Description
ThermoNuclear is a sub-miniature vacuum tube based overdrive. The first stage is a MOSFET with switchable mu-amp. The second stage is a self-biased sub-miniature pentode with switchable triode/pentode. Then there’s a tonestack based on the EH Big Muff. Finally, there’s a blend control and another MOSFET stage for some gain recovery after the tonestack. ThermoNuclear will crush and destroy your tone with a pleasing warm tubey goodness!
Although the filament of the tube will glow, it’s not a lightbulb, and the level of glow may vary between different tubes.
Thermo Nuclear – Build Document
About the LEDs
There are 3 LEDs in this design:
- The two on the main PCB are being used for their diodic properties to protect the MOSFETs. Whether they light up or not is irrelevant (they might, just a tiny bit).
- The third LED on the sockets PCB is used to bias the tube’s cathode. This has the same effect as a bias resistor with a perfect bypass capacitor. The LED will slowly come on as the valve warms up.
FAQ
Q: Is this a Valvecaster/Safety Valve variant?
A: Ha! In as much as you are a fish variant. No!
Q: Is the tube fragile?
A: Physically, yes – don’t drop it. Electronically the tube is as strong as a great mountain range which has stood for millions of years against wind, weather, war, plague, pestilence, famine and fascism.
Specs:
- Width: 4HP
- Depth: 39mm
- 12V draw: 175mA
- -12V draw: 4mA
