What are some “must build” pedal circuits that you think everyone should try?

[TheHammer1982]

I’m looking for more ideas and started wondering what everyone’s “must build” pedals are.

 

[JamieJ]

It’s like Pokémon, you got to build them all!

JK - it’s very subjective depending on your style. What do you like to play?

 

[TheHammer1982]

It’s like Pokémon, you got to build them all!

JK - it’s very subjective depending on your style. What do you like to play?

Pretty much all things rock, hard rock, metal, old to new. I’m really just curious what everyone’s personal choices are.

 

[Betty Wont]

I build all the phasers, filters, and heavy fuzz/distortion. I don't build overdrives or compressors because I have a tube amp already. The Okko Dominator Black is my favorite metal distortion. I like jfet phasers for distorted use, opto for clean, and OTA for bass.

 

[BuddytheReow]

You can't go wrong with a lot of the classics: BMP, rat, maybe a Dist +, definitely an HM2 for your inner metalhead needs.

Check out the Muffin Factory (highly tweakable muff), Muroidea (rat), and Promethium (HM2)

 

[BuddytheReow]

 

[Harry Klippton]

Fuzz face

 

[benny_profane]

Rat.

 

[giovanni]

Tube screamer and Klon would be on my list if I didn’t already own them (not a real Klon!). A PT2399 delay and definitely 2-3 phasers. Besides what others already mentioned: Rat, FF, BMP, etc.

 

[Grubb]

Most people should build a classic Tubescreamer/SD-1 type pedal. Rats and Muffs are pretty much a rite of passage too.

I always recommend the Mach 1 as a very cool low-gainer. The Two Sticks of Derm fuzz for nasty, dark, heavy tones. The Nobleman was a staple on my pedalboard for a long time as a good stacking overdrive (you might want to consider bass control mods though).

 

[jjjimi84]

Golden falk, duo phase, dung beetle

 

[Diynot]

The tremulous lune (PPCB trembling loon) tremolo is really the only circuit that I have built more than once. It’s a nice circuit with some interesting tweaks, even more so with a speed select mod. Truth is, you’ll just have to build a bunch to find the ones YOU will recommend to the next new forum member

 

[zgrav]

chop shop
boneyard editions of pedals in general, but especially the mojito

 

[Feral Feline]

I like the stuff that's a little left-field.

So for Tremolo I like Vox Repeat Percussion (PPCB Woodpecker Tremolo)

Prunes & Custard (PPCB ?), Hotcake (PPCB Awful Waffle)

Milk Box comp (PPCB Creamery)

Fairfield's Shallow Water (PPCB Low Tide and Low Tide Mini)

Gristleizer (@PedalPCB !?)

Phase Locked Loops (PedalPCB Super Heterodyne Receiver and Mini Heterodyne Receiver )

Octave down such as PPCB Underminer and Ocelot...

Ring modulators ...

Anything that makes weird noises.

Too many to continue listing...

 

[Mentaltossflycoon]

I like the stuff that's a little left-field.

So for Tremolo I like Vox Repeat Percussion (PPCB Woodpecker Tremolo)

Prunes & Custard (PPCB ?), Hotcake (PPCB Awful Waffle)

Milk Box comp (PPCB Creamery)

Fairfield's Shallow Water (PPCB Low Tide and Low Tide Mini)

Gristleizer (@PedalPCB !?)

Phase Locked Loops (PedalPCB Super Heterodyne Receiver and Mini Heterodyne Receiver )

Octave down such as PPCB Underminer and Ocelot...

Ring modulators ...

Anything that makes weird noises.

Too many to continue listing...

I just played a little jam sesh and used my ocelot and prunes a ton. However, the pedal that fired up the dudes at the jam the most was the fuzzy fox.

 

[HamishR]

Hmmm... While I have built one or two versions of Tubescreamer I'm not sure that for me it's a "must build". The whole reason I got into building was to get away from pedals like that! Same with Rats, Klons etc. I never use them. I got into this to try and find my own sound. So I try to find something which is getting closer to the sound I want and then change it.

Having said that, two pedals I have been using a lot lately because of amp circumstances are the Duocast and the Dark Esbat. Neither sound that good into a perfectly clean amp. But if you have an amp which is nearly about to breakup, or in front of a light, clear sounding OD they are incredible. The Dark Esbat is almost the ideal treble booster. As in it can get that old-school treble booster tone but with a lot less noise. Or it can add crushing low-end and doom to an otherwise tame sounding overdrive. It's really quite something.

The Duocast, as I mentioned in another thread, is not something I would use straight into a Twin Reverb. But into a low-wattage amp or as a boost it adds wonderful touch sensitivity and a classic, beautiful midrange. Something that the Klon is renowned for but I would take the Duocast over a Klon any day. The Duocast can keep all of your low end if you want or roll it off just enough to cut through a mix. And yes, it can sound like an old treble booster too.

And for a surprisingly good all-round overdrive I like the Animal/Mammal. Well actually I prefer the Caliber 45 but you can easily build one with the Mammal PCB. And the Fuzzy Fox is the best octave fuzz I have heard.

 

[szukalski]

Depends on what your tastes are.

Comprehensive Drive is nice for blues, I really enjoy the flexibility of the Modus Operandi as a boost which matches with anything I throw it at (except the Mach 1). Low Tide and Parentheses seem to be rites of passage (and both very usable on their own).

Then there's the fuzzes, Gnat, Fuschia, Twin Face, Aldrin, they're all lovely.

Some Frantone stuff is always nice.

For modulation, I am waiting for @thewintersoldier to chime in and give some recommendations. I would love to pick his brain.

 

[TheHammer1982]

Thanks for the replies, I have plenty to look into now

Currently I have built:

• TS9
• Klon Klone (with buffer/true bypass switch)
• Distortion +
• OCD v2
• Super Fuzz
• Duocast dual switch
• VCR
• Plexidrive
• Morning Glory v3
• King of Tone
• Thirty Something
I just built a BE-OD this weekend. I’ve only been doing this for a couple of months and need to slow down lol.

 

[Robert]

Aside from the fact that those are all dirt pedals with a lot of overlap...

The VCR is chorus and reverb.

I will say though, unless you specifically want that pedal I would recommend a BBD chorus (Caesar or Cepheid) and a dedicated reverb. (ThreeVerb, Deflector, Spirit Box, or Gravitation) instead.

 

[Robert]

I totally missed that one. Most pedals that combine more than one effect like that usually fall short because they do neither effect particularly well. If you want a good chorus and reverb then I agree you gotta build them individually.

Absolutely, couldn't agree more. I'd rather have two one-trick-ponies than a single two-trick-pony.

"Jack of all trades, master of none" and all that.

While I prefer digital delay over BBD, when it comes to modulation you really want analog.