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So here are a few things I've finished up this year.  Once I looked at the boards finished but not boxed I realized I had build more than I thought.  I purchased a Helix Floor last year and that's all I've been using to play at church.  And that in itself is a testimony to how this hobby just grabs you when you continually build these projects knowing you're probably not ever going to do much with them but watch the stack of pedals grow every year LOL.   I hope everyone has a great holidays and wish you all well.




VFE Tractor Beam.  I started this when it first came out I believe in 2018.  Didn't rock it and made the box.  It didn't work.  In the dud box. Over the summer I bought another board rebuilt it and failed again.  Really irritated at this point.  Put it back in the dud box.  Someone posted about using the wrong relay switch on his a couple of months ago so I checked mine and sure enough I had the wrong one (TQ2-L2-5V) in it. Replaced it and OMG it fired up.  Not sure how I missed this because I've build around 10 VFE projects.  Anyway it's a nice sounding pedal.





VFE Bumblebee.  This one went together ok and it worked when plugged in.  Sounds great.





VFE Mobius Strip.  This was another two board mistake but I didn't drill a box for this one.  Not sure what I did on the first board but it wouldn't go.  Second one worked when plugged in.  If you haven't built one of these you can get some real interesting sounds out of it.  It is really a worthwhile pedal but I am a sucker for a 2399 build. 





Degenerator.  Fun/easy 2399 project.  Nice sounding delay.





Charlatan.  This one really peaked my interest when it was released and got me building again.  Excellent sounding pedal.





Aion Redshift.  Much to my surprise this worked when plugged in (my success rate with Aion big builds has not always gone well).  It was a time consumer but worth it at the end.  Sounds beautiful.



And the ones that need to be boxed one day.


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I've finished a few pedals since January.  Some of these are things I just couldn't get to go that were started a while back.  Anyway there's a few so I hope no one is offended by the amount.  Jimilee this photo gallery is for you.  You got me motivated to get off my rear and finish these up.

The Florist.  I did this in one day and it worked which is very unusual.  Really easy build and sounds great.

Sagan 2.  DiabloChris's board and his graphics.  Pedal is awesome. 

Another one of Chris's boards and this has been on going since 2017.  Really fun to blend 3 effects into one.

Octagon PedalPCB.  I had this built but had never put these sharp graphics on which are courtesy of Gordo.

Xotic Box.  Dan Schumaker's 1590a boards.  I had a 1590xx that I had totally screwed drilling I think DiabloChris's Dueling Herbies.  That's why there is tape inside covering holes.  Dan makes some really good boards.

This is Rullywows Eaglet.  Ben pif'ed it to me 2 xmas's ago.  It's a nice overdrive.

Wolfshirt.  Things don't always work right when you have the transistors backwards. Awesome octave pedal.

Hipster.  This worked fine when I tested it an once inside the box I started having problems.  After several in and outs I had some bad jacks.  Replaced them and this thing rocks for such a small pedal.

Harbinger.  I just could never get this thing to work.  After several attempts I just put in the does not work box.  I started pulling them all back out and got lucky with this one. 

Guitar PCB Sunn T

Mud Flap.  Triple Wreck clone.

Honey Bee clone.  Board is from Aion.

Dimension C Chorus.  Aion board.  I got this back when Kevin started selling them.  The effect always worked but I could not get it to bypass a signal.  This thing has been rewired like 3 times. The last time was the charm and it works.  Really nice sounding.

AlanP's Horace board.  This thing rocks.

One of the few vero builds I've done and boxed up. 

Cerulean. Aion board.  If I'm not mistaken I think this was modded as a Morning Glory.  It sounds nice.

Ace Tone FM-2 Fuzz.  This came from MB member imjohnwain and it's a solid little pedal.


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It's been a way long time since I've posted something.  I've had so many failed builds that I just resigned to really almost stopping completely.  I exclusively used my ink jet printer for decals and the last time I went to try and print one the half full cartridge had dried up and every internet tip I used would not get the ink flowing.  At basically $50 a pop for black and color I was ready to start using a sharpie.  DiabloChris posted a thread using reverse printing on plan paper (laser), water based poly to affix it and rubbing the paper off under water until the graphic came through and then clear coat it.  I did that a couple of times with success.  That turned a light on and I decided to try and do a right side laser paper print, clear coat the graphic, affix it with poly and then clear coat it on the enclosure.  Below are some of the results I've had.  If you're going to try using a white background I would only do it on a white enclosure.  I've only tried this when covering the entire face of the enclosure.  The more clear coat you put on after affixing it, I would say 6 coats minimum, the better.  For an .80 cent piece of printed paper at Staples it was well worth it to me.









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This has been on going since Jason sent out the boards months ago. When I finally got it together I put the switch board upside down (Jason pointed that out when the thing wouldn't work).  Once fixed, it fired right up.  Then I decided I wanted to try a different color, ie, copper and that turned into a 4 time paint and repaint. If someone likes the color I do not recommend using the Rustoleum copper paint.  I found it to be a real PITA.  Then it took 4 decals to get it to this point.  I got so fed up with finishing it I just said the hell with it and pressed on.  Anyway, as others have reported this is an awesome pedal worthy to be placed on anyone's board. 





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I am finally going to give this a shot.  I've got the kit, read through several of the tutorials and threads but just wanted to get a little more info.  I went to the Envirotex calculator and sized out a 1590bb and it came out to 1.28 ounces to do a 1/16" pour.   

Is 1/16" coat thick enough or do you need more? 

Does the 1.28oz sound correct?  The sides were included in the calculation but I'm only doing the top. I've read that you want to make sure you mix enough the first time. 

Any suggestions/advice will be much appreciated.  Thanks.

I got 3 of these in boxes and have nothing to buy with the third one.  It's a one use code and here it is:

DEC17-9DR1

It expires on Dec 31. Plse post if you claim this so everyone will know it's been used.

Im just a sucker for half price guitars I guess Or Jimilee's I have to buy a Guitar even though I have 40 of them powers have leaked through my iPad and rubbed off on me.  Musicians Friend had a Stupid Deal of the Hour on the natural tint on Black Friday for $699.  I resisted then and as always after doing some research later sort of started kicking myself.  Anyway the white one went on sale at Sam Ash for the same price so I ordered one but felt it was going to get canceled because all of the Excel line guitars vanished off their website the next day.  My online rep (Ira) called 2 days later and said it wasn't going to be filled but their was one he found in their Hollywood store, it was an 8 out of 10 and did I want it.  Well I said yes and besides the case having the tolex ripped a little in one area the guitar is almost flawless.  Not sure if any of you have tried these but the reviews are good and this one is a keeper.  My only complaint is with the neck pup and it's a little to dark for me.  I like bright pups because I can always adjust the tone level down.  Besides that the workmanship from Korea is excellent and out of the case it plays extremely well.  It has some gaudy looking tuners but they're Grover's and work well.  MF has the white one for $1550 now.  If you see these go on sale for $700 or below you might want to take a good look at it.  It's a really nice Guitar.


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Ok. I know you guys are getting pelted up north but now we're getting it in South Texas.  Crazy weather.  I don't believe we've had any accumulation since 1985 in the San Antonio area.  But it's nice to see this once in a while.  And it's going to be 70 degrees on Monday lol. 


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Just got this email.  They have some Other stuff on sale but $1 boxes 🤗🤗🤗🤗

Here's the link. 
https://www.mammothelectronics.com/products/4s1590g-enclosure?utm_source=Mammoth+Electronics+Newsletter&utm_campaign=aae228c1cd-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2017_10_26&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_e2be60cfb4-aae228c1cd-98829303&mc_cid=aae228c1cd&mc_eid=bcc02cbc11

They have some powder coated 125bs for $6 each.  Only 50 of each.

https://www.mammothelectronics.com/products/pre-powdercoated-125b-enclosures?variant=561831247891

Knobs and plugs 20% off.

This might be of interest to some of you.  Seems like a good price.  They also have the DOD Boneshaker for $34.95.

https://www.harmanaudio.com/signal-processors/JamMan+Vocal+XT.html?dwvar_JamMan%20Vocal%20XT_color=Blue--Current#start=1?utm_source=AKG%20pro%20ecom&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=pro%20email-bfcmsale


https://www.harmanaudio.com/professional-loudspeakers-gear/Boneshaker.html?dwvar_Boneshaker_color=Black#start=1

This deal is on for right now.  This is the best price that I've seen especially with the free shipping.  I know there are a few people on the forum who have bought this amp and most had good things to say about it.  Just thought I would put this up if anyone was looking for a fairly good practice amp that will not torch your pocket book much.

https://www.monoprice.com/product?c_id=115&cp_id=11501&cs_id=1150102&p_id=611815&seq=1&format=2

Can someone who has built one of these tell me how loud your bypass signal is?   When I first put mine together I got no bypass at all but the effect worked.  After reviewing the updated build doc I had some wires in the wrong place and fixed that.  Now I have bypass but it's very faint.  I wired this for traditional bypass.  Almost everything I've build in the past month has a problem and it's really getting frustrating.  I'm sure this isn't how it's suppose to sound and as usual something is jacked.

Don't want to sweep in on Culturejams NGD thread and post these pictures. As we were both discussing getting darted in the rear on their 48 month financing And I just couldn't resist.  I wanted a semi hollow and was looking at a tele (I had actually pre ordered a Black Gibson Les Paul VOS and about the time it was suppose to come in they cancelled the order ☹️) or the Zach Myers.  The ZM won out.  The SE 24 was just an after thought because I love the green color.  Both guitars have a flawless finish and play well out of the box.  Some nut binding and me myself I'm not sure if I like the pups but they could grow on me.  But both are fantastic instruments and as with Culturejam I am quite pleased with my purchase.  Sweetwater has always done me right.  And yes these are the Sweetwater pics also.  Just to lazy to pull them out of there cases and take pics.



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I got this board in trade to put in a Sagan delay and its the old version, i.e., LFO not PLFO.  So the 3 pads (Sqr, blank, Sin) are missing on the board and I already drilled the hole to use a switch to control this function.  First, does anyone have a build doc for the LFO version?  Second I am thinking I can jump wires connecting the points to make this work as follows:
SQR -  R3 leg to IC pin 3 and to switch.
Blank pad -  IC pin 5 to switch
SIN -  R5 to R4 to switch
Does this look right or is it a complete no go and of course this is assuming that the old board is traced like the new one?  I really need some more experienced eyes than mine to tell me if this is going to work. 

Sounds fantastic and really easy build. Used one of the PPP sparkle boxes.






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I received this Gibson ES137 Memphis shop guitar from a big online music store and this is what I found when I opened the case.




The seal was broken. I have no idea what all this junk is inside the case and the last picture is what I rubbed up with my hand.

They'll take it back but I'm I being a little over board if I return it?  When I opened it and saw this it sort of blew the excitement of the new guitar. 


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I got an email from Newark discounting this solder station.  It has 5 stars from the 8 reviewers.  I don't know if it's good or what (I do have a Tenma capacitor meter and It works fine) but for someone who is looking for an inexpensive station this might be ok.  SLDR25 is the discount code.  If should ship free because it's over $49.  Just wanted to share this if there was a need.

http://www.newark.com/tenma/21-10115/soldering-station-esd-safe-60w/dp/56T2208

2 pedals I just finished.  First is the Alpha Dog. Another great project.  Sounds awesome.  Doesn't have as much grit as most of my distortion pedals but to me that's not a bad thing.  Again these VFE boards are really easy builds and I love the heck out  of them.




This second pedal is the Thermionic Distrotion (BEOD) that Bugg (forum member) offered up and yes I just realized I spelled it wrong on the pedal but oh well.  This thing is really awesome. Sustains well.  Can get real dirty and cleans up nicely also. 

Been meaning to post this for awhile.  Really nice sounding pedal.  Its found a place on my board.  Drill template is spot on, so as long as you get it on the box straight it will be lined up correctly for the jacks and pots.  Besides the below self induced problem it was a really easy build.

I had one problem with putting this together and it was my fault. Make sure you orient the relay correctly on the switch board (the stripe goes towards the foot switch). It will work the other way but you get no bypass signal.  It wasn't fun trying to get the relay out and I probably burnt it up and broke one of the pins.  That's why the relay looks slanted in the gut shot. 

I would also follow Madbean's recommendation on using a separate dc jack and not the one that solders to the switch board.  Mine came out all right as far as it lining up but I would just like it to be a little more secure than it is.  Again this is just a personal preference and you may like the board mounted dc jack.

I know this has been said more than a few times but thanks Brian for providing this awesome project!!!!!

Newark has 25% off most of their products till tomorrow, use GEEK25 at checkout.  They have a pretty whacked out way of giving it, ie, I think its 25 off till the first price break and sometimes it doesn't add up to 25%.  Items that are already discounted do not apply. They also have 1500+ of the Lumberg mini jacks in stock that everyone likes.  If you want 50 they are .71 each. 

http://www.newark.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10001&langId=-1&urlRequestType=Base&partNumber=97K2703&storeId=10194

Also free shipping at $49.  Just letting you all know.