PPCB Distortr (Zvex Distortron)

[bluedmc777]

Build Rating

5.00 star(s)

Finally get to do a quick build report on this one. What a great sounding JTM in a box with such a low parts count! I love it. I don’t understand why this and the Tweed Sound (Zvex 59) aren’t more popular because they both sound great. Maybe it’s because of the low parts count? Either way I highly recommend both to newcomers and more advanced builders.

 

[Aleph Null]

Cascaded mosfets and a tilt eq—whays not to like?! The red crackle finish looks really nice.

 

[Laundryroom David]

Crackle okay indeed

 

[jubal81]

That's really sharp. The textured red and cream knobs are a helluva combo.

 

[music6000]

Finally get to do a quick build report on this one. What a great sounding JTM in a box with such a low parts count! I love it. I don’t understand why this and the Tweed Sound (Zvex 59) aren’t more popular because they both sound great. Maybe it’s because of the low parts count? Either way I highly recommend both to newcomers and more advanced builders.


View attachment 125976View attachment 125977View attachment 125978View attachment 125979

I could be wrong but I don't think Zachary is all that popular in the pedal building scene.
google search:
Zachary Vex has a well-documented reputation within the guitar pedal community for being prickly, fiercely defensive, and sometimes condescending, "highly eccentric, protective, and intensely opinionated"

 

[HamishR]

I like the '59 Sound and BoR but do find that MOSFETs can be wearing to listen to for a long time. Maybe it's not the MOSFETs but the design, but if I play one of these pedals for an hour or so my ears don't like me any more.

I also like the texture red with cream knob combo.

 

[HamishR]

Yeah I don't go for sideways pedals, especially with side jacks! Let's make a pedal as inconvenient as possible. I quite like the Fuzz Factory though.

 

[music6000]

Maybe '' Crackle not OK '
I didn't like his sideway pedal designs, I couldn't get rid of his Fuzz Factory quick enough.
I couldn't gell with it & something better came along

 

[bluedmc777]

I could be wrong but I don't think Zachary is all that popular in the pedal building scene.
google search:
Zachary Vex has a well-documented reputation within the guitar pedal community for being prickly, fiercely defensive, and sometimes condescending, "highly eccentric, protective, and intensely opinionated"

Yea I remember there being a lot of dislike years back. I meant popular in it diy sense. Maybe they are like though and I’m just late to the party lol! I do remember having a BOR back in the day and really liking it.

@HamishR Are you sure it’s not Marshall voiced pedals in particular? I’m like that with several Marshall style pedals especially the Article 59. Hits right in the ear hole.

 

[OD is Glorious]

I like the Zvex circuits I played with so far. I imagine I will have to get this board too. Yours looks pro!

 

[swelchy]

I have yet to find a Zvex pedal that I didn't like the sound.... He has some weird ones but they are all cool as hell.

 

[bluedmc777]

I like the Zvex circuits I played with so far. I imagine I will have to get this board too. Yours looks pro!

Thanks. The textured red is actually starting to grow on me. I didn’t care for it so much at first but it actually does look quite nice. However I’m gonna have to place a large enclosure order from Tayda soon because I have like 4-5 of every color stompboxparts carries. I need some more variety!

 

[OD is Glorious]

Thanks. The textured red is actually starting to grow on me. I didn’t care for it so much at first but it actually does look quite nice. However I’m gonna have to place a large enclosure order from Tayda soon because I have like 4-5 of every color stompboxparts carries. I need some more variety!

I am a hoarder of enclosures and knobs. I just snapped a pic of my knobs yesterday.

 

[OD is Glorious]

Could you tell me the board's actual size approximate? Like will it fit in a 1590b?

PPCB website dimensions are 1.35 × 1.95 × 0.5 in which means it could fit in a 1590a... the image shows a larger board

PPCB Tweed Sound shows a very small board but our measurements say 1.95 × 1.95 × 0.5 in

PPCB Distortr shows a large board but our measurements say it is diminutive - 1.35 × 1.95 × 0.5 in

 

[bluedmc777]

No problem I’m away from the bench at the moment but soon as I get a chance I’ll measure them.

 

[bluedmc777]

I am a hoarder of enclosures and knobs. I just snapped a pic of my knobs yesterday.

Holy shit I thought my stock of knobs was extreme !

 

[ICTRock]

I have yet to find a Zvex pedal that I didn't like the sound.... He has some weird ones but they are all cool as hell.

box of metal was a serious misstep. the rest of those earlier designs are stellar

 

[OD is Glorious]

No problem I’m away from the bench at the moment but soon as I get a chance I’ll measure them.

I can ask Robert- I just did not want to start another website thread.

 

[swelchy]

I am a hoarder of enclosures and knobs. I just snapped a pic of my knobs yesterday.

I have a ridiculous collection of knobs ... What sucks is that when I go to pick some out for a build I'm always 1 short of that style for that pedal!..lol

 

[bluedmc777]

I have a ridiculous collection of knobs ... What sucks is that when I go to pick some out for a build I'm always 1 short of that style for that pedal!..lol

Know the feeling!