Pair of 1590B builds! Rat (PedalPCB) & Micro Amp (Perf)

[fydo]

Build Rating

5.00 star(s)

Hello fellow builders!
As I like to challenge myself with new things I decided to give some 1590B builds a shot, one of which is my first perfboard experience. For both of them I got enclosures drilled and UV printed from Tayda.

First, the Micro Amp! Following the design from EffectsLayouts was pretty straightforward. I accidentally specified the LED hole size a little too big, so I figured I'd just enlarge it even further and use one of those very large "Fender amp"-style LED lamp holders. That ended up working but it was a very tight fit and I needed to turn the 3PDT 90 degrees so everything would fit together. Other than that the build went smoothly, and this pedal now lives on my board.
Another fun detail: That's an official Dunlop MXR knob and rubber knob cover! So authentic



Next is the PedalPCB Muroidea (aka Pro Co Rat)
I got the fun idea to use an enamel pin (after clipping off the pin part) via a build I saw on Reddit a while ago. So when I saw this "cat with a knife" pin I figured it would be perfect for a Rat pedal. As for the build itself, I used LEDs for the clipping diodes, effectively making this a Turbo Rat. Other than needing to place two of the capacitors under the board, it was a nice straightforward build. As always, the PedalPCB board was a pleasure to work with. It sounds like a Rat!



Until next time,

fydo

 

[Feral Feline]

Both are great but I rrrrreeaaalllly love the CAT!

I've got a pin I was going to use for a DS-1 build, and seeing your CAT pedal's 3D cat looking like it's climbing right out of the pedal is fantastic. With a knife in its mouth no less, and really speaks to what this pedal is all about — very menacing in looks and sound!

Modding the Rat logo to CAT tips the hat to the original ProCo, knobs are well proportioned to the pedal-size — I just LVE everything about this build.

Wish I could find that same little CAT-pin! Such detail with the fangs and eyes. Idea-Flash: It'd be cool to have the clipping LEDs shine through the cat's eyes, maybe, but would be a crazy amount of work to accomplish drilling the enclosure arranging the clipping diodes and I wouldn't want to risk damaging the pin unless I had at least a half-dozen to work on. Before boxing my Filigree Siberian Hamster, I enjoyed watching the clipping LEDs light while I played, but I kept them unseen inside the box when I wrapped it all up. After building one, the Rat has become one of my favourite circuits.

The Micro Amp is another all-time favourite.

If you have an oversized LED hole again, depending on by how much, you can also sometimes save it with a plastic- or metal-bezel for the LED.
I've had to employ both the Amp-jewel and the bezel (and larger LEDs!) on occasion.


Looking forward to your next build-report, Fydo.

FF

 

[fydo]

Thank you for such a nice reply and kind comments, FF.

I'm always happy to help a fellow feline, so I'll reveal the source of my enamel pin:

https://a.aliexpress.com/_mtDhe7o

I'll warn you though, after browsing around at enamel pins on there I ended up feeling inspired and spending a lot more on pins than I'd like to admit

As for mounting clipping LEDs outside of the enclosure, I have read that (in theory) it can be detrimental due to a photovoltaic effect, where bright lights can (temporarily) alter the properties of the diode. In my experience it hasn't been a problem for me, though maybe I just don't play outside enough. I've got a build finished that uses external clipping LEDs, and is just waiting for me to write up a build report.

Hope you're having a great weekend!