EHX Nano Clone Mods?

[warwick.hoy]

So in a hasty craigslist adventure I went out and bought an EHX Nano Clone without consulting Talkbass . My Bad. I didn't pay that much for it and it was more or less an impulse buy.

Honestly my pedalboard is nothing but cheap or used stuff so I can get an idea of what I can use, what I'm looking for and make more educated decisions on buying more expensive and/or better units. A preliminary foray into the zany world of effects if I may. I can always keep the old stuff for a rainy day anyway.

The Nano Clone sounds good except for the usual complaints I've seen while searching through the FX Forums. Appreciable volume loss and low end loss.

Before we get into any "you wasted your money" debates, I would like to justify keeping it. I like the interplay between it and the Digitech Synth Wah, especially when I play natural harmonics. I like the small footprint. The Daisy Chain issue is not that much of an issue for me. I like how it sounds. Noise isn't much of an issue for me either. I will say that I've only had a chance to play it at practice amp volumes and the noise wasn't that much more than bypassed.

I searched for modifications to try to alleviate the volume drop issue. I searched TB as well as the interwebs and came across a thread concerning messing with the internal trim pots.

http://www.christianguitar.org/forum....php?p=3336261

I did this and it gave me a little more low end, but not much in the volume boost range. Other than that I haven't really come across anything that I'm looking for.

~I'm wondering if I could add a gain or level pot to be able to adjust that?

~Is there a "kit" for something like that?

~Would something like the LPB-1 or a volume pedal be a better solution?

In the end I may just pick up a more appropriate unit, but for now.....what do you have.

[crapusername]

do you have any more details about these trim pots? the link you posted doesn't seem to work.
Particularly interested in the bass increase
cheers

[RCCollins]

you could run it in a buffered loop to compensate for volume drop...

[warwick.hoy]

edited link....should work.

Originally Posted by RCCollins

you could run it in a buffered loop to compensate for volume drop...

Is that like a bypass loop, or line selector?

[RCCollins]

Originally Posted by warwick.hoy

edited link....should work.



Is that like a bypass loop, or line selector?

Yeah, a line selector has a buffer AND a level control. 2 in fact.

I keep planning to get one but instead I end up with MORE PEDALS and at this point I probably need at least 3 line selectors.

[McHaven]

I honestly wouldn't bother modding it. I'd try and get some money back on it and then buying a normal Small Clone, or Dan Electro Cool Cat, maybe a Rocktron Deep Blue. Better sounding, and in the same price range.

[warwick.hoy]

Originally Posted by McHaven

I honestly wouldn't bother modding it. I'd try and get some money back on it and then buying a normal Small Clone, or Dan Electro Cool Cat, maybe a Rocktron Deep Blue. Better sounding, and in the same price range.

Prolly not going to happen as I bought it from a private party and didn't pay that much for it anyhow.

I knew I'd get this one. I realize that they are not the "Bees Knees" but say I wanted to acquire some soldering skills, or perhaps an understanding of how effects work. What mods are available?

I researched the Boss LS-2 and while I could see getting something like that, not for this application. $80 to make a a pedal I paid $20 for sound better....I think not.

For the experience alone I'd consider investing $40 on tools and materials to at least give it a go.

[warwick.hoy]

HMMM: Some messing around on my pedal board. Why didn't I think of this before.

I run a Sansamp BDDI Programmable. I found that I can set one preamp channel to a higher gain or level to make up the volume and low end difference. A boost channel if I may.

No acquiring of soldering skills needed on this one. It's a little bit of a tap dance and probably not the ideal situation; but something I can deal with before I drop some coin on chorus.

[JanusZarate]

If you really like it, I'd like to suggest pursuing a Clone Theory instead, so you won't have the low end and volume issues. Plus, you'll get a depth control. The Small Clone goes in a different sonic direction than the Nano Clone.

The Nano Clone is like a failed attempt to be the Chorus 1 sound on the Clone Theory.

[bongomania]

Also isn't the Nano made with SMT (micro) components? That will inhibit all but the most bold or experienced solderers from doing any mods.

[JanusZarate]

Originally Posted by bongomania

Also isn't the Nano made with SMT (micro) components? That will inhibit all but the most bold or experienced solderers from doing any mods.

Yep. Another reason why it's not worth modding.

[warwick.hoy]

Well, I was able to come up with a decent solution using the 3 channel BDDI Prog. (See my above post) So no mods will be done to this pedal. Seems that it would be too daunting a task anyhow.

For now all I'm doing with my effects is trying stuff out. Starting at the bottom and working my way up. Seeing what I can use in a band setting and as writing, arranging and practice tools. Finding out which types of pedals are musical and what I want and would use before dropping serious coin on better effects.

The Nano Clone has its issues; there is no denying that. But with a little love it can be a usable pedal.

MysticBoo....Thanks for the suggestion. I will look into the Clone Theory for sure when the time comes. Does it have the Daisy Chain issue?

[RCCollins]

Originally Posted by warwick.hoy

I researched the Boss LS-2 and while I could see getting something like that, not for this application. $80 to make a a pedal I paid $20 for sound better....I think not.

For the experience alone I'd consider investing $40 on tools and materials to at least give it a go.

Well I didn't tell you to buy it NEW It's a Boss, look around... and it would come in handy for MANY applications, especially because it can run 2 loops in parallel...

An NS-2 has a single loop, is frequently available in the classifieds, and would help with the noise issue as well.

[warwick.hoy]

Originally Posted by RCCollins

Well I didn't tell you to buy it NEW It's a Boss, look around... and it would come in handy for MANY applications, especially because it can run 2 loops in parallel...

An NS-2 has a single loop, is frequently available in the classifieds, and would help with the noise issue as well.

That's the noise suppressor pedal. I didn't realize it was also a loop. HMMMMM. I see where this is going. I'll probably keep my eyes out for something like that. Are there other manufacturers of these?

[Mr. Pickles]

If it works for you after the BDDI, then so be it.
I was going to use mine after the rediculously high-gain XXL B
to solve the volume drop issue and to tame the XXL.

I did return my Nano Clone (it wasn't a big deal for me), but I would have been happy with it in the above context as I do like the Clone sound.

Actually, I like the Clone so much, I bought an Analogman Mini Chorus here in the classifieds for a reasonable price.

Experimenting is the key. You sound like you're well on the way to discovering what works for you.

Enjoy

[JanusZarate]

Originally Posted by warwick.hoy

MysticBoo....Thanks for the suggestion. I will look into the Clone Theory for sure when the time comes. Does it have the Daisy Chain issue?

Nope. It works fine on a daisy chain. Only a select few of EHX's 9V pedals are positive-ground (among them, the Nano Clone, Nano Muff, and Bass Blogger).

[warwick.hoy]

Originally Posted by MysticBoo

Nope. It works fine on a daisy chain. Only a select few of EHX's 9V pedals are positive-ground (among them, the Nano Clone, Nano Muff, and Bass Blogger).

Cool.

Thanks.