Project overview

The Mad Honey is a touch-sensitive low gain Overdrive; ideally suited to giving a clean sound a little pepper or for pushing crunch sounds. It is the dynamics provided by this pedal that make it convincing; the treble can be emphasized with the focus controller, distorting earlier without losing in transparency and dynamics.

Introduction

The Mad Honey is a touch-sensitive low gain overdrive pedal; designed to overdrive distorted amplifiers and give dynamically controlled light overdrive on clean sounds.

Based on Mad Professor’s Sweet Honey Overdrive, this circuit has also roots in the Honey Bee Overdrive by BJFe Pedals, which was inspired by an old Supro amp’s sound.

This circuit’s magic is on the Focus Control, which delivers a very dynamic and tube-like tone, making this pedal a really outstanding and sensitive overdrive.

Distortion level can be controlled by pick attack and pickup strength. Harder picking for overdrive and softer for a cleaner tone. With the unique Focus control, you can adjust the feel and dynamics of the pedal as well as overall EQ. Turning Focus CCW, you need to play harder to get distortion, and the tone is softer, great for jazz and blue. Focus turned CW gives a slight treble boost and earlier distortion.

Controls

• Volume: Sets the output volume.
• Drive: Controls the amount of overdrive.
• Focus: Controls how easily the circuit distorts as well as adjusting overall EQ. Turning CCW gives less distortion and a mellow effect. Turning CW gives a slight treble boost and earlier distortion. The good starting point is 11 o’clock.

For further analysis on this circuit take a look at this thread on Free Stomp Boxes Forum.

For any technical questions regarding this build don’t forget to check out our Facebook Group and our forum at Free Stomp Boxes.

Mad Honey Overdrive – Building Docs

Mad Honey Overdrive – Drilling Template