Stewart MacDonald ALL AMERICAN User manual

stewmac.com ©2017 Stewart-MacDonald page 1 of 12
Sheet #i-2153 Updated 2/17
Assembly Instructions
The ALL-AMERICAN is one of the great stompboxes from
JHS, makers of high-end eects pedals. Whenever JHS adds
a new pedal to their line, they retire an existing design.
This means great JHS pedals like the ALL-AMERICAN have
become rare and sought-after. You can’t buy one, but you
can build yourself one—and it's fun!
The ALL-AMERICAN is based on the original ProCo Rat,
an early distortion pedal designed and built in Kalamazoo,
Michigan in the 1970s. Vintage Rat pedals are one of the
most sought after overdrive pedals out there. Favored by
such greats as Joe Perry, Nels Cline, and David Gilmour The
Rat is known for its unbelievable range of tones, spanning
from clean/grit all the way to compressed sustaining fuzz.
JHS tweaked the Rat circuit for a more focused frequency
range with tamed highs. The result is the ALL-AMERICAN. Its
bass and mids melt perfectly into a combination that’ll make
a 1x12 combo sound like you have a stack of cabs backstage.
The addition of a sweep knob gives instant control over the
feel of the gain structure as a whole. JHS also gave the ALL-
AMERICAN a three-way gain switch, allowing LED/Silicon/
Open clipping for one explosively versatile pedal!
CLASSIC PEDAL KIT
ALL AMERICAN
StewMac
Easy instructions!
Clear pictures show where
each part goes.

stewmac.com ©2017 Stewart-MacDonald page 2 of 12
Tools and supplies
Required: Soldering iron with ne point tip
Solder
Wire cutter/stripper
1/2" nut driver or socket
10mm nut driver or socket
14mm wrench
#1 Phillips screwdriver
Also helpful: Clear silicone adhesive
Circuit card holder
Magnifying glass or OptiVISOR
StewMac Soldering Aids
Power: This pedal requires a standard 9V DC
center-negative power supply (not
included) and consumes less than 100mA.
There’s no battery option.
Tips for soldering
The solder joints you’ll make on the
circuit board are very small, and too
much heat can damage the board.
The idea is to make joints quickly,
without scorching the eyelets.
Hold components in place for soldering by threading the
leads through the board and bending them apart on the
reverse side.
Make your solder joints on the reverse side. Insert the tip into
the eyelet and let it heat for 4-5 seconds before touching it
with solder. This heats the contact enough for the solder to
ow nicely without damage. You don’t need much solder,
just enough to ll the eyelet. After soldering, trim away the
excess lead wire.
Give your pedal a custom paint job!
Any paint sold for use on metal will work well on the kit case.
Spray paints like Rustoleum® or Krylon® are a durable nish.
You might want to paint the case before building the kit,
so you won’t need to take the parts back out for painting.
A way to add custom graphics is to print them from your
computer onto waterslide decal paper. If you use decals,
protect them from scratches by spraying clear topcoats
over them.

stewmac.com ©2017 Stewart-MacDonald page 3 of 12
Parts list
Resistor values are indicated by colored bands, read from left
to right. The rst color in the code is usually the one painted
closest to a lead wire. When a gold or silver band is present,
it’s always one of the last colors in the code. A magnier is
a big help in reading these codes.
parts: i-2153 allamerican
#7365 (2) R2, R3 Resistors (100 kΩ)
#7367 (3) R4, R6, R14 Resistors (1.0 MΩ)
#7357 (4) R5, R9, R11, R17 Resistors (1 kΩ)
Brown Black Black Orange Brown
Yellow Purple Black Gold Brown
Brown Black Black Yellow Brown
Brown Black Black Brown Brown
Green Blue Black Black Brown #7356 (1) R7 Resistor (560 Ω)
#7351 (1) R1 Resistor (47 Ω)
Brown Green Black Brown Brown
Brown Black Black Red Brown #7362 (1) R15 Resistor (10 kΩ)
#7358 (1) R13 Resistor (1.5 kΩ)
#7431 (1) LED mounting bezel (5mm)
#7460 (1) DC power connector (21MM)
#1611 (1) Footswitch (3PDT, latching)
#7312 (1) C1 Capacitor (100 µF)
#4652 (2) Mono jacks, 1/4"
#7553 (1) Metal case with 4 screws
(1) Circuit board
(Not pictured)
(Not pictured)
100uF
#7317 (4) C2, C4, C9, C14 (.022 µF)
#7302 (1) C6 Capacitor (.001 µF)
#7442 (1) U1 Low noise op-amp (5534 500nA)
#7484 (1) U1.2 socket for op-amp
#7455 (3) Pots R10, R12, R16 (100 kΩ, audio taper)
#7451 (1) Pot R8 (1 kΩ, linear taper)
#7421 (3) D3, D4, D5 Red LEDs (5mm)
#7422 (1) D8 White LED (5mm)
#7402 (1) D1 Diode (P6KE12A)
#7303 (1) C13 Capacitor (.0033 µF)
#7313 (1) C11 Capacitor (30 pF)
#7309 (1) C8 Capacitor (100 pF)
102J
K5J
100
1uF
4.7uF
#7314 (2) C3, C15 Capacitors (1 µF)
#7316 (2) C5, C12 Capacitors (4.7µF)
2.2uF
#7315 (1) C7 Capacitor (2.2 µF)
#7404 (2) D6, D7 Rectiers (1n4001)
#7483 (1) Q1 Transistor (2n5458)
#7465 (1) On-O-On mini toggle switch
#7318 (1) Ribbon cable
(1) Lead wires (12")
#7560 (4) Adhesive foam tape
#7501 (4) Control knobs
22NJ3n3K
MMK BF6 63-
parts: i-2153 allamerican
#7365 (2) R2, R3 Resistors (100 kΩ)
#7367 (3) R4, R6, R14 Resistors (1.0 MΩ)
#7357 (4) R5, R9, R11, R17 Resistors (1 kΩ)
Brown Black Black Orange Brown
Yellow Purple Black Gold Brown
Brown Black Black Yellow Brown
Brown Black Black Brown Brown
Green Blue Black Black Brown #7356 (1) R7 Resistor (560 Ω)
#7351 (1) R1 Resistor (47 Ω)
Brown Green Black Brown Brown
Brown Black Black Red Brown #7362 (1) R15 Resistor (10 kΩ)
#7358 (1) R13 Resistor (1.5 kΩ)
#7431 (1) LED mounting bezel (5mm)
#7460 (1) DC power connector (21MM)
#1611 (1) Footswitch (3PDT, latching)
#7312 (1) C1 Capacitor (100 µF)
#4652 (2) Mono jacks, 1/4"
#7553 (1) Metal case with 4 screws
(1) Circuit board
(Not pictured)
(Not pictured)
100uF
#7317 (4) C2, C4, C9, C14 (.022 µF)
#7302 (1) C6 Capacitor (.001 µF)
#7442 (1) U1 Low noise op-amp (5534 500nA)
#7484 (1) U1.2 socket for op-amp
#7455 (3) Pots R10, R12, R16 (100 kΩ, audio taper)
#7451 (1) Pot R8 (1 kΩ, linear taper)
#7421 (3) D3, D4, D5 Red LEDs (5mm)
#7422 (1) D8 White LED (5mm)
#7402 (1) D1 Diode (P6KE12A)
#7303 (1) C13 Capacitor (.0033 µF)
#7313 (1) C11 Capacitor (30 pF)
#7309 (1) C8 Capacitor (100 pF)
102J
K5J
100
1uF
4.7uF
#7314 (2) C3, C15 Capacitors (1 µF)
#7316 (2) C5, C12 Capacitors (4.7µF)
2.2uF
#7315 (1) C7 Capacitor (2.2 µF)
#7404 (2) D6, D7 Rectiers (1n4001)
#7483 (1) Q1 Transistor (2n5458)
#7465 (1) On-O-On mini toggle switch
#7318 (1) Ribbon cable
(1) Lead wires (12")
#7560 (4) Adhesive foam tape
#7501 (4) Control knobs
22NJ3n3K
MMK BF6 63-

stewmac.com ©2017 Stewart-MacDonald page 4 of 12
R2, R3 Resistors (100 kΩ)
Brown Black Black Orange Brown
Yellow Purple Black Gold Brown
Green Blue Black Black Brown R7 Resistor (560 Ω)
R1 Resistor (47 Ω)
Brown Green Black Brown Brown R13 Resistor (1.5 kΩ)
JHS Pedals Kit
For Stew Mac
DC Jack
All American
InJ
D8
T
S
T
S
R1
R2
R3
R4R17
R13
R14
R15
R5
R6
R7
R9
R11
D1
OutJ
P78867
R8
R10
S1
R12
C1
Q1
D4
D3
D5
D6D7
C5
C12 C15
C7
C3
R16
C6 C9
C13C8
C2
U1
C11 C14
C4
R4, R6, R14 Resistors (1.0 MΩ)
Brown Black Black Yellow Brown
Brown Black Black Red Brown
R15 Resistor (10 kΩ)
R5, R9, R11 Resistors (1 kΩ)
Brown Black Black Brown Brown
Brown Black Black Brown Brown R17 Resistor (1 kΩ)
Step 1: Install thirteen resistors
Resistors have a low prole, sitting closer to the board than taller components,
so install them rst. Their locations are marked with numbers on the board.
Resistors are not polarized, so it doesn’t matter which lead goes in which
eyelet. They can be installed in either direction.

stewmac.com ©2017 Stewart-MacDonald page 5 of 12
Step 2: Install the six diodes
Diodes are polarized, so they need to be installed in the correct orientation.
Note the stripe around one end: this marks the negative (minus) lead of the
diode. On the circuit board, the printed outline of the diodes also shows this
stripe. Install each diode so that its stripe matches the direction shown on
the circuit board.
D1 is a larger sized P6KE12A diode. D6 and D7 are both 1N4001 diodes. Solder
them in their marked locations now.
The leads on diodes sometimes vary in diameter. If the leads don’t t into
the eyelets in the circuit board, trim them at a steep angle to create sharp
points that t into the holes.
Next install the three clipping diodes D3, D4, and D5 on their location marks.
These red LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) are polarized and need to be installed
in a the correct orientation. On the circuit board, their location marks indicate
a at on one side. This matches the slight at on one side of the LED diode.
Install them so the at on the board matches the at on the LED.
JHS Pedals Kit
For Stew Mac
DC Jack
All American
InJ
D8
T
S
T
S
R1
R2
R3
R4R17
R13
R14
R15
R5
R6
R7
R9
R11
D1
OutJ
P78867
R8
R10
S1
R12
C1
Q1
D4
D3
D5
D6D7
C5
C12 C15
C7
C3
R16
C6 C9
C13C8
C2
U1
C11 C14
C4
D1 Diode (P6KE12A)
D3, D4, D5 Red LEDs (5mm)
D6, D7 Rectiers

stewmac.com ©2017 Stewart-MacDonald page 6 of 12
Step 3: Install fourteen capacitors
The six capacitors shown above are polarized, and have to be installed in the
correct orientation. Note the white stripe running the length of each cap; this
identies the negative (minus) lead. On the circuit board, the circle for this
cap’s location has a thicker line on one side: insert the capacitors with their
stripe facing that side. (On polarized caps of this type, there’s a second way
to identify the minus lead: it is the shorter of the two leads.)
JHS Pedals Kit
For Stew Mac
DC Jack
All American
InJ
D8
T
S
T
S
R1
R2
R3
R4R17
R13
R14
R15
R5
R6
R7
R9
R11
D1
OutJ
P78867
R8
R10
S1
R12
C1
Q1
D4
D3
D5
D6D7
C5
C12 C15
C7
C3
R16
C6 C9
C13C8
C2
U1
C11 C14
C4
C6 Capacitor (.001 µF)
C11 Capacitor (30 pF)
C8 Capacitor (100 pF)
102J
K5J
100
C1 Capacitor (100 µF)
100uF
1uF
C3, C15 Capacitors (1 µF)
JHS Pedals Kit
For Stew Mac
DC Jack
All American
InJ
D8
T
S
T
S
R1
R2
R3
R4R17
R13
R14
R15
R5
R6
R7
R9
R11
D1
OutJ
P78867
R8
R10
S1
R12
C1
Q1
D4
D3
D5
D6D7
C5
C12 C15
C7
C3
R16
C6 C9
C13C8
C2
U1
C11 C14
C4
2.2uF
C7 Capacitor (2.2 µF)
4.7uF
C5, C12 Capacitors (4.7 µF)
C2, C4, C9, C14 Capacitors (.022 µF)
C13 Capacitor (.0033 µF)
332J
100V
22NJ
3n3K
MMK BF6 63-
The remaining capacitors are not polarized. Solder these caps in place facing
either direction.

stewmac.com ©2017 Stewart-MacDonald page 7 of 12
Step 5: Install the transistor
Q1 is a 2n5458 JFET* transistor. It is directional, and needs to be installed
in a specic orientation. Note that it has a at side. On the circuit board, its
location outline also has a at side. Install the transistor to match this outline.
*JFET: Junction Gate Field-Eect Transistor
Step 4: Install the operational amplier
The operational amplier consists of two parts: the op-amp itself (U1), and
the socket it plugs into (U1.2).
You’ll solder the socket rst, then install the op-amp in the socket.
The op-amp has to be oriented correctly in order to function properly. There
are two indicators on the circuit board to guide you in positioning it:
1. The rectangular U1 position marker has a small notch at one end. Align the
similar notch in socket U1.2 when installing the socket.
2. The U1 position marker has a dot in one corner. There is a dot molded into
the corner of op-amp U1. Align these corners when pressing the op-amp
into place.
Solder socket U1.2 to the board. The op-amp U1 then snaps in without solder.
This feature allows you to try dierent op-amps with no soldering.
U1 Low noise op-amp (5534 500nA)
U1.2 socket for op-amp
JHS Pedals Kit
For Stew Mac
DC Jack
All American
InJ
D8
T
S
T
S
R1
R2
R3
R4R17
R13
R14
R15
R5
R6
R7
R9
R11
D1
OutJ
P78867
R8
R10
S1
R12
C1
Q1
D4
D3
D5
D6D7
C5
C12 C15
C7
C3
R16
C6 C9
C13C8
C2
U1
C11 C14
C4
22nJ
22nJ
22nJ
22nJ
3n3K
JHS Pedals Kit
For Stew Mac
DC Jack
All American
InJ
D8
T
S
T
S
R1
R2
R3
R4R17
R13
R14
R15
R5
R6
R7
R9
R11
D1
OutJ
P78867
R8
R10
S1
R12
C1
Q1
D4
D3
D5
D6D7
C5
C12 C15
C7
C3
R16
C6 C9
C13C8
C2
U1
C11 C14
C4
22nJ
22nJ
22nJ
22nJ
Q1 Transistor (2n5458)
3n3K

stewmac.com ©2017 Stewart-MacDonald page 8 of 12
Step 6: Install the mini toggle switch
Step 7: Install the control pots
The three-position mini toggle switch installs on the back of the board, and
there is no location marker printed. Solder the switch to the three large eyelets
pictured, making sure it’s at and square to the circuit board.
The switch is not directional, so it works equally well turned in either direction.
The last components to go onto the circuit board are the four control pots.
They install on the back of the board. Each pot has three connecting lugs; the
illustration in Step 8 shows the three pots in position on the board.
Each pot has an index pin protruding from the case. Break o this pin before
installation, so the pot will mount ush against the pedal case. Needle nose
pliers work well for removing the pins.
Use the adhesive foam tape to insulate the back of the pot from the soldered
leads of the other parts. Solder the pot in place, making sure it sits at on the
back of the board.
On-Off-On mini toggle switch
R12 Tone pot (100 kΩ, audio taper)
Adhesive foam tape (Goes on back of the pots)
R16 Volume pot (100 kΩ, audio taper)
Break o this index pin on all 4 pots.
R8 Sweep pot (1 kΩ, linear taper)
Adhesive foam tape
R10 Drive pot (100 kΩ, audio taper)

stewmac.com ©2017 Stewart-MacDonald page 9 of 12
Step 9: Install the lead wires, cut the board
Cut the lead wire into six 2" lengths for the input, output, and power jacks.
Strip the insulation on the ends and thread them through the front of the
board. Solder them on the back of the board.
Now you can cut the switch portion of the board away from the main board.
Small wire cutters make quick work of this, and a small saw also works.
Step 8: Install the footswitch, then the ribbon cable
Install the footswitch on the back of the circuit board. The switch lugs will
t in only one of two directions; either orientation works ne. Insert the lugs
through the nine eyelets so the switch sits ush, making contact all around.
Solder one lug and let it cool. This holds the switch in place while you solder
the remaining lugs.
Next, install the ribbon cable. Insert the cable leads through the front of the
board, and solder them in place on the back.
A100K
A100K
A100K
B1K
B1K Footswitch
Ribbon cable
A500K
JHS Pedals Kit
For Stew Mac
DC Jack
All American
InJ
D8
T
S
T
S
R1
R2
R3
R4R17
R13
R14
R15
R5
R6
R7
R9
R11
D1
OutJ
P78867
R8
R10
S1
R12
C1
Q1
D4
D3
D5
D6D7
C5
C12 C15
C7
C3
R16
C6 C9
C13C8
C2
U1
C11 C14
C4
22nJ
22nJ
22nJ
22nJ
3n3K
Lead wire, cut into six 2" lengths
JHS Pedals Kit
For Stew Mac
DC Jack
All American
InJ
T
S
T
S
R1
R2
R3
R4R17
R13
R14
R15
R5
R6
R7
R9
R11
D1
OutJ
P78867
R8
R10
S1
R12
C1
Q1
D4
D3
D5
D6D7
C5
C12 C15
C7
C3
R16
C6 C9
C13C8
C2
U1
C11 C14
C4
22nJ
22nJ
22nJ
22nJ
3n3K
D8

stewmac.com ©2017 Stewart-MacDonald page 10 of 12
Step 11: Mount the circuit board in the case
The main circuit board is held in place by the control pots and mini toggle
switch.
Install their shafts through the top of the case, and thread at washers onto
them on the outside. Install the mounting nuts so they are good and snug,
but take care not to overtighten.
Step 10: Install the LED mounting bezel and the two jacks
Install the plastic mounting bezel for the LED indicator by pressing it in
from the outside, through the top of the case. Spread the tabs open inside
the case to hold it in place.
Install the input and output jacks on the sides of the case. Keep the lugs
facing up so you’ll have easy access when it’s time to solder them.
LED mounting bezel
Two jacks
JHS Pedals Kit
For Stew Mac
DC Jack
All American
InJ
T
S
T
S
R1
R2
R3
R4R17
R13
R14
R15
R5
R6
R7
R9
R11
D1
OutJ
P78867
R8
R10
S1
R12
C1
Q1
D4
D3
D5
D6D7
C5
C12 C15
C7
C3
R16
C6 C9
C13C8
C2
U1
C11 C14
C4
22nJ
22nJ
22nJ
22nJ
3n3K
D8

stewmac.com ©2017 Stewart-MacDonald page 11 of 12
Step 13: Install the footswitch
Thread one of the nuts onto the footswitch, leaving
a 1/8" gap between it and the switch housing. Place
the split lock washer on next.
Carefully install the switch so the legs of the diode feed through the D8 holes
on the switch circuit board.
Place the at washer on the switch shaft on the top of the case. As you tighten
the remaining nut on the switch, hold the switch circuit board inside the case
so that it doesn’t rotate.
Solder the D8 LED and trim the leads.
1/8"
Step 12: Install the LED in the mounting bezel
Like some of the caps and diodes, the D8 LED is polarized and has to be in-
stalled in a specic direction. One side of the LED has a at edge, indicating
the negative lead. Another indication is that the negative lead is shorter than
the positive. The circle marking the D8 location on the switch circuit board
has a corresponding at to indicate the mounting orientation.
Insert the LED into the bezel. It will be held in place by soldering it to the
switch circuit board in Step 13, but for a more secure mount you can run a
bead of clear silicone adhesive around the LED and bezel.
JHS Pedals Kit
For Stew Mac
DC Jack
All American
InJ
T
S
T
S
R1
R2
R3
R4R17
R13
R14
R15
R5
R6
R7
R9
R11
D1
OutJ
P78867
R8
R10
S1
R12
C1
Q1
D4
D3
D5
D6D7
C5
C12 C15
C7
C3
R16
C6 C9
C13C8
C2
U1
C11 C14
C4
22nJ
22nJ
22nJ
22nJ
3n3K
D8
D8 LED (5mm)
JHS Pedals Kit
For Stew Mac
DC Jack
All American
InJ
T
S
T
S
R1
R2
R3
R4R17
R13
R14
R15
R5
R6
R7
R9
R11
D1
OutJ
P78867
R8
R10
S1
R12
C1
Q1
D4
D3
D5
D6D7
C5
C12 C15
C7
C3
R16
C6 C9
C13C8
C2
U1
C11 C14
C4
22nJ
22nJ
22nJ
22nJ
3n3K
D8

stewmac.com ©2017 Stewart-MacDonald page 12 of 12
Step 15: Wire the input/output jacks
On the circuit board, the input and output jack leads are labeled InJ and OutJ.
The leads are also labeled Tfor tip, and Sfor sleeve. Looking at a jack, you’ll
see that the sleeve lug is attached to the threaded shaft. The tip lug connects
to the spring metal piece that contacts the tip of a guitar cord.
Solder these four leads as shown to nish the assembly.
Screw the bottom onto the case and add the control knobs.
Plug in and rock out!
Here’s how to use the ALL-AMERICAN:
Step 14: Install the DC power connector
Insert the DC power connector so the negative lug is facing up, and tighten
it in place. The negative lug is the one with the largest metal tab.
Solder the installed leads from the circuit board to the jack. Where they attach
to the board, the positive lead is on the the right and the negative is on the left.
This pedal requires a standard 9V DC center-negative power supply (not
included) and consumes less than 100mA. There’s no battery option.
JHS Pedals Kit
For Stew Mac
DC Jack
All American
InJ
T
S
T
S
R1
R2
R3
R4R17
R13
R14
R15
R5
R6
R7
R9
R11
D1
OutJ
P78867
R8
R10
S1
R12
C1
Q1
D4
D3
D5
D6D7
C5
C12 C15
C7
C3
R16
C6 C9
C13C8
C2
U1
C11 C14
C4
22nJ
22nJ
22nJ
22nJ
3n3K
DC power connector Negative Positive
D8
JHS Pedals Kit
For Stew Mac
DC Jack
All American
InJ
T
S
T
S
R1
R2
R3
R4R17
R13
R14
R15
R5
R6
R7
R9
R11
D1
OutJ
P78867
R8
R10
S1
R12
C1
Q1
D4
D3
D5
D6D7
C5
C12 C15
C7
C3
R16
C6 C9
C13C8
C2
U1
C11 C14
C4
22nJ
22nJ
22nJ
22nJ
3n3K
D8
Requires 9V DC
center-negative power
supply (not included)
Output
Input
Footswitch
On/O LED Indicator
On/O
3-way gain switch
Three tone options:
•Up: LED clipping
•Middle: Open boost
•Down: Silicon clipping
Tone
Adjusts the top end
Volume
Overall output level Drive
Dials in more
or less distortion
Sweep
Controls the feel
of the gain structure