XIPHOS AMP OVERDRIVE
2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1
Project Overview
7
Drill Template
2
Introduction & Usage
8
Enclosure Layout
3-4
Parts List
9
Wiring Diagram
5
Build Notes
10
Licensing
6
Schematic
10
Document Revisions
INTRODUCTION
The Xiphos Amp Overdrive is based on the King Tone Heavyhand,
released in 2021, the Heavyhand (sometimes rendered as Heavy Hand) is side B of the Duellist dual
pedal, derived from the Marshall Bluesbreaker overdrive circuit but with several added modifications
and switch options.
However, it’s not an exact copy of what’s inside the Duellist. While it does share the core circuit in
common, the Duellist is capable of some modified tones that the Heavyhand can’t match, and vice versa.
Notably, the Heavyhand adds an additional Body potentiometer, a new diode selector switch, and swaps
out the “Fat” toggle mode for a new “Edge” mode.
The Xiphos unifies these two circuits, porting the features from the Duellist that were not on the
original Heavyhand. An additional diode has been added in one direction on a DIP switch, making the
stock clipping mode asymmetric when active. It also has an option for diode-to-ground hard clipping,
also via an internal DIP switch. Note that since the hard-clipping mode has a low clipping threshold, the
external diode selector switch won’t have as much audible effect when the hard clipping is enabled.
USAGE
The Xiphos has six external controls:
•
Drive
controls the amount of gain going into the op-amp feedback diode clipping stage.
•
Body
controls the low-end response of the effect before the clipping.
•
Tone
controls the treble response after the clipping via a passive filter.
•
Level
controls the overall output.
•
Clipping
(toggle switch) selects between two different diode combinations (Stock and Comp) or a
diode-lift mode (Open) in the center.
•
Style
(toggle switch) selects between Edge, Stock and Glass modes, which set the pre-clipping
treble response.
There are also two internal DIP switch options:
•
Hard Clipping
adds a second set of diodes for hard-clipping mode, similar to the King of Tone.
Engaged when the DIP switch is “on”.
•
Asymmetric
adds another diode in series with the first set for asymmetric clipping in stock mode. It
has no effect in the Comp or Open modes. Engaged when the DIP switch is “off”.
