Hey, folks, I've learned Eagle well enough now that I feel comfortable ordering some PCBs for prototyping. I've made layouts for my Fallstaff Booster and Hamlet Delay, and will have a PCB layout for the Clipper Ship done tomorrow.
So this is a feeler -- is there anyone out there interested in me doing an actual PCB group buy of these?
For reference, here's a brief description of each. Further information can be found on my website. I will update the documentation there as I finish it.
Fallstaff Germanium Booster: A treble booster with a twist. This is a buffered and re-voiced version of a classic treble booster, with over 20dB of boost and an unusual Color control that when turned counterclockwise trims treble at the output and adds some subtle diode distortion. It has most of the classic treble booster sound but can also do a really cutting, dirty fullrange/mids boost, and best of all it works anywhere in the effects chain. Here's the build document (includes a new, better etch layout and a preview of the board):
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1033QEzKtTQJ0B3pTqJyp3mo-y4V7ErbM35hi3phTJLI/edit
Clipper Ship Overdrive: This is a simple transistor with diodes overdrive circuit cascaded into a JFET micro booster. It has a stupidly wonderful tone control for treble boost or cut, an absolutely MASSIVE output to slam an amp, and the gain pot goes from completely clean to near-fuzz. The overall character is a little voxy, in that it has a lot of second order harmonics, but there is plenty of interaction between the gain and tone control to get everything from an open sound to a big mids/lower mids push. Although it was made to work with an NPN germanium, it has the very bizarre characteristic that any transistor can be used in the overdrive section (NPN, PNP, germanium, silicon, it doesn't matter). Build document: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1dPlB8Lqn_a1A6Xpb3Lg-2cfTxGCLOkMfNUWALyGE3ZQ/edit
(I will replace the link after I finish the Google Doc with the Eagle layout. There will also be a single-sided etch layout.)
Hamlet Delay and Preamp: This is a PT2399 delay and 18v preamp in one. The preamp section has a ton of headroom and it can take a lot more in-line volume punishment than many delays, so it doesn't need to be run in the effects loop. I made it to run at the end of a chain. Some other features are an internal tone trim to make the repeats go from brighter than the dry signal to a little darker and analog-like, and an internal volume trimmer with some available boost. I haven't posted the build docs or demo publicly yet, but like my other circuits, it is fairly easy to build, uses common parts, and is versatile. I am waiting a bit for everyone to build Brian's delays. :) My PCB prototypes from OSH Park for this one get here in February.
The Fallstaff and Clipper Ship will be small enough to be 1590A builds. The Hamlet is 1590B, though I suspect Brian could have gotten it into a 1590A .... I don't do board mounted pots, but I promise that the overall build difficulty for all of these is Cowboy at most, and I will provide very thorough instructions (see the Fallstaff doc for an example).
This is not really a money-making endeavor for me. I will try to keep the price of boards as low as possible to cover my costs. Remember, the more people in on the group buys the cheaper I can get them fabbed and the better it is for everyone.
So here's what I'd like: If you're interested in something, let me know, but if you're interested in more than one, cast a vote for which one I should do first.
Always in for a delay
Jon, I'd be interested in one of each, but I'd probably build the booster first.
I started drooling when I saw your build report for the hamlet delay. Count me in for one of those!
I'm in for a set.
How much we talking, roughly, and yes i'm interested..
I'd be interest in all of them, but if I would have to choose I would choose the delay first.
If it is a delay, I will build it. So, yeah.
Even though I've built at least 20 delays now, I'd be up for one ;)
+1
yeah jon, a delay & possibly a few fallstaffs
I'm a sucker for a delay board. Count me in for 2, please.
Not that I don't already have enough delays, but I like that this one has yet another twist. Put me down for one.
Count so far:
Delay 12
OD 2
Boost 3
Pretty sure Hamlet's going to win this fight. Finishing up the Clipper Ship board now ...
Not surprised...
Any chance of seeing the hamlet before hand? I rarely buy boards without seeing the overlay.
Jacob
Quote from: jkokura on January 27, 2013, 11:52:33 PM
Not surprised...
Yeah, delays are like candy ...
I'll e-mail you.
The Fallstaff prototype boards have arrived and are verified!
hey Jon, I'll take a hamlet and a booster...
I'll take a boost and a clipper ship.
Hello. My name is Jason and I'm a delay hater. There, I said it.
Quote from: jubal81 on February 09, 2013, 03:35:58 PM
I'll take a boost and a clipper ship.
Hello. My name is Jason and I'm a delay hater. There, I said it.
I'm pretty sure that last line is heresy....
I too would like a delay I too would like a delay I too would like a delay I too would like a delay
Yes.. count me in for a delay, thanks jon
Mike
Quote from: jimilee on February 11, 2013, 11:09:57 PM
I too would like a delay I too would like a delay I too would like a delay I too would like a delay
You said that on page 1! Hehe.
Srsly, though, the delays are been ordered and will be here soon enough.
Quote from: midwayfair on February 11, 2013, 11:23:55 PM
Quote from: jimilee on February 11, 2013, 11:09:57 PM
I too would like a delay I too would like a delay I too would like a delay I too would like a delay
You said that on page 1! Hehe.
Srsly, though, the delays are been ordered and will be here soon enough.
Wow, I'm a corn ball I suppose. I feel like I'm planning to cheat on you when I buy beans delay machine next btw.
The Clipper Ship appeals to me a lot as I like the whole concept of the circuit. I still need a Bearhug board too! Between Brian, Jacob, Josh, and now you, it is really easy to be drowning in builds around here. What a great feeling...
I do love the sound and the concept on the Hamlet...it reminds me a lot of my EQD Disaster Transport!