Pedals for Ukraine - Wampler-modded Distortion+

[EBK]

This is a work in progress, but it is close to complete.  I just need to figure out what I want to do with the enclosure art. 





Storyboardist generously donated the boards for this project (Thanks again, David!), which is either a Distortion+ or a DOD 250 with mods.  I honestly couldn't tell you which circuit it is closer to now (I didn't build it to-spec, and it has characteristics of both), but it works, and it sounds decent.

I used a handful of Brian Wampler's mods found here:
https://www.premierguitar.com/amp/mxr-distortion-plus-mods-2651041927

Specifically, I used the Ge/Si output clipping combination, moved the gain knob to the feedback loop, and scaled some of the parts to extend the gain range.

The op amp is a vintage Raytheon can, for added mojo, of course (I didn't look at the datasheet too carefully).     I have one more of these cans if anyone needs one (free if you are going to use it in a Pedals for Ukraine build).

Once I get the enclosure art figured out (I'm open to suggestions), I'll have this ready for auction in relatively short order.

[benny_profane]

Ohhh that looks great. And nice addition with the metal can IC! Can't wait to see what you end up doing here.

[zombie_rock123]

That's a sweet looking build, I love the mirrored look. First thought was blue and yellow alcohol ink in a small tasteful nod. Or maybe punch it like Fairfield?

[EBK]

Hmm... I could try hydro dipping the enclosure with my spray paint.  I have never attempted such a thing before though.  I have plenty of acetone in case I mess it up.

[storyboardist]

NGL, that looks pretty sweet as is. I'd second the Fairfield punched lettering suggestion. UKR250 or something and call it a day.

[EBK]

I agree that the plain polished enclosure looks nice.  I will build another pedal with that aesthetic for sure.

Last night, an idea came to me for a graphic that celebrates Ukrainian culture, specifically Ukrainian food (hey, I love food, what can I say?)

To me, traditional foods represent comfort and stability, two things desperately needed in the world we find ourselves in.

The theme? вареники (varenyky).
I'm hoping the way to a bidder's heart is through their stomach, I suppose.

[EBK]

I'm pretty satisfied with this draft of the graphics:

I'm planning to round it all out with a pair of dough-colored Davies knobs.

[benny_profane]

Pierogi! Beautiful! I really dig your concept builds. This is gonna be great. I'll need to hunt down some varenyky—I've never had them before.

[matmosphere]

They're pretty much the same thing. It all comes down to language and translation. If you had a polish grandma you got pirogies if your grandma was Ukrainian you got verenyky, but you were both eating pretty much the same thing, and it was yummy.

I love the artwork Eric, that's a great idea!

[storyboardist]

Love it! Now I'm hungry. 

[EBK]

I put new toner cartridges into my printer between my test print and my decal print, and my printer decided to hypersaturate the photo for the decal.  But that's rock and roll, so I kept it.  Besides, this was my last sheet of decal stock. 

I also didn't like how my polarity indicator printed, so I left that off.

Still, I'm pretty happy with it.



I'll cut the holes and clear coat it tomorrow.

[EBK]

I'll take some better pics later, but I'm happy to report this pedal is complete.



It's got quite a range to its sound.  It gets crazy crunchy at full gain, but makes a surprisingly nice clean boost at low gain.  In between, you can rip an edgy solo (well, I can't --I spend too much time building these things and not enough time playing). 

Edit:  Here are my "pretty" pictures of the pedal.

[benny_profane]

TASTY. Looks great! And yeah, the gain does roll off nicely and works as a good tight boost.

[Bio77]

Looks great!