Rock Box
Based on: Amount of parts: Enclosure type:
Zvex’s Box of Rock Average, total 46 components 1590bb
Effect type: Technology: Get your board at:
Overdrive Mosfet transistors Rock Box
Build difficult: Power consumption: Get your kit at:
Intermediate 9V Das Musikding (Europe)
Project overview:
Inspired by Zvex's Box of Rock, a pedal that resembles the "British setting" sound of a classic Marshall JTM
45 non-master-volume amplifier.
Rock Box by PCB Guitar Mania 1
Document version 1.1v, 25th January 2022
Index
1. Project overview 6. Build Notes
2. Index, Introduction & Controls 7. Schematic
3. Bills of Materials, BOM 8. Wiring Diagram
4. Shopping Lists 9. Drill Template
5. Components Recommendations 10. Licensing and Usage
Introduction
The Rock Box is a circuit specially designed to simulate the "everything on 10" sound of a classic non-
master-volume amplifier. You can try it in many different amplifiers with spectacular results, but we
recommend you give it a shot through a Marshall if you have the chance. By using your guitar's volume
control, you can adjust the exact amount of distortion you need, from a massive amount down to a pristine
sound.
In this simple-to-build board, all the components are pretty easy to get. Just take special note of the "C"
type potentiometers, anti-logarithmic audio type. It also comes ready to be wired as True Bypass, in a tight
design to fit in a 1590B Enclosure with pots and Booster on board.
This tinny box is ready to knock your audience with the most powerful Rock sound waves!
Controls
Potentiometers
• Gain
• Tone
• Vol
• Boost
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Bill of materials
Resistors C8 2n
Part Value C9 2n
R1 1m C10 100n
R2 1m
R3 5k1
Electrolytic Capacitors
R4 1m
Part Value
R5 470k
C5 1uf
R6 1m
C11 10uf
R7 1m
C12 47uf
R8 5k1
R9 180r
R10 1m Potentiometers
R11 1m Part Value
R12 5k1 GAIN 5k C*
R13 330r TONE 100k B
R14 47k VOL 100k B
R15 82k BOOST 5k C*
R16 10k
R17 10k
Transistors
R18 1m
Part Value
R19 1m
Q1 BS170
R20 5k1
Q2 BS170
R21 47k
Q3 BS170
R22 82r
Q4 BS170
R23 1m
RLED 4k7
RLEDB 4k7 Diodes
Part Value
D1 9v1 Zener
Capacitors
D2 9v1 Zener
Part Value
D3 1N4001
C1 100n
LED 3mm red led
C2 22n
LEDB 3mm red led
C3 470pf
C4 22n
C6 22n
C7 100n
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Shopping list
Resistors Potentiometers
Qty Value Parts Qty Value Parts
2 10k R16, R17 2 5k C* GAIN. BOOST
1 180r R9 2 100k B TONE, VOL
10 1m R1, R2, R4, R6, R7, R10,
R11, R18, R19, R23
1 330r R13 Semiconductors
1 470k R5 Qty Value Parts
4 5k1 R3, R8, R12, R20 4 BS170 Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4
1 82k R15
1 82r R22
Diodes
2 47k R14, R21
Qty Value Parts
2 9v1 Zener D1, D2
Capacitors 1 1n4001 D3
Qty Value Parts 2 3mm red led LED, LEDB
1 470pf C3
3 22n C2, C4, C6
Switches
2 2n C8, C9
Qty Value Parts
3 100n C1, C7, C10
2 3PDT Stomp foot -
Electrolytic Capacitors
Jacks
Qty Value Parts
Qty Value Parts
1 47uf C12
1 DC Jack -
1 10uf C11
2 Audio Jacks -
1 1uf C5
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Schematic
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Components Recommendations
As many people like to experiment with some pedals with higher voltage, always ensure
your electrolytic capacitors' max tolerance is over 25v.
This board has been tested using Film box capacitors for most of the values over 1nf and ceramics discs
for those under 1nf. However, high-quality components such as Wima's Capacitors and Panasonic's
electrolytics can deliver a better performance.
All the resistors used for testing this project are 1/4W Metal Film.
The BOM and Shopping list are exclusive regarding this project. It doesn't include all the hardware like the
3PDT bypass switch, audio/dc jacks, enclosure, etc.
5k C*: All the components are pretty easy to get. Just take special note on the “C” type potentiometers,
anti-logarithmic audio type.
Build Notes
If this is one of your first projects, I recommend you to take a look at our Pedal Building Guide.
For a successful and tidy build, it’s recommended the following order:
1. Resistors & diodes
2. Capacitors, starting with the smaller ones and the ceramic ones.
3. Electrolytic capacitors (always check the polarity)
4. Transistors
5. Wires
6. Potentiometers and switches
7. Off-board wiring
5k C*
All the components are pretty easy to get. Just take special note on the “C” type potentiometers, anti-
logarithmic audio type.
Wiring Diagram
All our projects include a free 3PDT Board to make the wiring easier and tidier. Also, all of our PCBs feature
the status LED on board.
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The pad named “Ctrl” or “LED” is the one that controls the status of the led; wire it to the “LED” pad on the
3PDT board or in the control slug of your 3PDT.
This board has been designed to match our EZ 3PDT PCB; check it here to access our Pedal Wiring Guide.
Off Board Wiring
The resistors for the leds must be solder on the longer leg of the LED. Choose a value in between 2k2 and
4k7 according to how much do you want it to bright. Ignore the pad on the board for R14 and the LED.
You could experiment with the order of the effects. The booster before the effect will act like a gain boost,
while after works as a volume booster.
The Zvex version the Booster goes first to give you extra grit and power on your drive. The booster is a
simple but effective SHO.
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Drill Template
This Project has been planned to fit into a 1590bb enclosure type.
Check the Attached “Drilling templates” to drill the box properly. The files are on Scale 1:1, ready to print
on an A4 page.
Licensing and Usage
We really appreciate your trust and support in buying this PCB, as well as your will to dive into the DIY
electronics world. For us, that's why you can make this project work properly and enjoy not only the building
process but also experiment and play with it on your rig.
We try to reply to every question we receive on our email or our social media. Still, we try to encourage all
our customers to join our PCB Guitar Mania – Builders Group on Facebook to post all your doubts, issues,
suggestions, or requests, share your builds, and have some feedback from other fellow builders and us!
We tested all our projects following this same guide on their standard configurations. Although, not all of
the variations and mods have necessarily been checked. These are suggestions based on the schematic
analysis and the experiences and opinions of others. Feel free to share with us your views and
recommendations regarding the mods your personal experimentation.
These boards may be used for commercial endeavors in any quantity unless expressly noted. No attribution
is necessary, though accreditation or a link back is always much appreciated.
If you are a builder planning to make your own run of pedals, we also offer the service of custom-made
boards with your brand and logo, design according to your specifications.
The only usage restrictions are that, first, you cannot resell the PCB as part of a kit without prior
arrangement with us, and second, you cannot scratch off the silkscreen or other way of trying to hide our
logos and the source of the PCBs. Like it's written above, if you want to have your designs with your brand
and logo, we could undoubtedly reach an agreement.
Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to stay in tune with the latest projects!
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