Built a GGG Neutron

[sonicvi]

And it sounds totally fab. Wasn't the easiest build I've done by any means, but worked on the first try with no problems. I used VTL5C3's for the opto-couplers. I've still got a little work to do, but the electronics are done until I do some mods.
I'm still trying to find the best setting for use with my basses, but here's a long noodley clip with my '68 Mustang and Logic Pro amp sim. The fuzz is a Tone Bender MK1 clone.
http://homepage.mac.com/sonicvi/Neutronbass.mp3
and guitar demo.
http://homepage.mac.com/sonicvi/neutronguitar.mp3

[kesslari]

Very slick. I wish I had the skill, time, and patience to build one!

[gnasher1993]

Looks great. Where did you get those rocker switches?

Also, where do you find that really small heat shrink tubing (on the DC jack)?

[sonicvi]

I got the switches at a local electronics surplus shop. They're actually 4PDT, which is why they're so big (cutting rectangular holes is no fun btw). I just have them held in place with double sided foam tape right now, but I will affix hem more permanently before I'm done. I'll probably change the battery drawer to a dual battery drawer. The charge pump IC that converts the +9V to +/-9V makes the battery work double time, so I don't think it'll live all that long.

The heat shrink is just common 1/16" or 3/32" stuff. I probably got it at Fry's (a big electronics outlet in the southern US). Shouldn't be hard to find. BanzaiEffects.com probably has it.

[gnasher1993]

Originally Posted by sonicvi

I got the switches at a local electronics surplus shop. They're actually 4PDT, which is why they're so big (cutting rectangular holes is no fun btw). I just have them held in place with double sided foam tape right now, but I will affix hem more permanently before I'm done. The heat shrink is just common 1/16" or 3/32" stuff. I probably got it at Fry's (a big electronics outlet in the southern US). Shouldn't be hard to find.

Thanks for the info. I can imagine about cutting the square holes . Definitely wouldn't want to have to do that. I guess toggles aren't that bad.

I'm googling for heat shrink now .

[chicago_mike]

♥ Fry's. Also very nice layout and wiring. Im building 2 of these now and etched the boards, its a fun task, kinda..With a little knowledge of filters and other schemas for filters out there, theres a good amount of little tweaks here and there you can do.

Square holes arent too bad to do. Good files and good bits. Hole punches are a good investment if you start to drill quite a number of boxes.

[Pitbull Growl]

Autoparts stores usually carry variety pack heatshrink in an assortment of sizes and colors. That's where I usually score mine from.

Sonic,

Didja dremel those rockers? If so, didja use a template or something? Hella nice job.

[sonicvi]

Originally Posted by chicago_mike

♥ Fry's. Also very nice layout and wiring. Im building 2 of these now and etched the boards, its a fun task, kinda..With a little knowledge of filters and other schemas for filters out there, theres a good amount of little tweaks here and there you can do.

Square holes arent too bad to do. Good files and good bits. Hole punches are a good investment if you start to drill quite a number of boxes.

I kinda wish I'd etched my own board. The GGG boards are through hole plated and I can't stand those. They make removing components a total pain in the ass.

I used my drill press, Dremel, and needle files for the switch holes. Slow and steady is the name of the game. You can always file away more metal but you can't put it back. They look pretty good from that angle, but they're far from perfect.

The space above the range switch is reserved for the switches for the manual wah mode and a LFO mode mods I'm planning.

[jucas]

That looks great. I've thought about trying one of these, but the power supply has always scared me away. I'm getting the hang of wierd power requirements, so I might reconsider...

Also... I thought I was weird for not liking through hole plated boards. Such a pain to modify, and I haven't had that many pads lift on me even with my lack of soldering skill.

[sonicvi]

If you leave off the charge pump and use two batteries or two AC adapters the power supply in no problem whatsoever. If you use the charge pump you just have to worry about the ground wiring. Also be sure you use an IC that has a frequency boost option like the Intersil 7660SCPA and jumper pins 1 and 8.

Tonepad has a project file for the chargepump with input jack switch that is more helpful with the wiring than the Neutron PDF was.
http://www.tonepad.com/getFile.asp?id=118

[gnasher1993]

Another quick question ...

What size are those cable ties you're using?

[sonicvi]

The bag just says 4", 18Lbs tensile stregth. They're about .1" wide.