madbeanpedals::forum

Projects => Build Reports => Topic started by: pickdropper on December 11, 2012, 02:17:26 PM

Title: The Sonic Screwdriver
Post by: pickdropper on December 11, 2012, 02:17:26 PM
Having built one of Madbean's Cosmopolitans, I already knew that I loved the Screwdriver circuit.  I decided to shrink it down with (mostly) surface mount components.  This one is sort of a hybrid: the 3 transistors are through-hole and everything else is surface mount.

Special thanks to Jon (Midwayfair) for sending me some NPN Ge trannies. I still haven't tried them all out, but I socketed the Ge for that reason.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/pickdropper/Guitar%20Pedals/SonicScrewdriver1.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/pickdropper/Guitar%20Pedals/SonicScrewdriver2.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/pickdropper/Guitar%20Pedals/SonicScrewdriver3.jpg)
Title: Re: The Sonic Screwdriver
Post by: hammerheadmusicman on December 11, 2012, 02:25:13 PM
That is amazing man! You are churning out some mind blowing stuff at the minute!!!

How/What do you use for the laser etching?


George
Title: Re: The Sonic Screwdriver
Post by: pickdropper on December 11, 2012, 02:30:04 PM
Quote from: hammerheadmusicman on December 11, 2012, 02:25:13 PM
That is amazing man! You are churning out some mind blowing stuff at the minute!!!

How/What do you use for the laser etching?


George

Thanks George.  I use a 30W laser engraver by Epilog.  Great machine for this type of etching.  It can't go into bare metal, though.  It just engraves into the power coat or paint.
Title: Re: The Sonic Screwdriver
Post by: Bret608 on December 11, 2012, 02:49:19 PM
Still one of my favorite circuits! What kind of NPNs did Jon set you up with? I love the 2n1304 in mine. JakeFuzz sent me one with hfe around 55 and it works perfectly along with the BC108 I got from Smallbear. I really hope one of you will try out the "Fuzzball" (see Member Projects/Tutorials) as I think it's also a cool circuit that lives in this same sonic neighborhood.

This hybrid SMD/through-hole art certainly seems like the future...
Title: Re: The Sonic Screwdriver
Post by: midwayfair on December 11, 2012, 02:57:04 PM
This is a seriously beautiful enclosure, one of your best I think. I really like the way the engraving is happening at the moment -- not going to the bare metal.

Did you actually have a green stomp switch to match that case?

Nice job on the squeezing ... I don't think the AC127 is going to fit in there. :D
Title: Re: The Sonic Screwdriver
Post by: hammerheadmusicman on December 11, 2012, 02:57:42 PM
any chance of a link to the particlular model? I think i may investigate more, as you seem to be getting amazing results!

George
Title: Re: The Sonic Screwdriver
Post by: bigrigg on December 11, 2012, 03:09:21 PM
Wicked build and looks like crop circles.  Gorgeous.
Title: Re: The Sonic Screwdriver
Post by: pickdropper on December 11, 2012, 03:11:03 PM
Quote from: midwayfair on December 11, 2012, 02:57:04 PM
This is a seriously beautiful enclosure, one of your best I think. I really like the way the engraving is happening at the moment -- not going to the bare metal.

Did you actually have a green stomp switch to match that case?

Nice job on the squeezing ... I don't think the AC127 is going to fit in there. :D

Thanks Jon.

This one actually does go to bare metal.  It is one of PPP's transparent finishes and you can see all the oxidation on the case under the finish.  Personally, I dig it.

The switch is green, but I the case matching is coincidence.  It is one if Mammoth's new switches.

And no, the AC127 isn't going to fit in there.  :-)
Title: Re: The Sonic Screwdriver
Post by: pickdropper on December 11, 2012, 03:12:40 PM
Quote from: hammerheadmusicman on December 11, 2012, 02:57:42 PM
any chance of a link to the particlular model? I think i may investigate more, as you seem to be getting amazing results!

George

Hey George,

I'll dig it up for you later today.  I do know it is about $10k for the machine and there are other cost considerations with it as well (maintenance and ancillary equipment).

There are cheaper options that may make more sense for a home user.  Still pricey, tho.
Title: Re: The Sonic Screwdriver
Post by: hammerheadmusicman on December 11, 2012, 03:15:24 PM
^ well, thats that idea 'down the shit pan' as they say ;)  i may look around for a trophy shop near me, as i know there are a few, and see if they can do some kind of deal..

thanks

G
Title: Re: The Sonic Screwdriver
Post by: GhostofJohnToad on December 11, 2012, 05:21:35 PM
Very neat and tidy.  Very noice!

+10 for the Doctor Who themed pedal! I have a Tardis themed design in the works.
Title: Re: The Sonic Screwdriver
Post by: G.G. on December 11, 2012, 05:33:15 PM
another beautiful build! It's crazy how ridiculously huge the transistors look compared with the rest of the components.
Title: Re: The Sonic Screwdriver
Post by: micromegas on December 11, 2012, 05:40:48 PM
WOW!
I thought that it could be cool to have a laser engraver, after that, I've realized that I realy NEED a laser engraver...
Title: Re: The Sonic Screwdriver
Post by: monkeyssj1 on December 11, 2012, 05:49:18 PM
Goodness...!  :o
Title: Re: The Sonic Screwdriver
Post by: icecycle66 on December 11, 2012, 06:13:50 PM
I'm so ashamed.
Title: Re: The Sonic Screwdriver
Post by: Roctopus on December 11, 2012, 07:47:09 PM
fantastic! pro work man :)
Title: Re: The Sonic Screwdriver
Post by: MattOcaster on December 11, 2012, 07:54:12 PM
Dude...
SMD + laser engraving for the win.
Well done!!
Title: Re: The Sonic Screwdriver
Post by: wgc on December 12, 2012, 01:08:27 AM
Awesome!!!
Title: Re: The Sonic Screwdriver
Post by: wgc on December 12, 2012, 02:35:32 AM
Btw, the laser etching is beautiful, but just wanted to point out that it wouldn't look half as good with out the quality graphic design work it relies on.  I don't know what Dave (?) does for a living but aside from his top notch building, layout, and finishing skills he's got some awesome graphic design sensibilities.  Always glad to see the latest stuff!
Title: Re: The Sonic Screwdriver
Post by: alanp on December 12, 2012, 04:29:50 AM
That is one sexy little pedal.
Title: Re: The Sonic Screwdriver
Post by: Stomptown on December 12, 2012, 04:40:09 AM
Wow! This is an amazing pedal all around! I am truly floored by this...
Title: Re: The Sonic Screwdriver
Post by: lincolnic on December 12, 2012, 05:30:13 AM
Dude, you make the rest of us look bad on a regular basis. Nice job!
Title: Re: The Sonic Screwdriver
Post by: pickdropper on December 12, 2012, 05:48:53 AM
Quote from: wgc on December 12, 2012, 02:35:32 AM
Btw, the laser etching is beautiful, but just wanted to point out that it wouldn't look half as good with out the quality graphic design work it relies on.  I don't know what Dave (?) does for a living but aside from his top notch building, layout, and finishing skills he's got some awesome graphic design sensibilities.  Always glad to see the latest stuff!

Thanks for noticing that.  I hate to admit it, but sometimes I spend as much (or more) time on the artwork as on the build. 

I definitely am no professional graphic artist.  I've learned as I've gone on and getting a bit more comfortable all the time.  Probably a similar story to a lot of folks here.
Title: Re: The Sonic Screwdriver
Post by: pickdropper on December 12, 2012, 05:49:21 AM
And thanks to everybody for the kind words.  Totally appreciated.
Title: Re: The Sonic Screwdriver
Post by: nzCdog on December 12, 2012, 08:24:28 AM
Stunning inside and out... and that etch... wow!  A truly impressive build, sir 8)
Title: Re: The Sonic Screwdriver
Post by: wgc on December 12, 2012, 12:51:58 PM
Quote from: pickdropper on December 12, 2012, 05:48:53 AM
Quote from: wgc on December 12, 2012, 02:35:32 AM
Btw, the laser etching is beautiful, but just wanted to point out that it wouldn't look half as good with out the quality graphic design work it relies on.  I don't know what Dave (?) does for a living but aside from his top notch building, layout, and finishing skills he's got some awesome graphic design sensibilities.  Always glad to see the latest stuff!

Thanks for noticing that.  I hate to admit it, but sometimes I spend as much (or more) time on the artwork as on the build. 

I definitely am no professional graphic artist.  I've learned as I've gone on and getting a bit more comfortable all the time.  Probably a similar story to a lot of folks here.


Totally worth it.  You've managed to create something that's not just aesthetically pleasing, but also would be easy to use and understand.  No small thing.  Lest anyone get their hands on a laser engraver and think magic happens on its own. ;D
Title: Re: The Sonic Screwdriver
Post by: studiodunn on December 15, 2012, 04:15:52 PM
Wow! Your stuff is really top shelf man.