BuddytheReow
Breadboard Baker
In all my tone chasing schemes over the years I never fully committed to an EQ pedal. Sure, we all use the tone knobs on our amps. For me, the tone knobs on an amp are kind of set it an forget it. A EQ circuit in the effects loop is where my most recent itch started and I just had to scratch it.
This build was both fun and challenging. The parts can be sourced almost anywhere (mostly Tayda for me) with the exception of the sliders. Stompbox Parts hooked me up really quick.
Assembling the board was pretty much a no brainer once you've got a few builds under your belt. There are some less than standard values in there (think 120nf rather than 100nf caps), but not a problem to source. The board comes in two pieces and they get stacked together with pin headers.
The real challenge was the drilling and final assembly. For the drilling, I used a hand drill, some standard bits, a step bit for the stomp switch/jacks, a small hand file, and a jigsaw with a metal cutting blade. I followed the drill template for all the standard stuff. No issue there. Then came the challenge of the slider holes. First, I drilled pilot holes to make the lines. I slowly stepped up the diameter of the bits before I could squeeze a small file in there and try to open everything else up. Not going fast enough (I was probably 30 min into the whole process), it occurred to me to try out my jigsaw to clear out some of the non overlapping drill holes. They weren't straight, but they were pretty darned close for me considering I had the faceplate as well. The jigsaw went through this like butter! Just be careful you don't go crazy with it since you'll cut too much too quickly. From there it was a small metal file to widen everything just enough for the sliders to fully move without any pushback. Oh, it also helps to have the sliders populated on the board (doesn't need to be soldered in at this point) to judge the final assembly. All in all, it took me about an hour by hand to fully drill this. I had a good attitude going into it (pedal building is a form or therapy for some here including myself) so I didn't mind the extra time. Could I have shelled out for the Tayda drilling service? Sure, but this is DIY we're talking about, right?
Final assembly was a bit more complicated for a few reasons. First, there were 2 boards layered on each other. I wanted to make sure they weren't touching each other so I clipped the leads down of the sliders just a bit to make sure there's enough clearance between the boards and screws. In hindsight it was probably unnecessary, but I just wanted to be sure. I knew from the get go that taking this apart to troubleshoot would be a PITA, so I took my time with the whole process.
The power jack I used a standard innie, and it juuuuuuust fits. It bumps up against the board, but secures fully with the nut and I have no power issues. The audio jacks I read in someone else build report that there's not enough clearance for the standard cheapie open jacks, so I went with Lumbergs on this. Being a cheap ass, I wasn't happy shelling out the extra few dollars for them, but they served a purpose here. Also, I think my wiring is getting much cleaner, don't you think? It also helps if it's all the same color. More appealing on the eyes.
Gold metallic rattle can and 2 clear coats to finish it all off. I went out of my standard order of operations and painted the enclosure before boxing up. Like I said, trying to take this apart to troubleshoot would be a PITA.
How does it sound? Just like you'd imagine. One of the best tone shapers out there courtesy of DIY! Could you get more refined buying a 10-Band pedal? Yes, but this does the job nicely for now. Whether you enjoy searing high gain/chugs or just on the edge of breakup, this pedal will serve you well. Would highly recommend a more deceptively complicated build if you're up for the challenge.
BuddytheReow
This build was both fun and challenging. The parts can be sourced almost anywhere (mostly Tayda for me) with the exception of the sliders. Stompbox Parts hooked me up really quick.
Assembling the board was pretty much a no brainer once you've got a few builds under your belt. There are some less than standard values in there (think 120nf rather than 100nf caps), but not a problem to source. The board comes in two pieces and they get stacked together with pin headers.
The real challenge was the drilling and final assembly. For the drilling, I used a hand drill, some standard bits, a step bit for the stomp switch/jacks, a small hand file, and a jigsaw with a metal cutting blade. I followed the drill template for all the standard stuff. No issue there. Then came the challenge of the slider holes. First, I drilled pilot holes to make the lines. I slowly stepped up the diameter of the bits before I could squeeze a small file in there and try to open everything else up. Not going fast enough (I was probably 30 min into the whole process), it occurred to me to try out my jigsaw to clear out some of the non overlapping drill holes. They weren't straight, but they were pretty darned close for me considering I had the faceplate as well. The jigsaw went through this like butter! Just be careful you don't go crazy with it since you'll cut too much too quickly. From there it was a small metal file to widen everything just enough for the sliders to fully move without any pushback. Oh, it also helps to have the sliders populated on the board (doesn't need to be soldered in at this point) to judge the final assembly. All in all, it took me about an hour by hand to fully drill this. I had a good attitude going into it (pedal building is a form or therapy for some here including myself) so I didn't mind the extra time. Could I have shelled out for the Tayda drilling service? Sure, but this is DIY we're talking about, right?
Final assembly was a bit more complicated for a few reasons. First, there were 2 boards layered on each other. I wanted to make sure they weren't touching each other so I clipped the leads down of the sliders just a bit to make sure there's enough clearance between the boards and screws. In hindsight it was probably unnecessary, but I just wanted to be sure. I knew from the get go that taking this apart to troubleshoot would be a PITA, so I took my time with the whole process.
The power jack I used a standard innie, and it juuuuuuust fits. It bumps up against the board, but secures fully with the nut and I have no power issues. The audio jacks I read in someone else build report that there's not enough clearance for the standard cheapie open jacks, so I went with Lumbergs on this. Being a cheap ass, I wasn't happy shelling out the extra few dollars for them, but they served a purpose here. Also, I think my wiring is getting much cleaner, don't you think? It also helps if it's all the same color. More appealing on the eyes.
Gold metallic rattle can and 2 clear coats to finish it all off. I went out of my standard order of operations and painted the enclosure before boxing up. Like I said, trying to take this apart to troubleshoot would be a PITA.
How does it sound? Just like you'd imagine. One of the best tone shapers out there courtesy of DIY! Could you get more refined buying a 10-Band pedal? Yes, but this does the job nicely for now. Whether you enjoy searing high gain/chugs or just on the edge of breakup, this pedal will serve you well. Would highly recommend a more deceptively complicated build if you're up for the challenge.
BuddytheReow
