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Projects => Build Reports => Topic started by: Liustucru on May 15, 2013, 11:35:45 AM

Title: 35. Love Squeeze compressor with bloom control
Post by: Liustucru on May 15, 2013, 11:35:45 AM
Here's my Love Squeeze compressor clone with bloom control.
I got the board from Pickdropper's very first run (http://www.madbeanpedals.com/forum/index.php?topic=7764.0).

I was (and still am) very happy with my Afterlife and its sensitivity control mod suggested by Midwayfair.
But I heard about the Love Squeeze when Rothwell released it and I was difficult to find a Europe based seller to get one so I forgot about it.

I wanted a subtle compressor, a compressor you almost forget it's ON but you miss it when it's OFF.
I have to admit this one has all that I could wish for.
The bloom control adds something very interesting with some brilliance back in the sound.
But the main feature of this compressor is its complete silence.

I found an old can of gold hammertone paint at work so I decided to give it a try. But I'm not very satisfied with the result since we can see the brush marks. I only painted one coat but I think it was too thick.

I want to thank Pickdropper again for his layout that makes the wiring very clean.

(http://img534.imageshack.us/img534/66/dscf3336t.jpg)

(http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/6428/dscf3334j.jpg)

(http://img845.imageshack.us/img845/6057/dscf3311j.jpg)

(http://img834.imageshack.us/img834/5951/dscf3312e.jpg)

Title: Re: 35. Love Squeeze compressor with bloom control
Post by: jkokura on May 15, 2013, 04:38:20 PM
I LOVE the finish on that. Even if you can see the brush marks, i think it looks great.

Jacob
Title: Re: 35. Love Squeeze compressor with bloom control
Post by: marauder on May 15, 2013, 05:00:58 PM
When you paint the box, do it a face at a time, and stipple it with the brush after each face, helps to hide the brush marks.  This doesn't work with normal paint just hammered.  A couple of coats helps too.
Title: Re: 35. Love Squeeze compressor with bloom control
Post by: rullywowr on May 15, 2013, 05:12:32 PM
Dude, the finish is rockin!  I wouldn't touch a thing.  Especially because lately I find myself botching up the finishes during the final coating and have to sand back down to bare enclosure. arrrrrrghhhh!   ::)

Nice looking build, very clean and tidy!
Title: Re: 35. Love Squeeze compressor with bloom control
Post by: pickdropper on May 15, 2013, 05:44:30 PM
I agree with everybody else.  I think the brush marks look good.  It's different than the standard finishes.

Glad you liked the board.  You did a great job wiring it up.
Title: Re: 35. Love Squeeze compressor with bloom control
Post by: jvg13 on May 15, 2013, 11:10:32 PM
.
Title: Re: 35. Love Squeeze compressor with bloom control
Post by: jimilee on May 16, 2013, 12:51:25 AM
My build of this sounds pretty good too,not ultra squishy and doesn't color the tone.
Title: Re: 35. Love Squeeze compressor with bloom control
Post by: micromegas on May 16, 2013, 01:46:55 AM
love those knobs.
Title: Re: 35. Love Squeeze compressor with bloom control
Post by: Liustucru on May 16, 2013, 11:15:17 AM
Thank you all for your comment.

Quote from: jvg13 on May 15, 2013, 11:10:32 PM
Really nice looking pedal man.  And very interesting sounding compressor - you've raised my curiosity about that circuit now.

Concerning the hammertone paint - similar to what Marauder suggests, I use a piece of foam and dab it on.  The trick I've found is not to spread it - once it's on and starts to 'fisheye' don't disturb it for the best effect.  The issue then is what's underneath the paint can show through, so you need to experiment a bit with undercoats/earlier layers.  (I don't want to interrupt your thread with any pictures of my own efforts at building pedals, but I'll try to remember to add a post soon(ish) with a hammer finished pedal so you can see the kind of finish I've been able to get with bits of foam/sponge and tins of hammer tone paint).

I also wanted to try with a piece of foam next time I'll use this hammertone paint. Thank you for the advice.
Title: Re: 35. Love Squeeze compressor with bloom control
Post by: raulduke on May 16, 2013, 11:57:51 AM
Cool build dude!

Quote from: Liustucru on May 16, 2013, 11:15:17 AM
Thank you all for your comment.

Quote from: jvg13 on May 15, 2013, 11:10:32 PM
Really nice looking pedal man.  And very interesting sounding compressor - you've raised my curiosity about that circuit now.

Concerning the hammertone paint - similar to what Marauder suggests, I use a piece of foam and dab it on.  The trick I've found is not to spread it - once it's on and starts to 'fisheye' don't disturb it for the best effect.  The issue then is what's underneath the paint can show through, so you need to experiment a bit with undercoats/earlier layers.  (I don't want to interrupt your thread with any pictures of my own efforts at building pedals, but I'll try to remember to add a post soon(ish) with a hammer finished pedal so you can see the kind of finish I've been able to get with bits of foam/sponge and tins of hammer tone paint).

I also wanted to try with a piece of foam next time I'll use this hammertone paint. Thank you for the advice.

+1 on using the foam/sponge.

Also, I find for the best fish eyeness, apply to a bare metal enclosure (rather than using any undercoat).
Title: Re: 35. Love Squeeze compressor with bloom control
Post by: Guitarmageddon on May 17, 2013, 11:12:26 AM
Nothing much to add...but I like that finish to and nicely wired. 8)
Title: Re: 35. Love Squeeze compressor with bloom control
Post by: spaceboss on May 17, 2013, 04:47:54 PM
Yeah. The finish looks good because you can see the brush marks.  8)
Title: Re: 35. Love Squeeze compressor with bloom control
Post by: TNblueshawk on May 18, 2013, 11:58:53 AM
Very nice in and out.
Title: Re: 35. Love Squeeze compressor with bloom control
Post by: nzCdog on May 19, 2013, 03:57:27 AM
I like your builds man... you do elegance well :)