I was over at FSB, and although I don't spend too much time there, I notice that there are a handful of boutique builders who are held in very high regard that contribute regularly. The three that I've seen are Marc of Skreddy Pedals, Brian Wampler (indyguitarist), and Paul Cochrane. Any that I am missing?
I find it very cool that although they won't divulge ALL the info, they generally lend a hand in dissection and schematic. It makes me want to purchase their products even more to support them.
Jorge Tripps of WayHuge / Dunlop is pretty helpful
Bjorn Juhl of BJFe / Mad Professor / Bearfoot takes the time to explain lots
The guy who does MidFi often gives some feedback on dissections
David Barber pops in from time to time and he provided the schematic for the Silver LTD.
I think the folks at Catalinbread support DIY. Heard a rumour they might even offer kits. Again thats just a rumour and dont know how old it is.
Brian M (I think it is) of Subdecay also.
There's a lot of Brians in stomp boxing I've noticed...
Quote from: sgmezei on December 23, 2011, 09:08:08 PM
I think the folks at Catalinbread support DIY. Heard a rumour they might even offer kits. Again thats just a rumour and dont know how old it is.
I think that they have a sensible attitude towards it. Rather than spouting idiotic nonsense that we're terrorists out to destroy their livelyhood. Which is why when I was asked to make an SFT clone recently I told them to buy a real one. They're in production, sensibly priced, pretty awesome and they'd be able to sell it on later if they wanted to more easily.
However I made someone a Les Lius clone. What with it being an Electra Distortion with a random stamp on it that passes as finishing, and is marketed with the most rediculous bullshit I've ever read. So I suppose I'm selectively hypocritical myself really...
Yeah Catalinbread is good stuff that is sensibly priced IMO. Wampler, Subdecay and Skreddy are all very helpfull and open on FSB. I would buy any of these guys pedals.
FSB used to be a cauldron of hate towards most builders IMO. It seems to have calmed down a hell of a lot in recent times. I think some of the more vindictive (but knowlegable) people have left the forum over the last year making it a more pleasant place for builders to post.
ya FSB used to be really bad... they're still pretty brutal builders who (by their reckoning) charge too much for their work, especially those who do sub-standard work. i have to admit in some cases i agree with them, especially for overpriced, poorly-built rehashes of big muffs, tubescreamers and fuzz faces.
anyway, devi from effector 13/devi ever fx has been pretty friendly to diy folks, she's released old designs schems, etc... ironically, i've noticed she's been criticized for her build quality over at FSB, lol
Quote from: ckim715 on December 23, 2011, 08:24:59 PM
It makes me want to purchase their products even more to support them.
+1 on this. I'm a fan of Wampler pedals and although I would love to see some bean builds based on his work, i will gladly purchase his pedals. I just scooped up a Pinnacle last week in a combo deal plus a polysaturator, although it was on the used market rather than new.
Agree with you both on FSB. Brilliant resource, but if you spend too long there, it leaves a bitter taste. I tend not to bother (unless I'm looking for something in particular) and stick with the friendlier forums for banter. Mostly here now with a little bit of BYOC and DIYSB.
When the Suhr Riot was traced John Suhr popped up and cleared up a few mistakes and was generally super cool. He offered the use of his PCB CNC machine to DIY'ers as well. I thought the way he behaved was really commendable.
Quote from: sgmezei on December 23, 2011, 09:08:08 PM
I think the folks at Catalinbread support DIY. Heard a rumour they might even offer kits. Again thats just a rumour and dont know how old it is.
Looks like they are available.
http://www.catalinbread.com/kits/
pretty lame marketing hype...
::)
Quotepretty lame marketing hype...
Agree, I wouldn't buy any for that reason alone.
I wouldn't buy it cause international shipping is nearly $25!
Otherwise I see no issue with it... other than it seems to be trying to insult you in to buying it.
Looks like a quality product, and I appreciate that they're trying to make it 'fun' for the builder. It fits the vein of DIY and Catalainbread, even if it isn't our taste. Their links were broken trying to look at the documentation.
Jacob
After searching through the various forums, I see Skreddy and Wampler helping people out quite often. Even when people are trying to trace one of their pedals.
I think the "F--k this, you build it" thing is kinda funny. Probably a little too tongue and cheek for the average consumer who most likely has no clue about some of the history between DIY and pedal makers.
Nic seems like a very genuine guy from the few conversations I've had with him...I think he's just having some fun.
It is kind of funny and I think I understand where he is coming from. I just don't like it being used to market the product.
I had some stuff typed up but being kind of hardline against builders and advertising lately [exceptions being dave barber and paulc and a few others] it was deleted in the interest of fairness. To the end:
In all this is a positive step IMO especially when a builder lets a circuit go out of production. Some of these guys understand that hobbyists are not the threat, it's really D*n*l*ctr* and L*v*p*d*l that can kill them.
For a company that is named after a phallic painting of a loaf of spanish bread, I would think the bad language and jokes can be expected :)
Their video is pretty good, especially when the yakety sax kicks in.
I think it's good that they are putting out the old discontinued pedals in kit form. The PCBs look pretty good quality, and it's cool how they snap in half to give you a switch PCB and a main board joined by a ribbon cable.
I think the Ottava Magus is also in line for a kit too.
But the price is a little too high, IMO. And you're right about the shipping. Ouch!
Quote from: plesur on January 05, 2012, 11:08:23 AM
For a company that is named after a phallic painting of a loaf of spanish bread, I would think the bad language and jokes can be expected :)
Their video is pretty good, especially when the yakety sax kicks in.
I think it's good that they are putting out the old discontinued pedals in kit form. The PCBs look pretty good quality, and it's cool how they snap in half to give you a switch PCB and a main board joined by a ribbon cable.
I think the Ottava Magus is also in line for a kit too.
But the price is a little too high, IMO. And you're right about the shipping. Ouch!
Haha, I never knew the origins of the name, thanks for the lesson!
I haven't watched the video yet, I will soon though, especially now I know Yakety Sax is in it :D
I didn't see the PCB yet, i'll be interested to.
Yeah that shipping is a dealer breaker, if I could get the kit for $59 or whatever the introductory price is, i'd probably do it (that's basically a $60 pedal, I don't mind a bit of soldering it's the drilling etc. I find work which is done here) but that just puts it in to a bracket where I can do it cheaper myself.
I think the Fuck it you do it is a little tongue in cheek too myself, I had a little chuckle when I first saw that but I could see how some customers they sell to might not find it so amusing. Then again who cares.
Perhaps it's because of my introduction to the DIY community, but the F*ck it you build it part got a good chuckle out of me. I think it's very cool that Catalinbread is offering kits of their pedals.
I think the whole campaign is brilliant. ;D
But then again, I'm one of those rude, brutal pirate jerks from FSB, so that makes sense. :D
I find it quite amusing, their choice of builder. Definitely adds a whole level of parity to it. Or it shows that anyone can do it...
I do have trouble taking it seriously.