madbeanpedals::forum

General => Open Discussion => Topic started by: lars on September 18, 2013, 04:11:49 AM

Title: The ultimate build - what would it be?
Post by: lars on September 18, 2013, 04:11:49 AM
There's usually one guitar effect that falls under that "ultimate build" category. Something that the original commands hefty price tags, but is also a major task to construct yourself (parts availability, size, etc.).
So what would it be?
Mine would be the Mu-Tron Biphase.
Title: Re: The ultimate build - what would it be?
Post by: jimilee on September 18, 2013, 04:27:59 AM

Quote from: lars on September 18, 2013, 04:11:49 AM
There's usually one guitar effect that falls under that "ultimate build" category. Something that the original commands hefty price tags, but is also a major task to construct yourself (parts availability, size, etc.).
So what would it be?
Mine would be the Mu-Tron Biphase.
right now it's alanp's monster phaser. I've had the board for months but stuff keeps getting in the way
Title: Re: The ultimate build - what would it be?
Post by: alanp on September 18, 2013, 09:09:30 AM
I'd say either the Lovetone No Name, or the ADA Flanger. Both are monstrously complicated. The Doppelganger is a lot less complicated.

Probably the No Name, merely due to the offboard wiring.

On reflection, though -- that insane Ludwig build of Govt_Lackeys!
Title: Re: The ultimate build - what would it be?
Post by: RobA on September 18, 2013, 09:34:46 AM
For me it would have to be one of these https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ARP_Avatar (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ARP_Avatar). I played on one in a shop around '81 and loved the thing. It was insanely expensive and its tracking was slow, very slow. I'd love to build one. Better yet would be to take the basic design, fix the tracking using digital and then make it a hexaphonic unit. I think that'd be complicated enough.
Title: Re: The ultimate build - what would it be?
Post by: Cortexturizer on September 18, 2013, 09:43:39 AM
Something like this



Some classic circuits tweaked to perfection. The pedal is insanely pricey, but I get it. There's a lot going on in there. If I had enough time maybe just maaaybe I would attempt a build like this but I doubt I could pull it off. Not saying this is the most complicated build out there, but it would be an ultimate pedal for me, hells one could start a band around this pedal alone hahah.
Title: Re: The ultimate build - what would it be?
Post by: culturejam on September 18, 2013, 01:46:39 PM
Binson Echorec  :o 8)
Title: Re: The ultimate build - what would it be?
Post by: timbo_93631 on September 18, 2013, 02:01:34 PM
Quote from: culturejam on September 18, 2013, 01:46:39 PM
Binson Echorec  :o 8)

Yeah, was my thought too!  An Echolplex or Echo-Rec, maybe a oil can delay...
Title: Re: The ultimate build - what would it be?
Post by: midwayfair on September 18, 2013, 03:08:02 PM
Quote from: alanp on September 18, 2013, 09:09:30 AM
I'd say either the Lovetone No Name, or the ADA Flanger. Both are monstrously complicated. The Doppelganger is a lot less complicated.

Probably the No Name, merely due to the offboard wiring.

On reflection, though -- that insane Ludwig build of Govt_Lackeys!

I think Greg has built all of these. The ? was his entry for the DIYSB contest.
Title: Re: The ultimate build - what would it be?
Post by: juansolo on September 18, 2013, 03:56:05 PM
ADA Flanger. No issues with the build, but I took one look at the set up for the thing and thought naaaaaaah.
Title: Re: The ultimate build - what would it be?
Post by: LaceSensor on September 18, 2013, 11:16:18 PM
How's my Ada clone working for you Juansolo? ;)
Title: Re: The ultimate build - what would it be?
Post by: lars on September 18, 2013, 11:53:26 PM
That Hexe "the carrier" pedal sounds incredible!
Title: Re: The ultimate build - what would it be?
Post by: Scruffie on September 19, 2013, 01:58:49 AM
If it comes to A/DA, always has to be this one ;D just for laughs, still hoping digi2t and jimiphoton pick one up for their hens tooth thingy, while not the best effect overall, it'd be interesting to see some of the circuit sections.

(http://files.effectsdatabase.com/gear/pics/ada_harmonysynthesizer_007.jpg)
Title: Re: The ultimate build - what would it be?
Post by: gordo on September 19, 2013, 02:02:03 AM
Quote from: RobA on September 18, 2013, 09:34:46 AM
I'd love to build one. Better yet would be to take the basic design, fix the tracking using digital and then make it a hexaphonic unit. I think that'd be complicated enough.

I had one from 1980 when I bought it till about 2006 when I finally let it go.  Was very cool sounding but a pain in the ass and a full-blown nightmare to try to use live.  Ironically it was a hexaphonic version that finally brought ARP down.  It was so crazy complicated that the mean time between failures was less than 50 hours and they poured TONS of money into it.
Title: Re: The ultimate build - what would it be?
Post by: RobA on September 19, 2013, 06:55:05 AM
Quote from: gordo on September 19, 2013, 02:02:03 AM
Quote from: RobA on September 18, 2013, 09:34:46 AM
I'd love to build one. Better yet would be to take the basic design, fix the tracking using digital and then make it a hexaphonic unit. I think that'd be complicated enough.

I had one from 1980 when I bought it till about 2006 when I finally let it go.  Was very cool sounding but a pain in the ass and a full-blown nightmare to try to use live.  Ironically it was a hexaphonic version that finally brought ARP down.  It was so crazy complicated that the mean time between failures was less than 50 hours and they poured TONS of money into it.

Perfect, a build so complex it destroyed a company  ;). It is very cool that you had one, but I really can see that it must have been nearly impossible to use in a live setting.
Title: Re: The ultimate build - what would it be?
Post by: GhostofJohnToad on September 19, 2013, 11:35:00 AM
For me the ultimate DIY build would have to be a really good looper.  Whether or not it was based on a Boss RC, or whatever.  It just seems to be unobtainable for the diy-selfer.  And I understand why with the DSP and whatnot, but for me it has to be a looper.  Or maybe a pedal that could pull off what the freeze and superego do.  Inherently it's cheaper to buy one off the shelf but where's the point in that?  ;D
Title: Re: The ultimate build - what would it be?
Post by: Govmnt_Lacky on September 19, 2013, 01:04:23 PM
Quote from: Scruffie on September 19, 2013, 01:58:49 AM
If it comes to A/DA, always has to be this one ;D just for laughs, still hoping digi2t and jimiphoton pick one up for their hens tooth thingy, while not the best effect overall, it'd be interesting to see some of the circuit sections.

(http://files.effectsdatabase.com/gear/pics/ada_harmonysynthesizer_007.jpg)

Piece of cake! You want that in a B or a BB?  ::)  :P  :o
Title: Re: The ultimate build - what would it be?
Post by: pickdropper on September 19, 2013, 01:12:50 PM

Quote from: Govmnt_Lacky on September 19, 2013, 01:04:23 PM
Quote from: Scruffie on September 19, 2013, 01:58:49 AM
If it comes to A/DA, always has to be this one ;D just for laughs, still hoping digi2t and jimiphoton pick one up for their hens tooth thingy, while not the best effect overall, it'd be interesting to see some of the circuit sections.

(http://files.effectsdatabase.com/gear/pics/ada_harmonysynthesizer_007.jpg)

Piece of cake! You want that in a B or a BB?  ::)  :P  :o

No, we're looking for an updated footprint.  Please bring it down to a 1590a.  I can send some 01005 sized resistors, if that helps.  :-)
Title: Re: The ultimate build - what would it be?
Post by: juansolo on September 19, 2013, 04:34:02 PM
Quote from: LaceSensor on September 18, 2013, 11:16:18 PM
How's my Ada clone working for you Juansolo? ;)

Rather brilliantly :D

I'm about to build the full on Doppelganger when the board arrives from Haberdasher...
Title: Re: The ultimate build - what would it be?
Post by: DutchMF on September 19, 2013, 05:09:14 PM
I can't believe this hasn't been mentioned before: The end-all DIY build would of course be a pedal that actually improves my playing by about 756% (which would get me in the "average" category.......  ;))

Paul
Title: Re: The ultimate build - what would it be?
Post by: calciferspit on September 19, 2013, 06:00:56 PM
Quote from: DutchMF on September 19, 2013, 05:09:14 PM
I can't believe this hasn't been mentioned before: The end-all DIY build would of course be a pedal that actually improves my playing by about 756% (which would get me in the "average" category.......  ;))

Paul

I have one of those. Its called a volume pedal and in the off position, I'm stellar.
Title: Re: The ultimate build - what would it be?
Post by: LaceSensor on September 20, 2013, 12:32:30 AM
Quote from: juansolo on September 19, 2013, 04:34:02 PM
Quote from: LaceSensor on September 18, 2013, 11:16:18 PM
How's my Ada clone working for you Juansolo? ;)

Rather brilliantly :D

I'm about to build the full on Doppelganger when the board arrives from Haberdasher...

sweet. you wont regret that. the dopp is a legendary pedal.
Im still tempted to try another of the alanp versions with other LDRs etc...
Title: Re: The ultimate build - what would it be?
Post by: jubal81 on September 20, 2013, 01:38:25 AM
How about ...

All the functionality of one of those digital amps (Multi-effects, programs and recall), but with a tube amp and all analog effects.

Put all the circuits in the combo tube amp and have a digitally controlled remote footswitch. Of course, the amp controls, including master voltage, can be changed remotely.
Title: Re: The ultimate build - what would it be?
Post by: juansolo on September 20, 2013, 09:19:19 AM
Quote from: LaceSensor on September 20, 2013, 12:32:30 AM
Quote from: juansolo on September 19, 2013, 04:34:02 PM
Quote from: LaceSensor on September 18, 2013, 11:16:18 PM
How's my Ada clone working for you Juansolo? ;)

Rather brilliantly :D

I'm about to build the full on Doppelganger when the board arrives from Haberdasher...

sweet. you wont regret that. the dopp is a legendary pedal.
Im still tempted to try another of the alanp versions with other LDRs etc...

We failed with both of ours (hence the big-un). We did that much track cutting and hacking about with your old board that it was done for when we decided to call it a day. We managed to reduce the ticking a bit, but it was still too prominent. Mine I tried to strip for bits (for the new one) then was going to move the PCB on but I managed to break the PCB removing one of the switches :(

It did however make the decision to build yours. The effect sounds spectacular. So all was not lost.
Title: Re: The ultimate build - what would it be?
Post by: kothoma on September 20, 2013, 07:05:34 PM
OK, bigger guitar synths have been mentioned, so probably not the ultimate build, but has anyone here ever tried to build an EMS HiFli clone?
Title: Re: The ultimate build - what would it be?
Post by: RobA on September 20, 2013, 08:10:20 PM
Quote from: kothoma on September 20, 2013, 07:05:34 PM
OK, bigger guitar synths have been mentioned, so probably not the ultimate build, but has anyone here ever tried to build an EMS HiFli clone?
I hadn't seen this before. It looks interesting. I think it would qualify for an ultimate build.
Title: Re: The ultimate build - what would it be?
Post by: lars on September 22, 2013, 08:01:49 PM
Thank you for bringing up the EMS hifli. I remember seeing some pics of this thing quite a while ago but couldn't remember the name. I knew somebody would bring it up for an "ultimate build".
Title: Re: The ultimate build - what would it be?
Post by: kothoma on September 22, 2013, 08:13:42 PM
Quote from: lars on September 22, 2013, 08:01:49 PM
Thank you for bringing up the EMS hifli. I remember seeing some pics of this thing quite a while ago but couldn't remember the name. I knew somebody would bring it up for an "ultimate build".
:)  There's this hard to read doc: http://jbemond.free.fr/SDIY/EMS/EMS_Hifli.pdf
Title: Re: The ultimate build - what would it be?
Post by: LaceSensor on September 22, 2013, 10:35:15 PM
On topic, I feel the Lovetone Pedals represent some of the most significant challenges to me personally.
Not only do they have an awful lot of offboard wiring (see the ring stinger and ?flanger for example) but they take tuning, and the right parts to get sounding right, which makes them slightly less "paint by numbers" than other effects projects.

for me the ultimate might be doing the ?flanger at some point...