RhPf Nerd Lab

Welcome to RhPf Electronics Nerd Lab, a space dedicated to the inner details of pedal design, circuit experiments, and tone exploration. Whether you’re a pedal builder, a gear geek, or just someone who loves to understand what makes a stompbox tick, you’ll find tools, research, and insights here to feed your curiosity. From diode voltage curves to op-amp comparisons, from circuit simulations to real-world testing, this is where the pedal nerdery runs deep. Dig in, experiment, and let’s push the boundaries of tone together!

Interactive Frequency Response Library

Dive into the tone-shaping DNA of some of the most iconic and beloved guitar pedals. This growing collection of interactive frequency response graphs lets you visualize how different designs affect EQ curves, highlighting the unique sonic fingerprints that define each circuit. Whether you’re chasing a classic sound or analyzing subtle differences, this library offers a deeper understanding of what you’re hearing—and why.

BBE Sonic Stomp Sonic Maximizer
Boss BD-2 Blues Driver
Boss HM-2 Heavy Metal
Boss OD-1
Boss OD-3
Boss SD-1 Super OverDrive
Catalinbread SFT Overdrive
Crowther Hotcake
DigiTech Bad Monkey Tube Overdrive
DOD Bi-Fet Preamp FX10
DOD Overdrive 250
EarthQuaker Devices Hizumitas Fuzz Sustainar
EarthQuaker Devices Plumes Small Signal Shredder
EHX Big Muff Pi – Green Russian
EHX Op-Amp Big Muff Pi
Fairfield Circuitry Barbershop
Fortin Grind
Fulltone OCD
Greer Amps Lightspeed Organic Overdrive
Ibanez MT10 Mostortion
Ibanez TS808 Tube Screamer
JHS Moonshine V2 Overdrive
JHS Morning Glory
Klon Centaur
Lollar Overdrive
Lovepedal Hermida Zendrive
Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive
Marshall Bluesbreaker
Marshall The Guv’nor
MXR® Custom Badass™ ’78 Distortion
Nobels ODR-1 Natural Overdrive
Paul Cochrane Timmy V3
ProCo Rat
RhPf Electronics Basilisk
RhPf Electronics Capharnaüm
RhPf Electronics Mosferatwo
RhPf Electronics Mo(s)ghoul
RhPf Electronics Mostard
RhPf Electronics Tri-Hormonic Phalanx
RhPf Electronics Shodhana
Systech Harmonic Energizer
Xotic EP Booster
Yamaha NE-1 Bass Parametric EQ
Zvex Box of Rock
Zvex Super Hard On

👉 Submit your requests on Reddit 💬

I didn’t plot the pedal you were looking for yet? Request it here and I will do so asap!

Diode Curve Plotter – A Visual Guide to Forward Voltage

Explore the voltage characteristics of over 200 diodes with the RhPf Nerd Lab Electronics Diode Curve Plotter. This interactive tool lets you compare forward voltage curves across different diode types—germanium, silicon, Schottky, and more—helping pedal builders and circuit designers make informed choices for clipping, rectification, and beyond. Dive in and tweak your tone at the component level!

RhPf Internal Nerd Lab

For a look at how we shape tone in our own designs, check out our RhPf Electronics Product Interactive Frequency Response Plots.

Nerd Resources

Looking for more deep-dive info? Check out these Useful Resources:

  • ElectroSmash – Deep circuit analysis of iconic guitar pedals, exploring signal flow, design choices, and component behavior.
  • AMZ FX – Expert articles and detailed circuit breakdowns, perfect for refining your DIY designs.
  • GuitarScience – Interactive tools and calculators to understand guitar electronics and signal flow in depth.
  • Newark’s Calculators & Tools – Handy for component selection, conversions, and quick circuit math.
  • Omni Calculator’s (physics tools) – Great for fast, accurate electrical circuit and signal processing calculations.
  • Digi-Key’s Calculators – Essential tools for design work and choosing the right components.
  • PedalPCB – High-quality DIY PCBs and kits for building and customizing your own pedals.
  • FreeStompboxes – A deep-dive forum where modders and builders share schematics, hacks, and technical gold.
  • DIYStompboxes – A go-to community for builders of all levels, packed with schematics, mods, and friendly advice.
  • Hackaday – Daily inspiration from the world of hardware hacking, with tons of inventive projects, clever fixes, and DIY experiments.
  • Experimentalists Anonymous – A treasure trove of obscure, vintage, and DIY schematics for the curious and adventurous builder.
  • Runoffgroove – Innovative analog pedal designs that blur the line between amp emulation and stompbox creativity.
  • Solid State Guitar Amp Forum – Focused on solid-state amp design, this forum is packed with schematics, discussions, and practical advice
  • GEOFEX – A goldmine of technical articles, design theory, and legendary insights from R.G. Keen—an essential stop for serious builders.
  • And so many more… The rabbit hole goes deep.