Phaser-Palooza! (and other builds)

[dan.schumaker]

Paging Jimi here...

Here are a few of the builds that I've finished up in the last few weeks.  It turned out I was on quite a phaser kick   No matter if you like JFET, Optical or OTA phasers, I have you covered...

Lumina - The Lumina is a take on the Phase 100 circuit.  It is a 6-stage optical phaser.  Instead of using VTL-5C3/2's I went with the roll your own method.  I made sure to add a second pad on the PCB so I could use two LDR's for it (the LDR's are just the basic ones from Tayda, nothing special).  Instead of the 4-way rotary switch like on the Phase 100, I have two switches to control the Feedback and Intensity.  Its a great sounding and chewy phaser!


Burden - Instead of an optical phaser, the Burden is based off of the Boss PH-1R phaser.  This is your typical JFET phaser, pretty similar in sound and feel to a Phase 90.  If you like the sound of that one, you will feel right at home with this!  The added controls for Feedback and Depth really make this a versatile phaser.


Ganymede - Next up is the Ganymede Phaser.  This one is a 6-stage optical phaser, pretty similar to the Mutron Phase II.  I know a lot of people consider that their absolute favorite phaser, and with good reason.  Thick and chewy, it has something special that most phasers just don't have.  I added a 3-way switch to let you choose between 2, 4 or 6 stages of phasing.


Kavana - And rounding out the Phasers is the Kavana Phaser.  This is based off of the Bad Stone phaser.  I wanted to work up a phaser that was simple to build and I didn't have to worry about matching any JFETS or worrying too much about LDR specs.  The Kavana is a simple to build and setup phaser that has lots of cool sounds in it.  The Phasing is pretty simple with controls for Speed and Feedback.  I also have a Manual control and switch, which stops the LFO and lets you set the phase point.  Its a cool feature, but one that I'm not sure I would use a ton.  Other than that, its another interesting sounding phaser.
 

Machine Gun - And for good measure, this could (kinda) fall in the Phaser camp.  The Machine Gun is a 2-in-1 pedal with a Silicon Fuzz Face feeding into a vibe circuit (based on my Spiralizer circuit).  The Fuzz side has a 4-way tone rotary switch to give different voicings, as well as a Thick control to set the input tone.  I also added an order switch for those that like the vibe first.


Vaporizor - The Vaporizor is based on the Boss VB-2 Vibrato circuit.  I've always loved this circuit, and its taken me a while to figure out how to make it work in a mini.  After a few revisions playing around with the switching, I was able to make it so that the pedal will work in standard "push the switch and its on" mode, as well as a momentary mode with the ramp switch.  The throb of this can get really deep and seasick, so its not for everyone, but using the momentary mode to really add some texture, its something that nothing else can replicate.


Legion - I've really been on a kick of making multi-effects boxes lately (See my Gypsy and Six-Shooter builds, as well as my upcoming Brick build), so this is a continuation of that.  The Legion is based on the Ibanez UE-300 box.  It contains an OTA compressor, similar to a Dyna-Comp, a Tube Screamer and a CS-9 compressor (in stereo).  I really like this setup here.  The Compressor is super quiet and does a great job of pushing the tube screamer, and having a stereo output with the chorus adds a huge spread to the sound.  Plenty of jacks on this one; 1 input, a Send and Return Loop, a dry output after the compressor and stereo outputs on the end of the circuit.  Next up is one based on the UE-305 which swaps the Tube Screamer for an analog delay.  I just need to build the board up for that one.


Star Chambre Delay - I've had this one finished for a long time, I just now actually got around to boxing it up.  The guys at Lectric-Fx did an awesome job at this one.  Its an analog delay, but it has something different than a typical DM-2 based delay.  I can't put my finger on it, but something about this delay is special, I love how warm and organic it sounds, definitely a recommended build for anyone!

[jimilee]

I felt a disturbance in the force.... Wow, very cool mAn. I haven't seen any kind of phase 100 style "clone". They are all just freaking amazing. Are you gonna redo the last 3 pedals in a 1590a?


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[Aleph Null]

These all look great! The Kavana especially looks like a cram.

What's your approach to surface mount? Do you just use a fine pointed iron and a magnifying glass?

[dan.schumaker]

These all look great! The Kavana especially looks like a cram.

What's your approach to surface mount? Do you just use a fine pointed iron and a magnifying glass?

I have an even better SMD approach... I let JLCPCB do it for me   Yes its kind of cheating, but it makes it so much easier (especially on some builds where I use 0402's).

[alanp]

Those 1590A's are insane. And great.