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Messages - lars

#1
Build Reports / Re: Original Gaspedals Dumbbell
October 05, 2026, 10:22:36 PM
Just comparing the schematics, it looks like the original one knob version would have slightly more distortion when the boost switch is kicked in because the op amp gain resistor is set at 510K. The max total gain resistance is 400K on the newer 3 knob.
The biggest difference would be the op amp itself. The original one knob Dumbbell used the 1458, which is basically just a dual 741. The three knob version uses a HiFi NE5532.
I think for overdriven guitar tones, the NE5532 is not exactly in it's wheelhouse. The 741 is used in awesome-sounding classic overdrives like the grey DOD250 and original MXR Distortion+. So in this application, I think the 1458 is the superior op amp, but to each his own.
#2
Build Reports / Electric Mistress Pedal Flanger
October 02, 2026, 07:37:49 PM
This is an Electric Mistress that I housed in a Dunlop High Gain volume pedal, so that I can have foot control of the range, especially in filter matrix mode. It's a very unique experience to play while being able to control the flange sweep. It's like I have my thumb, err, foot on the tape reel.
I decided to use a Reticon RD5106, so it was kind of a bear to mod, but well worth the effort.
The bias was difficult to dial in with a 100K pot, so I created a custom bias pot out of a 20K pot with two 39K resistors on each end. This gave me a much smaller sweep to really dial it in.
As everybody knows, the original Electric Mistress has a volume drop when engaged. The best approach I've found to address this is to take advantage of the first op amp stage which is just sitting there amplifying nothing. I stole a page from the 1999 Deluxe Electric Mistress reissue which adds two resistors and a 1uf cap to ground in order to actually boost the clean signal. I ended up having to change the 10K value all the way down to 2.4K to really get rid of any volume drop. This really helps to keep the noise level down compared to tacking a boost circuit to the end, which amplifies everything, including the BBD noise.
All in all, a very cool effect that can do the "Andy Summers" shimmer chorus sound very well. And it's great that it's a flanger in disguise!




#3
Open Discussion / Re: Let's play a game!
August 27, 2026, 04:34:14 PM
The new "game" is:  let's see if you can even log into the forum! It's no wonder things have died down around here so much lately. This screenshot says it all:

That is AFTER I logged in! According to this site, I am not logged in (and neither is anybody else). The only way I could post this message was to navigate to the last page of this topic > click on the username of the last post > click "view posts" on their user page > click on the post they put in this topic > and all of the sudden it shows me as logged in and I can make a reply. That is a ridiculously broken process! The Simple Machine Forum software company has some seriously incompetent coders. Do they even check the functionality of the garbage they inflict on others, or is it time to go back to GeoCities? (which is an option again!)
#5
Open Discussion / Re: Let's play a game!
August 20, 2026, 10:35:09 PM
"First of all, I am trying to sound like the El Pollo Loco guy!"




...Marco?
#6
Open Discussion / Re: Let's play a game!
August 16, 2026, 11:50:37 PM
Quote from: jwin615 on August 16, 2026, 04:49:24 PMNot as crowded as it used to be
Quote from: jessenator on August 16, 2026, 07:47:32 PMTime to add more peanuts to the Coke
Sounds like it's time to add more whiskey to the Coke.
#7
Open Discussion / Re: The secret M117 flanger
August 12, 2026, 01:05:42 PM
Here's another 1996 one on Reverb incorrectly listed as "2004-present":
https://reverb.com/item/99642586-mxr-m117r-flanger-2004-present-black

Looks like that one sold. Oddly enough, it's fallen into that weird black hole for sold listings on Reverb where they don't allow you to look at the original listing, think about it, or even acknowledge that it ever existed. "That item sold, you idiot!!! LOOK AT THESE ONES INSTEAD. RAAAAWWWWW!!!!"
I don't understand why reverb does that...
#8
Open Discussion / Re: Let's play a game!
August 04, 2026, 07:46:58 PM
"You know I'm just splashing water on myself, on my face"
"Of course you are, sir. Then the other guy's doin' it, then the other guy. Next thing you know:  a body goes under, and then there's bloated carcass STUCK in the filter."

MARCO
#9
Open Discussion / Re: Reflektor Kit for sale
July 23, 2026, 01:37:30 PM
There is a specific "Buy/SELL/Trade" section of the forum.
This is not that section.
#10
Open Discussion / Re: The secret M117 flanger
July 12, 2026, 07:46:56 PM
Quote from: jwin615And 4 beer soaked pots.
LOL. That actually might have made them work better. Those plastic pots they used in these are the one minus to this pedal. Cheeeep.
#11
Open Discussion / Re: The secret M117 flanger
July 08, 2026, 11:17:43 AM
If you're one of us...you'll take a bite.
#12
Open Discussion / Re: The secret M117 flanger
July 05, 2026, 05:30:32 PM
Another one popped up for cheap on Reverb. At least the listing correctly identifies it as "1997", but it's still way below what these things are worth:
1997 MXR M117
#13
Open Discussion / Re: The secret M117 flanger
June 15, 2026, 08:45:46 PM
And in case anybody was wondering what crazy combination of transistors I have in there, check out this mess:
Q2 - BC108D (Metal can)
Q3 - MSPS7009 (older yellow top)
Q4 - 2N3904 (older silver face)
Q5 - 2N4125 (tayda stock)

I put sockets in those positions and swapped around just about every transistor I had on hand until arriving at that bizarre combo. The 5087/5088 combo just didn't work. There was hardly any modulation whatsoever. It had me checking and double-checking all the resistors and caps I put in the LFO/Clock circuit to see if I made a mistake somewhere. In the end, simple transistor swaps brought it to life. I would highly recommend putting sockets in those positions and just trying out different transistors. It's amazing how drastic of a change it can make. IE, if I take that 2N4125 out of Q5 and swap in a 2N5087, the pedal goes completely anemic. Ditto for any of the other positions.
#14
Open Discussion / Re: The secret M117 flanger
June 12, 2026, 06:47:06 PM
Changing R22 and R25 to 6K2 is a great mod! I definitely could hear more of that top end wash, where the high frequencies are more present than before. This mod should just be the standard value for the Collosalus in those positions.
For the mixing resistors, I went a little more conservative with a 130K/75K combo. I didn't want to increase the volume too much, but I definitely wanted some more dry signal. I noticed my build was always a little too "seasick" sounding, so this combo of mixing resistors added in 5% more dry signal.
Now things are sounding great! Thanks for the suggestions.
#15
Open Discussion / Re: The secret M117 flanger
June 11, 2026, 06:15:08 PM
Quote from: scruffieAlso making the mixing resistors 100k/56k removes the volume drop in a true bypass set up.
Just to double check:  the mixing resistors are R7/R8 on the 2022 schematic? So I would make R7 100K and R8 56K, respectively? I don't really notice a volume drop, but I do tend to like flanger to come in just a hair louder than bypass, so this could really take it to that next level.