As the year is coming to a close, I figure now is a good time for us to reflect on our favorite builds of 2012.
Madbean: Low Rider
So I had this board since September of '11 and put off finishing it until recently, it's fantastic! I have an original POG, a Digitech WH-1, WH-2, XP-100, WH-4, and I have to say this pedal holds it own among them
JMK: Standard Fuzz
Having previously built a BYOC Leeds Fuzz (Univox Superfuzz clone), I wasn't sure I really needed to build this one, but after doing so I quickly realized that this pedal was the better fit for me than the Leeds. I'm a big Black Keys fan, and they supposedly used this one on different tracks throughout their whole career, its raw and harsh and I love it!
1776: 3PDT Boards
While not technically an effect, I started using these this year, and man does it make offboard wiring a breeze. I'm never going back!
Worst Failure of 2012:
I completely butchered a Dunlop JH-1 board that I ended up soldering and resoldering too many times. I think I lifted 4 traces on it. I might try to repair it at some point, but I've already put another pcb in the Wah chassis it was in.
Build I'm Most Looking Forward to in 2013:
My ultimate wah build, probably using a BYOC Wah PCB I have from a trade. For a long time I've been in search of the Swiss Army Knife of Wah pedals. I bought a Teese RMC-3, but alas that only features one inductor, and I'm looking for at least two of differing types (*cough* perhaps something to include in future Weener Wah builds *cough*)
Favorite mb build - triple flush tremolo, been wanting a dual speed Trem for years
Favourite jmk build - fuzzy muff, so many possibilities with such a simple circuit
Favourite 1776 build - multiplex, Favourite diy delay yet
Favourite Vero - heartthrob Trem sounds way better than I expected
Favourite other fab - Rej's chimera, really digging it
Biggest fail - having a Hipster make its way into the box of fail
2013 look forwards
Jmk boom wah build with yellow and red fasels
Mb the zero point delay series
Getting at least two of my own designs off the ground
Dirtbag deluxe, no explaination needed
1776 multiplex because it's just very cool, 3 unique usable sounds in one and it went together so easily, best pt2399 unit I've tried so far. Plus points for making you work to get the best outta it too
1776 rub a dub just a really beautiful easy to make reverb, kicks the shit outta the eh holy grail which is the cheap DIY vs just buyin one pedal that it needs to beat to be worth making...no better praise really
Lovetone ring stinger and doppelgänger just because I saved so much cash on the former, and did all the second one by my self and gave a project to the community, something I wouldn't have deemed possible a year ago.
Thanks to all the community, here and elsewhere that makes this all happen.
Favorites of 2012
-Boneyard: Just a great sounding pedal once I got the squeal killed.
-Pork Barrell
-Current Lover
-MultiPlex
Not so much of 2012
-Uproar: I just never fell in love with it.
-Karoke Party: The circuit it's self sounds good, I just failed horribly trying to design a pcb layout.
Looking forward 2013
- Dist+ from CJ: Way back in 1980 my cousin cloned one for me. this will be a nostalgia build and I cant wait.
- Chimera: Love the name and midwayfair sold me on building one with his video.
- Tube Screamer or Boiling Point
- Play guitar better
My Favorite Builds of 2012:
Afterlife Comp (first 1590a build)
Cave Dweller (3rd 1590a and 1st delay)
KLONe (Grind Customs Chimaera PCB)
Kingslayer
Looking forward to building in 2013:
Sea Urchin w/ Taptation mod board.
1776 Multiplex Delay
Zero Point
Dirtbag Deluxe
APIS 1590a Klone (because I can't just build delays, and I want to do a mini Klon)
...maybe a tube amp (If I get enough time to study up before the year ends)
Pork Barrel--sounds great and really forced me to raise my game on wiring. I was having some buzzy ground noise, so I totally re-wired it with a gtr2 3PDT board.
Cosmopolitan--my first etched board, my first waterslide, and it was just a lot of fun selecting parts for this, especially a sweet BC108. JakeFuzz hooked me up with a superb NPN germanium as well.
Wolfshirt--I was just really happy with the PCB work and soldering!
I also learned tons from these on troubleshooting in general.
Looking forward to: Lowrider! Just getting started on it. Also, testing and boxing the CJ Plus Dist I recently populated. I'll also be boxing a Coldcraft Microbuffer (with Fuzz Friendly resistor values!) and the Fuzzball (Keeley Fuzzhead-esque) that I've tested and are good to go. I'm sure there will be more than this.
Thanks for a great year to everyone on the forum!
I built a hybrid AC/RC Booster that I got in last years PIF. its great! I essentially use the AC booster values, but 2x 914s + 1x BAT41 on one side versus 1x 914 and 2x BAT41s on the other. It is a really great throaty drive that stacks well with my liquid sunshine.
I'm in the middle of building a FAT Pants, Sparkplug and Kingslayer that I am really excited for.
Man! So many cool builds... I'll have to go home and review my list now and see which qualifies. I think I've boxed 35 pedals so far this year, and I've built probably a dozen other circuits that aren't boxed yet...
Jacob
I can't even remember what I built :-[ but here's what I remember.
2012
I know I really loved the Weener wah with a whipple.
The multiplex was my most favorite and frustrating build(s) Mainly a few prototype failures.
2013
Looking forward to the zeropoint and to building a fuzz face I actually like.
Josh
Fatpants Version 2, i literally use it all the time! I know it's a simple one, but it just makes my 61 relic strat sound superb!!
George
Quote from: hammerheadmusicman on December 06, 2012, 06:20:28 PM
Fatpants Version 2, i literally use it all the time! I know it's a simple one, but it just makes my 61 relic strat sound superb!!
George
Yeah, that one was a close second for me too. I think Brian should convince Fender to install it as stock on all their TBX loaded strats. Makes them sound much better.
My favorite builds this year were the Hotcake (jtn191's Flapjack) and the Multiplex, no question. A close second goes to my Op-Amp Muff, which currently needs its switch replaced (I think).
I had some firsts in 2012: first vero builds, and first reverse engineering.
My biggest "up yours" goes to the Dynacomp I built that refused to work for no discernible reason. I even had someone else look at it, and they couldn't figure it out either. Up yours, broken Dynacomp.
Next year, I'm excited to start learning more about how circuits actually work (I got a breadboard for my birthday!), build a Zero Point SDX, and start writing songs again.
Quote from: GermanCdn on December 06, 2012, 06:22:10 PM
Quote from: hammerheadmusicman on December 06, 2012, 06:20:28 PM
Fatpants Version 2, i literally use it all the time! I know it's a simple one, but it just makes my 61 relic strat sound superb!!
George
Yeah, that one was a close second for me too. I think Brian should convince Fender to install it as stock on all their TBX loaded strats. Makes them sound much better.
Like i said, i have a 61 relic, and i literally don't plug it in without the fatpants int he chain, the pedal has made me dislike the sound of my CS pickups haha
George
2012 favorites
collasulus- holy sheet this thing rules
low rider- this sounds sooooo cool with pepper spray or mayo
mkii with black glass oc140/cv7112's
weener whipple- best wah i've played
kingslayer
boneyard- still need to stick a buffer in mine to halt squeal but a great drive nonetheless
CJ's STM trem is nice
looking forward to in 2013
finish my dirtbag finally
wrap up my nautilus build
gonna build a couple of univibes
hopefully the stage fright spaceship
jkokura boiling pt
josh's multiplex
aquaboy deluxe
zero point
sharkfin
duds:
built a ton of stuff that I'll never use but didn't really have any true duds thankfully
Prolly may faves were the Sea Urchin and Lavache which my lovely wife painted.
Great sounding and great looking, and thats just my wife :P ;D
Nautilus was probably my favorite. I have many more least favorites (prototypes) that caused a lot of frustration. I also enjoyed the meat sphere.
I'd go for the nautilus as well. It's the most fun to play for sure.
The multiplex is also a really really cool DIY project.
Really like the Boneyard
Built my first veros this year:
Really like the Okko Diablo from Sabro--boost was not necessary
Catalinbread RAH--big Zep fan so...
Tortured by my first phase 90--lots of difficulties--but like it
Not satisfied with Si tonebenders: built Mictesters and Retrochannel both sound ok but not found "it" yet
Might do a Natutilus for a friend's bass after xmas
Built a ton of cool stuff this year but my faves are, in order:
Current Mistress. I set it to a slowly moving and fairly shallow sweep. It's as close as I can get to faking a Ty Tabor sound.
Afterlife. Is it possible to get a Vox even creamier sounding? Yes, yes it is...
Aristocrat. OK, I built this before 2012 but I didn't really like it. I modded it with tweaked tone controls and fiddled with different chips. No go. Then, for some reason I put it back on my board and it's been seeing regular duty since. Who knows, maybe my hearing is going... In the meantime I'm digging a few boards out of the "limbo" basket like the Rump Roast to get another audition.
Smoothie. How can you not like a Phase 45 that's so tiny?
Karate Shop. I passed on buying a slightly used SHE in the 70's for $35 because I thought it was a one trick pony. It is, but what a trick! I kick this in to thicken solos from time to time (like a Schenker cocked wah) or just to make sure the sound guy is still awake.
For 2013, I'm going to etch an Egghead and a Cave Dweller dub and put in an order for a Nautilus (I have a drawer full of triggered filters I don't like so I'm hoping this does it) and a handful of other wanna-builds.
Of all the pedals I've built so far this year my top five are:
1. Nautilus - effing love it!
2. Yellow Shark - my go to dirt box right now.
3. Dirtbag Deluxe (MN3005)
4. Sea Urchin - this is left on almost always.
5. Sunking - another almost always on pedal for me.
I'm really looking forward to the new projects coming out this coming year! I can't decide what to build, so it looks like its a one of everything kind of situation.
Andy
Top builds out of 34 total pedals this year:
Madbean:
1. Boneyard. just love it even though it was troublesome
2. Weener wah with wipple
3. Mangler with CV7112 germaniums. Wow.
Non Madbean:
1. Prototype Rig (thanks to jkokura tutorial)
2. Ropez (Ross) Phaser with depth mod. Best phaser I have heard ever (so far)
3. Rub-a-dub Reverb. Super great, thanks Josh!
Most looking forward to:
1. Lowrider. on deck!
2. Kingslayer
3. Stage Fright. curious to see if it will topple the Ross.
All of them! :)
Easy to say, as I'm not particularly prolific. ;D
Afterlife compressor
Hotcake overdrive
Double Flush tremolo
Still debugging my Pork Barrel (seems to be LFO bleed), and have yet to finish and box up my Current Lover and Multiplex, but if I get around to those before December 31, I'll add them to the list.
Madbean: Neutrino (burst version)
Although the Smoothie is a close second, the Neutrino is now my go to overdrive and has replaced the Tonepad 808 clone on my board. I love the dark nature of the neutrino and it sings with my LP custom.
1776: Multiplex Echo Machine
This was definitely my favorite build this year. I'm still working out the bugs on the modulation board I added and I left town the day after I finished so I haven't been able to sit down and play with it much at this point. Regardless, I enjoyed all aspects of this project and I think my wife is glad that it is finally done with!
Worst Failure of 2012: Ego Driver (Mad Bean)
This one is currently in my box of shame. Luckily I built another and it works.
Build I'm Most Looking Forward to in 2013:
I really want to build an envelope filter but I haven't taken the time to see what's out there. Right now I am also looking forward to finishing the Shoot at the Moon Tremolo I picked up off Jeremy from Tenwatt.
I started making pedals in Jan 2012, so all my pedals are fair game for this thread!
Wins:
Number one has to be the LaVache (Sylvanis on mine.) It's low gain, which is perfect for me, but if I want to push my luck I can stomp the Boost on for a bit more loose roar.
I really really liked the Dirtbag for a few months, but lately it's been noisy as hell. I think I need to rebias it or something, I just can't be bothered. The Multiplex has completely replaced it as my go to delay -- digital, so no noise on that front, sounds great, flexible enough to let me play with the settings but not so flexible that I get lost and give up.
The Kingslayer... early days yet for me (I play once a fortnight at church, the other week I'm on sound desk to give the other guy a break from it), but I like the sound of it.
Loophole is kinda like a Linux live bootcd for me. I don't use it often, but it's the mutt's proverbials when I do. I'm not handing over the kind of money the NZ shops asks for a looper, so it works well for me.
The Collosalus sounds AMAZING. Even with the whine from the CPA chip. Definite win once I replace that. I've gotten around it, kinda, by riding the stomp switch and only having it on when people are singing to drown it somewhat.
Meh's:
Lowrider. I want to like it, but I don't play funk and I don't finger cleanly enough for it. I think my original idea was to use the 2x Down as a lazy man's bass guitar, NOT funk.
Dub Ed. Cavedweller: I don't know why, but it can't touch the Multiplex for 'vibe'.
Current Lover: Sounds too 'metallic', compared to the Collosalus' 'lushness'. I get the feeling it would be happier in a cabinet with a VCO, VCF, and a keyboard in front of it.
Orange Squeeze: Maybe I'm just utter rubbish at setting the bias. I built two of these and neither really get a lot of 'on time'.
My Faves
Many MkIII Tonebenders (Pastyface etched boards) with NPN germaniums. So killer, and no pedalboard hassles.
MKII with NPN Germaniums, so hard to quiet down but when I got it tamed it was magic.
Rub-A-Dubs, so simple, so good.
Pi/4 (Smoothie) Really really love the smoothie. After trying to love a Bad Stone clone and always finding it too over the top for anything but "Black Hole Sun" covers, a Phase 45 is just right for me.
Rej's Dist+ done as OD250 with OA1160's or Bat41's two different but great sounds.
Standard Fuzz (see mention below)
Darkside with all the mods to brighten things up and OA1160's as well.
PICOFuzz a Ge/Si hybrid one knob fuzz variant, build report forthcoming. Something special bout this one...
Meh
Custom built Escobedo Jawari Sitar Fuzz by request. Why? Why would you want your guitar to make that noise? Just chokes everything I like about playing into a lo-fi super gated octave mess with horrible tracking to boot.
GGG Tubescreamer, a repair job, just generic sounding, no depth.
Failures
I only butchered one build this year, but not to the point of absolute non-working devestation. You can read my Tech Help thread in JMK PCB's subforum to get the whole story but I roasted some solder pads on the PCB from soldering/desoldering the transistors umpteen times until I got low gain enough devices in there and thne had to bend legs to make jumpers to the next component down the trace. I love the pedal, and really love the enclosure (my first etch), but the underside of that board is fugly.
Ok, so I finally got through my build list and here's the list:
Favourites
Custom Wah (Madbean Weener) - This thing was a slick build! I love the mojo cap setup. My build report is still forthcoming, I'm waiting on a name plate from Rej.
Glitz (Glitch Computer) - This was a project that was long in the works, but awesome in the end. Scott covered the enclosure with fabric for me, and I'm so grateful and impressed. Helps that the circuit is a rocking, quirky, fun pedal. Not sure how to use it live in a P&W context though...
Moon Lander (Lunar Module Clone) - Wow this fuzz rocks! Silicon fuzzy goodness, and I couldn't expect to use anything else for leads right now. Build report is forthcoming as I haven't had time to finish it. Dave finished the enclosure for me on this one in return for some PCBs, and again, I'm both grateful and blown away at the artistic ability people around here have! Watch for the PCB release on this one
Fuzzy Muff (Muff Fuzz Clone) - Dang this little circuit is fun! From Boost to OD to Fuzz, this is one crazy fun circuit! Watch for Curtis' modded build report, you can do a lot with this circuit. I haven't boxed mine yet, but I will.
Super Happy OD (Sweet Honey OD clone) - This is by far my favourite overdrive right now. I consistently use typical Dual Op Amp ODs like the Timmy, the Son-of-Screamer types, and a Sunking on my board, and this one is just kicking butt right now. Pick up a PCB if you're looking for something new, I hope you won't regret it
Calling Jonah Comp - Just a Ross Comp, but I was super stoked with the way that client build turned out.
That's just some of my favs. I have many more, and just about everything I've released in the PCB shop has been a really enjoyable circuit for me.
2013 Anticipations
Nautilus - I'm so stoked for this one, just waiting on some parts
Zero Point - cannot be released soon enough
Multiplex - I'm late to getting this one off the ground, mostly because I made a mistake getting my graphics printed
Boneyard - I'm so stoked about the graphics I've got ready for 2 different Boneyard builds
Tap Tempo Modular Delay - This has been a process trying to get these PCBs ready, but they're on their way now!
Pedal Sync - I'm starting to work out a programmable bypass unit using these chips, and I'm really looking forward to it.
Engineer's Thumb/Blue Warbler/Boiling Point - These are going to be AWESOME PCBS!!!!
I don't think I have any duds from this year actually. I've had some frustrating builds, and some frustrating supplier issues, but that's nothing I can't handle.
Jacob
Juan's awards 2012
Favorite Bean Board - Kingslayer. Always liked the Klone and this came along and was just better in every way.
Favourite non-bean board - Tough one this so I'm just going to give it to Josh on a whole. The optotrons are magnificent. The Rub-a-Dub is the best DIY reverb I've heard and the Multiplex just came alone and rocked something different and awesome.
Favourite Vero - Been a light year for me on vero. But Merlin's Engineers Thumb I think was the standout. Really nicely laid out and with board mountable pots. Cracking compressor too.
Biggest fail - Not sure I've had any outright failures in 2012. It's been a good year with most things I've built being good enough to warrant sticking in a box.
2013 look forwards
More new and awesome stuff to build ;)
Noob question....I've seen Jmk mentioned in the thread...
What is it?
Don't try. d3rpalicious.
No worries, I've only recently been producing PCBs. New site is coming, but for now...
http://www.jmkpedals.com/JMK_Pedals/JMK_PCBs.html (http://www.jmkpedals.com/JMK_Pedals/JMK_PCBs.html)
Jacob
JMK is a dude.
Also known as jkokura or Jacob.
Madbean forum: http://www.madbeanpedals.com/forum/index.php?board=26.0
Website: http://www.jmkpedals.com/JMK_Pedals/Home.html
My favorite build of 2012?
All of them! ;D
This is my first year of building. If I had to pick it would either be my first, a Macheen, or my minis (because they were hard).
Thanks Angelo ;)
Jacob
Quote from: icecycle66 on December 16, 2012, 05:50:20 PM
JMK is a dude.
Also known as jkokura or Jacob.
Madbean forum: http://www.madbeanpedals.com/forum/index.php?board=26.0
Website: http://www.jmkpedals.com/JMK_Pedals/Home.html
My favorite build of 2012?
All of them! ;D
This is my first year of building. If I had to pick it would either be my first, a Macheen, or my minis (because they were hard).
thanks.
I hope to have many posts in this thread next year. :-*
Don't try. d3rpalicious.
Hmmm...favorite builds of 2012:
1590a DAM Drag N' Fly
1590a Skreddy Lunar Module Deluxe
1590a Rothwell Love Squeeze Compressor
1590a Astro-Tone Fuzz (surprisingly, my favorite low gainer I've ever played).
Bigfoot Magnavibe
Failures of 2012:
Madbean Warhead
Escobedo Ugly Face
Looking forward to:
1590a Madbean Smoothie w/ vibe and blend mods (in the mail!)
1590a Madbean Zero Point Mini Delay!
Top Bean Builts in order:
Smoothie, other than delay.......i'm a phaser whore and i like every aspects of this layout.
KingSlayer, i did'nt boxed it and simply bought it............to ear! And this should have been the new Klon, Finnegan did'nt hired the right people ;)
1776 Effect:
The MultiPlex, not boxed yet......waiting for other layout to be released to complete that project.
Such a nice DIY project.
JMK PCB:
Not an effect........the Tiny Tester, i use that thing many time in a week, to test or bias modulation effects and do pedal «break-in». For probing too, the little tool that i needed.
Other Designer:
SJ Effects............well........pretty much all Raulduke projects are killer, but the 3 band Eq and PlexiDrive where my favorites.
EffDub Design:
Neptune Delay.......still have bunch of fun with that pedal.
Shoot The Moon Trem, the effect that hooked me to Drone sounds and other sci-fi textures.
Codtones «The Third Nut» Germanium Booster, super simple, polarity reversal on board, really let you hear the trannie, got TONS of output when used with 130hfe and more Ge's.........it's killer, Bacon in a Box!
Favorite Vero is i think..........the Engineer Thumb and LoveSqueeze. Been into comps a lot lately, and these 2 just shined through the pack.
EPIC FAIL:
Often FX 1590A Klone...........it was working and then it stopped once boxed, tried to get that thing working for 3 days.........and thrown it in the drawer of fail.........while being totally pissed off.... >:(
Builts i'm the most proud of:
3in1 1590A, OKF-GreenRinger-CleanBoost, all with standard size components, open jacks, 16mm pots, never thought i could do it.......but i have. :)
FireFly 1 watt tube amp project. First amp built, still have some fine tuning to do on it, but doing this was personally rewarding.
Master Of Drive, Klone-OCD-BBOD, biggest pedal project i've done yet.....
Plans for 2013:
MB SDX Delay project so i can box other projects that are going with it.
Finish some BBD combos that i've been working on for a while.
And finally......i hope that i will be able to finish the build of my SLO100 Clone.
D-Bag Deluxe, first by far.
Cherry Bomb, second.
guitarpcb Klon Clone, third.
BYOC Divided Octave, fourth.
Totally bitchin' pedals.