its own, but running it through an eq pedal fixed that up. I had some problems getting the thing going at first. I don't know why but I had to put an extra wire between the output jack shield and the input jack ring. Maybe someone can explain that to me. I didn't make any modifications, maybe I will later on.

Thanks Fransico.

Name:Yeti
Date:12/25/2005
Build Report:It's Christmas... And you know what Santa brought me? An amazing Fx for my guitar!!!

Though I am a whole electronics newby, did it in a day (starting from the copper board).

Whatever I would say, is said before by those who built it before.

Francisco: Sos un MAESTRO!!!

Sólo dos pequeñas cosas para revisar, ambas respecto a la resistencia de 2M2:

1- En el plano de montaje, está omitida.

2- Pero siguiendo el esquema del circuito, me di cuenta dónde la tenía que soldar. Y entonces me di cuenta que las perforaciones están muy juntas.

Dos tonterías, que en nada opacan lo espectacular que es tu circuito y la calidad de la información que publicaste.

Un saludo grande desde Argentina.

Name:Max Mejia
Date:12/2/2005
Build Report:Hi, I was just playing around with my Tube screamer clone and well I found something that might interest you guys. I know many tone purist will not like this but to my opinion is a grat mod. Change the stock rc4558 chip with a burr brown op1234 chip.This will make the range of the guitar wider. and the distortion will be more subtle but its still there. This will make the pedal almost noiseless. But the chip does cost like $2.60 so check it out.

Name:mr_fender
Date:10/21/2005
Build Report:Great sounding pedal! I built the TS-808 on this layout. Metal film resitors throughout, true bypass, and JRC4558D chip from smallbear. This thing sounds awesome. It's very dynamic and I love the way it responds to pickup changes and working the knobs on my strat. It's pretty darn quiet for a OD pedal too. Metal film resistors help there. I used a 25k lin pot for tone. Smallbear has a specially tapered 20k pot for this now, but I haven't tried it yet. In my rig: low drive+high volume = SRV & Hendrix tones and high drive+lower volume = old school Van Halen territory. Great pedal, but sounds its best in front of a good tube amp, turned up LOUD. YEAH! Highly recommended project. TONEPAD RULES!!!

Name:Gang
Date:9/23/2005
Build Report:I've built the TS808 and the TS9 with 1M drive pot. They sound a (very very) little bit different but i'm wondering if the AOPs are responsible for this. I tested the 808 with 2 differents AOPs (LM833 and TL072 i think) and the LM833 is a bit more irregular in the clipping, probably more tubish hence.
Used on the clean channel of a Mesa Boogie preamp, it gives a nice overdriven sound, better in my opinion than the preamp's overdrive. At max drive setting (1Mohm), the sound is close to what you'd get with a real distortion pedal. Here again, the sound is definite, not muddy. The tone pot set to maximum makes the sound more cutting-through and "popping".
Used on the driven channel, this pedal gives a serious boost not mainly through the drive setting but more through the level setting. This pot is the one that will really make a difference to your sound. The drive setting will change the "gritness" instead.
The only thing i'd reproach this schematic with is the space between the legs of some MKT capacitors (the 100nF and close) because it doesn't fit the standard size and makes some solderings difficult.
Never heard a genuine TS9 or 808 but i don't care, this pedal is good as it is !

Name:Felipe Sanchez
Date:9/18/2005
Build Report:Fabriqué el Griton TS-9 y me quedo genial con un sonido muy rocanrolero. El problema que tuve fue que este efecto está diseñado para guitarras con capsulas simples (la estratocaster por ej.) y como yo tengo una con hambuckers el sonido final es muy cargado de medios y no agrada mucho. Asi que desidi encontrar la forma de hacerle algunas modificaciones para que el sonido tenga una respuesta mas plana con mas agudos y bajos. Y Lo logre! mis cambios fueron: cambie el condensador de .047 por uno de 1uF NP, con esto logro mas bajos y peso. La resistencia de 51k la cambié por una de 10k asi obtengo menos distorción al disminuir al maximo el nivel de drive. El condensador .22uF que esta a la salida del IC1a lo elimine sin dejar puente, con esto aumento los agudos. Me gusto mucho el sonido que obtuve, si tienes alguna consulta escribeme please.
Gracias amigo Francisco Peña, es mortal hacer sonar este pedal!!

Name:Allan Belt
Date:8/18/2005
Build Report:Hi i just made the ts 808 mod. and it was wow..S.R.V. in a box.The only trouble was to find log pots here in peru are very difficult to find, but for the rest are tones of it.
The tone control change too drastically at the end but with some of your advices i made it work well. I changed all low caps to mylar except for the .22 tant and sounded too smooth for my taste i´ll change them for ceramics and see what happens.Thank you so much..Allan Belt.

Name:Vladimir
Date:7/20/2005
Build Report:I've built a few of them. Best IC/trasistor based distortion I've built, Marshall Blues Braker comes close. I have changed some parts to get Fulltone - Fulldrive II sound. The 0,047uF has to be 0,1uF, the tone condenser 0,33uF instead of the 0,22uF, one diode is 1N4148 and the other 1N4007. I have wired a 22K log pot for the tone controll but soldered the pot pins 321 instead of 123. The tone is much smoother but works to the left. Thanks Franko!

Name:José Barci
Date:7/5/2005
Build Report:This is the best overdrive i ever heard. I can't believe ! I do it with my hands !
I do a tutorial (only in portuguese - sory) showing how to do this pedal, WITH SOUND.
http://www.itsconsult.com.br/handmade/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=21&Itemid=41

Thanks a lot for this project.

Name:Joe Sullivan
Date:7/2/2005
Build Report:I used electrolytics in place of the NPs, its easy to orient them, just face + towards input and - towards output. I also used an LM358 dual opamp, the same pinout, but it works. I'll replace it with a 4558 once I find one.

I omitted the 51pf capacitor, I didnt like it and the tone control will serve its purpose.

I have a switch to select between two different sets of terminals for the diodes. The first set of terminals is two silicon diodes, I dont know what they are because I pulled them out of an old radio, but they sounded alot better than the ones I bought, even in symmetrical.

The second diode terminal is three Ge diodes in asymm. Much quieter, you have to turn the level way up to use them, but they are an accetable substitute for a bluesy tone.

Perhaps it is the parts I used, but my pedal sounds best when I use the two silicon diodes at full drive, full treble tone, low volume with a homemade LM386 booster after it. I couldn't get the sound I wanted without a booster, but even my absolutely crappy booster makes it what I want.


Name:danny
Date:3/29/2005
Build Report:built it , sounds great
dident tweak it its perfect
try it!

Name:max mejia
Date:3/11/2005
Build Report:This is the best over drive sounding pedal. I made this one with the tonepad pc board. I bought the parts from smallbear.com. The hard part for me about building this one was the tantalum .2uf. They are hard to find in my town. So I used Polyester caps. Some people could tell the difference but for me Polyester was good enough. I like this pedal because It has hardly any noise. The Ic I used Was the rc4558d I used metalfilm caps on most the caps even the np 1uf. Think less noise. The tube like overdrive makes my Roland jazz chorus amp sound so good it is hard to believe it is solidstate. Thanks To tonepad for this board.

Name:Urban Osterman
Date:2/27/2005
Build Report:I've just built the TubeScreamer using TonePads PCB...

It just sounds great. I'm a bit suprised because its the most
dynamic Dist box I've played with.

It sounds great on the neck-pickup on my strat. Very dynamic.

I used plastic capacitors all over but for the 10 and 47 uF caps
The 1uF and even the .22 tantal I used polyester caps (from Smal Bear).

I use a jcr4558 IC and 2N3904 for the transisitors
and for the Diods I used 1N4001 which I find sounding quite good.
Otherwise I used 1% metallfilm resistors.
I couldn't find a 51pF cap so I used a 56pF polyester cap.

Modifications:
Instead of the 0,047uF from pin 2 of IC1A I inserted a 6Pole switch
and inserting selectable 0,047uF(720Hz), 0,1uF (339Hz),
0,22uF(154Hz), 0.47uF(72Hz), 1,0uF(34Hz) and bypass
Giving me selectable basscut freq.
Many people complains about the Honkyness in the TS. This mod gives you all.

I also changed the 4.7Kohm to go to Vb(+4,5V) instead of to ground
(When Setting the bypass option it must be biased to Vb).
For now I dont think I need more Distortion from this pedal, but later I may add a swichable resistor here (maybe a 4,7K and a 2,2K..???)

The TubeScreamer sounds very good when playing the neckpickup on my strat where
I can choose 720 or 339 Hz basscut.
When I use the bridgepickup I may use the 154Hz cutoff.
quite usefull.

I also inserted D3 giving me asymetric clipping, but using a switch to bypass D3
giving symetric clip (not so big difference but anyway..)

I also set the resistors Ra (100 ohms) and Rb(10K) for a TS808 version,
and I understand that its this Rb (10K or 100K) that affects the following step the most
(the tube amps first valve).
So I'm going to test this box with as many amps as I can.

I haven't played with Ca yet, but later maybe I will.
I tend to set the Tone rather high for my taste
So I for now I dont need more high-cut.

I like this pedal a lot,
so instead of bying a second hand one for 2-300 dollars,
get a PCB from francisco and build one.

Name:ulas kavustu
Date:12/3/2004
Build Report:i built it,good, its better sounds than its aspect schematic, i recorded a demo with;
jackson ps4 ---> hi-fi ---> microphone ---> PC -->cakewalk
here is the URL;
http://xrclan.com/LiveRatings/evrim/Galthor_custom_Tube_Screamer_TS9_demo.mp3




Name:Bob Edge
Date:10/28/2004
Build Report:Hi,
I was half way thro designing the pcb myself when i came across tonepad. Great pcb. Thanx. 47pF polystyrene, TL072, 2sc1815's switch to short the assym diode, ts808 resistors. FANTASTIC!!! The one really bad thing with this project is all my mates now want one so i have to make loads more of them. Sans Amp GT2 next, and the mxr compressor. Will make a small clone if i can ever find the chips....

Name:Alexandre from Brasil
Date:9/19/2004
Build Report:Well.. this was hard in the begining becouse a couldn´t make it work the way i was trying to build this pedal. was my 1st time on making guitar effect. I went to the eletronic shop, many shops. most of the guys wasn´t too gentle (becouse was VERY clear that i was a beginner!). Anyway, here is my tubescreamer and its mods:

- op AMP: RC 4559P (i tried the 4558 first. i think this one give more brillant and definition).
- MODS: i changed the 0,047 cap and the 4,7 resistor on OPAMP. Puted a 1k resistor and putted a switch that changes between 0,1uF(polyester) and 1,0uF(Eletrolytic). When it´s on 0,1uf it have more gain and bass than normal, but still very "ellegant" tone. When a switch nto 1,0uF it become a huge fat distortion but it cover the high frequencies a little bit. A guess it´s a nice mod for me, for when a want to play "almost" tube sound (as post-rock bands, dirty three, do make say think, ect..) and more and more distorted sound!
Gracias a Francisco Peña and its DIY ethic!!! Valeu!!!

Name:zolee
Date:9/14/2004
Build Report:I just finished my ts project. This pedal is better than my modded ts10. I used nos jrc chips for both. I think this will be my main pedal besides my lpb booster and wah pedal. It is well worth the time and money I spent with it.

Name:Tom Marschal from Berlin
Date:9/12/2004
Build Report:First, I gotta say thank You to Francisco for this site which is to good to be true. You’re my hero.
Back to the topic. Generally, I’m more into the weird effects and distortions that are not so familiar with the outside world, but after reading all these euphoric posts here, I had to built a TS. I built the 808 version, using a 4558, but kept all the optional parts socketed, so I can try out different resistors, ICs etc. later if I would want to. Well, I won’t, but I’ll refer to that later. I stupidly ordered only one NP-cap, so I had to go out and buy another one at the local electronic shop, and that cap was even larger. I kept the leads long enough when soldering them to the board, so that wasn’t a problem. Since I couldn’t find a 500K pot, I used a 470K one as the drive pot, also a 22K instead of the 20K pot. I put it all together and it worked right away. Sounded nice, but a bit to harsh and not enough overdrive. Suddenly, my eyes caught a little 30K resistor lying around on my desktop. So I connected it to the 470K pot (at the shorted side), and… well, now this baby sings like there’s no tomorrow. Very inspirational. This distortion is just… I think beautiful is the word. Me too am gonna add a switch for the diode, in order to have the symmetrical/asymmetrical option at hand, I think.
I guess this won’t be the last TS I’ll build. Thanks again.

Name:Davide
Date:7/20/2004
Build Report:I build the first revision of this pedal, but I cut the trace between 4,7k resistor and ground and I link 4,7k resistor with bias tension.
I change 0,22 uF tantalium cap on tone control with a film one; I replace 4,7 k resistor and 0,047 uF cap in feedback ring of distortion stage with a 1k resistor and 0,47uF cap, too: this give me more distortion and more bass, and a very suitable tone control.
Also I change 51 pF cap with a 56pF one.

I hope this description is usefull for you.

Greeting from Italy,
Davide Rocker

Name:Antonello
Date:6/18/2004
Build Report:WoW !!
Thank you TonePad and Keen "Theory about technology of TS", I have made "my" TS-808 mod with the instruction about it and ... WoW what "screamer distortion" ! ;O))

Thank you
Antonello

Name:Paolo from ITALY
Date:5/16/2004
Build Report:What I have to say, fantastic sound!! but It seem a bit different from the original. Both with mod 808 and jrc4558. but the one I built, seems to have bigger low tones. I think it is due to the capacitors that have different values (50,60uf of difference from the caps in the layout downloaded). Anyway I like this fx and it is nice to play alone too, with no others fx .

Name:Morten Møller
Date:3/31/2004
Build Report:Mmm. The sweetest distortion ever!
I've put a switch in the HP filter to toggle between 47nF and 1uF - great difference.
I use two 2N4148 (think asym. clip sounds too much like the Fuzz Face), a NE5532 and 56 pF in the clipping amp. My only problem is a little noise, especially when the tone-pot is at max, but not remarkable. Have tried the 4558 IC but it dosn't lower the noisefloor.
It's all packed in a true bypass circuit and it works perfectly...

Name:Karel Mensik
Date:2/7/2004
Build Report:The best layout ever seen.
I built one Tubescreamer recently, but one thing that bothered me was the tone control, which had almost no effect untill fully clockwise. You must use an INVERSE LOGARITMIC POT for the tone control. Or an ordilary LOG pot and wire it counterclockwise.
For me the best sound is with Si/(Si+Ge) diodes.

Name:Andrew Macdonald
Date:12/16/2003
Build Report:Dear Francisco.
First thanks to tonepad for the best site ever.
I changed a few things to "improve" the beast. I added a rotary switch on the diode clipping circuit, position 1: 4 diodes, antiparallel 2 in series for symetrical clipping, position 2: 3 diodes 2 in series with 1 in antiparallel for asymetrical clipping, position 3: 2 green leds in antiparallel. They all sound slightly different. I also changed the drive pot to 1M for even more gain....
Sounds fantastic.
I am from Australia.

Name:Mark Hammer
Date:11/21/2003
Build Report:Finding the right 1uf caps to fit on the board is tricky, but worked great. One mod I can suggest is to replace the diode that you can switch in to mimic an SD-1 with a 50k to 100k pot wired as a variable resistor. This introduces varying amounts of clipping on one half-wave. Provides a bit more volume and a little more dynamics. And all you have to do to restore the stock TS9/808 sound is turn it down.

Be sure that the pinouts of the transistors you use match the pinouts of the ones in the schematic since there isn't a lot of room to manoeuvre in there.

Name:Edgar
Date:11/16/2003
Build Report:Super Teil!

OPAMP: NJM4558D
Transitoren: BC639 (ECB statt EBC)
Dioden:1N914
Potis: 470k, 100k, 20K

Genau so gut wie mein MAXON OD-9, nur leiser! Vor allem beide in Reihe geschaltet kommt mein Fender Twin Reverb voll auf Touren.

Name:possessed
Date:10/24/2003
Build Report: i have built the ts (808)
and i didn't have any real problems.. except for connecting ground to the output jack....... i used the 56 p instead of the 51 p and i have used an 1M pot instead of the 500 K but it REALLY doesnt work... so now i have a 470 K and it works great , though i still have a little noise but with some pot.. settings its as quiet as can be... i connected a on/off switch to it with an green indicator LED closed it up and this time it worked perfect....
i have read something about jazz playing people using this one and because i play metal didnt have high hopes for this pedal... but when i finally worked right it sounded great... after making this one i'm thinking of making another one later on...

Name:Keko
Date:10/19/2003
Build Report:Why write a review of a proyect that everyone else has reviewd already?

Because it's such a simple proyect EVERYONE should build it, and enjoy the great quality, and ease of buil found inas every tonepad layout.

I even used several different caps and resistor (didn't have the right ones that saturday afternoon) and it still sounds great!

Name:Andy T
Date:10/15/2003
Build Report:My first pedal. Works great and sounds awsome!! I couldn't get a jrc4558 so i used a ne5532 instead, no problems.Might still try and source 4558.
The only problem i had was that i made pcb the old fashioned way(etch resist pen) and missed a link.
So check,check and check again.

Name:hardi ami
Date:8/1/2003
Build Report:Great distortion pedal ! It sounds better than the distortion of my Marshall Valvestate 30w (I admit it's a low end Marshall). I bought the lowest prices components and it works like a charm, no noise at all, even though I built it on a test pad and didn't isolate it at all. Maybe sometimes when I touch the pad I happen to receive FM radio with it ... The resonance peak must be in that range, so I'll consider putting the whole thing in a metallic box and ground it !

I took about 2 days to build it because I was silly not carefully looking at the transistors' datasheet... Anyway, this is the best clipping distortion you can ever have !!!! and all this for 15 euros, what can I say ?

Now I'm going to try a FET distortion pedal, to have another taste.

Name:Neil Oler
Date:6/7/2003
Build Report:Sweet pedal, worth the time, and it worked the first time firing every thing up (which was even cooler for me, because I used the TS for a pre-amp section for a practice amp I was building).

I built the TS-808, though I can't honestly say I know the difference between that an the TS-9. It sounds great, a sweet overdrive pedal. Don't expect to get any shred metal sounds out of this one, but DO expect a sweet crunch, and this would be sweet to drive a nice Twin Reverb or an AC30 (I play in a band, and the other guitarist over drives his Twin Reverb with an ORIGINAL TS-808, I'm going to sound check it against this one).

To make a long, boring read short: make this pedal, it's versitile enough that it'll last you many a gig, song, practice, etc.

Name:80k
Date:5/21/2003
Build Report:Very good layout. This board was easy to assemble. Built to print, it will sound fantastic, just like your standard TS-808.

I ended up changing a bunch of parts during the process... ended up using poly-film caps instead of ceramics and tantalums for the lower values.

Also changed out the 4.7K resister for a lower value, and raised the .047 uF cap. This gave me a more full range and higher gain sound.

My effect came out superb, perhaps my favorite overdrive in my rig now. Highly recommended!

Name:David P.
Date:4/7/2003
Build Report:Sorry for my bad English!!!
Sounds great!!!
I never heard the original Tube screamer but this clone make a perfect work.
I put 56pF intead 51pF and asymetrical diodes but I think a good idea put a selector for Asy/Symetricla cliping diodes.

Name:Chris
Date:3/15/2003
Build Report:This was a pretty easy project. It was my second thing ever to make and sounds GREAT. It was the first time I used PCB and that worked out fine there were a few unnecessary connections on the board but it still would work the way you had it on the site. Now I can put my squier on the neck pickup and play some old hendrix blues and have it sound like a nice fender tube amp. I just need to put it in a box, but thanks a lot for the schematic and everything.

Name:Paul Hotchkiss
Date:3/3/2003
Build Report:Great Pedal, and a lot of fun. I wanted the 808 sound but didn't want to pay hundreds for it. I think I spent between $50-$60 including paint, and a nicely done PCB from tonepad!

I'm very happy with the sound, the best ditortion, in my opinion. Also, the boost of cranking the volume is huge. I'm going to try the pulsar next.

Name:Antoine
Date:2/28/2003
Build Report:First I've tried to build it on a perfboard....many hours for nothing caus I've never get it to work.

I've finally been to my electronic shop where they build the circuit.
Now it works very fine....I like the tone....need to test some mods.

I probably will fix value to use always the same sound.

Name:Ricky
Date:2/9/2003
Build Report:Here is my ts clone
i use tl072 and germaniumtransistors
AC127
Pictures here
http://medlem.spray.se/guitarmaniac/fourphotogalery11.html

and with a mxr distorsion+

and zoom pd-01

http://medlem.spray.se/guitarmaniac/hpbimg/Dcp01724.jpg

Name:Peter
Date:12/17/2002
Build Report:I've just finished the Screamer and took it to a few gigs. Works well but I needed just a little more distortion.

I modded it afterwords.

First I put in a 1M pot for the drive. Did'nt work - the whole thing started to occillate and the noise was way too much.

Instead I tried putting in another cap and resistor. I'm talking about the one that goes from pin 2 of the IC to ground.

That works just great! I put in 100n and 2,2K instead of the default 4,7k and 47n. That gives the same freq. response, but just a little more drive. If you need more bass try a 220n instead. A toggle switch makes it possible to go from blues to rock instantly.

I think that putting in another IC does not make that much of a difference.

I'm using a NE5532 at the moment iven if I have a 4558. NE5532 sounds great and it's low noise. Forget about the JRC4558. It's nonsence to give lots of $ for this silly chip...

Also try the 2N5089 transistor. Very smooth and low noise.

I recommend the Millineum bypass. Otherwise this thing is a tonesucker....

I tried to substitute the 51p with a film cap. That doesn't work at all.

The sound gets too smooth and dull. The ceramic cap gives some nice harshness after all..;-)

Name:JoonSung Kim (김준성
Date:11/5/2002
Build Report:I maked this unit in last summer.. This is my main effector.. I'm from Korea..

여기에 올라온 회로 총 10가지를 만들었는데요.. 쓸만합니다.. 튜브스크리머는 소리 좋습니다..

Name:Raymond Donaldson
Date:11/3/2002
Build Report:Made my own pcb using iron on acetate method, didn't have a 51pF so used 47pF.Made the TS-808 version. Didn't have the JRC588D but used a TI RC588D. To my astonishment it all worked 1st time. And to delight it sounded absolutely wonderfull. Plugged into my POD it means you can go from crunch to lead easily. Excellent sound, way beyond my expectations. I put the board in a Hammond 1590BB??. Also made up a Millenium2 true bypass circuit (very easy circuit) with a "BLUE" indicator led. Painted the box with garden green enamel.
Wonderfull project.

Name:Derek
Date:10/23/2002
Build Report:This was an easy build and fired up right away. I wired the pots backwards at first, but that was an easy fix. I was able to get the JRC4558 and this thing is smooth. (I don't have any other 4558's to compare, though). I built this one over the summer, but haven't boxed it up yet. I need to change the box color from white to green, but I keep putting it off.

I'd definitely recommend this build, if you like the TS sound, as it is well worth the money. Especially if you have priced an original or one of the reissues. It is true bypass to boot!

Name:Chris Wright
Date:9/6/2002
Build Report:I found 4 original JRC4558D's in some VCR chassis's I had on hand, so I just had to build myself one of these. Hat's of to Francisco, the PCB worked fine. One area for improvement, however, is the one lead on the 500K DRIVE pot should be shorted to the wiper. On the board it goes to an isolated solder pad, which means its not necessary to connect that wire to the pot at all. The PCB could be modified to connect this pad to the wiper pad, but it probably more efficient to make this connection out at the 500K pot.

Name:Joep Remkes
Date:6/27/2002
Build Report:Build this one on a self made PCB (with a Dalo 33 ethch resistant pen). Put on th ecomponents, put it in a box and it worked right away. The sound is very good, I really like it. I can recomment this project to everyone.

Joep

Name:Davide Romboli
Date:5/18/2002
Build Report:second fx pedal I ever build.
I build it on perfoboard(I think is the name for it)
and put in a hammond 1590B.
The pics are here
http://digilander.iol.it/6hiwatt/
I modded it with
1- asym diode
2- 808 res
3- 56pF instead 51pF
It sound very good to me but
different versus an original ts9 that I have had.
the main differences,I think,are due mainly to asymmetrical diode clipping and 808 res mod.
This one sound more smooth vs original ones.
Thank to Francisco for the pcb layout.

Name:johnny rockin
Date:5/17/2002
Build Report:voila... what can i say... this is a great layout... it speaks for itself...

Name:George Blekas
Date:5/6/2002
Build Report:This was an Easy project to do and I think having done this for under $50 is alot more satisfying than paying someone else $200 or more for a true bypass OD pedal. I put a 1 meg pot on the drive to increase the distortion available . I find that to be a complaint many have with the tube screamer..Well if you want you can pay over $300 to some guy named pedalmaniac , who is there to take your money , or do it yourself !!! Let's face it , even if you buy every piece of equiptment that Eric Johnson , Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton , Steve Vai uses you will not become a better player without natural talent and many many hours of practice !!! So Make yourself a great true bypass od pedal and play, play play !!! Good luck

Name:Francisco Peña
Date:4/13/2002
Build Report:I have built a few tube screamers, this is one of my favorite projects.

An excellent effect!

Fp

Name:Rafael dos Santos
Date:3/7/2002
Build Report:This was the first pedal I build. All parts were easy to find in Brazil, including the original chip. I built a TS-808, and after a A/B comparison with my friend's brand new TS-9, mine took the trophy. And costed less than half. And, most importantly, I DID IT MYSELF! :)

Name:Matt Burnside
Date:3/5/2002
Build Report:Great great great. I built this to TS-808 specs and it sounds every bit as good as my vintage unit, with the benefit of true bypass.

I added an extra toggle switch to switch between the third diode or a jumper. Subtle, but nice change.

The only build issue may be the 1 uf NP capacitors; get ones that are as small as possible, or with longer leads, because it's a bit of a tight fit.