God City Instruments – Hannibal V1.3 Build Guide
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GOD CITY INSTRUMENTS – Hannibal V1.3 Build guide
The God City Instruments (GCI) Hannibal is an overdrive pedal derived from the GCI Riffchild. Experienced
builders will recognize the topology as a negative feedback op amp clipper, arguably the most common type of
circuit used in overdrive pedals. Despite being fairly common, it’s a simple, excellent sounding, highly
customizable circuit. This PCB has been designed to be an easy build with minimum components, yet still offer
the builder enough flexibility to tailor the tone to their own tastes.
Regarding the “Low” knob, this pot controls how much bass is allowed into the overdrive section, but it also
has an influence on gain. As more bass is allowed into the circuit, the amount of gain is reduced. If this is
undesirable, jumper pins 1 and 2 of the low pot, omit the pot, and adjust R7 and C5 for desired bass and gain
response. 1.2k and 0.22u is a good place to start. C5 could even be replaced with a DPDT on/on/on for 3 cap
values.
If a clipping diode switch is desired, omit D2 and D3 and run wires from the D1 position to a switch for off-‐
board clipping diode options.
This pedal is an easy build, but this guide is intended for people who have some experience building pedals.
Component sourcing, component identification, assembly techniques, wiring stomp switches, etc. is not
covered. The GCI Brutalist Jr. assembly guide has helpful information for less experienced builders. That guide
can be found here:
http://www.kurtballou.com/brutalistjr/
For your convenience, complete parts kits including everything you need except the PCB can be purchased
through Small Bear Electronics. Be wary that they may need to make substitutions for work-‐alike components
which may or may not influence the tone of the pedal. Be aware that transistors may have been substituted
for work-‐alikes with different pinouts.
http://smallbear-‐electronics.mybigcommerce.com/kit-‐hannibal-‐pcb-‐not-‐included/
Available separately is the GCI 3PDT utility PCB for PCB pin 3PDT footswitches. This PCB makes footswitch
wiring quick and easy. Not compatible with solder lug style switches.
Don’t forget to connect the ground pad of the PCB to the ground lug of the input, output, and DC power jacks!
Due to the scope of this project, technical support is not available. However, consider joining the GCI DIY PCB
Builders group on Facebook to get advice from and share your work with other builders. We require that all
group members agree to the rules before being accepted into the group.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/2454786551255317/
Component values for the PCB as well as some alternate values are listed below. This is a BOM for the PCB
only. Resistors and diodes are 6.3mm leg spacing, film and ceramic capacitors are 5.08mm leg spacing, and
electrolytic capacitors are 2.54mm leg spacing. I/O jacks, DC jack, switch, enclosure, and knobs are not listed.
The schematic and a drill template for a 125B (1590N1) sized enclosure are also attached.
