lithium_documentation
lithium_documentation
LITHIUM
BASED ON BUILD DIFFICULTY
Electro-Harmonix® Small Clone Intermediate
EFFECT TYPE DOCUMENT VERSION
Chorus 1.0.1 (2022-10-21)
PROJECT SUMMARY
An early BBD-based analog chorus most notably used by Kurt Cobain for much of Nevermind.
Actual size is 2.3” x 2.42” (main board) and 1.78” x 0.86” (bypass board).
INTRODUCTION
The Lithium Analog Chorus is an adaptation of the Electro-Harmonix Small Stone chorus pedal,
originally released in 1979 and produced up until Electro-Harmonix closed down in 1983. It was a more
compact alternative to the Clone Theory, in the same way that the Small Stone was a reduced-footprint
successor to the Bad Stone.
The Small Clone was most famously used by Kurt Cobain on “Come As You Are” as well as several other
tracks on Nevermind. It has also been used by Jonny Greenwood, The Edge and several others.
The Small Clone had two different variants, one using the extremely rare SAD1024 and the other using
the MN3007. It’s commonly thought that the SAD1024 version came first and the MN3007 replaced
it—and the factory schematic would seem to support this, showing SAD1024 as the default and then
including the MN3007 changes as a modification. However, based on date codes of production units,
the SAD1024 wasn’t seen until 1981 or possibly late 1980, while the MN3007 was used throughout the
whole production run. Whatever the case, the MN3007 variant is far more common.
While it’s often said that Kurt used the SAD1024 version, there is no definitive proof of this that we
have seen . It’s statistically much more likely that his was the MN3007 one.
The Small Clone was reissued in the early 2000s, still using the MN3007 BBD but with a few small
circuit changes that cause it to sound different. The overall schematic is pretty well identical, though, so
the reissues can be easily modified to vintage specs.
The Lithium is an expanded adaptation of the MN3007 Small Clone, with the addition of a Depth control
(converted from a switch) and a Mix control. If you want to read more on the changes, the build notes
are extensive, so there are plenty of details for the curious.
USAGE
The Lithium has three controls:
R16 JUMPER Metal film resistor, 1/4W Use 1k for MN3207 version. See build notes.
R17 OMIT Metal film resistor, 1/4W Use 14k for MN3207 version. See build notes.
RPD 2M2 Metal film resistor, 1/4W Input pull-down resistor. Can be as low as 1M.
LEDR 4k7 Metal film resistor, 1/4W LED current-limiting resistor. Adjust value to change LED brightness.
C9 OMIT Use 4.7uF tantalum for MN3207 version. See build notes.
C14 2.2uF bipolar Electrolytic capacitor, 5mm See build notes for other options.
IN 1/4" mono 1/4" phone jack, closed frame Switchcraft 111X or equivalent.
OUT 1/4" mono 1/4" phone jack, closed frame Switchcraft 111X or equivalent.
ENC 125B Enclosure, die-cast aluminum Can also use a Hammond 1590N1.
You can also connect an oscilloscope to pin 7 or 8 of the BBD and use the scope reading to adjust for
a symmetrical waveform with equal clipping on the top and bottom. Use a signal generator to send an
8kHz sine wave at 2V p-p as a test signal. This is far higher in amplitude than what the BBD would see in
normal operation, but the heavy clipping allows for optimal adjustment.
The MN3207 replaced the MN3007 in the late 1980s, optimized for lower voltages down to 5V but with
a maximum voltage of 10V. Today, old-stock 3207s are significantly cheaper than old-stock MN3007s,
and the Coolaudio reissues (v3207) are also significantly cheaper than the Xvive MN3007 reissues, so
it’s an attractive option.
Importantly, though, the 3207 runs on opposite polarity, so in order for the MN3207 to replace the
MN3007, the supply voltage and ground need to be reversed for the chip.
Some choruses such as the Boss CE-2 can be easily converted to using the MN3207 by setting a few
jumpers to invert the polarity, as in our Azure project. We have experimentally included the same
standard MN3007/MN3207 conversion jumpers on the Lithium PCB, although it should be stressed
that we have not tested this and it may be wildly deficient for this circuit. It’s possible that the input
biasing network (bias trimmer through R14) would need additional changes in order to work properly.
Therefore, only attempt a MN3207 conversion if you know what you’re doing. If we hear reports of
success, then we’ll revise the build notes with more confident advice, but for now we are adding a strong
disclaimer to any deviation from the base MN3007 circuit.
The underside of the PCB has a legend on the silkscreen showing which way the jumpers should be
soldered. If using a MN3007, both jumpers should be installed horizontally. If using a MN3207 or v3207,
the jumpers should go vertically. If you don’t solder these jumpers, there will be no wet signal at all.
If using a MN3207, make sure to use 1N4739A (9.1V zener) for Z1 to limit the BBD’s supply voltage to
9V. If using a MN3007, this zener can be omitted since the maximum supply voltage is 15V.
VGG voltage
BBDs typically require pin 4 (VGG) to be supplied with a voltage that is 14/15ths of the supply voltage
(VDD) for best performance. This VGG voltage is intended to be supplied by the MN300X series’
companion clock chip, the MN3101.
The Small Clone does not use the MN3101, but instead uses a CD4047 to generate the clock signal.
Electro-Harmonix did not implement an external 14/15 voltage divider, instead connecting the VGG pin
to the VDD supply voltage, and the circuit seems to perform just fine without it.
However, we’ve heard anecdotally that the MN3207 is more sensitive to the 14/15 voltage than the
MN3007, so it may be the case that the MN3207 requires this 14/15 network where the MN3007 does
not. It may also be the case that the performance of the MN3007 in the stock circuit could be improved
with this network, so you could try using it even with the MN3007—though whether it will affect the
character of the effect, we don’t know.
Either way, if you want to use the 14/15 VGG network, use 1k for R16, 14k for R17, and a 4.7uF or 10uF
tantalum capacitor for C9.
To build the stock circuit, omit C9 and R17 (in other words, leave them empty) and jumper R16.
Mix knob
The original Small Clone had a fixed proportion of dry and wet signals mixed in the last op-amp stage.
We’ve added a Mix knob that allows the wet signal to be dialed back.
The vintage Small Clone used a 27k resistor for R24, while the 2002 reissue reduced this to 20k,
resulting in a more prominent wet mix. Due to the addition of the Mix knob, it’s recommended to always
use the modern value of 20k since the mix knob directly adds to this fixed resistance value. Therefore,
to get the “vintage” value of 27k, just turn the mix knob down about 10-15%. With the mix knob at full
rotation, it’s equivalent to the “modern” value of 20k.
Depth knob
The original Small Clone only had a 2-position depth switch to change the intensity of the chorus sound.
We’ve converted this to a potentiometer that allows fine-tuning the depth across the whole range and
beyond, instead of being stuck with two presets.
Note that the modern Small Clones also change R8 to 9k1 to add back some of the brightness that is
lost by the capacitor change. This is sort of a hack on EHX’s part since it puts the pre/de-emphasis filters
Thanks to Dana for detailed insight into the differences between the vintage and modern versions.
If you can’t find one, you can follow EHX’s lead and just use a polarized electrolytic with the positive side
going to the left pad (the same orientation as C22 next to it). There are 40-year-old Small Clones that
are still working just fine, so it can’t be too critical of an issue.
You can also use two 4.7uF electrolytic capacitors wired in series, with the negative legs going to the
pads of C14 and the positive legs tied together. This will give an effective capacitance of 2.35uF, which is
well within tolerance.
D1 R35
1N5817 47R
C24
OMIT
VA VB C21
Z1
47R
R32
R36
10k
100n
220uF
R33 VD
Q3
GND 56k GND2 2N5088
C19 C20
GND2
R34
56k
220uF 47uF
C22 C23
10uF 10uF
GND GND
GND
GND2 GND2
VB
10n
C3
R8
VA
6k8
220k
R7
R1
IC1A
33n
C1
R2 33k
8
3 RC4558P
IN R5 R6
1uF
1 6
C4
1k R9
2 7
VD 22k 10k OUT
5
2M2
RPD
1k
IC1B
4
RC4558P
100k
R10
6k8
R4
GND
GND VB
R24
20k
VD R17
R3
C2
C9 OMIT
33k GND
JUMPER
10n VA
R16
3
OMIT VB
250kC
R14
R18
MIX
12k
39k
VC C5 4 1
2
VB GND2
15n
D2 IC2
C8
220k
2N5088
R23
33k 10k 39k 39k
3
1N914
R11 R12 R13
C13
1uF
C10 C11 C12
100k
BIAS
Q1
5 8
2N5087
2
2 6
3n3 470pF
GND2 GND2 GND GND
GND2
RATE GND2 GND2
1MC VD
R26
R22
10k
1 3
47k
2 C15
SW1B 4
14
13
12
11
10
9
8
47n 5
6 IC4 GND2
C14 2.2uF BP VD GND
GND2 SW1A 1 CD4047BE
VC
2
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
VC R28 3
470k
C18 C17
180k
R25
1N914
R27 GND2
8
IC3B
D3
2 5
1 7 47pF 100pF
120k
3 6
IC3A LM358N
LM358N
4
R31
39k
3
GND2
R29
DEPTH
10kB
68k C16
1
R30
82k
10uF
GND2
GND2
GND2
Ensure that this template is printed at 100% or “Actual Size”. You can double-check this by measuring
the scale on the printed page.
Top jack layout assumes the use of closed-frame jacks like the Switchcraft 111X. If you’d rather use
open-frame jacks, please refer to the Open-Frame Jack Drill Template for the top side.
LED hole drill size assumes the use of a 5mm LED bezel, available from several parts suppliers. Adjust
size accordingly if using something different, such as a 3mm bezel, a plastic bezel, or just a plain LED.
INCH
125B
0.385”
0 1 0.625” 0.625”
ø3/8” ø3/8”
ø1/2”
CM
OUT DC IN
0 1 2
DEPTH RATE
MIX
x: 0, y: +0.66
ø9/32”
CENTER (0,0)
LED FOOTSWITCH
125B
125B
All of these circuits have been tested in good faith in their base configurations. However, not all the
modifications or variations have necessarily been tested. These are offered only as suggestions based
on the experience and opinions of others.
Projects may be used for commercial endeavors in any quantity unless specifically noted. No
attribution is necessary, though a link back is always greatly appreciated. The only usage restrictions
are that (1) you cannot resell the PCB as part of a kit without prior arrangement, and (2) you cannot
“goop” the circuit, scratch off the screenprint, or otherwise obfuscate the circuit to disguise its source.
(In other words: you don’t have to go out of your way to advertise the fact that you use these PCBs, but
please don’t go out of your way to hide it. The guitar effects industry needs more transparency, not less!)
DOCUMENT REVISIONS
1.0.1 (2022-10-21)
Changed recommendation for IC3 to LM358 as used in the original. The TL022 is usually an upgrade for
LFOs, but in this circuit it seems to sometimes cause issues with the travel of the Depth pot.
1.0.0 (2022-09-24)
Initial release—and incidentally, the 31st anniversary of the release of Nevermind.