Topics

Does anyone know if AMZ Effects is still around (http://www.muzique.com)?
Asking because I placed an order for 2 buffers Tuesday, haven't received any acknowledgement except from PayPal and now the site is gone like the hosting expired.

Not sure who to email to ask (because there is no site    ).

Thanks.

Does anyone have the DeathKlaw build doc they would share with me.
(Or point to R5 on the PCB if you know).

Thanks!

Look.. mini laser engravers! 
How powerful would it have to be in order to get through powder coat?

http://www.banggood.com/collection-675.html

Has anyone tried a blender pen for enclosure labeling & art?

There is a note about using a 25ka volume pot instead of the 100K

I have both handy and was wondering if anyone did the mod and if it was worth doing?  Or is it saying it's a better setup if your using the pedal as more of a boost?

Also, I'm assuming the note means simply soldering a 18k resistor across lug 2 & 3 (on the schematic) and I can still use a board mounted pot?

I hate to miss out on good mods 

Not the opening Robert Johnson song but the first stuff that gearmandude starts playing.
I keep hearing "Ten Years Gone" but I know it's not it.. just reminds me of that song.

I know I'm late to the dance on this OD but this:
http://skreddypedals.com/skreddy_pedals_hybrid_fuzz_driver.htm

The gearmandude demo did it for me.

So I have a chimera board I was getting ready to order parts for when I wandered upon a TGP very long thread about the Mythical Overdrive and how it was the best of the clones.  18 pages in and all I could sort of gather was that the builder used "quality parts" .

So, before I order parts, anyone know what quality parts might mean/be to achieve this best of the clones?  I'd like to build a cool clone too

Or maybe to ask this another way.. which parts should I maybe order multiples of to get close to x value ?

Thanks!

Koko

PS> I mean no disrespect to ComfortPlayer, I'm just curious and would like to learn the difference in parts mfgr's etc.

Hey Guys,

I have 2 questions related to the Toecutter circuit and it's transistors.
For reference: http://apocalypseaudio.blogspot.com/2010/02/toecutter-v1-revc-pcb-layout.html

Edit:  forget question 1, I must be just tired.  My head didn't flip from bottom to top view correctly.

First, if anyone can read the image below... can you please tell me the pinout.
I've tried google translate and Bevis Audio's reference but, I think I'd feel better just asking because I seem to only get it to work if they are in backwards from my 2 references.
It's supposed to be a GT313A transistor, this came with them.



Next Question.
Has anyone here built the Toecutter circuit?

Mine works but I'm not sure if it's correct, I absolutely cannot have the guitar's volume maxed (single coil or humbuckers).  If I do then the circuit (or transistors) seem to overload and shut off for about a 1/2 second when you hit the strings.   Is this behavior correct?  I've tried different GT313's and even built a second pcb but same results (which is also why I'm wondering if I have the pinout wrong).
Controls work as described by others and as long as I don't dime the guitar's volume it does sound very doom and heavy.

Thanks!
Koko

I want to etch this: http://apocalypseaudio.blogspot.com/2010/02/toecutter-v1-revc-pcb-layout.html?m=1

But not knowing the dimensions is proving to be an issue.
I tried setting it to 300 dpi in gimp print size dialog but it's still to big. 
Usually,  I just keep raising the dpi until it seems to print correctly but, it's a horrible waste of paper and ink so I thought I ask you guys what I'm missing when it comes to getting these types of layout images to print.

Thanks
Koko

So I have a couple wall power supplies and I've noticed that the output volts stated on the plastic is never what it really is.  For example:
I have one that says it's 9v DC but hook it up to a DMM and it's 12v DC
I have another that says 12v DC but it reads 14v

• Is this because they are not a "regulated" type (a term I've heard before when folks talk about these)?
• What does "regulated" really mean when we talk about a wall psu?
• I've poked around Mouser but I couldn't see anything obvious that would indicate Regulated / non regulated. Is there a different term?
• What if I really really wanted something locked down closer to 12v, what specs would I look for?

Thanks!
Koko

I give you "The Landlady Fuzz"
It's a 2 in 1 Devi Ever Shoe Gazer on a StarFlyer board.
I like the TornsPeaker side the best, it's a bit ear piercing trebbly but I love the texture it adds.
I lost one of my knobs since we moved... searched everywhere.. anyone have a spare tayda white top?

The graphic just makes me smile.. awesome movie..

A Naga Viper on mysticwhiskey's v1 layout.

This one was sitting around for about a year, finally got around to putting some graphics on it last night.
Lesson learned.. don't put the graphics on at night in bad light.. I might have noticed the scratch down the middle of the skull (sort of adds to the odd look of the whole design I tell myself).

It's a very versatile boost but, it's adding way too much noise (almost like a buzz).
Not sure if it's the layout of just the nature of the circuit (anyone else built one of these on a different layout care to chime in?)

Koko

Hi All

It's been a long time since I did a build report of anything.
Here is my little S.H.O. (even my wife giggles at this).
Built on a FoSHO board and crammed in as best I could with lots of extra dremmel work.
I actually built this back in January and now just finally got frustrated that I had no time to label anything so I dug around and found a bottle of silver testers paint, some stamps and a toothpick (because I cannot find anything like paint brushes since we moved).  Erm... I think you'll see I have no artistic ability but hey.. it was a toothpick!

I totally see why it's such a popular circuit, It's almost always on.



Thanks Midwayfair, I read one of your comments about running a ground to the screw hole when using insulated jacks, was a good idea so I used it .

Now to find time to paint and label my 3 other builds that have been built since last year.
cheers!
Koko

So... conversation with a friend and got looking at some iconic 80's guitars that we really should have in our arsenal.
Vintage 80's BC Rich Warlock's can be had for 250.00 or less
But the one that was over the top.. George Lynch's "bones" guitar.. thought for sure it's another 300.00 find but.. I found this instead  (and you guys thought TMG guitars were over priced).

http://mrscaryguitars.com/

all I can say is "why??"
and for the price.. clean the lens on the camera your taking pictures with!

ANYWAY.. what other iconic "head bangers ball" guitars do you own?  I sadly own none.

Enjoy!
Koko

My favorite is at 12 seconds... he road surfs on another dude!!
And at 1:25.. he's magnetic only to guns.. not the car he lets go of

Just classic!!

Out of habit, been using Ernie Ball strings since I started playing 2 years ago.

Yesterday, I bought a set of GHS strings on a whim and kind of expected status quo sounds once I got my guitar restrung.

I swear it's like I've bought a new guitar.  The whole guitar sounds amazing all of a sudden, the notes are more even sounding and clear and open.   Just got done playing again today and I'll be damnd, what a difference.

Is it possible that there is actually some difference between string makers? 
I would have never ever guessed it if there is.

I'm really at my end with stomp switches.  Maybe I'm just buying crap (they are the mammoth pro ones) but, I'm sick of poping and every issue I seem to have regarding the switches (letting then sit unused for a month or two usually yields a wealth of frustration taken out on the poor box by hitting it).

So what's everyone's favorite alternative to the standard mechanical switch?

New Pharoah Day 

Actually I got it Friday but was way to busy to post this weekend.
In the picture left to right Pharaoh -> Cosmopolitan  -> Pharaoh on Mudbunny board -> Belle epoch

Why did I buy a Pharaoh when I already built one?  Good question!  Not a great answer but.. I just wanted an official one, I wanted to support the guy over at black arts who actually did the work of designing it and black arts stuff is priced very reasonably.

They both sound the same except the official one doesn't POP or have the weird volume control issue my diy one does (it's built with all Tayda parts so.. well issues to be expected).  So it was a win!

One thing I would love to tell all the pro builders out there... Stop blinding me with over bright LEDs!!!  omg, the belle epoc,  pharaoh and a behringer are impossible to look at, I cover the leds with picks and still have no issue telling it's on / off.  Bit of a tangent rant but.. holy cow stop with the water clear super brights.

Cheers!
Koko

Man.. I just went to the black arts toneworks site... he had a sale!!! I missed it!!!
He had oaths for 69.00 (ha!.. 69).  and that red pharoah...gone!!!

Ok I'm belly aching, but man I would have got those without thinking twice.