- Build Rating
Here's my build of the PedalPCB Sliver Overdrive, based on the Barber LTD. I used the component value substitutions in @Route14's post, Sliver -> Barber LTD SR to build this to LTD SR ("Special Recipe") specs.
It's a straightforward build, nothing unremarkable in that category. I built it in a 125B, but the PCB is pretty small, I suspect it would fit in a 1590B. The enclosure was done using Sunnyscopa film-free water slide decals, but using Dishwasher Safe Mod Podge as the toner transfer agent (or "glue"), as discussed here. This was my first mostly-successful use of the Mod Podge. The graphic is of the Greek Goddess Andromeda, which I recycled from my (now sold) Aion Andromeda Deluxe (Nordland ODR-C) build. The smaller lower PCB is my buffered electrical bypass module.
I bought this PCB somewhat on a whim, as I was primarily shopping PedalPCB for the Delegate Compressor, Boneyard Edition. But at the same time, I also had a version 2.0 of the "Dynamic Haircut" PCB (Barber Gain Changer) on order with JLCPCB. So I figured, the Gain Changer effectively switches between the low-gain LTD and the medium-gain Unlimited, so it would be interesting to compare the Silver (LTD) to the LTD side of the Gain Changer. I compared the schematics of the two, the Sliver (with SR mods) is very nearly the same as the LTD side of the Gain Changer, but not exactly. The Sliver/LTD also has the internal bass, mid and presence trimpots, so I could easily see if I might want to tweak the EQ in future Dynamic Haircut/Gain Changer builds.
The pedal fired up without issue right away. I haven't even messed with the trimpots yet, and I think it sounds great! Now I can't remember why I sold my original Dynamic Haircut. To my ears, the Sliver/LTD SR is pretty EQ-neutral ("transparent"), and just has a nicely-tuned voice. Good clarity/string separation. As it happens, my JLCPCB order with the Dynamic Haircut v2.0 was delivered right as I was finishing up the Sliver. So I went ahead and knocked out that build too. I haven't done an exhaustive comparison yet, but a quick test showed the LTD side of the Gain Changer to indeed be very close to the (SR-modded) Sliver/LTD. Between the two, I think I'd give the nod to the Gain Changer, because it does everything the LTD does and more. If you're a purist, and knew for certain you'd never use the higher-gain side, or any of the EQ toggle variants, or need some particular EQ tweak via the internal trimpots, then the LTD might be for you.
Overall, not my neatest work, but I built it more out of curiosity than expecting it to be a keeper or showoff piece. But it works great, doesn't look too bad, and satisfied my curiosity, so overall, it's a success.
It's a straightforward build, nothing unremarkable in that category. I built it in a 125B, but the PCB is pretty small, I suspect it would fit in a 1590B. The enclosure was done using Sunnyscopa film-free water slide decals, but using Dishwasher Safe Mod Podge as the toner transfer agent (or "glue"), as discussed here. This was my first mostly-successful use of the Mod Podge. The graphic is of the Greek Goddess Andromeda, which I recycled from my (now sold) Aion Andromeda Deluxe (Nordland ODR-C) build. The smaller lower PCB is my buffered electrical bypass module.
I bought this PCB somewhat on a whim, as I was primarily shopping PedalPCB for the Delegate Compressor, Boneyard Edition. But at the same time, I also had a version 2.0 of the "Dynamic Haircut" PCB (Barber Gain Changer) on order with JLCPCB. So I figured, the Gain Changer effectively switches between the low-gain LTD and the medium-gain Unlimited, so it would be interesting to compare the Silver (LTD) to the LTD side of the Gain Changer. I compared the schematics of the two, the Sliver (with SR mods) is very nearly the same as the LTD side of the Gain Changer, but not exactly. The Sliver/LTD also has the internal bass, mid and presence trimpots, so I could easily see if I might want to tweak the EQ in future Dynamic Haircut/Gain Changer builds.
The pedal fired up without issue right away. I haven't even messed with the trimpots yet, and I think it sounds great! Now I can't remember why I sold my original Dynamic Haircut. To my ears, the Sliver/LTD SR is pretty EQ-neutral ("transparent"), and just has a nicely-tuned voice. Good clarity/string separation. As it happens, my JLCPCB order with the Dynamic Haircut v2.0 was delivered right as I was finishing up the Sliver. So I went ahead and knocked out that build too. I haven't done an exhaustive comparison yet, but a quick test showed the LTD side of the Gain Changer to indeed be very close to the (SR-modded) Sliver/LTD. Between the two, I think I'd give the nod to the Gain Changer, because it does everything the LTD does and more. If you're a purist, and knew for certain you'd never use the higher-gain side, or any of the EQ toggle variants, or need some particular EQ tweak via the internal trimpots, then the LTD might be for you.
Overall, not my neatest work, but I built it more out of curiosity than expecting it to be a keeper or showoff piece. But it works great, doesn't look too bad, and satisfied my curiosity, so overall, it's a success.
