Mod Trill Tremolo User manual

1Copyright © 2012 by modkitsdiy.com
Use these instructions to learn:
How to build an effects pedal for tremolo.
The Trill Tremolo pedal offers classic tremolo tones in an easy to build kit. The Speed knob provides a wide
range from very slow to a rapid fire effect. The Depth knob varies the ratio between effected and dry signal.
Using modern, low noise transistors makes operation of the Trill quiet with no signal drop when engaged as
in some vintage style tremolo pedals.
THE TRILL TREMOLO (K-960)
www.modkitsdiy.com
TO
AMP
IN
FROM
GUITAR
OUT
Unplug when not in use
to save battery life.
DEPTH SPEED
The Trill Trem l
M dkitsdiy.c m
Warning: This circuit was designed for use with a 9 VDC power supply only.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
T L LIST ……………………………………………………………………………………….2
PARTS LIST DRAWINGS……………………………………………………………………...3, 4
S LDERING TIPS ……………………………………………………………………………….5
STEP BY STEP ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTI NS ……………………………………………….6
Section 1 – Mount Potentiometers, Terminal Strips and Footswitch ……………………6
Section 2 – Mount Input & utput Capacitors, ¼” Jacks and Wire the Footswitch ………..6
Section 3 – Strip, Tin and Connect the Remaining Wires ………..………………………7
Section 4 – Mount the Components ......………………………………………………….8
ASSEMBLY DRAWIN S (6 Drawings) …………………………………………….10 - 12
These are the last 3 pages. They should be separated and used as a reference to help assemble the
kit correctly.
2
Visit www.modkitsdiy.com if you have any problems when first turning on your pedal for
troubleshooting help. emember to use caution when applying power to the pedal to avoid electric
shock.
TOOL LIST
Wire Strippers
Needle Nose Pliers
Cutting Pliers
Desoldering Pump
Solder (60/40 rosin core)
Soldering Station
Phillips Head Screwdrivers
Slotted tip screwdrivers (3 mm tip)
Channellock Pliers (or similar type)
uler
Hobby Vise (or other means to secure box while working)

Enclosure
P-H1590BCE-O (1)
Knob (Black with Line)
P-K345 (2)
Battery Clip
S-H155 (1)
¼” Mono Jack (Output Jack)
W-SC-11-T (1)
¼” Stereo Jack (Input Jack)
W-SC-12B (1)
Stranded Wire (22 AWG) - ed
K-PUL1569 (3 FT)
PARTS LIST 1
3
RING LUG
SLEEVE LUG
TIP LUG
GROUND LUG
TIP LUG
DPDT Foot Switch
P-H498 (1)
Potentiometers: 1ML and 250KL
-VA1ML (1)
1
2
3
-VA250KL (1)
Terminal Strip with 5 Terminals
P-0501H01 (1)
#4 Screw (1/4" long)
S-HS440-14 (5)
#4 Nut
S-HHN440 (5)
#4 Lock Washer
S-HLW4 (5)
Terminal Strip with 8 Terminals
P-0802H (2)

PARTS LIST 2
4
0.1µF Capacitor 100V
C-PEID1-100 (3)
brown
black
green
gold
1M
1MΩ esistor ½ W
-A1M (2)
brown
green
orange
gold
15K
-A15K (1)
15kΩ esistor ½ W
P-QMPSA18 (3)
NPN BJT (MPSA18)
MPS
A18
E B C
10µF 50V
C-ET10-50 (1)
10µF Polarized Capacitor 50V
104J
0.22µF Capacitor 100V
C-PEID22-100 (3)
224J
brown
black
yellow
gold
100K
100kΩ esistor ½ W
-A100K (4)
brown
green
red
gold
1.5K
1.5kΩ esistor ½ W
-A1D5K (1)
orange
black
green
gold
3M
-A3M (1)
3MΩ esistor ½ W
orange
orange
yellow
gold
330K
-A330K (1)
330kΩ esistor ½ W
yellow
violet
red
gold
4.7K
-A4D7K (1)
4.7kΩ esistor ½ W
green
blue
red
gold
5.6K
-A5D6K (1)
5.6kΩ esistor ½ W

SOLDERIN TIPS
1. Bend the component lead
and wrap it around the
connection point.
2. Wrap the component lead
so that it can hold itself to the
connection point.
3. Heat up both component
lead and connection point with
the soldering iron.
4. Apply solder to both
component lead and
connection point.
2. Apply fresh solder to mix in
with old solder joint
1. Heat up old solder joint
with the soldering iron.
3. Use a de-soldering tool to
remove the old solder joint
while it is heated.
De-Soldering Tip
5
It is important to make a good solder joint at each connection point. A cold solder joint is a connection that
may look connected but is actually disconnected or intermittently connected. (A cold solder joint can keep
your project from working.)
Follow these tips to make a good solder joint. Take your time with each connection and make sure that all
components are connected and will remain connected if your project is bumped or shaken.
Bend the component lead or wire ending and wrap it around the connection point.
Make sure it is not too close to a neighboring component which could cause an
unintended connection.
2. Wrap the component lead so that it can hold itself to the connection point.
Touch the soldering iron to both the component lead and the connection point allowing both to
warm up just before applying the solder to them.
Be sure to adequately cover both component lead and connection point with melted solder.
Remove the soldering iron from your work and allow the solder joint to cool. (The
solder joint should be shiny and smooth after solidifying.)
Cut off any excess wire or component leads with cutting pliers.
Clean the soldering iron's tip by wiping it across the wet sponge again after making the
solder joint.

SECTION 1 – M unt P tenti meters, Terminal Strips and F tswitch
Please refer t DRAWING 1 and DRAWING 2.
Orient the box with ½” hole nearest you.
Mount the 1ML potentiometer in the 5/16" hole on the top right side of the box. Orient this pot so
that lug “1” is pointing down toward the bottom of the box. Fasten the nut and tighten.
Mount the 250KL pot in the 5/16" hole on the top left side of the box. Make sure that all three
lugs are facing down toward the bottom of the box. Fasten the nut and tighten.
Using the hardware provided, mount the terminal strips as
shown in D AWING 2. The lock washers go underneath
each respective hex nut for a tight grip.
6
Mount the footswitch in the ½” hole as shown in D AWING 2 using hardware provided. The
large nylon washer goes under mounting nut on the outside of the box. The lock washer mounts
on the inside between the box surface and the other nut. Make sure the footswitch solder lugs
are oriented as shown in the drawing.
Bend back and remove the alignment tab on the top of each potentiometer
using a pair of pliers before mounting the pots so that they can mount flush
against the enclosure surface.
Terminal Strip
M unting
Bracket
utside b x
inside b x
Alignment
Tab
SECTION 2 – M unt Input & Output Capacit rs, ¼” Jacks and Wire the F tswitch
Connect one of the 0.1µF capacitors from Lug “1” of the footswitch to Terminal #2 as shown in
D AWING 3.
Please note that each terminal has been numbered as illustrated in
DRAWING 2 and will be referred to as a “Terminal #_” when
connecting different components and wires throughout the assembl
instructions.
Connect another 0.1µF capacitor from Lug “4” of the footswitch to Terminal #6 as shown.
Unless noted otherwise, “connect” means to trim the component’s leads to a reasonable length, wrap them tightl
around their connection points and solder. (See “Soldering Tips” on page 5).
Onl solder the connection at Lug “4” at this point. (There will be three more components connected to Terminal #6).
Mount the input jack in the 3/8" hole on the left side of the box. The washer goes under the nut
on the outside of the box. Make sure to center the “ground” lug of the input jack so that it is
facing up towards the enclosure opening. This will make soldering the connections easier.
Please refer t DRAWING 3.
You might find it easier to mount the capacitors upside-down with the insulated top end of each cap touching the
enclosure surface.
Connect one of the 1M resistors from Lug “1” of the footswitch to Terminal #1.
Connect the other 1M resistors from Lug “4” of the footswitch to Terminal #8.

7
Stripping and tinning wire and s ldering. Throughout these instructions you will be told to strip
and tin a length of wire numerous times. Unless noted otherwise, cut the wire to the length stated in
the instructions. Then strip ¼” of insulation off each end. Twist each end of the stranded wire, and
apply a small amount of solder to each end (tin the wire ends). This will prevent the stranded wire
from fraying and will make the final soldering much easier.
Strip and tin a 1 ½” piece of wire and connect footswitch lug “2” to input jack “tip” lug.
Strip and tin a 1 ½” piece of wire and connect footswitch lug “5” to output jack “tip” lug.
Strip and tin a 1 ½” piece of wire and connect footswitch lugs “3” and “6” to each other.
Push this wire down so that it rests against the back of the switch. This should be done to provide an insulating
barrier between the 9 volt batter and the terminals of the footswitch.
Locate the battery clip. Twist its leads together a few times and connect the black lead to the
ring lug of the input jack. Connect the red lead to Terminal #7 as shown in D AWING 3.
SECTION 3 – Strip, Tin and C nnect the Remaining Wires
Wire leads should be routed as close to the bottom of the box as possible in order to
make mounting the components easier later in the assembl process. Consider making
wire connections to the lower terminal holes and leaving the upper part of the terminals
for component connections.
Please refer t DRAWING 4.
Strip and tin a 4” piece of wire and connect Terminals #7 and #18 to each other.
lower holes
Strip and tin a 4 ½” piece of wire. Strip ½” of insulation off of one end and use it to connect the
1ML pot lugs “2” and “3” to each other. Connect the other wire end to Terminal #14.
Strip and tin a 2 ¼” piece of wire and connect Terminals #10 and #19 to each other.
Strip and tin a 2” piece of wire. Strip ½” of insulation off of one end and use it to connect the
250KL pot lugs “2” and “3” to each other. Connect the other wire end to Terminal #13.
Onl solder the pot lug connections at this point. (Terminal #13 will have another wire connected next).
Strip and tin a 2 ½” piece of wire and connect Terminals #13 and #16 to each other.
Strip and tin a 2 ½” piece of wire and connect Terminals #17 and #20 to each other.
Mount the output jack in the 3/8" hole on the right side of the box. Make sure the “tip” lug of the
input jack is facing up towards the enclosure opening.

SECTION 4 – M unt the C mp nents
Please refer t DRAWING 5.
8
Connect the 1.5K resistor to Terminals #1 & #4.
Connect a 100K resistor to Terminals #2 & #3.
Onl solder the connection at Terminal #2 at this point. (There will be two more components connected to Terminal #3).
Connect the 0.1 µF capacitor to Terminals #3 & #5.
Don’t solder these connections, et. (There will be one more component added to #3 and two more added to #5).
Connect the 4.7K resistor to Terminals #3 & #15.
Onl solder the #3 connection, now. (There will be two more component added to #15).
Mount one MPSA18 transistor to Terminals #4, #5 and #6.
Terminals #4: Emitter
Terminals #5: Base
Terminals #6: Collector
MPS
A18
E B C
Onl solder the #4 connection, now. (There will be more components added to #5 and #6).
Connect the 330K resistor to Terminals #5 & #6.
Onl solder the #5 connection, now. (There will be one more component added to #6).
Connect the 15K resistor to Terminals #6 & #7.
Connect a 0.22 µF capacitor to Terminals #11 & #12.
Connect another 0.22 µF capacitor to Terminals #10 & #11.
Do not solder these connections, et. (There will be two more components added to each terminal).
Onl solder the #10 connection, now. (There will be one more component added to #11).
Connect the remaining 0.22 µF capacitor to Terminals #12 & #17.
Onl solder the #17 connection, now. (There will be one more component added to #12).
Connect a 5.6K resistor to Terminal #12 & 250KL pot lug “1”.
Mount another MPSA18 transistor to Terminals #13, #14 and #15.
Terminals #13: Emitter
Terminals #14: Base
Terminals #15: Collector
MPS
A18
E B C
Onl solder the #14 connection, now. (There will be one more component added from #13 to #15).
Connect a 100K resistor to Terminals #13 & #15.

Connect another 100K resistor to Terminals #18 & #19.
Onl solder the #18 connection, now. (There will be three more components added to #19).
9
Connect the 3M resistor to Terminals #19 & #20.
Do not solder these connections, et. (There will be more components added to each terminal).
Mount another MPSA18 transistor to Terminals #19, #20 and #21.
Terminals #21: Emitter
Terminals #20: Base
Terminals #19: Collector
MPS
A18
E B C
Onl solder the #20 & #21 connections, now. (There will be one more component added to #19).
Connect the 10 µF capacitor with its positive (+) lead at the 1ML
pot lug “1” and its negative (-) lead at Terminal #19.
Connect the remaining 100K resistor to Terminals #9 & #11.
Finish it ff by d uble-checking all f y ur c nnecti ns, c nnect and insert a 9V battery, screw the lid n and
fasten the kn bs t b th p t shafts.
D AWING 6 offers an enlarged view of the terminal strip components to help with double-checking
your work.
10µF 50V+
-

2
3
1
6
5
4
1
2
3
1
2
3
DEPTH
POT
SPEED
POT
1ML250KL
3/8" 3/8"
1/2"
1/8"
5/16"5/16"
1/8"
1/8"
1/8"
1/8"
DRAWING 1
TOP
LEFT SIDE
RIGHT SIDE
INSIDE VIEW OF THE
ENCLOSURE
DRAWING 2
1
2 3 4 5 6 7
8
9101112131415
16
17
18
19
20
21
10

GROUND
LUG
TIP
LUG
3
1
6
1
2
3
1
2
3
DEPTH
POT
SPEED
POT
1ML250KL
DRAWING 3
1
2 3 4 5 6 7
8
910111213141516
17
18
19
20
21
RING LUG
GROUND
LUG
TIP LUG
DRAWING 4
BLK
ED
.1µF
.1µF
3
1
6
1
2
3
1
2
3
DEPTH
POT
SPEED
POT
1ML250KL
916
1 8
17
21
12
5
.1µF
.1µF
11
INPUT OUTPUT
4
1M 1M
1M 1M

4.7K
3
1
6
13
1
2
3
DEPTH
POT
SPEED
POT
1ML250KL
DRAWING 5
916
1 8
17
21
12
5
1.5K
100K .1µF
E B
330K
15K
MPS
A18
.22µF
.22µF
.1µF
.1µF
.22µF
100K
MPS
A18
100K
3M
5.6K
MPS
A18
10µF 50V
100K
DRAWING 6
12
1M 1M
4.7K
916
1 8
17
21
12
5
1.5K
100K .1µF
330K
15K
MPSA18
.22µF
.22µF
.1µF
.1µF
.22µF
100K
MPSA18
100K
3M
5.6K
MPSA18
10µF 50V
100K
CE
E
C
E C
Q3
Q1
Q2
1M 1M