The name I chose with Gustav Vigeland in mind, a Norwegian sculptor that made a profound impact on me and to whom this pedal is loosely dedicated to. "Monolitten 121" stands for his grandious creation - the monolith - at the highest point of Frogner Park in Oslo, Norway. It is comprised of 121 human figures carved in stone, that took 4 sculptors 14 years to make. The monolith is without a doubt the most fascinating structure made by hand that I've witnessed so far. The entirety of Vigeland Installation in Frogner Park is breathtaking and made for one of the greatest experiences in my life, but looking at the monolith felt quite like a religious experience.
A complicated but highly rewarding build. I wouldn't have made it to the other side if it wasn't for the unselfishness and kindness of my good friend and BBD mentor Mr. Panos (teknoman2) who kept my spirits up during the long troubleshooting sessions. Scruffie - you are THE man!
This is a milestone in my building "career", as I've felt that every pedal builder should build an analog delay at least once in their lifetime.
The signal swithing is being done via a clickless relay bypass solution designed by Aleksandar FX, a friend from Serbia, which is an adaptation of the mincester design over from FSB. Works like a treat.
(https://scontent-vie.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10428667_10153314242591337_4488860855681333619_n.jpg?oh=c3b019f1cca34af674941d30c1dbeee7&oe=55CC02F3)
(https://scontent-vie.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/t31.0-8/11174242_10153314242616337_7751573281250336068_o.jpg)
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/11188277_10153314242626337_601289352074583240_n.jpg?oh=3d4f94ad3390b823f0818e146b74e2f2&oe=55CA85B8&__gda__=1436338130_10f98b8fffc864230a6bb19026d17714)
(https://scontent-vie.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtf1/t31.0-8/11141297_10153314242781337_4232444255615102226_o.jpg)
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/v/t1.0-9/11175040_10153314242776337_7862169345698307648_n.jpg?oh=d2692cf3af127e04e599b16cf784f914&oe=55D01858&__gda__=1439802381_a0ac7e8dc5455574c5bd022357859089)
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/11196237_10153314242811337_6633009876653818936_n.jpg?oh=8ab0cfedef3d4c8e73a8eede49f7d4df&oe=559746AD&__gda__=1439264443_53256192d7b24367116c9422921a8ac2)
(https://scontent-vie.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/t31.0-8/11154808_10153314242931337_3655607083110286083_o.jpg)
(https://scontent-vie.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/10418355_10153314242971337_4375698374081207536_n.jpg?oh=c50aed9f5345694738f76c26a5a33362&oe=55E03DEF)
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/11206073_10153314243436337_5917796724660625093_n.jpg?oh=4e036c5fb2f9dfb2dffb3ded9cf9bbc3&oe=55D558C9&__gda__=1440055007_9e7299ca8592d20cf7e8a2517ae1ad87)
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xat1/v/t1.0-9/11128794_10153314242951337_4254545955264890385_n.jpg?oh=5c2584d1b38c4f8e8d4b2ec81e4b6f74&oe=55E06EAA&__gda__=1439487592_2f84aa2ad61569f7579dd71e6261f158)
(https://scontent-vie.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/t31.0-8/11206698_10153314243086337_2668772632861450813_o.jpg)
(https://scontent-vie.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xta1/v/t1.0-9/11200592_10153314243296337_1623821488353480465_n.jpg?oh=2e25a489a69aae4d5478e4cfadd2843d&oe=55D53E63)
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfa1/v/t1.0-9/10351245_10153314243291337_1848321412151036788_n.jpg?oh=c9d6f28386dc4b0760c8b42ac8c420d7&oe=559732C0&__gda__=1440787757_c2b7113900545e64c20d85abfcc5da42)
(https://scontent-vie.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xat1/t31.0-8/11110516_10153314243081337_4905054436735095882_o.jpg)
Very nice and it's indeed a rewarding built! 8)
I'm still intrigued by your square drill bits. hehe
not sure what you mean dude :) the switch has a circular body with a "head" that's rectangular so that might be misleading looking from the top, but if you look at the insides you'll see that the body of the switch is circular, and it's 12mm like all of the common switches
not sure if that's what you've meant
awesome build inside out!
aww yissss
Your pedals always look so classy - I love the face plates! BTW, your photography is pretty creative, too!
This looks awesome! Very good job.
That's an inspiring look you've chosen
Classy
This is gorgeous! It look so professional...
I looked on google for the monolitten of Oslo, it is quite special... Must impressive to see it for real
much love
Time for one of your fantastic demos? :)
Another one for my "inspiration" folder.
I really love your style you use on your pedals. Its suck a clean approach and always come out great.
also, thanks for the Gustav Vigeland introduction. I have never heard of him and went to do a little reading up. He made some great statues/structures.
The Monolith:
(http://www.cmap.polytechnique.fr/~yu/gallery/pictures/momuments/Monument,%20Oslo.JPG)
Cody
I will double the "DAAAAMN" and raise you an Amen!
Great looking box. Is the faceplate etched? And if so, PLEASE reveal your wizardry!!!!
I love the way your pedals look. So clean looking.
Blam, another one well done and done well!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Abslutely monolythic top class, something to behold and be proud of! Well done!
I was not expecting this, but I was thoroughly surprised by the Vigelund reference!!!
Looks awesome.
crikey! gorgeous build, in and out... impressive
Quote from: Cortexturizer on April 30, 2015, 11:34:39 AM
not sure what you mean dude :) the switch has a circular body with a "head" that's rectangular so that might be misleading looking from the top, but if you look at the insides you'll see that the body of the switch is circular, and it's 12mm like all of the common switches
not sure if that's what you've meant
That is what i meant and i had'nt noticed the round part from the inside. Those switch looks great!
I have officially run out of adjectives that express the creativeness and skill your builds always present. This is a milestone I'm happy to witness.
Steve.
Thank you guys for such lovely words, you are a great crowd.
Oh yeah, it was a wonderful day in Oslo that one. I was overwhelmed by the Vigeland installation and it's many statues. Some of them are better known than the Monolith is actually. All of the statues under the monolith are incredible too, very very special, as they portray different moments from a persons lifetime, for example a statue of a father giving advice to a young boy I've found particularly moving. There are many powerful moments in the park. Thank you Cody for posting a picture of the Monolith :)
I might do a little demo later but would be pressed for inspiration to be honest, will see how it goes. I found the chorus sound that this thing can do interesting also. The modulation sounds superb, and prior to building it I was like - nah, I'm not gonna use that, but actually I am not turning it off at all haha. Only on super low delay times, slapback and lower.
The Monolitten 121 actually completed my "black classics" board:
(http://i.imgur.com/D7b3Toy.png)
which I intend to use in a band that I am starting. After a long history of dragging tons of gear to rehearsals, I'm gonna try and make do with these. The crybaby is a standard baby, nothing modded on it, sounds great.
Also, I feel like like I'm explaining this every time I post a build report - I do not etch these faceplates :) they are laser engraved by a machine in a local engraving store. All the credit goes to the machines and software behind em hehe, I only do the graphics in Inkscape.
Although this satisfied me just fine, I must admit that having two MN3005s indeed would be awesome. I hope sometime to get hold of them. Until then, I'll play this baby with much joy.
Excellent work man as always :)
Both beautiful and inspiring. Very classy.
Both Cortexturizer and Dminner have got the classy silver and black look absolutely nailed.
[soundcloud]https://soundcloud.com/kuato-design-stompboxes/monolitten-121-demo-song[/soundcloud]
Here's some sort of a demo song. The only pedals used were the Monolitten 121 and the Sunking for the drive. Played with my trusted SG into a totally dry Vox AC30 pod farm simulation.
I have since realized one additional thing (in addition to analog delays being the only delays for me that is) and that's that the Sunking is still THE drive for me, nothing sounds like it and nothing translates the character of my pickups further than the Sunking does. Absolutely awesome pedal.
Cheers and thank you for the nice compliments as always guys
Quote from: Cortexturizer on May 01, 2015, 01:33:29 PM
Thank you guys for such lovely words, you are a great crowd.
Oh yeah, it was a wonderful day in Oslo that one. I was overwhelmed by the Vigeland installation and it's many statues. Some of them are better known than the Monolith is actually. All of the statues under the monolith are incredible too, very very special, as they portray different moments from a persons lifetime, for example a statue of a father giving advice to a young boy I've found particularly moving. There are many powerful moments in the park. Thank you Cody for posting a picture of the Monolith :)
I might do a little demo later but would be pressed for inspiration to be honest, will see how it goes. I found the chorus sound that this thing can do interesting also. The modulation sounds superb, and prior to building it I was like - nah, I'm not gonna use that, but actually I am not turning it off at all haha. Only on super low delay times, slapback and lower.
The Monolitten 121 actually completed my "black classics" board:
(http://i.imgur.com/D7b3Toy.png)
which I intend to use in a band that I am starting. After a long history of dragging tons of gear to rehearsals, I'm gonna try and make do with these. The crybaby is a standard baby, nothing modded on it, sounds great.
Also, I feel like like I'm explaining this every time I post a build report - I do not etch these faceplates :) they are laser engraved by a machine in a local engraving store. All the credit goes to the machines and software behind em hehe, I only do the graphics in Inkscape.
Although this satisfied me just fine, I must admit that having two MN3005s indeed would be awesome. I hope sometime to get hold of them. Until then, I'll play this baby with much joy.
Seeing all of those pedals together at once is really beautiful. Play them proudly!
Fuck yeah!
Now when you post things, I'll think of you as looking and sounding like this guy:
(https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/d9/fd/78/d9fd78133003ceb14595889a64db8860.jpg)
I have no problem with that :D
Quote from: alanp on May 01, 2015, 06:58:03 PM
Both Cortexturizer and Dminner have got the classy silver and black look absolutely nailed.
indeed! These are lovely. I'll raise you an amen, damnit.
Wicked cool sculpture too
Super clean!
Love the look you've developed.
Lovely
this is great man! your pedalboard is going to look epic with that trio. Sounds cool btw!
thank you guys, most kind of you.
believe it or not I am playing the shit out of my White Trash :D my most used pedal by far at the moment
Gorgeous!
F*cking stunning! Your designs always are classy, and that is one bitchin' circuit to be boxing (or even make it work right!).
Props on the clickless bypass a-la-mictester too. Love that shiznit.
:)
Your pedal is so classy and clean with photos to match, great post!
dave
Three mega dudes loving my stuff - the hard day at the office finally pays of upon returning home!
Thank you guys. Really happy with how this one turned out
fantastic :) looks very professional :)