Codtone Expandra (original Bixonic Expandora)
This is my prototype board, all built, tested, rocked and boxed. :D
It's a great sounding od/distortion with Crunch, Overdrive, Distortion and "Forbidden" modes.
It has a wonderfull touch sensitivity thanks to a rare and unusual opto-fet arangement that controls the gain with pick attack.
(http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z30/codtone/IMG_0638_zps66396a19.jpg)
The original opto fet, a surfacemount PC914, are obsolete and have become difficult to track down, this board ingeniously (thanks CJ!) allows the use of a surface mount PC914 or a DIP 6 H11Fx instead. 8)
I have tracked down a good source for both of these componants, and will be doing a run of boards for the DIY crew. Board purchase will include an IC. As you can see, they're also small enough to fit a 1590B or a tuna tin if you want an authentic looking enclosure. :wink:
(http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z30/codtone/IMG_0623_zps462387b5.jpg)
The etch is of Pandora, a myth that intrigues me for what it says about human curiosity...and, of course... women. :wink:
I'm hoping there'll be a few of you curious enough to try this build out.
(http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z30/codtone/detail-1_zpsc81e47fe.jpg)
I'm in for one! Your. Etched are too good by the way!
Oh heck yeah.
Fantastic pedal, fantastic etch. I've been searching for the forbidden mode. 8) I'd be totally down for building one.
I'd actually never heard of this before. Looks interesting. I'd give it a go.
Nice build! demo? :)
Yup, totally up for a couple of those!
Sweeeeet.
i have a few of the original optos for this. I definitely want a board for this.
Count me in for one!
hmmmm... looks interesting....
I think Jacob (jkokura) has this project in his "upcoming projects" list
nice pedal MAn
Demo?
Forbidden mode? Intriguing. Nice build and nice etch job.
Thanks!
I think it's fair to say, although the original maker specifically said to not set the switches that way, naming it "Forbidden" ensured that that was the first thing guitarists would try. ;D
I'll see if I can get a demo done in the next day or so, no promises though. There are quite a few Expandora clips on youtube, though I must admit, not many good ones. :-\
for some time this was billy gibbon's favorite pedal. he actualy had TWO of them stuffed into a telecaster!
Here's a demo.
While noodling around, I tried to show the dynamic range of the effect as much as possible. I didn't use the guitar volume at all, and had the gain maxed for each mode. Youtube and all compresses it but hopefully you'll get the drift.
Also, I've ordered a batch of boards, they should arrive in a week or two. I'll post a notification in the buy & trade section then with a link to my site where they can be purchased.
There'll be a build doc, some mod options, and the board purchase will include either a PC419 or H11F3 optofet. :)
Love that etch.. Would you send to the UK ?? if so count me in :)
Put me down for say, 3! If that's cool..
Thanks!
I'm in Oz, I'll send them to the rest of the world for a flat $3.30 for up to 3 boards. 8)
Here's build #4, with tidier guts:
(http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z30/codtone/IMG_0643_zps61ddbdbc.jpg)
(http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z30/codtone/IMG_0646_zps07abcbdb.jpg)
I'm in for one :)
I'll take 3 when you get them then (if you don't already have them), unless they are $1,000 each, in which case probably not!
Quote from: hammerheadmusicman on March 20, 2013, 10:22:54 PM
I'll take 3 when you get them then (if you don't already have them), unless they are $1,000 each, in which case probably not!
For entry into the world of the 'forbidden mode', no price is too high. And once you've seen what's in Pandora's box...
Then you'll understand.
Beautiful etch! I love how you sneaked Codtone in there at the bottom...
Thanks Guys.
A little bump as the boards are here. :)
Details in THIS thread. (http://www.madbeanpedals.com/forum/index.php?topic=9169.msg80046#new)
Quote from: Guitarmageddon on April 04, 2013, 05:27:16 AM
Thanks Guys.
A little bump as the boards are here. :)
Details in THIS thread. (http://www.madbeanpedals.com/forum/index.php?topic=9169.msg80046#new)
ordered!
cheers,
Jeremy
Yup, likewise 8)
You know I've got a backlog now of about 40pcbs to populate... ;)
Quote from: Stomptown on March 21, 2013, 06:18:05 AM
Beautiful etch! I love how you sneaked Codtone in there at the bottom...
+1 The detail in that etch is amazing!
Ok, so I must have one too. This is a sickness.
But which opto?? Or does it matter?
It would seem desireable to go for the PC419 because it's "original" but it's also SMD, and I haven't gone there yet, so its somewhat of a Catch 22.
Is the H11F3 any different? Through hole would be more familiar if it is.
Cheers,
George
Quote from: Chi_Boy on April 08, 2013, 01:51:24 AM
But which opto?? Or does it matter?
It would seem desireable to go for the PC419 because it's "original" but it's also SMD, and I haven't gone there yet, so its somewhat of a Catch 22.
Is the H11F3 any different? Through hole would be more familiar if it is.
It is a sickness George. ;D BTW, I've been admiring your beautiful layouts. 8)
In retrospect, I should have explained that the surfacemount part is quite easy to work with, as I've sold twice as many through hole parts as SMT.
There is no descernible functional difference between the two parts as they both share basically the same (very fast) response times and resistance ranges.
The surface mount thing isn't really as daunting as it sounds though. As far a SMT goes, it's quite a large part, about 4mm x 5mm. It's 4 legs are widely spaced on each corner, and if you put it on the board early it's really quite easy.
I use my ordinary pencil tip iron. First tin the 4 pads on the board, tin one leg of the part, then, holding with tweezers, tack down one leg to keep it in place. Then do the rest. It's really pretty straightforward.
If you've got poor eyesight, shakey hands or sneeze a lot, I'd go with the H11F3, but I think most people would be fine with the PC419. :)
If I run out of the H11F3, I'll offer boards with the PC419's soldered on, but this is a good chance to pop your SMT cherry DIYers! ;D
I'm down to my last stack of boards, and, as I may not order more for a little while, I'd suggest anyone sitting on the fence place an order soon. ;)
Alright, you convinced me! SMD it is!!
Thanks for the kind words on the layouts. Fabbed boards and PCB mount pots are my favorite combo now! And those layouts are so lazy to build. I once received a comment that my resistors were too wide, but when they drop right it without a fight the build goes so much faster.
Cheers,
George
Ben, I'll take one. Obviously I am comfortable with SMT and it sounds like you have more of those, so that would be fine.