My most challenging build yet - tough, but VERY worth it.
Inspired by the Hoffman ReVibe, it's an all-analog reverb/tremolo combo based on classic Fender versions.
Constituent circuits:
Surfy Bear FET Reverb (http://surfybear.weebly.com/fet-reverb---project.html)
Cardinal Tremolo (http://1776effects.com/store/)
Custom split/mix circuit for parallel operation
Madbean Bloviator (http://www.madbeanpedals.com/projects/index.html) (used as switchable output buffer)
Two 1776 relay bypass boards (http://1776effects.com/store/)
Other parts:
Hammond 10" x 6" x 2" amp chassis with walnut sides
Accutronics 8AB2A1B reverb tank (spring unit remounted inside hammond chassis)
Custom faceplate designed by me and laser etched by Mojotone
The Rundown:
The Sufy Bear Reverb uses FETs to emulate the famous 6G15 reverb, with a MOSFET pair driving the tank. I've got this running in a parallel configuration with Midayfair's Cardinal Tremolo, which uses FETs and optocouplers to get a sound similar to Fender tremolos. The modulation settings you see on a rotary switch are Black (blackface/bias), Brown (brown face/harmonic) and Vibe (a univibe-ish sound).
Running in parallel sacrifices the extreme settings of both effects, but the overall lushness of parallel operation was just too good to pass up.
For switching, the soft-touch, momentary switches (thanks to Josh's relay boards) make a big difference because you don't want a hard click clanging the springs. The left switch bypasses the whole unit, while the right switch turns the modulation on & off. I used an Opto Fet to make the Modulation indicator light flash in time with the speed of the effect.
The Bloviator (State variable EQ) on the output is independent and switches on the back. It was on during all the demo samples.
(http://cl.ly/image/0R130e0C1z3K/ReVibe1.JPG)
(http://cl.ly/image/0s1I3B2g2K08/ReVibe2.JPG)
(http://cl.ly/image/1S2s0i2a0K3s/ReVibe3.JPG)
(http://cl.ly/image/1D2L3c2H3t10/ReVibe4.JPG)
(http://cl.ly/image/3f0y3j1m0x2W/ReVibe5.JPG)
Speechless. Beautiful at every level.
It appears that you have found your niche with the Walnut and tweed enclosures + the etched faceplates....
Probably looks a peach next to your BubbFET! ;)
Dude you are my hero :)
Build of the year and done.
Wow, that is SWEET! Awesome job!
~4:11: "holy @#$!#" moment.
you don't have a volume external ... isn't there a volume drop in vibe mode? There was on the Cosmo, but that was a slightly different setup. (Obviously I haven't gotten around to modding my Cardinal yet ...)
Jason that is certainly a build to be proud of !!!
Very nice, congrats.
Mike
Just beautiful. Extremely well executed.
Wow, looks fantastic and sounds even better. Well done!!
stunning. jealous. wow.
Ridiculously awesome.
Okay. I confess straight out that I'm a technically-challenged newbie, but THAT is a staggeringly impressive build ... on so many levels ... concept, execution, looks, sound ...
Just wow.
I hope you'll forgive a couple of novice questions: can anyone here link me to:
- a how-to thread for the type of cover plate etch technique used here?
- a PCB layout for a split/mix circuit for parallel operation?
Thanks. Wow.
Quote from: pryde on March 05, 2014, 08:11:28 PM
Dude you are my hero :)
Build of the year and done.
That.
Wow! Just great :)
Pointless telling you how unbelievably great this is, as that's obvious, ;) but i will say, that demo blew me away, not a bad sound to be had on any setting, running different rigs and all. I usually skip through the demos fast forwarding to the good bits :D but i found myself rewinding to hear different settings again and again mate, absolute winner this one, all the best, Matt.
Every now and then, a build comes along that raises the bar for everyone. I'm pretty sure this is one of them - fantastic on every possible level.
This is going to be in the top builds for the 2014 contest!
Wow. Most impressive. Words fail me.
Awwww, come on! :o :o :o
Am I ever going to build anything that won't look like crap compared to this? The bar was already in the nosebleed section, this is becoming ridiculous...
Congrats, man! The hat's off...
What they said!
Wow what an amazing build, looks and sounds pure class!
Oh. My. Word.
That is the undisputed champion so far for 2014.
Absolutely Incredible!
Spectacular sir, absolutely spectacular.
8)
Contender for BOTY 2014!
That is absolutely stunning. Everything about it is just awesome. Great implementation of excellent circuits working together in harmony.
WOW! Truly impressive!!!
Josh
HOLY COW!! That looks amazing!
This is lovely, did you do the tweed yourself?
Mark
This makes me REALLY want to finish the etched PCB I made of the FET Reverb. Adding the tremolo was the icing on the cake as it sounds awesome. Thanks for sharing you BOM with us as I want to try the same Hammond enclosure you used. It came out so pro looking. Do you get that cool slap sound on it if you tap it?
Cody
Thanks for the kind words, everybody.
I told the guy with the home studio who helped me with the recording that I'd build him a pedal at parts cost for helping me out, so now I'm probably on the hook to build the toughest thing I've built yet for FREE. DOH. I didn't think he'd go there, especially after I told him the parts are at least $250, but he flipped out after he heard it and got a chance to play with it.
Not sure how to deal with the situation. He put in about an hour and half and I'd be on the hook for something like 20 hours.
Quote from: midwayfair on March 05, 2014, 08:21:28 PM
~4:11: "holy @#$!#" moment.
you don't have a volume external ... isn't there a volume drop in vibe mode? There was on the Cosmo, but that was a slightly different setup. (Obviously I haven't gotten around to modding my Cardinal yet ...)
I think there is a slight volume drop with the vibe in some settings, but it's somewhat negated since it's in parallel with another signal.
Quote from: selfdestroyer on March 07, 2014, 01:10:31 AM
It came out so pro looking. Do you get that cool slap sound on it if you tap it?
Cody
Oh yeah. If you give it a good kick you get a nice KeraAnnnhg. That's where the relay switching make a big difference - normal switching won't disrupt the springs.
Quote from: mah62 on March 06, 2014, 04:18:37 PM
This is lovely, did you do the tweed yourself?
Mark
Yeah, I had to buy a whole yard last year for the Bubba FET project, so I have plenty left. And, of course, I had to get the $70 enclosure with the walnut sides instead of the plan $15 version because, you know, they had to match. 8)
Quote from: jubal81 on March 07, 2014, 01:46:47 AM
I told the guy with the home studio who helped me with the recording that I'd build him a pedal at parts cost for helping me out, so now I'm probably on the hook to build the toughest thing I've built yet for FREE. DOH. I didn't think he'd go there, especially after I told him the parts are at least $250, but he flipped out after he heard it and got a chance to play with it.
Just be upfront with him. Tell him that this sort of project (or any sort of multipedal) was really not what you had in mind when you offered to build him something, and I really think he's imposing on you (and probably knows it). Explain the incredible amount of time it takes to build it and that while you value his time, the exchange simply isn't equitable. I'm sure there are many other things you could build him that sound good. :)
I said it on another forum and I'll say it here. This is beauty through and through. Great job!
p.s. that guy is out of his mind if he thinks that is a fair trade labor wise. I'd say build him a nice single circuit pedal.
Quote from: midwayfair on March 07, 2014, 02:12:08 AM
Just be upfront with him. Tell him that this sort of project (or any sort of multipedal) was really not what you had in mind when you offered to build him something, and I really think he's imposing on you (and probably knows it). Explain the incredible amount of time it takes to build it and that while you value his time, the exchange simply isn't equitable. I'm sure there are many other things you could build him that sound good. :)
This. Exactly this.
Quote from: midwayfair on March 07, 2014, 02:12:08 AM
Quote from: jubal81 on March 07, 2014, 01:46:47 AM
I told the guy with the home studio who helped me with the recording that I'd build him a pedal at parts cost for helping me out, so now I'm probably on the hook to build the toughest thing I've built yet for FREE. DOH. I didn't think he'd go there, especially after I told him the parts are at least $250, but he flipped out after he heard it and got a chance to play with it.
Just be upfront with him. Tell him that this sort of project (or any sort of multipedal) was really not what you had in mind when you offered to build him something, and I really think he's imposing on you (and probably knows it). Explain the incredible amount of time it takes to build it and that while you value his time, the exchange simply isn't equitable. I'm sure there are many other things you could build him that sound good. :)
I agree with Jon.
It is the want of many people to try it on and see what they can get.
He probably realises something of that magnitude was not what you had in mind.
Just be honest with him.
I could have sold the Hashishian many times over for $250 rather that £250. However I'd have built it for £35 or so... Which is less than I get for a Klone. No, I don't think so.
I'm with everyone else on this. That for the price of parts is taking the piss a little.
Be nice but firm and explain the situation. I said I would build you a pedal not THE pedal of all time. It will probably take you more than an hour and a half just to order all the parts,
I look at things like this as a test of character. You will find out if this individual is reasonable and somebody you want to have a working relationship with. If he's not you might as well learn that now.
If he gives you any trouble let us know and the whole board will run over and persuade him, if you know what I mean! :)
Thanks for the input, guys. Good perspective. My main hangup was that I had already implied that I'd do it and I hate going back and saying, 'you know, I change my mind.'
I'm thinking I'll tell him how many hours are involved (Yeah, at least 2 hours just ordering parts, if not more) and that if he still wants me to do it, I'll trade him for some lessons. He's a pretty great player and regularly does that.
Maybe he would be willing to take a nice compromise like a 2-in-1 Cardinal trem and Rubabub Reverb? Still giving him more than his share but your not completely burying yourself this way.
Relate some hard numbers to him so he has a solid understanding of parts and labor. Tough situation and I feel for you. Good luck.
Hell, I just saw the picture and wanted one. Then I heard the demo. That's an amazing pedal inside and out!
Well this is going to prove pricey. Cleggy's just ordered a surfy bear. Guess what we're making...
Quote from: juansolo on May 19, 2014, 07:45:12 PM
Well this is going to prove pricey. Cleggy's just ordered a surfy bear. Guess what we're making...
Muhuhahaha. Awesome.
Hit me up if you need any tips.
Quote from: jubal81 on May 19, 2014, 07:52:39 PM
Quote from: juansolo on May 19, 2014, 07:45:12 PM
Well this is going to prove pricey. Cleggy's just ordered a surfy bear. Guess what we're making...
Muhuhahaha. Awesome.
Hit me up if you need any tips.
Will do man, cheers.
Essentially he heard the Princeton and that was that. Only a tank would do. ;D
Quote from: juansolo on May 19, 2014, 08:49:47 PM
Quote from: jubal81 on May 19, 2014, 07:52:39 PM
Quote from: juansolo on May 19, 2014, 07:45:12 PM
Well this is going to prove pricey. Cleggy's just ordered a surfy bear. Guess what we're making...
Muhuhahaha. Awesome.
Hit me up if you need any tips.
Will do man, cheers.
Essentially he heard the Princeton and that was that. Only a tank would do. ;D
Yes, yes. This. That amp is the balls. I swear someday I'm going to build an Allen Sweet Spot.
http://www.allenamps.com/sweetspot.php
Make it so dude. As you say, it's an endgame amp. Bloody lovely thing.
That's...freaking...awesome... :o
Subscribed!
Great playing and lush reverb/vibe tones. What's not to like?! :)
That Allen SweetSpot does look killer. I want!
Couple questions:
How does running this in parallel sacrifice extreme settings?
Do I need to change certain values if I use a different tank?
Did the screws to install the tank come with said tank?
Quote from: fixxe on May 26, 2014, 02:59:53 PM
Couple questions:
How does running this in parallel sacrifice extreme settings?
Do I need to change certain values if I use a different tank?
Did the screws to install the tank come with said tank?
A) Each circuit affects only 1/2 the signal instead of the whole signal.
B) Just make sure that whatever tank you get is 8 ohm input and 22K-ish output. I used a shorter, 3-spring version with the same stats.
C) I dismantled the tank and took the spring unit out and used bolts/nuts from the hardware store to remount it in the enclosure.
After seeing this thread I ordered a Surfy Bear - I just got it hooked up to a pan (the full size Mod version) last night and it sounds stellar - don't miss the tubes at all, and it's HUGE sounding. The pan is super long though so I think I'll try one of the smaller ones and do a pedalboard friendly version - though I'll probably separate the pan from the driver so the controls can go on top and the pan underneath, and probably have separate wet and dry outs (I like the flexibility to run parallel). Also likely going to pair it with trem - though currently thinking I'll do a brownface type trem (or at least have it as an option) and perhaps TAPLFO.
Thanks for the inspiration!!
Cleggy's just picked up an old small amp head (spares or repair job)... Guess where his is going ;)
Can't wait to see more of these. It's a lot more work than a brick, but I guarantee anyone who builds one won't regret it.