Getting out of a funk

masonlewisdiesel

masonlewisdiesel

Member
The last year or two, i've been on a roll. Learning so much, putting so much time and money into this hobby(also wanting to do some amp builds). I really enjoy it, I give alot of builds away to friends, or sometimes just random people. I'm actually surprised how much joy others get out of playing them, especially Fuzz Face inspired builds(wheather on Vero, perf, PCB from a vendor, and hopefully soon boards that I've done(KiCAd+oshpark and or on my cnc)). I've been wanting to perfect the Uni vibe clone for some time now, always loved the foot rate pedal.

The last 30 days have been horrible, no drive at all. The last year has been so fun, get off work @ 4. Then at the bench from 7 to midnight. I want to get out of this rut, or pedal building "writing block" as soon as possible. The last week, the most Ive done is kinda zone out at stare at the project i'm working on sometimes for what feels like hours. I realize how dumb this whole post is, but anyone ever been it a funk or something simmilar? Any suggestions? the ole "just fuckin do it Mason" isn't working like it usually does. IDK if its the time of year or what(hollidays, and january 3rd is the day my wife died). The one positive thing is i'm not trying to drown myself in shenanigins like years past. Last month was 2 years with no charlie sheen/Keith Richards lifestyle. haha

I'm sure this wont get alot of replies, but thought I'd post it in Open discussion just to vent.

Also, speaking of Univibes. i'm doint the electavibe. Tayda doesnt seem to have the lamps or LDR's that match the BOM. Can anyone give me a little hint where is a good place to get them? And when matching them...should I buy a bunch? I still dont completely understand how to match them.

You all are awesome!

Mason
 
This happens to me from time to time. I sometimes will have little mild bouts of depression. Sometimes pushing through has helped me but sometimes it seems I need to give things a break for a bit for the enthusiasm and drive to come back.

Assuming you’re in the Northern hemisphere, it’s dark and probably cold where you are. And it sounds like you have some significant dates coming up that could all be contributing to this.

Be sure to take care of yourself. Reach out to friends or loved ones if you can, human connection is powerful as well. I’m sure you’ll get through it but if you’re anything like me, it might take a little patience to come out the other side.
 
I have periods where I can't be bothered. I think it's perfectly natural. After all, sometimes you need to actually play the bloody things! I have hardly built any pedals in the past month or two as other things have taken precedence. Plus I have felt recently that I don't actually need any more pedals - I have plenty which do the job for me very well. Just this week I did make a couple - two of the same pedal because I found it worked perfectly with an amp I finished last week. But I have little urge to build any more for the time being. That will change soon enough.
 
masonlewisdiesel said:
Also, speaking of Univibes. i'm doint the electavibe. Tayda doesnt seem to have the lamps or LDR's that match the BOM. Can anyone give me a little hint where is a good place to get them? And when matching them...should I buy a bunch? I still dont completely understand how to match them.
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I got my parts from Mouser. Don't know about matching the LDRs but will see what other posts here disclose...
 
Small Bear Electronics should have the LDRs

Seems like you’ve been going pretty hard on building for a while, so needing a bit of break seems very reasonable. Don’t beat yourself up. It’s supposed to be fun, and if you’re not feeling it that’s okay.
 
Yep. I think that can happen with just about anything. It can be good to change gears if you’re not excited about building right now.

I’ve learned that when I’m stuck, it can be very hard to push through. But if I do something completely different, I can come back with a fresh mind / fresh eyes.
 
masonlewisdiesel said:
Also, speaking of Univibes. i'm doint the electavibe. Tayda doesnt seem to have the lamps or LDR's that match the BOM. Can anyone give me a little hint where is a good place to get them? And when matching them...should I buy a bunch? I still dont completely understand how to match them.
Click to expand...
SmallBear has the 9203s.

Getting into a building funk/block is normal. If the passion is genuine, it will return. You may just need to distract yourself for a bit.

And for future LDR referencing, here's a Silonex reference chart . . .

Silonex_Photocell_Spec_Chart.png
 
I definitely have gone through periods, especially during the holidays, where there’s no motivation. I just try to change my routine in some way (excercise, look into new angle of the hobby) that’s how I started building guitars rather than pedals. But now I’m back on pedals. Just know you’ll be on the up side of the down soon enough and it’s ok to take a break
 
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Beyond the usual self-care advice given, I find what has been helpful for me is to find something that pushes you a bit more than usual. Pedal-building, like any hobby, can become a little rote or mundane at times. For me, branching out in a way that forces you to think about it a bit more is usually a good slump-breaker for me. I also like to try and loop in some of my "adjacent" hobbies. For instance, I like to woodwork as well. If I'm feeling a bit bored or stuck, I'll hit the shop and build a new pedalboard or something to put everything on. That in turn kick-starts me to get some new builds in the mix and whatnot. Maybe take a day to setup and give some TLC to your instruments. Put in some new pickups or try a new wiring scheme. Just spitballing here, but I guess all that to say that...maybe it's just how I'm wired but I find it motivating just to feel like I'm accomplishing something or completing a task and sometimes branching out from the same repetitive stuff can help boost that feeling of accomplishment.

Another random thing I find beneficial (and again maybe it's just me) with stuff like this is to sit down and try and intentionally think through my processes in such a way that is like "how would I teach/explain what I'm doing right now to a total beginner?" I dunno, maybe that's weird, but I find it weirdly enriching to think about things in that way :P

in any case hope you are doing well and have a safe and happy holiday!
 
It happens. I'm in a down time now. I get little spurts of enthusiasm when I need something for my sound. For example, I added a compressor to my board last year and I ended up building ~6 to find the perfect one.
 
Oh yeah, I go through this myself. I just started building something yesterday. I haven’t built in what I figure is about 6 or 8 months. I barely pick up a guitar. I’ve bought probably 6 amps this year and maybe 12 guitars, and still can’t get motivated. I’m hoping this build will give me a little bit of inspiration.
 
You definitely go thru these spells and its sometimes good just to step back and see where your head and heart go. I don't get ANY shop time other than to repair these days and I've learned to appreciate the time I get even though my output has dropped to just a few pedals lately.

I just wrapped up playing acoustic for a few Christmas eve services and I've had to woodshed to do some pretty tricky acoustic parts and it takes my head TOTALLY out of the game. Me and my Larrivee and a tuner. Totally at the mercy of the FOH sound guy. It was one of the more frightening things I've done in ages but had nothing to do with building, or effects, or amps. Me and my (shredded) fingers. Bliss.
 
Life is funky when we find ourselves in a jam
On the lam from some bad feeling
Life is a chocolate bar, a broken string on a cheap guitar
Why don't you play, lookin' for a killer buzz, yeah


Can relate.
Been Funky for seemingly ages, and the furnace dying on Dec 25th early in the mourning [sic] ... I hope the Wilcox tune is up your alley and gives you some cheer.
 
jimilee said:
Oh yeah, I go through this myself. I just started building something yesterday. I haven’t built in what I figure is about 6 or 8 months. I barely pick up a guitar. I’ve bought probably 6 amps this year and maybe 12 guitars, and still can’t get motivated. I’m hoping this build will give me a little bit of inspiration.
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yeah, same kind of boat. thanks for the reply. What are you building now(yesterday)?
 
AceHyzer said:
This happens to me from time to time. I sometimes will have little mild bouts of depression. Sometimes pushing through has helped me but sometimes it seems I need to give things a break for a bit for the enthusiasm and drive to come back.

Assuming you’re in the Northern hemisphere, it’s dark and probably cold where you are. And it sounds like you have some significant dates coming up that could all be contributing to this.

Be sure to take care of yourself. Reach out to friends or loved ones if you can, human connection is powerful as well. I’m sure you’ll get through it but if you’re anything like me, it might take a little patience to come out the other side.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the reply, Yeah Seattle, Washington...I didnt consider that being a factor-which it totally is! The combo of the weather and the going to work when its dark, getting off work when its dark plays a huge role. Thanks for pointing that out, sometimes i'm a little blind to whats right in front of me! Merry christmas
 
Cybercow said:
SmallBear has the 9203s.

Getting into a building funk/block is normal. If the passion is genuine, it will return. You may just need to distract yourself for a bit.

And for future LDR referencing, here's a Silonex reference chart . . .

View attachment 87570
Click to expand...
Hey, Awesome! thanks a bunch! I got a weird thing for having hard copys of reference meterial/text books. This is going in a binder sleeve! Merry Christmas!
 
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