Blues Driver
MODS
caps can get you many more frequency
options just by subbing in various values. Increasing the resistance lowers the
frequency and decreasing it raises the
frequency to a point. You might even try
subbing a 5k trim pot here just for fun!
From here it goes into the switching circuit and then to an output buffer. Even
when it’s in bypass the pedal is going
through three discrete buffers.
All of these parts can be found at my
favorite parts supplier, Small Bear:
smallbearelec.com.
All in all, this is a great palette to work
from for great tones. Let me know what
you think—you can find my contact
information at:
wamplerpedals.com
A lot of folks just want to know, “What
do I change to make it sound better?” In
that case, I’d recommend several different options. The Blues Driver mod that
I probably do most often is the Brent
Mason modification. This mod is very
easy, and only requires changing a few
parts. It was a modification that I did in
response to Brent Mason’s request for
better tone from his blues driver. It will
give you a meatier, more “round” sound
and excels at low to mid gain:
Another popular mod is the “Tweed”
mod—designed to give you a bit more
of the “woolly” tones from an old
Fender amp.
Brian Wampler is an author, effects
designer/builder, and operates
IndyGuitarist Custom Effects: indygui-
tarist.com and
wamplerpedals.com.
His books include How to Build Effect
Pedals, How to Modify Effect Pedals,
and Advanced DIY Effect Pedals, and
are available at
indyguitarist.com.
