Basic Op-Amp Distortion Circuit PUBLIC

Basic Op-Amp Distortion Circuit for Guitar with 2-Band Tone

Basic op-amp distortion circuit for guitar with 2-band James-style tone-control. Uses one dual JFET-input op-amp to provide gain and active tone. Controls Include: Distortion, Drive, Bass, Treble, and Volume. Range above 0 dBV is from 30 Hz to 15 kHz. Suitable for 6/7/8-string guitar or 4/5/6-string bass, though emphasizing mids between 250 Hz and 2.5 kHz with all controls at 50%. Maximum gain = +30.6 @ 250 Hz with all controls at 50%, or twice that with controls at 100%. The Treble control boosts/cuts to +-3 dBV, while the Bass control boosts/cuts to +-5 dBV. Midrange is fixed. Power-supply not shown. Requires a regulated dual-polarity DC supply providing +-9VDC or +-12VDC or +-15VDC at >= 20 mA of current. Note: Lower supply voltage permits easier overdriving of op-amps but also increases noise. And while simulator verified, treat the circuit as experimental. Breadboard test it before committing to a soldered build.