Messages

1

Open Discussion / Re: Got myself a big church organ

« on: July 20, 2022, 05:40:29 AM »

Great score! That looks like a lot of fun/hard work. Good luck!

2

Build Reports / Re: Aion FX Lab Series Preamp

« on: May 16, 2022, 12:23:26 PM »

Nice job! I did the same thing you did. Have been sitting on it since the first run. Too many projects:)

3

Open Discussion / Re: Tube ban

« on: March 19, 2022, 01:24:25 PM »

Looks like it's viral marketing, and we all took the bait. 

Ugh, I hope not. I don't really begrudge EHX, but something like that would be lame.

Also I'm trying to actually give a crap about this. I've used the same tube amp as my main amp for twenty years. I replaced the tubes exactly one time, well over a decade ago and it still sounds great.

I've had more than one conversation with techs that don't get why people replace their tubes so much. Their thinking was if the amp is working well then don't mess with it. I tend to agree with that mentality.

It is also a miracle that tubes aren't already way more expensive than they currently are. Think we've all been working on borrowed time with that one. Not to say I want prices to go up, just that I think a price spike was pretty inevitable one way or another.

I haven't used my M/B 400+ much in the past eight or so years, but I played and gigged (locally) it regularly for about a decade and I never re-tubed it. Mainly because it'll cost a billion dollars, but also because it always sounded awesome and I never felt the need. I always did feel like I was playing with fire every time I brought it to a gig since I didn't have a backup, though. Now I'm wishing I'd bought a replacement kit because I don't know what they'll end up costing after the dust settles on this.

I have some amps that tubes last forever in, and some (Marshall Plexi style with EL34's and a Dr Z MAZ38) that burn through power tubes to where there's an audible change to the tone (goes fizzy). Especially in recording you can notice when its time to change. Other than preamp tubes going microphonic and the "fun" of tube rolling to get the amp sounding good I don't change the preamps hardly at all.

4

Open Discussion / Re: Tube ban

« on: March 17, 2022, 04:45:59 PM »

I actually got a shipping notice on these. Went back for more and they are gone

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Open Discussion / Re: Tube ban

« on: March 17, 2022, 07:15:02 AM »

My hunt for a quad of 6L6's led to Sam Ash who took the order and then went silent. If looking for preamp tubes check out Brent Jesse (https://www.audiotubes.com/). Its mostly NOS but full of great info and shockingly high prices on some rare tubes. They've been great for me getting (somewhat) inexpensive tubes for fancy builds. I've even sent in a set of tube measurements from a pair I had and they matched them with a new set so I could go stereo with an eq build.

6

Build Reports / Re: FFX Delay Prototype

« on: February 21, 2022, 05:56:06 PM »

Sounds really good. Maybe a stupid question: Is the drive coming from the pedal due to the circuit design or is that the amp?

7

Open Discussion / Re: Opinions for Lovetone No Name Flange Build

« on: January 24, 2022, 04:43:40 PM »

Ha! I got mine the same time and haven't started it. I do intend to go all out with it, though. I will hopefully get a chance to run through most of the Lovetone lineup

8

Open Discussion / Re: What is everyone doing????

« on: January 14, 2022, 05:39:05 PM »

I’ve got an epiphone sg that I’m storing for a cousin. Haven’t dug into it yet.

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Open Discussion / Re: What is everyone doing????

« on: January 14, 2022, 05:22:52 AM »

Man, there's a lot of SG players on here! Good stuff. I lurk here from time to time to look at builds but have been building amps and rack gear, which takes ruining other forums, too Still, this forum was and continues to be a great place full of great people.

All the best,

Marty

10

Build Reports / Re: A HUNDRED LOLWHAATS! TPA3116 based pedalboard amp.

« on: December 04, 2021, 11:54:14 AM »

Pretty cool looking! And I haven't gotten into smd yet, so I honestly don't know what I'm looking at for some of it:

Is the big black piece a heatsink for the chip?

Is the circle on the right with "330" a heatsink for a transistor?

I see that you have some smd caps next to box caps. Is that signal vs power circuits?

How do you like those Phoenix style board mount wire connectors in a pedal? I have used them in bigger builds but not in pedals. Good? Bad?

Thanks and good to see you posting again!

Marty

11

Build Reports / Re: Gas Tank and Junk Trunk

« on: May 25, 2021, 06:41:46 AM »

Very cool. Nice job!

12

Build Reports / Re: ChaosAgent and Fireaxe builds

« on: April 28, 2021, 03:47:13 PM »

Looks really coo! For centering, the best I've come up with is to leave the pedal outline in the etch file at first. Use it to etch the pedal outline on a sacrificial piece of cheap acrylic/plastic that you can keep in place on the bed (either because the piece is heavy or it is taped/clamped down. Then place the enclosure in the outline (secure if needed) and raise the laser height to accommodate. Remove the pedal outline from the file and etch for real. It's kind of a pain but its the best I've found for centering.

Another tip I found is if the tip also has a blower (or you have added a fan) then change to etching procedure to etch where the air stream isn't blowing the etchings back on to where you are etching. Comes out a lot cleaner since the hot powder coat is really sticky. My software lets me change the origin point for the etching pattern.

13

Build Reports / Re: Vibe Station

« on: April 12, 2021, 12:27:20 PM »

Very cool! Is the voicing board worth it? I've got one of the main boards in the pile...

14

Open Discussion / Re: Anybody bought parts kits from whazzgroover on ebay?

« on: March 26, 2021, 07:15:41 PM »

I guess some of the issues I'm thinking of are: with the fuzz kit is he tailoring the resistor values to those specific transistors? With the Big Muff, where could I find a pcb with bigger part footprints. I guess I could etch my own...

15

Open Discussion / Anybody bought parts kits from whazzgroover on ebay?

« on: March 26, 2021, 06:56:39 PM »

Just curious if anyone has bought one of his pedal parts sets. They are on the pricey side but I'm tempted to try them. He claims to test the parts and guarantee they are in tolerance limits. Click the fuzz and booster kits in the side column.

https://www.ebay.com/str/whazzgroover

I should say I bought his 1176 kit and the parts look legit.