The time has come for me to pack in making pedals. It's come from a few things, I'm not making anything for myself lately and we no longer sell enough for the hobby to be self funding being two of the biggies. But also because I'm simply not enjoying it like I used to. I'm making a final multi for a friend and my heart just isn't in it.
This doesn't mean I'll disappear from the scene. I still come here every day, I'm a lot less active than I was regardless because of what's been going on. It does mean that I'll be having a bit of a blowout on PCBs and pedals shortly when I can sort them out. That'll likely occur on TFB in the UK, but I'll link it up here also.
It's been fun, but it's time to move on.
:-[
Total bummer but I completely understand.
Good luck with this next "phase" of your life.
That's too bad to hear, but totally understandable. Glad we aren't losing you as part of the community here!
That's too bad, but I understand. I haven't built in sometime now.
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That sucks dude your posts on the fretboard helped give me the confidence to start building my own. Hopefully you come back to it someday.
Quote from: juansolo on June 06, 2019, 12:57:58 PM
The time has come for me to pack in making pedals. It's come from a few things, I'm not making anything for myself lately and we no longer sell enough for the hobby to be self funding being two of the biggies. But also because I'm simply not enjoying it like I used to. I'm making a final multi for a friend and my heart just isn't in it.
This doesn't mean I'll disappear from the scene. I still come here every day, I'm a lot less active than I was regardless because of what's been going on. It does mean that I'll be having a bit of a blowout on PCBs and pedals shortly when I can sort them out. That'll likely occur on TFB in the UK, but I'll link it up here also.
It's been fun, but it's time to move on.
100% in the same headspace over here. In fact, I'm more or less done with electronics in general. I've been doing a June "blowout" where I finish up a rack of preamps, an Echomatic tape delay, a tube mic, and about eleven pedals, but I'm putting everything in a box indefinitely afterward. After five years of craning over a bench, I feel like it's time for me to privilege people over hobbies, make more art, learn a few new skills, and maybe even *gasp* use all the stuff I've made to write a few songs.
I still dabble in electronics but lately it's been vintage TVs/monitors/computers/consoles. Which is where things are at the moment. I really, really enjoyed the pedal journey however, it taught me a lot and this is an absolutely awesome community. So I'm still certainly gonna stick around.
Agreed! Madbean's forum is definitely my gold standard for being decent, helpful, and good-natured on the internet. :)
Please don't!
But at least you're staying on the forum.
It'll be sad to not see a fine Jaunsolo build report now and again for the inspiration, but I wish you the best of luck with all the other stuff.
I haven't done more than half a dozen pedals each year for the last two years. I think I've made 2-3 this year. so I totally get it.
I got into this as a way to stay connected with music because I haven't had time to play much for years now. After getting a few things set on the board 3-4 years ago I have probably spend more time building most pedals than I do actually playing through them once they are done.
I totally don't blame you...you've built every type of circuit multiple times and provided tons of inspiration to all of us here, so it's not like you'll be moving on from this hobby with much in the way of unfinished business, if that makes any sense. Glad you'll still be around, but also glad you're focusing more on things that your heart is in at the moment. Not that I've built tons to begin with myself, but at this point I'm in a groove of building only two to three pedals per year and otherwise just trying to enjoy playing through the ones I do have, selling them off only if they're duplicative or not my favorites.
I know I've drifted out of pedalbuilding. But I still come here every day too :)
Pity, you're spotless wiring will be missed for sure. But I agree with the others, if you don't feel the spark it's better to move on. That doesn't mean it won't come back some time.
For me it's similar. Since I started working in the electronics business (and working outside of the university for that matter) spare time got reduced and I find myself not playing guitar at all this year. The motivation has totally shifted to rockclimbing (bouldering, sports and multi-pitch for what it's worth) I also had some hickups with the more recent builds, which drained my motivation on the subject to explore my own creations (debugging is just to much like work atm). Got an easy request by a friend the other day and I'm totally looking forward to the straight forward build and enclosure etching.
The seasons of life. Your contributions will be missed!
Josh
Well, that sucks John, your an asset to the community. Glad to hear we will still see you around though. And you never know when that pedal itch might need scratching again? :) just kidding, all the best mate.
I've always enjoyed seeing your builds (and car videos) so that's a bummer. You've always been one of the folks I've looked up to in this "biz". Completely understand though, there's only so much stuff to make before it feels repetitive and if you're not enjoying it....
I agree with most people in saying, I too have fallen out of pedals for the most part, but I am still building other electronic DIY stuff. I have found much satisfaction in synthesis and other ways of creating "music". I have also focused on my gaming console collection from modding to maintaining them. I still come here daily, and to tell you the truth its not all because of the pedals.. its for all the friends I have made here over the years. There are many here that I genuinely care for and wish them the best, and John, your one of them. Do what makes you happy brother!
Find a hobby that bring you joy again and post about what ever it is in the "Misc DIY Stuff". That way you can still feel connected to the community and not have to force yourself to make pedals.
(https://media.giphy.com/media/x70p0tqMsvqMM/giphy.gif)
Quote from: selfdestroyer on June 07, 2019, 01:26:43 AM
I agree with most people in saying, I too have fallen out of pedals for the most part, but I am still building other electronic DIY stuff. I have found much satisfaction in synthesis and other ways of creating "music". I have also focused on my gaming console collection from modding to maintaining them. I still come here daily, and to tell you the truth its not all because of the pedals.. its for all the friends I have made here over the years. There are many here that I genuinely care for and wish them the best, and John, your one of them. Do what makes you happy brother!
Find a hobby that bring you joy again and post about what ever it is in the "Misc DIY Stuff". That way you can still feel connected to the community and not have to force yourself to make pedals.
Thanks man, yeah there's a lot of stuff I still post to FB about what I get up to lately, but don't crosspost here as it's not really on-topic. Lot of modding old Ataris and fettling very old professional video monitors. Even been a car post recently, though I no longer co-own the race car I still help run it and it got a bit bent last outing. But yeah, I'm not going anywhere, just backing out of pedal making.
It'll be sad to see you drop off. You're a gentleman and a scholar.
Hobbies come and go. I'm hoping you still hang around here a bit. I think many people here have gone through similar cycles.
Quote from: pickdropper on June 07, 2019, 11:28:04 AM
Hobbies come and go. I'm hoping you still hang around here a bit. I think many people here have gone through similar cycles.
Yes, both within the electronics hobby and in a broader sense. At the moment it is tube amps once again and particularly transformer winding. To be more precise, starting with winding transformers brought me back to building amps, gotta put all that iron somewhere. I never would have expected to be both fascinated and entertained to that degree by putting copper wire on a piece of plastic. But I really enjoy the whole process immensely. I also play piano and a bit of drums besides guitar, so that goes in cycles as well. Same story for sports...
It's sad to see you go but nice to hear you will still be around. You are once of the builders I have always looked up too. Your graphics are killer and wiring is amazing! But all good things must come to an end.
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Good luck to you John. Loved your builds and never had the guts to 'Tex' like you guys did. I just poured the shit all over it and hoped for the best :o
I've slowed way down but still enjoy it enough to do a few builds here and there so I get it. Building something, patio, bricking steps, bathroom demo remodel coming up etc... and pedals, and hopefully more amps with woodwork, is just in me. It sounds like it is in you too so enjoy what are doing now and into the future.
Just to be clear, this doesn't mean you're going back to actually practicing guitar, does it? I'm sure you can find another hobby to prevent that.
Quote from: pickdropper on June 08, 2019, 12:52:26 AM
Just to be clear, this doesn't mean you're going back to actually practicing guitar, does it? I'm sure you can find another hobby to prevent that.
Hahaha, on that note I just went to a workshop on setting up guitars and leveling frets. Did one guitar there and it's playing great now.
Since then I've spent more time reading my notes, acquiring tools, and thinking about what guitar to do next than I've spent playing the lovely guitar I set up.
Thus the cycle begins again
As everyone said I fully agree your builds will be sorely missed here, great source of inspiration and aspirational setting of the bar.
Also big thanks and thumbs up for all the sharing of information and pcb's etc.... Ultra stoner, boob tubes, judge, xxxx rated graphics and such and all the goodness from Yorkshire stuff.
Great you'll be hanging around here, always good. 8)
Oh, and don't you dare take down your website! :)
Quote from: alanp on June 08, 2019, 06:26:13 AM
Oh, and don't you dare take down your website! :)
Website sits on a computer under my telly now. Costs nowt to keep it going so as long as I'm on the internet, it should be.
This was me, about 2 years ago I imagine.
Real life catches up with you, dude. :-[
GL, HF with what you are doing right now and thanks for all the contributions and inspiration
It's probably been three years since I built a pedal for myself (I did "build" a ribbon mic last year for me) and I build maybe two or three things a year for other people. I haven't posted on DIYSB in a while.
I can't quit this place, though. It's the best. I'm glad you'll stick around as losing a friend just because we're not doing exactly the same hobbies anymore would suck.
Another of those 'haven't made anything' (but dinner) in a few years but check daily at the very least to see what people might be up to. It's good place!
dave
Quote from: juansolo on June 07, 2019, 06:56:09 AM
Thanks man, yeah there's a lot of stuff I still post to FB about what I get up to lately, but don't crosspost here as it's not really on-topic. Lot of modding old Ataris and fettling very old professional video monitors. Even been a car post recently, though I no longer co-own the race car I still help run it and it got a bit bent last outing. But yeah, I'm not going anywhere, just backing out of pedal making.
I feel like we could have a "Crap Juansolo is into this week" sub and a lot of us would be tuned in. Then you'd never be off topic.
My being late to this thread is a testament to how the pace of life with its priorities makes my visits here run in cycles. Pedal building is the same way. The best plan for me is to keep it on a slow burn but never quite give up on it. That way it's there when I'm in the right head/heart space.
Anyway, I think we all kind of understand what you're saying but it kind of stings just because you have had lots of influence around here. Not seeing new builds from you is no small thing but it pales compared to not seeing your posts from time to time.
I'm hoping this is the band-breaking-up phase but then there are still going to be reunion tours and eventually a Vegas show or something.
Quote from: Leevibe on June 22, 2019, 04:28:22 PMI feel like we could have a "Crap Juansolo is into this week" sub and a lot of us would be tuned in. Then you'd never be off topic.
Today I have been mostly fixing a friend's mower after she'd used some somewhat old fuel in there. I removed the spark plug and uttered the immortal words... Which made me laugh far more than is healthy...
Facebook friends get to see a video of me starting a lawnmower... Living on the edge!
Earlier in the week I built a monster Win XP gaming rig for £83...
Quote from: juansolo on June 22, 2019, 07:25:34 PM
Quote from: Leevibe on June 22, 2019, 04:28:22 PMI feel like we could have a "Crap Juansolo is into this week" sub and a lot of us would be tuned in. Then you'd never be off topic.
Today I have been mostly fixing a friend's mower after she'd used some somewhat old fuel in there. I removed the spark plug and uttered the immortal words... Which made me laugh far more than is healthy...
Facebook friends get to see a video of me starting a lawnmower... Living on the edge!
Earlier in the week I built a monster Win XP gaming rig for £83...
OK, we're off to a good start here.
Having read this thread, and some of the others, I wonder how many of the regular posters here actually still build pedals? Sometimes it feels more like a retirement community in this regard. And mea culpa in this regard as well.
I haven't built a pedal in about two years - but two weeks ago started again, which was fun.
I half installed my last pedal build today... It's just damned weird this one (it's a really specific custom build multi). Really struggling to keep it tidy! I reckon there's another days work in this before it's done, but it's getting there.
Quote from: juansolo on June 27, 2019, 03:26:38 PM
I half installed my last pedal build today... It's just damned weird this one (it's a really specific custom build multi). Really struggling to keep it tidy! I reckon there's another days work in this before it's done, but it's getting there.
It will be your Juan song
Quote from: Leevibe on June 27, 2019, 03:30:24 PM
Quote from: juansolo on June 27, 2019, 03:26:38 PM
I half installed my last pedal build today... It's just damned weird this one (it's a really specific custom build multi). Really struggling to keep it tidy! I reckon there's another days work in this before it's done, but it's getting there.
It will be your Juan song
You win the internet today! Almost spit my coffee out reading that.
Quote from: selfdestroyer on June 27, 2019, 05:38:22 PM
Quote from: Leevibe on June 27, 2019, 03:30:24 PM
Quote from: juansolo on June 27, 2019, 03:26:38 PM
I half installed my last pedal build today... It's just damned weird this one (it's a really specific custom build multi). Really struggling to keep it tidy! I reckon there's another days work in this before it's done, but it's getting there.
It will be your Juan song
You win the internet today! Almost spit my coffee out reading that.
Thank you ladies and gentlemen. I'll be here all weekend.
And hopefully there will be many last builds from juan.
It's his First Final Farewell Tour.
Oh... well, even good things must come to an end. :-\
I tip my hat to you Mr Solo. Your builds have been a source of inspiration and enjoyment on the internets. +1 please don't take your website down
Quote from: Leevibe on June 27, 2019, 03:30:24 PM
Quote from: juansolo on June 27, 2019, 03:26:38 PM
I half installed my last pedal build today... It's just damned weird this one (it's a really specific custom build multi). Really struggling to keep it tidy! I reckon there's another days work in this before it's done, but it's getting there.
It will be your Juan song
I'm so proud to know you right now.
Quote from: Leevibe on June 27, 2019, 03:30:24 PM
Quote from: juansolo on June 27, 2019, 03:26:38 PM
I half installed my last pedal build today... It's just damned weird this one (it's a really specific custom build multi). Really struggling to keep it tidy! I reckon there's another days work in this before it's done, but it's getting there.
It will be your Juan song
Hahahahaha
someone care to explain?
I'm sorry, if this is obvious, but I don't get it. could be a play of words or similar that does not work for non-native speakers?
Quote from: m-Kresol on July 01, 2019, 09:06:22 PM
someone care to explain?
I'm sorry, if this is obvious, but I don't get it. could be a play of words or similar that does not work for non-native speakers?
Juan-song sounds like "swan song", a term for a performers last performance before retirement (Comes from an old legend that swans were mute until just before they died. They're not, by the way, they goose honk all the time)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swan_song
Quote from: m-Kresol on July 01, 2019, 09:06:22 PM
someone care to explain?
I'm sorry, if this is obvious, but I don't get it. could be a play of words or similar that does not work for non-native speakers?
Sorry Felix. It's a play on "swan song." It's kind of a metaphorical final act. Just popped into my head.
Edit: Looks like I'm the last of this triple simul-post, so I'll just bow out. ;D
thanks guys.
Latest Project. Advertised as a 'loft find'. Let the repair/restoration commence. If this one ends up nice, I'll RGB mod it and do some shuffling with the UAV (S-Video) board that's in the Junior, and put that in the 7800, then just composite mod the Jr.
Quote from: juansolo on July 05, 2019, 02:56:21 PM
Latest Project. Advertised as a 'loft find'. Let the repair/restoration commence. If this one ends up nice, I'll RGB mod it and do some shuffling with the UAV (S-Video) board that's in the Junior, and put that in the 7800, then just composite mod the Jr.
Woohoo! Nice find. I found a classic Atari with 100 games built in. We love it.
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Quote from: juansolo on July 05, 2019, 02:56:21 PM
Latest Project. Advertised as a 'loft find'. Let the repair/restoration commence. If this one ends up nice, I'll RGB mod it and do some shuffling with the UAV (S-Video) board that's in the Junior, and put that in the 7800, then just composite mod the Jr.
This was the thing that it seemed like every one in the universe had but me. It put me on a downward spiral of always sucking at video games. Oh well. Sweet score. That brings back lots of '80s memories.
Quote from: juansolo on July 05, 2019, 02:56:21 PM
Latest Project. Advertised as a 'loft find'. Let the repair/restoration commence. If this one ends up nice, I'll RGB mod it and do some shuffling with the UAV (S-Video) board that's in the Junior, and put that in the 7800, then just composite mod the Jr.
Nice 6-switcher! I had terrible luck at yard sales last weekend.
I'm hoping I'm not the only person who owns a copy of Journey Escape for the Atari 2600. ;D
I probably own seven copies of E.T., but we can talk about that another day. :P
Ebk I knew I liked you. I believe there might be a copy of the journey game at my brothers.
We collected some choice games a few years back.
I'm with you guys.. I probably have a few dups myself. Over the years I would pick up lots of 2600 & 5200 games at yard sales and storage clean ups. Every few years I would go through them all and keep the better of the dups and give the others to friends.. or foes if its 5200 games. LOL
Quote from: EBK on July 05, 2019, 11:07:50 PM
I'm hoping I'm not the only person who owns a copy of Journey Escape for the Atari 2600. ;D
I probably own seven copies of E.T., but we can talk about that another day. :P
Man, I played the hell out of Journey Escape. No one else ever seems to have heard of it.
Quote from: jubal81 on July 06, 2019, 01:15:35 AM
Quote from: EBK on July 05, 2019, 11:07:50 PM
I'm hoping I'm not the only person who owns a copy of Journey Escape for the Atari 2600. ;D
I probably own seven copies of E.T., but we can talk about that another day. :P
Man, I played the hell out of Journey Escape. No one else ever seems to have heard of it.
If I find out any of my friends haven't heard of the Journey Escape game, we go our separate ways.
I still remember the tv commercial for the game.
BUT......
Does anyone remember playing THIS?
(http://ci-cdn.23bits.com/_s/1123/462/si-140209194751-960.jpg)
Used to play the HELL out of this game!!
Please tell me that's your basement
Journey Escape, right? I totally remember playing this, at least the Atari 2600-compatible version. :) My sister and I were strangely into the idea of it for some reason.
Coming back to the topic. I've got a couple of large orders coming in from tayda et al in order to finish off a bunch of pcb and vero I have lying around. After that, I think I'm finishing up. It still won't be for a while because there's so much to complete and decide on what's getting boxed, but I just don't see myself building much more.
Quote from: Willybomb on July 08, 2019, 01:56:36 PM
Coming back to the topic. I've got a couple of large orders coming in from tayda et al in order to finish off a bunch of pcb and vero I have lying around. After that, I think I'm finishing up. It still won't be for a while because there's so much to complete and decide on what's getting boxed, but I just don't see myself building much more.
At some point you have to say to yourself I got more then enough pedals, time to do something else.
Quote from: Muadzin on July 09, 2019, 08:36:23 AM
Quote from: Willybomb on July 08, 2019, 01:56:36 PM
Coming back to the topic. I've got a couple of large orders coming in from tayda et al in order to finish off a bunch of pcb and vero I have lying around. After that, I think I'm finishing up. It still won't be for a while because there's so much to complete and decide on what's getting boxed, but I just don't see myself building much more.
At some point you have to say to yourself I got more then enough pedals, time to do something else.
I agree. I just moved and I have boxes and boxes and boxes for days of pedals. I'm not real sure what to do with them. Buying and selling on this forum seems to have slowed down.
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This is one reason I moved to modulars.
You can't really use fifty pedals at once. But you can use fifty modules at once.
Quote from: jimilee on July 09, 2019, 01:44:32 PM
Quote from: Muadzin on July 09, 2019, 08:36:23 AM
Quote from: Willybomb on July 08, 2019, 01:56:36 PM
Coming back to the topic. I've got a couple of large orders coming in from tayda et al in order to finish off a bunch of pcb and vero I have lying around. After that, I think I'm finishing up. It still won't be for a while because there's so much to complete and decide on what's getting boxed, but I just don't see myself building much more.
At some point you have to say to yourself I got more then enough pedals, time to do something else.
I agree. I just moved and I have boxes and boxes and boxes for days of pedals. I'm not real sure what to do with them. Buying and selling on this forum seems to have slowed down.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Jimi is there anything in particular you wanna sell? Pm me
Quote from: alanp on July 09, 2019, 02:07:22 PM
This is one reason I moved to modulars.
You can't really use fifty pedals at once. But you can use fifty modules at once.
So true, so true
Quote from: Matmosphere on July 09, 2019, 04:14:45 PM
Quote from: jimilee on July 09, 2019, 01:44:32 PM
Quote from: Muadzin on July 09, 2019, 08:36:23 AM
Quote from: Willybomb on July 08, 2019, 01:56:36 PM
Coming back to the topic. I've got a couple of large orders coming in from tayda et al in order to finish off a bunch of pcb and vero I have lying around. After that, I think I'm finishing up. It still won't be for a while because there's so much to complete and decide on what's getting boxed, but I just don't see myself building much more.
At some point you have to say to yourself I got more then enough pedals, time to do something else.
I agree. I just moved and I have boxes and boxes and boxes for days of pedals. I'm not real sure what to do with them. Buying and selling on this forum seems to have slowed down.
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Jimi is there anything in particular you wanna sell? Pm me
I'll have a look this evening.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Quote from: alanp on July 09, 2019, 02:07:22 PM
This is one reason I moved to modulars.
You can't really use fifty pedals at once. But you can use fifty modules at once.
Somewhere someone is saying "Challenge accepted."
Well, except for "art" pieces, that new guitarist for the RHCP, and people setting out to prove something.
Quote from: alanp on July 09, 2019, 10:34:29 PM
Well, except for "art" pieces, that new guitarist for the RHCP, and people setting out to prove something.
I honestly think art is the best reason to keep building. I think Dave mentioned it earlier.
If I was into playing keys I can imagine getting into building 500 rack stuff. I still like the idea of building one of the MFOS modulars even though there's so much wiring. Something about that form factor looks like fun to me.
Quote from: jimilee on July 09, 2019, 05:11:23 PM
Quote from: Matmosphere on July 09, 2019, 04:14:45 PM
Quote from: jimilee on July 09, 2019, 01:44:32 PM
Quote from: Muadzin on July 09, 2019, 08:36:23 AM
Quote from: Willybomb on July 08, 2019, 01:56:36 PM
Coming back to the topic. I've got a couple of large orders coming in from tayda et al in order to finish off a bunch of pcb and vero I have lying around. After that, I think I'm finishing up. It still won't be for a while because there's so much to complete and decide on what's getting boxed, but I just don't see myself building much more.
At some point you have to say to yourself I got more then enough pedals, time to do something else.
I agree. I just moved and I have boxes and boxes and boxes for days of pedals. I'm not real sure what to do with them. Buying and selling on this forum seems to have slowed down.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Jimi is there anything in particular you wanna sell? Pm me
I'll have a look this evening.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Well dammit, I can't find anything I want to part with. After my last pedal purge, I rebuilt the ones that I want. I will dig through all of my PCBs and sell them off. Look for another thread soon.
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Ha! I feel your pain. I have a mess of pedals that there isn't a snow ball's chance in hell I'll do anything with (like say the DigDug 2) but if I plug it in right now I'll get sucked into a 2hr time vortex of just goofing around with it. In fact it's the second one I've built because the first one got used so impressively in a live situation by a buddy of mine that I just gave it to him. And I'm looking forward to building the Poly Trog to replace all the other phasers that I don't use.
QuoteBuying and selling on this forum seems to have slowed down.
FB groups seem to be the place to sell pedals these days. Selling them here is kinda like selling fish to a fisherman.
Stage one complete: test, strip, wash/clean, reassemble. It was a bit manky. This has certainly been in a loft for at least 30 years. Workage was a little intermittent. The switches needed attention and the PSU jack probably needs replacing. Kontakt Cleaner was employed copiously and we appear to have a bit of a winner on our hands.
Stage two will be a re-cap (all of three of them) with the jack swappage.
Stage three will be an RGB modification...
Nice. I had one just like that.
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"Manky" is my new word of the day.
Someone's been reading their Sergeant Colon and Nobby Nobbs.
Though I've read everything Pratchett wrote, manky is just an ordinary slang word for scruffy/undesirable.
I've always associated it since Pratchett with Colon and Nobbs' primitive forensic science. "You know how corpses get more corpse-like? You know... all manky and runny."