The BLAMMO! Electronics Shrew V2 is a modern take on the classic opamp-based distortion featuring improvements granting more tonal flexibility both in the clipping and frequency domains.
Hardwire-wise, this 2nd version fits the circuit in a smaller, compact case, improving power filtering and upgrading the footswitch to a relay-based mechanism that doesn’t click.
Circuit-wise, there’s a new noise gate that was missing in V1, which removes hiss and hum in between parts, but also adds a sharper attack. It can be turned on or off via a push button in the middle of the pedal.
The Clip knob, upgraded from a switch in V1, controls the diodes’ hard clipping, blending Germanium symmetrical clipping (add more of that turning the knob anti-clockwise) and LED asymmetrical clipping (more of it clockwise).
BLAMMO! Electronics Shrew V2, Builder’s Notes
The Shrew is our take on a classic opamp based distortion circuit but with a few modern upgrades and a bit more tonal flexibility.
Here’s what we did: slimmed down the enclosure, beefed up the power filtering, upgraded the footswitch to a relay based true bypass system that doesn’t click, added an optional noise gate, and then modified the clipping section for more colors.
The noise gate is designed to quite the hiss and hum heard between notes, or when not playing, that’s inherent to high gain circuits but also adds a snappier attack under the finger tips which is great for faster players.
The ‘CLIP’ knob controls the hard clipping diodes that when set far left offers the symmetrical option employed by two germanium diodes (D9J and 1n34A) and an asymmetrical option when dialed all the way right side that uses an LED.
Features:
- Soft switching / true bypass
- High quality components
- Board mounted Alpha pots and switches
- Yellow LED
- Top mounted jacks
- 2.1 mm center negative 9 volt DC standard power jack
- Current draw: 31ma
