chris.knudson
Well-known member
- Build Rating
I originally wasn't going to post a build report about this pedal. It's basically just another tube screamer that I singed another cap while putting it together. However, I learned a few things with this build that I thought might be worth sharing.
Lesson 1: First, this thing sounds awesome. I knew it would sound good with the humbuckers on my SG, but what I didn't expect is that this is also an incredible overdrive for the bass when you blend it with the dry signal. Using the effects loop on my HX Stomp, I'm able to mix it with the dry signal, which gives it a nice mid-range crunch while keeping the low end from the bass intact. I thought I was building this one to give away, but it might just find a permanent home on my board.
Lesson 2: This is the first pedal I've built using film-free waterslides. Thank you @mkstewartesq for turning me on to these. They are much easier to work with than regular waterslides (which is really all I had used up to this point), and the results are awesome. With a quick spray of clear coat, you end up with a very durable and professional result.
Lesson 3: About that singed cap -- no matter how hard I try, I almost inevitably end up singing a cap with virtually every build. When I was building this pedal, I discovered why. I have been using one of those lighted magnifying glasses when I solder. What I figured out this time is that when you use a magnifying glass, you lose all depth perception, so I took a cue from @Erik S and bought a pair of dual-lens magnifier, which gives me the ability to not only see what I am doing, but all to see how far away the iron is from the cap. With any luck (and a steady hand) singed caps should be a thing of the past for me.
Lesson 1: First, this thing sounds awesome. I knew it would sound good with the humbuckers on my SG, but what I didn't expect is that this is also an incredible overdrive for the bass when you blend it with the dry signal. Using the effects loop on my HX Stomp, I'm able to mix it with the dry signal, which gives it a nice mid-range crunch while keeping the low end from the bass intact. I thought I was building this one to give away, but it might just find a permanent home on my board.
Lesson 2: This is the first pedal I've built using film-free waterslides. Thank you @mkstewartesq for turning me on to these. They are much easier to work with than regular waterslides (which is really all I had used up to this point), and the results are awesome. With a quick spray of clear coat, you end up with a very durable and professional result.
Lesson 3: About that singed cap -- no matter how hard I try, I almost inevitably end up singing a cap with virtually every build. When I was building this pedal, I discovered why. I have been using one of those lighted magnifying glasses when I solder. What I figured out this time is that when you use a magnifying glass, you lose all depth perception, so I took a cue from @Erik S and bought a pair of dual-lens magnifier, which gives me the ability to not only see what I am doing, but all to see how far away the iron is from the cap. With any luck (and a steady hand) singed caps should be a thing of the past for me.
Last edited:
