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Just wanted to let you guys know that Function f(x) will be offering an official mod service for the BOSS JB-2, complete with a large, garish sticker to complete the metaphorical territorial pissing.

Look for that this fall.

j/k     ...........................  probably

I suppose this mod will be to convert the JB-2 to sound like an original Blues Driver by eliminating the Angry Charlie circuit...

I just recently put together a parts guitar, a '72 telecaster deluxe with wide range humbuckers.  I sourced a RI Fender body and neck from e-bay, then obtained quality tuners and an excellent hardtail bridge (Callaham), pickguard (wired up myself), and finally some aftermarket pickups (Brandonwound WRHB).  For all intents and purposes it's a Fender guitar, but with some boutique parts, and it plays like a dream.  It was a fun project to do, although the total cost was probably about what I could get a used one for (perhaps a bit more, due to the boutique pickups).

The Stratosphere bodies, necks, and parts are for those who want a custom guitar but don't want to buy a used guitar and replace original parts with boutique counterparts (like the bridge and pickups).  And like pedal building, don't make a parts guitar to save money - do it because it's an enjoyable project. 

I happen to have an LTSpice model of the Supreaux Deux... 

The 2N5457 stages with the 390 ohm source resistors should bias (12V at drain) at around 4k ohms.  The J201 with the 1K source resistor should bias at about 22K ohms.  That's assuming "average" Idss/Vp characteristics for the JFETs.  Your 2N5457s likely are at the lower end of spec for Idss/Vp.  If you have some additional 2N5457 JFETs to use, I'd try them out and see if they work better.  Otherwise, your best course of action (outside of buying more JFETs) would be to replace the 10K trimmers with 20K or 50K.  That will allow more range to bias the JFETs.  Hope this helps...

Put a resistor before your 10n cap to ground so that you have a proper LPF.  For example, a 2.2K resistor with the 10n cap to ground would filter out frequencies above about 7.2 kHz.

I think the reason people are getting bent out of shape is because when you finally open the package of parts five months after they've arrived and have totally forgotten what project you ordered those parts for, labels make it easier to remember what that project was...

BTW - just ordered from Smallbear, great service as usual.   When my package arrives, I'll see if they labeled the green 1590BB enclosure I ordered... 

I have a friend who has a vintage L5 series guitar amp.  I'd love to build this someday and compare it to his unit.

I suppose one could build a modern guitar amp using this as a preamp and sending its output to a good quality solid state power amp (perhaps a amp head arrangement).  That would be cool!

When I have vero builds that don't work out, I harvest (i.e. desolder) as many components as I can (except resistors) and use them in future builds.  Lately, I've started using my breadboard more, which makes the harvesting phase particularly easy 

Don't feel bad.  While setting your pickup height is part of the normal electric guitar setup process, it certainly is a personal preference.  And for those with Strats and Teles, you have to be careful not to get the pickups too **close** to the strings else you get the magnetic pull of the pole pieces affecting the string intonation ("strat-itis").

I'm still hankering to get an SG at some point, and I want one with p-90s so I can get that "Live at Leeds" tone! 

The input FET is a 2SK248Y, and it's Idss, VGS(off) are in the range of a 2N5457.  Try a 2N5457, which should have a slightly higher VGS(off).    Also, did you try other guitars, like a Strat with its neck pickup?

I haven't built much lately even though I have some PCBs and vero projects ready to go.  That's because I've been involved with developing something on...my breadboard!     It's a slow process, but I'm having a lot of fun with it.  I also learned how to use LTSpiece and have started simulating effects circuits as part of the building process.  That's been VERY educational, and I hope to be able to so tube circuits at some point.

If I was in a funk band, I would have had one of those pedals yesterday! Cool stuff.   

I also do some wookworking (building guitars), and can say that there's nothing like the feel of a well sharpened plane digging into some premium tonewood.  I prefer hand tools as they are in many cases *faster* than setting up a machine.  It takes some time and experience to become proficient at hand crafting, but in the end it's well worth it as you definitely feel "closer to the wood".

OK, here's my $0.02 on this topic.   

I've owned a BOSS RC-20 and currently have a TC Electronics Alter Ego X4, which has a built in looper (which is functionally equivalent to the Ditto).  I also have a Digitech RP1000 which has a looper function, but I'll ignore that for now.

What I have noticed is that the Alter Ego's looper has a nice sound BUT the loop is not quantized.  Accordingly, I have trouble getting a phrase to sync on the beat.  A looper sounds especially bad when the loop suddenly ends and begins again off the beat.  If you're quick with your foot, you can get better at syncing the loop, but I'm not that good.  In addition, the switches on the Alter Ego seem a bit flimsy for constant use as a looper.  In contrast, my RC-20 was very robust switch-wise, and because it quantizes your loop, I didn't have problems syncing my loops and overdubs.  The sound quality was excellent too.  For a looper at a reasonable price point, it's hard to beat the RC-20, and I'm planning (eventually) to get the XL model which has the undo/redo feature.   As always, YMMV.

I wonder if the service issues with Mammoth are related to the size of the order.  My orders are usually small potatoes (~$50), and I'm sure if you're ordering hundreds of dollars worth of parts, the odds of a mistake increase proportionally.

BTW, I've ordered from Smallbear many times and have ALWAYS received outstanding customer service from Steve.  They are my main go-to supplier for my modest needs.  I have also ordered from Tayda and Dipmicro via eBay and they are always fast and efficient, but may not have the specific parts I need.  Again, YMMV.

I have made many orders with Mammoth, and the main issue with them is that they may be out of stock of some part, thus delaying your order.  However, they have always made good (shipping items) and their prices and variety of items are good.  No complaints.  YMMV.