Box of Rock

effect pedal project by ZVex

Here's the Box of Rock effect pedal project from ZVex.

This project has been described using terms like booster, distortion, overdrive, tagboard, and zvex and is reportedly verified, meaning many hobbyists have already completed this project and verify that the instructions are without issue.

Beyond the specs and details found on this page, you'll want to check out these tagboard resources too.

Project Resources

Parts List

  • C1
    100n
  • C2
    22n
  • C3
    470p
  • C4
    22n
  • C5
    1u
  • C6
    10n
  • C7
    22n
  • C8
    22n
  • C9
    2n
  • D1
    9V1 ZENER
  • P1
    5k Gain
  • P2
    100k Tone
  • P3
    100k Volume
  • R1
    1M
  • R2
    1M
  • R3
    1M
  • R4
    5k1
  • R5
    180R
  • R6
    470k
  • R7
    1M
  • R8
    1M
  • R9
    5k1
  • R10
    330R
  • R11
    1M
  • R12
    1M
  • R13
    5k1
  • R14
    82R
  • R15
    82k
  • R16
    47k
  • R17
    10k
  • R18
    10k
  • T1
    BS170
  • T2
    BS170
  • T3
    BS170
  • U1
    9V

Similar transistors & Potential Alternatives

Can't find an exact match for the recommended transistor in this project within your stash? Or maybe you just feel like experimenting. Use these tables below to get started finding a suitable or otherwise interesting transistor substitution.

There may be 21 alternatives for the BS170 mentioned above in the parts list for this project. These suggestions were derived by considering the original component's FETType, CntlChType, Vgs, Vgs(th), Vds, and Id values and finding comparables in our database. These alternatives are suggestions for further exploration (fun!) and have not been tested in the context of this project. You can also to suit your preferences.

BS170
more info
CntlChType
N
channel
FETType
MOSFET
Id
0.5
A
Pd
0.83
W
Rds
50
Ω
Tj
150
°C
Vds
60
V
Vgs
20
V
Vgs(th)
3
V
2SK3124
more info
CntlChType
N
channel
FETType
MOSFET
Id
0.5
A
Pd
10
W
Rds
230
Ω
Tj
150
°C
Vds
400
V
Vgs
20
V
Vgs(th)
3
V
Cd
10
pF
tr
35
ns
AP01N40J
more info
CntlChType
N
channel
FETType
MOSFET
Id
0.5
A
Pd
17.4
W
Rds
160
Ω
Tj
150
°C
Vds
400
V
Vgs
20
V
Vgs(th)
3
V
Cd
11
pF
tr
12
ns
BS170D26Z
more info
CntlChType
N
channel
FETType
MOSFET
Id
0.5
A
Pd
0.83
W
Rds
50
Ω
Tj
150
°C
Vds
60
V
Vgs
20
V
Vgs(th)
3
V
Cd
17
pF
BS170D27Z
more info
CntlChType
N
channel
FETType
MOSFET
Id
0.5
A
Pd
0.83
W
Rds
50
Ω
Tj
150
°C
Vds
60
V
Vgs
20
V
Vgs(th)
3
V
Cd
17
pF
BS170D74Z
more info
CntlChType
N
channel
FETType
MOSFET
Id
0.5
A
Pd
0.83
W
Rds
50
Ω
Tj
150
°C
Vds
60
V
Vgs
20
V
Vgs(th)
3
V
Cd
17
pF
BS170D75Z
more info
CntlChType
N
channel
FETType
MOSFET
Id
0.5
A
Pd
0.83
W
Rds
50
Ω
Tj
150
°C
Vds
60
V
Vgs
20
V
Vgs(th)
3
V
Cd
17
pF
BS170G
more info
CntlChType
N
channel
FETType
MOSFET
Id
0.5
A
Pd
0.35
W
Rds
50
Ω
Tj
150
°C
Vds
60
V
Vgs
20
V
Vgs(th)
3
V
BS170L34Z
more info
CntlChType
N
channel
FETType
MOSFET
Id
0.5
A
Pd
0.83
W
Rds
50
Ω
Tj
150
°C
Vds
60
V
Vgs
20
V
Vgs(th)
3
V
Cd
17
pF
BS170RL1G
more info
CntlChType
N
channel
FETType
MOSFET
Id
0.5
A
Pd
0.35
W
Rds
50
Ω
Tj
150
°C
Vds
60
V
Vgs
20
V
Vgs(th)
3
V
BS170RLRA
more info
CntlChType
N
channel
FETType
MOSFET
Id
0.5
A
Pd
0.35
W
Rds
50
Ω
Tj
150
°C
Vds
60
V
Vgs
20
V
Vgs(th)
3
V
BS170RLRAG
more info
CntlChType
N
channel
FETType
MOSFET
Id
0.5
A
Pd
0.35
W
Rds
50
Ω
Tj
150
°C
Vds
60
V
Vgs
20
V
Vgs(th)
3
V
BS170RLRMG
more info
CntlChType
N
channel
FETType
MOSFET
Id
0.5
A
Pd
0.35
W
Rds
50
Ω
Tj
150
°C
Vds
60
V
Vgs
20
V
Vgs(th)
3
V
BS170RLRP
more info
CntlChType
N
channel
FETType
MOSFET
Id
0.5
A
Pd
0.35
W
Rds
50
Ω
Tj
150
°C
Vds
60
V
Vgs
20
V
Vgs(th)
3
V
BS170RLRPG
more info
CntlChType
N
channel
FETType
MOSFET
Id
0.5
A
Pd
0.35
W
Rds
50
Ω
Tj
150
°C
Vds
60
V
Vgs
20
V
Vgs(th)
3
V
BS170ZL1G
more info
CntlChType
N
channel
FETType
MOSFET
Id
0.5
A
Pd
0.35
W
Rds
50
Ω
Tj
150
°C
Vds
60
V
Vgs
20
V
Vgs(th)
3
V
CHT170GP
more info
CntlChType
N
channel
FETType
MOSFET
Id
0.5
A
Pd
0.3
W
Rds
50
Ω
Tj
150
°C
Vds
60
V
Vgs
20
V
Vgs(th)
3
V
Cd
11
pF
CS7000
more info
CntlChType
N
channel
FETType
MOSFET
Id
0.5
A
Pd
0.4
W
Rds
50
Ω
Tj
150
°C
Vds
60
V
Vgs
20
V
Vgs(th)
3
V
MMBF170
more info
CntlChType
N
channel
FETType
MOSFET
Id
0.5
A
Pd
0.3
W
Rds
50
Ω
Tj
150
°C
Vds
60
V
Vgs
20
V
Vgs(th)
3
V
NVBF170L
more info
CntlChType
N
channel
FETType
MOSFET
Id
0.5
A
Pd
0.225
W
Rds
50
Ω
Tj
150
°C
Vds
60
V
Vgs
20
V
Vgs(th)
3
V
RDR005N25
more info
CntlChType
N
channel
FETType
MOSFET
Id
0.5
A
Pd
1
W
Rds
8.8
Ω
Tj
150
°C
Vds
250
V
Vgs
20
V
Vgs(th)
3
V
Cd
10
pF
tr
10
ns
Qg
3.5
Nc