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Because of being so busy and suffering a bit of pedal burn out, I've been lurking but not active. I'm trying to get back into it, so here's my first build in over 8 months.

It's a Stock Cardinal. Really nice sounding tremolo. I printed the faceplate on vinyl sticker and then Envirotex.

Hi all. Trying to get back into the madness after a heavy schedule and a bit of burn out.

I'm attempting my first 1590a and don't have any low profile 1uF electrolytics. Can I swap out a mlcc or tantalum for these? What about the 47uf electro's?

I remember a thread talking about this but I can't find it.

Thanks all
Bill

First new build in close to a year. Simple Bearhug. I test it out and nothing so of course I freak out! Then I take a closer look and NO transistors. First build since coming back and I'm already reminded that I am an idiot. Sheesh!

Merry Christmas all

Hi guys. Just being a proud dad I guess. My son and his buddy just signed a recording contract. Their first song is now complete and up on Reverbnation. It is a song about the growing problem of children forced to be soldiers around the world and is called "War zone".

http://www.reverbnation.com/thefiix

Maybe I should've put this in the what are you listening too thread. I'm listening to "War zone" by the Fiix.

Have a strange problem.  I can play my chunk chunk and it sounds great but suddenly it fizzes out.  It may be after a few minutes or an hour.  If I change the j201s and re-bias is good again for awhile.  Anybody ever experience this?

rullywowr's King Tut. Stock. This is a very cool and very versatile Big Muff circuit.

The graphics are a waterslide decal over the copper on a PCB then Envirotexed. The photo loses how nice this looks with the copper shining through the decal. I will definitely return to this method again.

Anyway hope you like it.











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Because a few of you asked how I size the Faceplate to fit the enclosures I thought it would be easier to explain with some photos.

First I print out the design and tape it to the copper clad. This is flipped because it is the same art that is used for etching. All I'm doing here is using it to determine how big I need to cut the FR4. Then I use heavy duty scissors. This is why I like the thin 1 oz. FR4 because it cuts easily.



At this point I cut it bigger than I need. No need to be to precise here.



Here it is after it is etched. Notice the outside black area is not accurate.



I tape a drilling template to the enclosure that matches the artwork for etching then center punch the holes and use a drill press.



Here is the etched faceplate and the drilled enclosure.



Get some bolts and nuts. I usually use 4 (even though 3 are pictured).



Bolt the faceplate onto the enclosure.



Then sand until the faceplate and the enclosure are flush.



There you have it. I hope this helps.

Oh and don't do what I did. I had to redo this faceplate because I did the knobs backwards. 
I liked the second effort better so that's alright.

Hi all. I was thinking about building a pedal that has an effects loop in between two effects. Do I need to use a special jack for that?

Hi all,

Getting ready to box a Honeydripper and don't feel like shoe horning it into a small enclosure, but the 1590bb leaves me enough room to fit another small board in. Maybe a fuzz to give it some real growl.
Anybody have any suggestions? Anything you've found to work well with this circuit?

Thanks in advance.

Hi all,

Picked up a hot air smd soldering station and was wondering what temperature I should use with soldering paste? I tried it with some J201's and its amazing to watch them snap into place, but I'm concerned about frying the chips.

This is my Low Rider. Stock build with a copper and tinned faceplate that is finished with Envirotex.









I hid the LED's in the faceplate. You can't tell they're there until they are turned on.

Just got a tube of solder paste for an smd reworking station. Hopefully I can phrase my question in a way that makes sense.

It comes with a cap on that needs to be replaced with the needle like applicator. That needle like applicator doesn't seal it up airtight. Do I need to take it off, clean it up and put the smaller cap back on. The reason I'm asking is it is a hassle to clean that needle like applicator. I ended up using a small E guitar string to run through it.

I guess what I'm asking is soldering paste affected by air? Does it dry out? If not then I don't have to worry about taking the needle like applicator on.

Hope that makes sense.

Stock Sharkfin with a waterslide decal and Envirotex. Nice sounding pedal, I just need to figure out what I would use it for.

Edit: Envirotex is so hard to photograph. It is so shiny it reflects everything. These photos look like the right side of the decal is missing but that is just the reflection of the light.

I have a nice professional grade Sony Camcorder and want to get better sound than the mic that sits on top of the unit. Anybody have any suggestions? Wireless? Wired?

Thanks in advance

Here's the third build report I wanted to get up tonight.

It is a stock Wampler Paisley on vero. The faceplate is a combination of allowing the copper to show through in some places and tinning other areas. Then my new best friend Envirotex.

I am not proud of this wiring at all. It started well and I was really trying but it went way south on me. There is a lot going on in there, 3 pots and 2 switches plus the LED. I also had to jam some cardstock in there to keep it from shorting. But hey it works and sounds great!







Now to my shame. 

Wampler Pinnacle built on vero. Still trying to get the hang of keeping the offboard wiring neat. Really nice sounding pedal.

Stock Lavache. Nice low gain pedal but I doubt it will replace my Klone.
I posted this because it's my first waterslide and Envirotex combination. Went smoothly and definitely will return to this method again and again.
Big thanks to Juan and Kleggy for the great tutorial.

Because it was a bit plain I decided to have a bit of fun in Photoshop for a couple of the shots.

Hi all. Going to do my first pedal with a hammer tone finish. Wondering if there are any tips for using it or is it pretty much the same as any spray paint?

I'm trying to get my head around why shipping is so much. I just went to PPP ordered some washers and a bit of wire. Not a heavy package at all. The total was a little over $18.00 the shipping was almost $11.00.

Maybe I'm way off base here and just don't understand some details here, but I can't help but feel I'm being ripped off a bit. That same package from China wouldn't be anywhere near that.

OK. Rant over.

Just counted my stack of unfinished pre-fabbed boards. I've got 31! Plus the stack of boards I've etched that are waiting to be built. I've heard meth is habit forming... oh yeah... try pedal building!

There's a thread going about how often we build. I thought another interesting question is how often do you play guitar after you started building? I know it is a bit frustrating to me that my actual playing time has gone way down.