Post-Lockdown pedal building

english_bob · June 2021

^^^ I think the helping hand would be more versatile. You could use it to clamp more than just PCBs- jackplugs or sockets etc

... because if you can handle a pedal kit you'll find all sorts of other soldering jobs you can do. Pots, pickups, cables...

stickyfiddle · June 2021

Yeah, I agree the general helping hand is more flexible and thus more useful

tanihhiavlt · June 2021

Pedals I'm actively working on atm:

The Warden (PedalPCB) (too deep for a 1550 - ordering a 125b)

Image: https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51270175289_8085cea93a_k.jpg

A passive octaver with a momentary switch and it's own buffer:

Image: https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51269631743_f88a0bb6df_k.jpg

A Ghost Reverb (Fuzzdog) - again too deep for 1550... needs a 125 (thanks to my choice of electrolytic caps)

Image: https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51269448911_3081178bfd_k.jpg

Which means this will be used to house a Timmy with a switchable clipping section:
Jan Ray / Timmy / Dumkudo:

Image: https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51269457101_6313cd4c07_k.jpg

Cookiemonster · June 2021

benga said:

Once again this forum proves how nice it is Thanks for all the advice.

I saw that soldering station recommend in a few places Cookiemonster - if I get in to it I might slip it on to my birthday wish list. And thank you so much for the offer of help - you may regret that

Last question and I promise I’ll hit the order button…

PCB holder

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Duratool-DURATOOL-D03170-PCB-HOLDER/dp/B072BCZCXP/ref=sr_1_6?dchild=1&keywords=Pcb+clamp&qid=1624573599&s=diy&sr=1-6

or

Helping hand

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Silverline-282589-Heavy-Helping-Hands/dp/B000T9UCHI/ref=sr_1_26?dchild=1&keywords=Helping+hand+soldering&qid=1624573745&s=diy&sr=1-26

or both?

I have the holder, but will get a helping hand at some point.

I do like a bit of good old blu tak as well, which I learnt from Marcus Reeves

I would spend a bit more on the helping hand that one has some interesting reviews

Cookiemonster · June 2021

benga said:

Once again this forum proves how nice it is Thanks for all the advice.

I saw that soldering station recommend in a few places Cookiemonster - if I get in to it I might slip it on to my birthday wish list. And thank you so much for the offer of help - you may regret that

Last question and I promise I’ll hit the order button…

PCB holder

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Duratool-DURATOOL-D03170-PCB-HOLDER/dp/B072BCZCXP/ref=sr_1_6?dchild=1&keywords=Pcb+clamp&qid=1624573599&s=diy&sr=1-6

or

Helping hand

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Silverline-282589-Heavy-Helping-Hands/dp/B000T9UCHI/ref=sr_1_26?dchild=1&keywords=Helping+hand+soldering&qid=1624573745&s=diy&sr=1-26

or both?

If you do get into buy either a Jed's Peds or fuzz dog test kit. Best purchase you will make

slowpilgrim · June 2021

Hey guys, I want to build a spring reverb for my vibro champ and looking around for options. I was thinking of getting a BJF kit from moodysounds, either with the spring in the pedal or the universal driver that uses an external tank. I’m a bit concerned about the size of their pedal tank:

https://moodysounds.com/en/reverb-kit-tank/

maybe the tank is too small for a good reverb. With the universal driver I could use a bigger tank mounted in the bottom of the cab:

https://moodysounds.com/en/universal-reverb-kit/

Are there any other alternatives for DIY spring reverbs with actual springs?

Keefy · June 2021

I built a version of Craig Anderton’s Center Stage - the build diary is here. I did it as a rack unit but the original concept was for a pedal linked to a spring tank. I ended up using a MOD medium delay 9.25 inch tank which still gives a long smooth reverb effect.

slowpilgrim · June 2021

The Accutronics long tank mounted inside the pedal is 5.3". Seems short but maybe that would suit the 8 inch speaker quite well. I've had issues with big pad reverbs like the OBNE Dark Star just completely swamping it.

Cookiemonster · June 2021

slowpilgrim said:

Hey guys, I want to build a spring reverb for my vibro champ and looking around for options. I was thinking of getting a BJF kit from moodysounds, either with the spring in the pedal or the universal driver that uses an external tank. I’m a bit concerned about the size of their pedal tank:

https://moodysounds.com/en/reverb-kit-tank/

maybe the tank is too small for a good reverb. With the universal driver I could use a bigger tank mounted in the bottom of the cab:

https://moodysounds.com/en/universal-reverb-kit/

Are there any other alternatives for DIY spring reverbs with actual springs?

Not a spring but I built the ghost echo and it's just fantastic

slowpilgrim · July 2021

tanihhiavlt said:

Pedals I'm actively working on atm:

The Warden (PedalPCB) (too deep for a 1550 - ordering a 125b)

A passive octaver with a momentary switch and it's own buffer:

A Ghost Reverb (Fuzzdog) - again too deep for 1550... needs a 125 (thanks to my choice of electrolytic caps)

Which means this will be used to house a Timmy with a switchable clipping section:
Jan Ray / Timmy / Dumkudo:

lovely finish on that compressor!

I'd like to make a nice fuzz w/ NOS ge transistors, rather than pay for someone else's. Does anyone have any tips on buying and testing them? Do you just bulk buy off the 'bay and test them individually? If I just want a pair for a fuzz face, I assume I would need to order 30 or so to have a good chance of getting the right values?

tanihhiavlt · July 2021

You can get specific values from mouser, things like forward voltage and leakage all play a part.

slowpilgrim · July 2021

they don't seem to sell old transistors? unless i'm looking in the wrong place. I'm specifically after some CV7005s/OC72s.

StuC · July 2021

tanihhiavlt said:

Pedals I'm actively working on atm:

A Ghost Reverb (Fuzzdog) - again too deep for 1550... needs a 125 (thanks to my choice of electrolytic caps)

That enclosure looks a bit flimsy... I'd stick with metal.

Keefy · July 2021

StuC said:

tanihhiavlt said:

Pedals I'm actively working on atm:

A Ghost Reverb (Fuzzdog) - again too deep for 1550... needs a 125 (thanks to my choice of electrolytic caps)

That enclosure looks a bit flimsy... I'd stick with metal.

Makes for a very transparent pedal...

benga · July 2021

Order placed with JedsPeds for a Bass Fuzz as my first build

Thanks for all the advice and encouragement. You may regret it

stickyfiddle · July 2021

benga said:

Order placed with JedsPeds for a Bass Fuzz as my first build Thanks for all the advice and encouragement. You may regret it

One of us.. one of us...

UnclePsychosis · July 2021

Has anyone built the Two Dozen Silvertone pedal by Fuzzdog?

I quite fancy it - and I refuse to own a JHS pedal so their twin twelve is right out - but there's bugger all info or clips out there on this fuzzdog, which seems to be based on a fairly unique schematic and not a copy of anything.

It also uses SMD FETs which make me nervous because I bet I'd fry them.

Thoughts?

https://shop.pedalparts.co.uk/Two_Dozen_Silvertones/p847124_18265209.aspx

WeZ84 · July 2021

UnclePsychosis said:

Has anyone built the Two Dozen Silvertone pedal by Fuzzdog?

I quite fancy it - and I refuse to own a JHS pedal so their twin twelve is right out - but there's bugger all info or clips out there on this fuzzdog, which seems to be based on a fairly unique schematic and not a copy of anything.

It also uses SMD FETs which make me nervous because I bet I'd fry them.

Thoughts?

https://shop.pedalparts.co.uk/Two_Dozen_Silvertones/p847124_18265209.aspx

With that kit the PCB has through holes as well as pads for the surface mount FETs so you might be able to source some through hole FETs elsewhere and use those instead.

markblack · July 2021

need to see what all this 'tonebender' fuss was about

so I built one and it's great fun - not the most complex build, which is probably best considering my ability.

Kept the case plain and added a little emblem to give it something.

got the kit off ebay from a guy who clearly bought them but then didn't bother...

but it came from here:

https://www.musikding.de/The-Bender-Mk2-Germanium-Fuzz-kit

markblack · July 2021

and another this time a Dallas Rangemaster clone which i got with the tone master kit. Hadn't even heard of it but it's been fun to play with... and some times just ear splitting with the amount of treble boost!

https://www.musikding.de/The-Range-Germanium-Treblebooster-kit

andy_k · July 2021

Nice classy looking pedals right there, iconic.

stickyfiddle · July 2021

Yeah, good stuff - they look great.

NelsonP · August 2021

Decided to find out what all this Tone Bender fuss was about...

UnclePsychosis · September 2021

Folks, I love the knobs that @stickyfiddle has used here, and I've used them on builds before, but does anyone know if there's a source of "the same, but smaller"? I am doing a 1590BB build, but need to fit four knobs across the space where Sticky's is only three. I think I probably need something closer to 14mm than 20mm! Also, more general question - good (UK) source of knobs where postage isnt ridiculous?

stickyfiddle said:

stickyfiddle · September 2021

Banzai definitely do similar ones in silver that I’ve used a few times. They do various sizes so you can get whatever you need. They’ve been a nightmare on actually sending stuff correctly and on time for my last couple of orders though…

Cookiemonster · September 2021

UnclePsychosis said:

Folks, I love the knobs that @stickyfiddle has used here, and I've used them on builds before, but does anyone know if there's a source of "the same, but smaller"? I am doing a 1590BB build, but need to fit four knobs across the space where Sticky's is only three. I think I probably need something closer to 14mm than 20mm! Also, more general question - good (UK) source of knobs where postage isnt ridiculous?

stickyfiddle said:

Jeds Peds ! They have there own range now as well

UnclePsychosis · September 2021

Had anyone had any success using the "apply with a brush" hammerite paint (instead of the spraypaint stuff?).

The question I'm really asking - has anyone found a sensible solution to buying pre-painted enclosures if you don't own a pillar drill?

LastMantra · September 2021

I've used brushed on hammerite (green) and it worked fine.
The only thing is it doesn't take some paints and things on top, if you were planning on painting designs or clear coating it.

Cookiemonster · September 2021

UnclePsychosis said:

Had anyone had any success using the "apply with a brush" hammerite paint (instead of the spraypaint stuff?).

The question I'm really asking - has anyone found a sensible solution to buying pre-painted enclosures if you don't own a pillar drill?

Predrilled from Tayda !!

UnclePsychosis · September 2021

Cookiemonster said:

UnclePsychosis said:

Had anyone had any success using the "apply with a brush" hammerite paint (instead of the spraypaint stuff?).

The question I'm really asking - has anyone found a sensible solution to buying pre-painted enclosures if you don't own a pillar drill?

Predrilled from Tayda !!

Trying to order one now, but having issues making the drilling portal work... Followed the instructions but my order hasn't appeared in the portal and we're well past the fifteen minutes they told me to wait.

Any tips?

Edit: it automagically worked.

Will report back when it eventually arrives...

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Post-Lockdown pedal building

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