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BD Plexi Plus

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24 views4 pages

BD Plexi Plus

Uploaded by

CArlos
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Plexi Plus

What makes the Plexi-Plus so exciting compared to other circuits?


● Individual JFET gain stages to create the ultimate variety in a distortion pedal.
● Plexi Owners to use a patch cable to connect 2 inputs together. Same here.
● Plexi-Plus uses two stages in parallel, one for the bright channel, and one for the fat tone of a full stack.
● Easily dial in Hendrix, Zeppelin, AC/DC & more. Even plug in a bass and it's Bass Ready.
● Add a Tone TwEQ in series inside the same enclosure for a full tonally adjustable amp style circuit.

Board Dimensions (W x H) 1.96” x 1.76”

*While the original schematic calls for a 25k Volume we much prefer the A50k per the B.O.M. above.
What makes the Plexi-Plus so exciting and unique compared to any other circuit available:

● It uses individual JFET gain stages to create the ultimate variety in a distortion pedal. No op-amps or
clipping diodes are being used.
● It was common for Plexi Owners to use a patch cable to connect 2 of the inputs together.
● This is what Plexi-Plus recreates. It uses 2 JFET gain stages in parallel, one for the bright channel, and
one that ties in the thunder of a full stack. Together you can come up with your own unique tones.
● Easily dial in Hendrix, Zeppelin, AC/DC & more. Even plug in a bass and it's ​Bass Ready​.

Important Bias Info:​ Important Bias Info: There are three (3) 50k trimmers (bias pots) used to bias Q1, Q2 and Q5.
Using a DMM, set the voltage at the Drain leg of each transistor to roughly 5v using TR1/Q1, TR2/Q2 and TR3/Q5. ​Do
not try to set these by ear, use a Digital Multimeter. DMM’s are affordable and every DIY pedal hobbyist needs one. To
know which is the Drain leg please Google the Datasheet for a J201.
*Do not us alternate values. Please use all the recommended values for best results.

Proper voltages that good transistors in a working circuit should yield for troubleshooting purposes if needed.
Q1
G-0
S-0
D-0

Q2
G-0
S-0
D - 5.0

Q3
G - 4.36
S - 4.59
D - 9.14

Q4
G-0
S-0
D - 4.59

Q5
G-0
S-0
D - 4.71

STATUS LED
D2​ is a common anode bi-color LED. The diagram at right shows
the pin-out, schematic symbol and pad connection for a common
anode LED. The pin-out for the bi-color LED is typically (but not
always) as follows:
The lead 1 pad on the circuit board is marked with a white box.
When connected correctly, the LED will light red when power is
applied and the circuit is in bypass mode. The LED will light green
when in effects mode.
If you wish to use a standard LED, connect the anode to the
middle pad and the cathode to the right (non-white) pad to
show the circuit in effects mode.
If you use a 3PDT wiring board that includes an LED, you can omit
this LED and R18. *R18 is the LED’s Current Limiting Resistor
(CLR). If you use a different LED, you may want to change this value to adjust LED brightness.
If you are using one of GuitarPCB’s handy 3PDT wiring boards, pads S4, S5, S6 and D2 would
be ignored and R18 would not be installed. See wiring guide below for reference.

Easy Wiring Guide

Other important notes:


● Socket your Transistors​ – ​You may wish to change them later and makes troubleshooting a lot easier.
● Be sure to get genuine J201 transistors (highly counterfeited) GuitarPCB and Small Bear carry genuine.
● R18 is the current limiting resistor. Brightness is a preference. 1k8 will yield a very bright LED and the
higher the resistance the dimmer the light. 3k or even 4.7k has been used. This is your choice.
● Modders check out our ​After Blaster​ for an extra stage of Hot Rod modding fun.
● Another Modders delight is the ​Tone TwEQ​ circuit. Add an active 3 Band EQ for full functionality.
Note the Tone TwEQ version of the Plexi-Plus on the right.

IC’s and transistors are easily damaged by heat from soldering and should never be directly soldered to the PCB.

For transistors, diodes, and LED’s, use SIP (Single inline package) sockets. You simply cut the
number of sockets required with an Exacto / Stanley knife or by gripping and rocking with pliers. This
allows for easy changes and troubleshooting.

Soldering Tutorial on Youtube

Need a kit? Check out our authorized worldwide distributors:


USA – Check out ​PedalPartsAndKits​ for all your GuitarPCB kit needs in the USA.
Europe – ​Das Musikding​ Order either boards or kits direct from Europe.
PedalPartsAustralia​ - Order either boards or kits direct from Australia
If they do not have a KIT listed send them a note asking if they can help you out.

This document, PCB Artwork and Schematic Artwork © GuitarPCB.com. Schematic, PCB and this
document by Bruce R. and Barry. All copyrights, trademarks, and artworks remain the property of their
owners.Distribution of this document is prohibited without written consent from GuitarPCB.com.
GuitarPCB.com claims no rights or affiliation to those names or owners.

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