madbeanpedals::forum

Projects => Build Reports => Topic started by: pickdropper on April 15, 2012, 04:20:05 PM

Title: Cosmopolitan Build
Post by: pickdropper on April 15, 2012, 04:20:05 PM
I finally slammed a replacement BS170 in the Cosmopolitan and got it running.  I need to take a new pic of the gutshot because it is a bit blurry, but you will get the idea.  I also included a couple of close-up pics because people seemed interested in the laser etching last time I posted a build.  You can see the texture of the cut in this, plus the aluminum underneath.  For these, I didn't polish the metal at all, just cleaned it up with flux remover.

I really think this would look great with the silver knobs I used on the Ram's Head build, so I may replace those when I get some in.

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

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

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

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/pickdropper/Guitar%20Pedals/CosmoIV.jpg)
Title: Re: Cosmopolitan Build
Post by: night-B on April 15, 2012, 04:45:04 PM
This laser etching is awesome! Wish I had a laser but this is waaaay too pricey..  :'(
Title: Re: Cosmopolitan Build
Post by: sgmezei on April 15, 2012, 05:10:19 PM
What an amazing look! Really sharp dude.

Let us know when you are offering laser etching services.  ;)
Title: Re: Cosmopolitan Build
Post by: jtn191 on April 15, 2012, 05:11:20 PM
ridiculous! wish there was a place I could send mine to get etched
Title: Re: Cosmopolitan Build
Post by: jkokura on April 15, 2012, 05:20:51 PM
Wow that's beautiful!

Jacob
Title: Re: Cosmopolitan Build
Post by: Haberdasher on April 15, 2012, 05:26:27 PM
Man that looks so cool.  Good work
I vote for silver knobs.
Title: Re: Cosmopolitan Build
Post by: pickdropper on April 15, 2012, 05:30:17 PM
Quote from: Haberdasher on April 15, 2012, 05:26:27 PM
Man that looks so cool.  Good work
I vote for silver knobs.

Btw, it's your etched board in there.  Thanks for the quality.  :-)

Yeah, I think the silver will look better.  I'll add them to the next small bear order.
Title: Re: Cosmopolitan Build
Post by: pickdropper on April 15, 2012, 05:30:40 PM
Thanks for the kind words everybody.  I'm very happy with the way this one turned out.
Title: Re: Cosmopolitan Build
Post by: jimmybjj on April 15, 2012, 07:52:02 PM
Very nice build. Do you have them etched or do you have access to the equipment?
Title: Re: Cosmopolitan Build
Post by: gtr2 on April 15, 2012, 08:21:10 PM
really cool.  Great graphics!

Josh
Title: Re: Cosmopolitan Build
Post by: Roctopus on April 15, 2012, 08:23:51 PM
Looks great!
Title: Re: Cosmopolitan Build
Post by: pickdropper on April 15, 2012, 08:34:31 PM
Quote from: jimmybjj on April 15, 2012, 07:52:02 PM
Very nice build. Do you have them etched or do you have access to the equipment?

I have access to the machine at work, but I can't use it for all my pedals because I can't always tie it up.  I would love to have one of them at home that I had unlimited access to.
Title: Re: Cosmopolitan Build
Post by: pryde on April 15, 2012, 10:08:24 PM
Very, very nice friend  :o

So how do you like it?
My cosmo is in my top 3 most-liked builds. Great sounding dirt for sure.



Title: Re: Cosmopolitan Build
Post by: pickdropper on April 15, 2012, 10:49:08 PM
Quote from: pryde on April 15, 2012, 10:08:24 PM
Very, very nice friend  :o

So how do you like it?
My cosmo is in my top 3 most-liked builds. Great sounding dirt for sure.



Now that it is working, it sounds a lot better.   ;D

So far, I like it.  Played at home at sane volumes I am digging it, but I need to throw it in front of a louder amp and really see what it has got.
Title: Re: Cosmopolitan Build
Post by: midwayfair on April 15, 2012, 11:52:55 PM
Man, that case is great.
Title: Re: Cosmopolitan Build
Post by: slimtriggers on April 16, 2012, 02:05:39 AM
Wow, that is really great!  :o

Silver knobs would look nice, too, but I kinda like the Spinal Tap-ish "None more black" look.   
Title: Re: Cosmopolitan Build
Post by: nzCdog on April 16, 2012, 02:06:52 AM
Awesome! :o
Title: Re: Cosmopolitan Build
Post by: pickdropper on April 16, 2012, 02:11:07 AM
Quote from: slimtriggers on April 16, 2012, 02:05:39 AM
Wow, that is really great!  :o

Silver knobs would look nice, too, but I kinda like the Spinal Tap-ish "None more black" look.   

I am still planning out my "Disaster Area" matte black pedal with matte black hardware.  At some point that needs to be done.
Title: Re: Cosmopolitan Build
Post by: Bret608 on April 16, 2012, 02:10:13 PM
The look reminds me of Lord of the Rings, which I was obsessed with as a kid (and adult I must admit)! My Cosmo is in progress, so this has me even more excited.
Title: Re: Cosmopolitan Build
Post by: madbean on April 17, 2012, 05:52:27 PM
I removed a spamming post. Please do not register here just to advertise your business.
Title: Re: Cosmopolitan Build
Post by: pickdropper on April 18, 2012, 12:49:37 AM
Quote from: Bret608 on April 16, 2012, 02:10:13 PM
The look reminds me of Lord of the Rings, which I was obsessed with as a kid (and adult I must admit)! My Cosmo is in progress, so this has me even more excited.

Do you have your Cosmo artwork planned out already?  If you want mine, I'd be happy to share.  You could modify it to be even more Lord of the Ringsy.
Title: Re: Cosmopolitan Build
Post by: Vallhagen on April 18, 2012, 07:09:38 PM
Im all impressed by the artwork... Laser etching? Extremely cool.

Cheers
Title: Re: Cosmopolitan Build
Post by: Bret608 on April 18, 2012, 09:18:16 PM
Do you have your Cosmo artwork planned out already?  If you want mine, I'd be happy to share.  You could modify it to be even more Lord of the Ringsy.
[/quote]

I haven't planned any just yet. Thanks for the offer! I've been trying to teach myself Illustrator with the advice of some folks here.

Would it be possible to use it as a waterslide decal instead of etching? I haven't tried either yet, and the waterslide seems more doable at this point...
Title: Re: Cosmopolitan Build
Post by: jkokura on April 18, 2012, 09:27:11 PM
Waterslide is the default for most people.

Jacob
Title: Re: Cosmopolitan Build
Post by: pickdropper on April 18, 2012, 10:14:22 PM
Yeah, waterside will work fine with it, it will just look different than an etch.  As the artwork is currently setup, all the silver areas would print black.

The file is in Illustrator format.  You coul practice manipulating it.

If you are interested shoot me a PM and I can get you the file.
Title: Re: Cosmopolitan Build
Post by: neiloler on April 19, 2012, 04:37:40 PM
How does one look into getting into laser etching?
Title: Re: Cosmopolitan Build
Post by: pickdropper on April 22, 2012, 06:41:43 PM
Quote from: neiloler on April 19, 2012, 04:37:40 PM
How does one look into getting into laser etching?

You really only need a vector-based graphics program and the laser etching machine (along with a compressor and venting system).

There are some less expensive machines out there (about $3k), but I don't have experience with those, unfortunately, so I am not sure how good they are.

If you went to a trophy shop that had the right tools all you would likely need is to generate the graphics in Illustrator and Inkscape and bring them the file.  You just have to double check that the enclosure sits in the correct place on the bed.  For example, on the engraver that I use, I can put the enclosure at the upper left corner for registration, but I need to account for the draft they put on the box so I have to put that offset in the artwork.  This isn't difficult, but you need to do it since the bottom of the box is wider than the top.
Title: Re: Cosmopolitan Build
Post by: courtneyisaboy on April 23, 2012, 01:29:26 AM
that looks so awesome.  i vote black knobs for sweet black metal.  i doubt that's what you play but it looks amazing.