DAJE
Well-known member
Anyway, I was half expecting to be posting a Troubleshooting thread, but it worked first try. Always nice when that happens.
I've socketed the red LEDs, and I have a pair of 2.2 uF tantalum caps to try in their place when I feel like it. No other mods.
The chips, though: I bought a somewhat expensive pair of chips; a Coolaudio 3207 & NOS Belling 3102. But I also, as a cheap gamble, bought a set of 5 each 3102s & 3207s from a Chinese eBay seller. Only about $5 for the lot so not a big loss if they're bollocks.
They're not. All 5 x 3207s and 4 out of 5 3102s work. It's possible the dud 3102 will work with some tweaking of the trimmer, but I didn't mess around too much because I wanted to finish up and try the pedal properly.
So, I now have a working Caesar pedal and at least F O U R sets of spare chippers.
I have a pair of the Chinese eBay chips in there now (pic 2), I couldn't hear any difference in my admittedly quick test. I might try comparing them properly at some later date.
How's it sound? Pretty damn good. Some nice swirlyness if you want subtlety, and some enjoyably weird wonkyness if you turn everything up too far.