General Tso

[spi]

Built this one based on all the positive reviews it gets here (despite the fact that I rarely use or even need a compressor for my home doodling).

I realized when testing it that I had no idea how to work this pedal, but found Thorpy's manual so now I'm squared away.

I didn't see the LEDs light up when using single coils, but with a humbucker they fire with a hard strum. I don't know how sensitive they need to be--maybe in lower light conditions it'll be a bit more active.

It does add a little something nice to the signal so can see why it's popular.

I swapped a few parts based on what I had: Used KE-10720 with red LEDs, LM833 op amp, and 2n3906/2n3904 transistors.

 

[tolstokes]

I was wondering about swapping transistors since I can't find the b557b's at smallbear, stompboxparts.

 

[spi]

I was wondering about swapping transistors since I can't find the b557b's at smallbear, stompboxparts.

2n3906 is a replacement for it, but you need to swap the orientation because the pinout is reversed.

 

[Morbidpale]

Looks good. I built the Dinosaural Compressor which almost the same, and designed by the same dude. I love it. Curious if anyone had built both to share if they notice any significant difference.

 

[martinezan]

Honestly, this is the kind of build that makes me want to try a compressor again. I like that you experimented with the parts you already had instead of chasing exact specs. The note about the LEDs reacting differently with humbuckers was especially interesting, too.

2 player games​

 

[BuddytheReow]

I like the hand painted look. We need more of them here instead of UV prints

 

[genXslacker]

I like the hand painted look.

Yep. I think it works particularly well on this one. Nice one, @spi

We need more of them here instead of UV prints

Seconded. I don't hate UV prints, but it's usually more interesting to me to see what someone has done by hand.

 

[MichaelW]

Looks good. I built the Dinosaural Compressor which almost the same, and designed by the same dude. I love it. Curious if anyone had built both to share if they notice any significant difference.

The OTC-201 sounds just a tad "thinner" to me than the Tso. My love affair with the Tso is going on 3+ years now. It's my "always on".

Edit: That could also be due to variables in the component, or Aion's layout vs @Robert 's. I wouldn't go so far as to say it's inherent in the circuit, they are for the most part, identical.

That said, Thorpy is now offering some limited Dinosaural Pedals, which is think is pretty cool!