Lithium Grim ColoredThro Mode d’emploi

ColoredThro

Building instructions

v1.0

ColoredThro v1.0

Manufacturers and product names are mentioned solely for circuit identification, and where applicable their trademarks are the

property of their respective owners who are in no way associated or affiliated with the author. No cooperation or endorsement

is implied.

Table of contents

PCB layout ............................................................................................................................................... 3

Components ............................................................................................................................................ 4

Power section.......................................................................................................................................... 5

Modifications........................................................................................................................................... 6

Gain mod ............................................................................................................................................. 6

Transistors ........................................................................................................................................... 6

Mix and match..................................................................................................................................... 6

Feedback capacitor.............................................................................................................................. 6

Additional clipping options.................................................................................................................. 6

Build sequence ........................................................................................................................................ 7

Off board wiring ...................................................................................................................................... 8

Potentiometers.................................................................................................................................... 8

Miniswitches........................................................................................................................................ 8

Footswitches and stargrounding......................................................................................................... 9

Alternate Pre-gain switching ............................................................................................................. 10

Biasing ................................................................................................................................................... 11

Troubleshooting .................................................................................................................................... 12

Schematic .............................................................................................................................................. 13

Read this entire manual thoroughly before you start building the effect! There are some available

options and mods and you should choose which one you want to incorporate before starting your

build.

Last update: 03-10-2017

ColoredThro v1.0

Manufacturers and product names are mentioned solely for circuit identification, and where applicable their trademarks are the

property of their respective owners who are in no way associated or affiliated with the author. No cooperation or endorsement

is implied.

PCB layout

Dimensions: 50 mm x 50 mm

1.97 inch x 1.97 inch

ColoredThro v1.0

Manufacturers and product names are mentioned solely for circuit identification, and where applicable their trademarks are the

property of their respective owners who are in no way associated or affiliated with the author. No cooperation or endorsement

is implied.

Components

This PCB gives you the option to build a clone of either a Colorsound Powerboost,

Colorsound Overdrive or Throbak Overdrive Boost. Parts differ per type as described in the

table below. Decide which one you want to build and choose the appropriate parts. You

should also take a good look at the mods section for other options and required parts.

Colorsound

Throbak

Colorsound

Throbak

Part

Power boost

Overdriver

Overdrive Boost

Part

Power boost

Overdriver

Overdrive Boost

220n

IC1

ICL7990S

22u

10u

22u

BC169C

BC109

2N2222A

22u

BC184C

BC109

2N2222A

22u

2N404

220p

200p

BC109

2N2222A

10u

4u7

2M2

10n

150k

100n

1k2

470R

100n

120k

C10

10n

jumper

12k

C11

22u

10u

22u

4k7

C12

220n

5k6

C13

10u

22u

39k

3k9

C14

100u

4k7

C15

100n

R10

180k

150k

C16

10u

R11

33k

C17

10u

R12

1k2

470R

100p

R13

12k

1N34A/1N270

R14

470R

jumper

1N5817

SW1

jumper 2-3

2PDT/3PDT

1N5817

SW2

SP3T ON/OFF/ON

1N4001

SW3

SPDT

LED Red 5mm

VR1**

B10k

LED Red 5mm

VR2**

B10k

P1*

B500k

VR3**

B10k

C10k

B100k

Jumper 2-3

A100k

Capacitors with values < 1nF are MLCC, values of 1nF –1uF are SMF (except C15, which can be MKT)

and all values > 1uF are Electrolyte. P1-P5 are 16mm Alpha pots (A=log, B=linear, C=rev. log) , VR1-

VR3 are 6 mm trimpots. All parts must be rated 25V+

* The Throbak uses an internal pot. Use a Alpha 16mm (external) or a Bourns 3296W style (internal) trimpot

** See the Biasing section for options before choosing to solder the trimpots!

ColoredThro v1.0

Manufacturers and product names are mentioned solely for circuit identification, and where applicable their trademarks are the

property of their respective owners who are in no way associated or affiliated with the author. No cooperation or endorsement

is implied.

Power section

The effect has been designed to be able to operate on 9V or 18V using an internal charge pump. SW3

enables you to switch dynamically between the 9V and 18V setting. If you do not want to use the

switch then do not forget to solder a jumper between the middle pad and the desired voltage pad.

NEVER let the outer 2 lugs of SW3 tough each other and also never connect all 3 pins of SW3

together. If the IC gets hot then there is a short in the power section and you must disconnect the

effect immediately from the adapter and find the fault.

You can choose between 3 options for the power section:

1. No charge pump:

Do NOT install: C16, C17, D2, D3, IC1, J1 and SW3

Extra jumpers: SW3 on 9V pad and middle pad

The effect can now be used with a standard 9V adapter or an 18V adapter

2. Charge pump using a ICL7660S:

Place all components as stated on the PCB and

connect a jumper wire between leg 1 and 8

(marked J1)of IC1. Do not forget to place the jumper

before placing the DIP-8 socket for IC1.

NB. Only use the 7660S and not any other

version without the S.

The effect can now only be used with a 9V adapter but you can switch it internally to 9V or

18V using SW3.

3. Charge pump using a LT1054:

You can place all components as stated on the PCB just do NOT connect J1 (pin 1 and 8 of

IC1)!!

The effect can now only be used with a 9V adapter but you can switch it internally to 9V or

18V using SW3.

Which IC should I choose? ICL7660S or LT1054? In this application it does not really matter. The

LT1054 can give more current @18V (100mA) than the ICL7660S (45mA @18V) but the ColoredThro

does not draw that much current in any configuration. On the other hand the ICL7660S is much

cheaper than the LT1054, so that could be a good reason to use it. But then again, maybe you have a

stash of LT1054 you want to use.

ColoredThro v1.0

Manufacturers and product names are mentioned solely for circuit identification, and where applicable their trademarks are the

property of their respective owners who are in no way associated or affiliated with the author. No cooperation or endorsement

is implied.

Modifications

Gain mod

The standard 10K gain pot (P2) has all the action crammed up at the end of the sweep. To make it

more versatile you could use a C5k of C1k pot instead.

Transistors

Q1,Q2 and Q4 can be any silicon transistor you can think of. 2N2222A, 2N508, 2N3904 etc, etc. Note

that I modified the PCB so it can both fit standard modern transistors (CBE) and eg. vintage BC169C

(CEB). Double check the datasheet of your transistor to be sure that you connect the right pin to the

right pad! Here is an example of connecting a 2n5088 to Q1

And also a BC169C to Q1

NB The pin layout for Q2 is different so watch carefully when inserting the transistor in the correct

pads.

Q3 (only used in the Throbak) can be any germanium PNP transistor you like 2N404, AC128, AC132,

etc. or you could even replace it with a germanium diode by connecting the cathode to Q3 B and the

anode to Q3 C

Mix and match

You could mix a few options of different versions to get a custom effect. I think it would be a good

idea to add R1 (pull down resistor) and P5 (volume) to the Colorsounds. This way you can reduce the

pop when switching on the effect and add a volume control. You could also consider adding the

clipping options to the Colorsound (D1,Q3 and D5, D6 using SW2).

Feedback capacitor

Cx is an optional filter to reduce the harshness and some high frequency hiss from the effect

perceived by some. You can experiment with values between 100pF and 470Pf.

Additional clipping options

Originally the Throbak does not come with the LED setting, only the germanium. If you do not want

this, you can leave out D5 and D6 and use a SPST instead of the SP3T in SW2. Otherwise you can

always experiment with different types of LED’s or use 1N4148, 1N914, etc.

ColoredThro v1.0

Manufacturers and product names are mentioned solely for circuit identification, and where applicable their trademarks are the

property of their respective owners who are in no way associated or affiliated with the author. No cooperation or endorsement

is implied.

Build sequence

Soldering this board can be very complicated for some people since the solder pads are very close

together. Use a magnifying glass to make the job easier. The trick to soldering a PCB is to work from

small to big components. My building sequence suggestions in this section are based on the parts I

used myself. Sometimes some components are smaller (or bigger) so always use your own common

sense and change the order accordingly. Usually capacitors can differ a lot in size depending on their

rating and value.

Note: Do not blow on your solder in an attempt to cool it down. That can result in a bad join that

might corrode!

Start by soldering the resistors except for R4, R6 and R14 (unless it is jumped). Next come the diodes

D2, D3 and D4 and then the MLCC capacitors. If needed you can create a jumper using a spare piece

of lead from a resistor or diode.

If you want to experiment with other transistors then you could socket them instead of soldering

them to the board. You’ll need a some 20 SIL sockets, break off the sockets and solder them to the

board. Now is the time to solder these sockets on the PCB as well as the socket for the IC. Place the

transistors and IC once you are finished with all soldering and off board wiring!

Now continue by soldering small SMF and MKT capacitors then solder the diodes D5 and D6 and the

VR trimpots.. The rest of the resistors R4, R6 and R14 come next and should be mounted upright.

Ditto for D1. Next you can solder D5 and D6 and then finish with soldering the electrolytes.

I suggest you now drill the holes in your enclosure so you can use it during the off board wiring.

Note: Really take some time to determine where to place the pots, switches, jacks and PCB in the

enclosure before you start drilling. Measure twice, drill once.

You are almost ready to rock, well… not really. The difficult part starts now.

Besides the components mentioned in the Bill Of Materials table, you will need:

2 input jacks. 2 mono jacks if you are not going to use a battery but only the 9V adapter. 1

mono (for output) and 1 stereo jack (for input) if you will be using both a 9V battery and the

9V adapter.

2 x 3PDT footswitch (9 pins)

2,1mm DC jack (isolated).

9v battery clip (optional).

22 gage stranded hook-up wire.

LED holders. This enables you to mount the LEDs in the enclosure.

2 x LED (3mm or 5mm depending on your taste)

Hammond 1590BB case (or similar) in your favorite color.

ColoredThro v1.0

Manufacturers and product names are mentioned solely for circuit identification, and where applicable their trademarks are the

property of their respective owners who are in no way associated or affiliated with the author. No cooperation or endorsement

is implied.

Off board wiring

Potentiometers

In the pictures below you see the correct pin numbering of the pots (Alpha 16mm style).

Solder the wires accordingly and it is always a good idea to twist the wires together to create a sort

of extra shielding against external noise.

You can break off the pin I marked with the yellow circle with a small pair of pliers.

Miniswitches

* The Throbak uses an internal trimpot for the pre-gain. If you do not want an extra external pot you

can substitute the P1 Alpha pot for a internal trimpot (Bourns 3296W style)

1 2 3

P1 Pre-gain*

P2 Gain

P3 Treble

1 2 3

P4 Bass

P5 Volume

ColoredThro v1.0

Manufacturers and product names are mentioned solely for circuit identification, and where applicable their trademarks are the

property of their respective owners who are in no way associated or affiliated with the author. No cooperation or endorsement

is implied.

Footswitches and stargrounding

Ring

Sleeve

Tip

Sleeve

Cathode (short leg)

Anode (long leg)

Cathode (short leg)

Anode (long leg)

R led1

R led2

Note that R led1 and R led2 are 4k7 resistors. You can change this value depending on the type of

LED you use but 4k7 is safe enough for almost all LEDs for both 9V as 18V.

It is now time to place your transistors and IC in the sockets if needed. Connect everything, build it in

your enclosure and enjoy your effect!

The sleeve on the output jack is not connected on purpose. Make sure the output jack is in good

electronic contact with the enclosure else you can try and connect the sleeves of the input and

output together. If you test the unit outside of an enclosure you need to connect the output sleeve

to ground!

Pregain

Effect On/Off

ColoredThro v1.0

Manufacturers and product names are mentioned solely for circuit identification, and where applicable their trademarks are the

property of their respective owners who are in no way associated or affiliated with the author. No cooperation or endorsement

is implied.

Alternative Pre-gain switching

By design the Pre-gain pot (P1) remains in the circuit even when pre-gain is switched off. This may

cause some unwanted behavior of the pre gain pot. When you turn it all the way down it will cut off

all sound as it will ground the signal. If you turn it up it will add some extra resistance to ground even

when off. This may not really influence your sound, but you can alter the wiring to completely cut out

the pot when switched off. To do this I advise you to use a 3PDT footswitch. You can wire it like this:

500K

Cathode (short leg)

Anode (long leg)

R led2

Sleeve

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