Lectric-FX Flintlock

[mybud]

Build Rating

5.00 star(s)

This has been on my build list for a long while (since September last year, to be exact). I took a good couple of days building and then calibrating it with my trusty Hantek scope. While there was definitely flanging, this was a bit flaky till I isolated a cold joint on one of the trimmers. Flaky symptoms: the speed control kicked in and out and the trimming procedure was hit and miss. I discovered that some mild pressure on the trimmer in question alleviated this problem (brought the speed control back) and then found said cold joint. Once fixed, the calibration went quickly and the resultant 'flanginess' is music to the ears.



In a word, it's fantastic, with some nice weirdness with feedback ('enhance') dimed and a wide range of classic flange sounds on tap. As recommended, I chose a 1590Q for housing and was grateful for the extra room this provided. I forewent the external rate control eventually (purpose of the larger enclosure) but was glad to avoid trying to shoehorn it into a 1590BB.

I've seen an original vintage model for sale on the web for over $2 500. Nice work if you can get it, I guess.



Thanks for reading as ever and best weekend wishes to all.

 

[Harry Klippton]

Nice one! This has been on my list for a long time (several years?) maybe I'll get there one day

 

[benny_profane]

Nice one! This has been on my list for a long time (several years?) maybe I'll get there one day

Do it.

 

[mybud]

Nice one! This has been on my list for a long time (several years?) maybe I'll get there one day

Thanks, Will. I'm not entirely sure why I waited so long to do it but it's well worth the effort. These days I give such complex builds a lot of time and try to enjoy the process (choosing parts, measuring, etc.).

 

[Harry Klippton]

Do it.

It was your build report that caused me to order the PCB in the first place



@mybud was it fairly easy to calibrate, aside from the loose connections?

 

[mybud]

It was your build report that caused me to order the PCB in the first place
View attachment 73335


@mybud was it fairly easy to calibrate, aside from the loose connections?

Yes, and apparently you can calibrate it without a scope if needs be.

 

[benny_profane]

Yes, and apparently you can calibrate it without a scope if needs be.

I didn't use a scope for mine. I did measure the clock frequency limits though.

 

[jimilee]

This is a lengthy but enjoyable build, for sure.

 

[airbud]

this looks dope, i haven't built any of their boards before.

 

[eh là bas ma]

In a word, it's fantastic

And i'd go even further : It's mega-fantastic.

I know it can be a matter of taste, and it can depend on the rest of the equipment involved, but i really wonder if there is a better sounding flanger anywhere in this world.

According to my humble experience, this circuit is number one, and by far.

It's not an easy build, but it's quite straightforward compared to the Lovetone ? Flanger, Aion's Xenotron project.

Edit : let me quickly mention that Flintlock seems to be usualy much more silent with an 18V power supply. Just take the voltage pump IC out of the board (IC11, if i recall correctly), and you can plugg 18V in the DC power jack. No need i guess, if you dont notice any whistling noises through the whole Manual rotation.

 

[mybud]

And i'd go even further : It's mega-fantastic.

I know it can be a matter of taste, and it can depend on the rest of the equipment involved, but i really wonder if there is a better sounding flanger anywhere in this world.

According to my humble experience, this circuit is number one, and by far.

It's not an easy build, but it's quite straightforward compared to the Lovetone ? Flanger, Aion's Xenotron project.

Edit : let me quickly mention that Flintlock seems to be usualy much more silent with an 18V power supply. Just take the voltage pump IC out of the board (IC11, if i recall correctly), and you can plugg 18V in the DC power jack. No need i guess, if you dont notice any whistling noises through the whole Manual rotation.

Thanks for that 18V voltage change idea, @eh là bas ma. Seems like mine is fairly quiet, with no whistling at this stage. Definitely worth a shot to tweak the trimmers a bit more in the fullness of time, though.

 

[Feral Feline]

Great build and report. So delighted to see the 1590Q Gutshot!

I've had the PCB fore a while, and recently made up a list of "1590Q-builds" and put this as a MUST for 1590Q; great to see your build and confirm it.

 

[Bret608]

Yep, I did mine in a 1590Q as well and am glad I did. I still play it all the time! Will have to try out the setting you have in the picture there. Here's a setting for one of the best chorus sounds I've heard: manual and range at 9:00, speed at 3:00, and enhance at 12:00 or less.

 

[Harry Klippton]

What different about the 1590Q?

 

[mybud]

What different about the 1590Q?

It’s a square 1590BB, but shallower. Not really suitable for space saving on a crowded pedalboard, but I’m using it as a desktop effect in any case. There’s enough room to relieve the ‘is everything going to fit?’ stress and it can accommodate an expression jack if you plan carefully.

Note to self: must plan more carefully in future