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.