Asdrael
Well-known member
Build rating: 
(I still think PedalPCB pads could be a tad bigger so I can still solder when drunk)
Since I am basically done with the small light overdrive collection I wanted to build, I am moving to clean boosts. First in line was the obvious TCPre/33/Grind combination.
The build itself was pretty uneventful, straight forward, you name it. Musikding provided a pretty big 100uF EC for some reason but it fit no problem. I did do the signature woopsie brushing a box cap with the soldering iron trying to solder a 2 way but no actual damage was done. I did my usual illuminated bottom plate "mod", everything works, all good.
I did the graphics in an hour in Inkscape. Usual font, and wanted something geometric. For some reason (focus slightly off? too much engraving paste?) the engraving is not as sharp as it should have been and some particles got trapped still white without burning so there is some white spekles. Definitely something I need to work on next time (burning powder coating and then burning the aluminium isn't as straight forward as I though), or just be more careful with the initial color selection.
I have to say that I understand why the TC preamp is as well known as it is. Clean boost obviously but both the treble and bass knobs are on point frequency- and range-wise. Noon on the volume seems to be around unity gain. It's already great on a clean channel even at unity to slightly color the sound, and obviously pretty powerful boosting a high gain amp, even down tuned. You can cut a tad of bass without sounding thin at all and boost some trebles for presence without too much ice pick. Thumbs up for that and definitely recommended.
The 33/Grind modes... let's say I am definitely not into them. Must be an acquired taste at best
Or maybe you just need an 8 string for it to make sense? Or change the amps settings (boosting bass and cutting presence on the amp)? Doesn't gel with how I like to sound (pretty low mid heavy).
Anyhow, good build and nice to have pedal.
(Knobs are too big, I thought I had my usual ones left in the drawer but those are my amp build ones...)
And on on my board:
(I still think PedalPCB pads could be a tad bigger so I can still solder when drunk)Since I am basically done with the small light overdrive collection I wanted to build, I am moving to clean boosts. First in line was the obvious TCPre/33/Grind combination.
The build itself was pretty uneventful, straight forward, you name it. Musikding provided a pretty big 100uF EC for some reason but it fit no problem. I did do the signature woopsie brushing a box cap with the soldering iron trying to solder a 2 way but no actual damage was done. I did my usual illuminated bottom plate "mod", everything works, all good.
I did the graphics in an hour in Inkscape. Usual font, and wanted something geometric. For some reason (focus slightly off? too much engraving paste?) the engraving is not as sharp as it should have been and some particles got trapped still white without burning so there is some white spekles. Definitely something I need to work on next time (burning powder coating and then burning the aluminium isn't as straight forward as I though), or just be more careful with the initial color selection.
I have to say that I understand why the TC preamp is as well known as it is. Clean boost obviously but both the treble and bass knobs are on point frequency- and range-wise. Noon on the volume seems to be around unity gain. It's already great on a clean channel even at unity to slightly color the sound, and obviously pretty powerful boosting a high gain amp, even down tuned. You can cut a tad of bass without sounding thin at all and boost some trebles for presence without too much ice pick. Thumbs up for that and definitely recommended.
The 33/Grind modes... let's say I am definitely not into them. Must be an acquired taste at best
Or maybe you just need an 8 string for it to make sense? Or change the amps settings (boosting bass and cutting presence on the amp)? Doesn't gel with how I like to sound (pretty low mid heavy).Anyhow, good build and nice to have pedal.
(Knobs are too big, I thought I had my usual ones left in the drawer but those are my amp build ones...)
And on on my board:
