Grind Customs GOAT

[Bret608]

This is a modded Bluesbreaker-type board that jubal81 gave me years ago. I've not had much motivation to build overdrives since his Cascadia is so awesome, but I was having some nostalgia for the now-defunct Grind Customs when digging through my PCB stash, and I also hadn't really tried anything with LED clipping. I remember this having some currency in these parts around 2015 or so! Turns out it's a really good drive with a somewhat flatter EQ (compared to, say, a klone anyway) and a general Marshall-like tonal signature, so I think I'll be using it a fair bit for my classic rock moments. For the asymmetrical clipping option, I used an 1n4001 on one side and a 1n914 + an OG 1n60 germanium (with really high, 2 meg + "reverse resistance") on the other. That is my favorite combo since it's louder than the symmetrical 1n4148s, but hairier than the LEDs. Not sure why I called it "Metropole"--post colonial studies vibes, and/or an excuse to use the Campanile font again?

[jessenator]

Nice! Is that no-film?

I've actually never built a breaker before. Got a demo of this one?

[NorthCoast]

Cool, I really like the raw metal look.

And I learned a new word today!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metropole

[Bret608]

Thanks to you both! @jessenator, I actually used clear sticker paper for this, which I just got at Michael's. It's a bit easier to use than waterslide decals, but you can sort of see the edge of the sticker, even when you're careful with the cutting and placement. I'm not set up to record demos, but I'd say this is very much in the KoT neighborhood.

[jessenator]

Nice! So it's the Greatest of All Tone then?

It's getting nice enough I should get out the laser again (no way in h*ck I'm doing that crap even in my garage...)