EHX LPB2 Replica
This project is a replica of the original vintage Electro-Harmonix LPB1 (Linear Power Booster) or LPB2. The only difference between an LPB1 and LPB2 was the enclosure and switch, LPB1 plugs into your guitar, LPB2 is a stompbox. We named this project CB1 (Clean Boost 1) and it is a stompbox version similar to the LPB2. The LPB2 is actually a much better boost (less ugly distortion) if you move the volume to the front of the circuit instead of the stock version where the volume is at the end. Schematic and diagrams of the input volume mod are listed below. Trademarks mentioned here belong to their owners and not to General Guitar Gadgets
- General Build Instructions
- CB1 Build Instructions
- CB1 Bill of Materials
- CB1 Schematic
- CB1 Parts Layout and Wiring Diagram
- CB1 Modifications Information
- CB1 Input Volume Schematic
- CB1 Input Volume Parts Layout and Wiring Diagram
- CB1 Ready-For-Transfer Printed Circuit Board Layout – For use only if you are a complete DIY person who wants to etch and drill your own PCB. Otherwise, we recommend you ignore this PCB mask and buy the Ready to Solder Printed Circuit Board or Complete Kit.
- CB1 Project Revisions History
Buy a CB1 Complete Kit. Includes all the parts and materials you need to build one, all for about the price you would pay for a PCB and parts.
Would you like a Ready to Solder Circuit Board for this project? Note: If you buy the kit, the Ready-to-Solder Printed Circuit Board (RTS PCB) is included in the kit. You do not need to purchase this Ready to Solder Circuit Printed Board if you buy the kit.
Other Information about the EH LPBs
electro-harmonix™ touted the following claims in a series of ads in 1975/76 Guitar Player Magazine:
- It’s as if you had 20 sets of pick-ups all in one guitar.
- Maximum setting of the volume control of one unit can make your amplifier TEN times louder
- Increase guitar SUSTAIN.
- Vastly increases the performance of all distortion devices, wah-wah pedals and other accessories.
- Using two LPB’s will give you even more sustain. Turning up the volume level of the first LPB past the halfway point will shift the second LPB into overdrive. Using the first LPB control, you can now develop distortion to any desired degree. The second LPB can control the volume of the combination.
All of these claims were backed up by a guaranteed full refund if you’re not happy after a 10 day trial period!
The June ’95 edition of Guitar Player ran an article entitled “Stompbox Stampede”. The author Art Thompson, claims the LPB1 “…sounded way badder…” than the MXR Micro Amp. And that is Art Thompson’s opinion, not necessarily ours.
One of the most interesting aspects of the original LPB1 is that it is one of the few guitar effect ever to be actually wired “point-to-point”. No board, no terminal strip, just the parts dangling in mid air, mostly held in place by the solder connections to the mini pot.