Q: Are your projects exact clones of the circuits you say they are "based upon"?

A: Yes, by in large. The info used to create the projects is based upon the best information I've found through the web, various forums and personal tracings. Strictly speaking, they are not clones in the sense that I do not provide the component types used in the stock version of the pedals, and the PCB layouts are my own original work. However, by using quality components and following the build instructions you can expect to get a very reasonable facsimile of the pedal you want to clone.

Q: Do all these projects work?

A: Absolutely. I build, test, and debug every single project before releasing it. This does not mean there are never mistakes, but in practice this rarely happens. Most of these projects have been through several revisions. I constantly update the projects with improved layouts, and document revisions. I attempt to make each one the best it can possibly be in terms of building on the user end and production on my end.

Q: Is this even legal?

A: Yes. Circuits themselves are not copyrighted. Names, logos and artwork (including PCB layouts) can be trademarked and copyrighted. Circuits can be patented, although the vast majority of guitar effects do not utilize patented circuits. In most cases (though not all) you will find that the circuits used in these projects (and most other guitar pedals) are either based upon, or direct recreations of, certain "classic" effects. These include the Fuzz Face, Tube Screamer, Blues Breaker, DM-2, Big Muff, and so on. It is completely legal to build your own versions of any of these circuits for personal use.

Q: Can I sell my cloned pedals using your PCB's?

A: For the most part, yes. However, there are some caveats. The PCB's are intended for personal, non-commercial use. What this means is that there is an assumption that you are interested in DIY and building your own pedals and that the PCB's offered here can be utilized to create your own custom work. The PCB's are not intended, and should not be used, to build cheap knock-offs for mass production in an effort to undermine pedal manufacturers for personal profit. If that is your intention, please look elsewhere. However, it is perfectly okay to sell your pedal if you don't like it, or just don't want it, or give them to your buddy or bandmate. This is part of the fun of DIY: making stuff you like, that is highly personalized, and being able to show it off to the world!

Q: How long does it take you to ship an order?

A: Orders are shipped within 3 working days.

Q: Do you provide shipping notification and/or a tracking #?

A: All domestic (U.S.) orders are mailed utilizing Paypal's shipping service. This means every shipment will include a tracking #. Paypal should automatically email you this tracking # when the postage is purchased.

Q: I've built my board, and it doesn't work. What should I do? Do you provide support?

Q: Do you accept returns?

A: Orders, or parts of orders, can be returned within 7 days of a received shipment. In case of defective, broken or any other defect-related cause resulting in less than your 100% saitsfction, a full refund will be issued or replacement boards will be shipped at no charge. Returns for reasons other than mentioned above may carry a small re-stocking fee to cover shipping and Paypal fees.. If you have concerns over the quality or receipt of your order, please email me at brian@madbeanpedals.com so that we can discuss it.

Q: Can you make me a "Timmy" PCB?

A: No.

All international shipments are done via USPS 1st Class mail service. This is the most economical way to ship your order and keeps shipping fees low.

After postage for your order is purchased, the USPS Tracking # is added to your Paypal transaction summary and an email is sent notifying you of the shipment. You must log into Paypal and view your transaction to get the Tracking #.

IMPORTANT: USPS ONLY PROVIDES TRACKING UP TO THE POINT OF DEPATURE FROM THE UNITED STATES (for 1st Class mail). After it leaves the U.S. (usually through Miami) transit times will vary and it will no longer be updated through the USPS website.

Some orders take as little as 8 - 10 days to arrive to international customers. Some take 2 - 3 weeks. It is possible it can take 4 weeks or more. While shipments rarely get lost, the amount of time in transit is very hard to predict.

My policy is that I will consider a shipment lost if it has not arrived within 35 days of the postage purchase date. If this happens please notify me via email and I will send a replacement AT NO CHARGE.

You are welcome to notify me before 35 days that you have not received your shipment. However, I will not send the replacement until the 35 day period has expired.