Spencer Modded by Groove Regulator!!! :)

Crabby · #1 07-27-2010, 05:06 PM

I was looking for a little more wetness from my Groove Regulator and had read here on TB that Spencer from 3Leaf had offered some modifications to the circuit to other customers. I emailed him and he responded within hours and said that there were indeed mods he had come up with to improve the pedal including a mod to make the feedback switch have a more obvious effect.

I shipped the pedal to him and he modded it and shipped it back the same day he received it! For a very modest fee to cover parts and shipping, I had my pedal back within a few days sounding better then ever! I wanted to post my thoughts about the changes and also give some serious kudos to Spencer for not only standing by his product but also providing outstanding customer service.

So when I first received my Groove Regulator, I fell in love with the sweet tone of the filter and was impressed with not having any volume boost or cut issues and being able to power it with my 9 volt Voodoo Lab power supply. The pedal responded well with my Stingrays but would have to be tweaked to sound as good with my Jazz bass. I was always a little disappointed with how much high end was squashed when the pedal was engaged. Not really a big deal but it seemed to dull out the tone a bit. And as many have stated the Feedback switch didn't seem to do anything at all.

Now that the pedal has been modded, the Feedback switch takes the filter sound from subtle to much more pronounced and wetter sounding. The low/high switch also has a different sweep. Before the mods, the low setting was too much and I always had it on the high position. Now the high setting is really high and a bit too thin for my tastes but the low setting is squelchy and rich with tons of funky goodness!

I guess no effect pedal is perfect for all things but now that my Groove Regulator has been modded my the man who made it, the little things that bugged me about an otherwise outstanding product have been fixed. I am not sure if these mods are standard on newer versions but hopefully Spencer can address that at some point.

I love this filter and now love it even more. Thanks again Spencer!

fitz420 · #2 07-27-2010, 07:23 PM

always nice to hear stories about great customer service from builders who care and listen.

dannybuoy · #3 07-27-2010, 08:10 PM

Although your thread title's use of Engrish suggests that one of Spencer's pedals became self-aware, then exacted revenge on its maker via gruesome surgical procedure.

Crabby · #4 07-27-2010, 08:55 PM

It does sound kind of painful! haha

JimmyM · #5 07-27-2010, 11:43 PM

spencer is a really good guy and a big tube amp fan, which makes him tops in my book

glad to see him getting some due for a very well thought out pedal. my envelope needs aren't near as deluxe as a pedal like that delivers, but it seems to be a real hit with everyone.

FilterFunk · #6 07-28-2010, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dannybuoy

Although your thread title's use of Engrish suggests that one of Spencer's pedals became self-aware, then exacted revenge on its maker via gruesome surgical procedure.

I was thinking the same thing! "OH NO!! SPENCER'S PEDALS TURNED ON HIM!!"

But then again, it'd be cool if the mod turned him into the "fattest, funkiest bassist ever created."

Jared Lash · #7 07-28-2010, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FilterFunk

But then again, it'd be cool if the mod turned him into the "fattest, funkiest bassist ever created."

Spencer's a funky dude no doubt, but based on the picture I saw he's got a long way to go to be the fattest bassist ever created.

At the moment I'm giving that title to Juan Nelson

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z52rhGypiy0

FilterFunk · #8 07-28-2010, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jared Lash

Spencer's a funky dude no doubt, but based on the picture I saw he's got a long way to go to be the fattest bassist ever created.

At the moment I'm giving that title to Juan Nelson

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z52rhGypiy0

I was just paraphrasing Spencer's description of the GR being "the fattest, funkiest envelope filter ever created." So I meant fattest as in PHATTEST!

Valerus · #9 07-28-2010, 10:43 AM

hahaha

ninepoundjammer · #10 07-29-2010, 01:29 AM

I had Spencer mod mine as well, replacing the feedback switch (moved inside) with a wet/dry blend control. Same experience here, snappy communication via email and 1 day turnaround on his end. Sent it out on Monday and got it back Saturday. Can't beat that.

I know, you're all saying "why add a wet/dry blend, it's pretty well behaved on its own?". True, but when slapping I found it dropped my low end a bit, now, with the mod, adding back in about 30% dry signal fixes that and makes it a great all-around filter for me.

warwick.hoy · #11 07-29-2010, 01:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ninepoundjammer

I had Spencer mod mine as well, replacing the feedback switch (moved inside) with a wet/dry blend control. Same experience here, snappy communication via email and 1 day turnaround on his end. Sent it out on Monday and got it back Saturday. Can't beat that.

I know, you're all saying "why add a wet/dry blend, it's pretty well behaved on its own?". True, but when slapping I found it dropped my low end a bit, now, with the mod, adding back in about 30% dry signal fixes that and makes it a great all-around filter for me.

That is a damn good idea. If you watch the Ed Friedland video on the MRX BEF it has a wet dry blend and I really liked what it did for the filter's slap tone.

When I had a GR I used it with an LS-2 set to blend and liked the results.

I traded my GR for a sick fuzz pedal but I want another one badly. I might have to steal your idea.

ninepoundjammer · #12 07-29-2010, 01:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by warwick.hoy

That is a damn good idea. If you watch the Ed Friedland video on the MRX BEF it has a wet dry blend and I really liked what it did for the filter's slap tone.

When I had a GR I used it with an LS-2 set to blend and liked the results.

I traded my GR for a sick fuzz pedal but I want another one badly. I might have to steal your idea.

Yep, the MXR M82 is the pedal that taught me the benefits of wet/dry blend. I have an Xotic X-blender but I don't want to dedicate the board space to use it live. Wet/dry blend is pretty much a requirement for me now.

tigerbass · #13 07-29-2010, 05:22 AM

When Spencer built mine I asked him if he'd add me a volume control. He added a volume trim pot inside inside for a small extra fee. Worth every penny as I like a little boost when I kick her on. And from beginning build time till the the time it was in my hands was maybe a week! He certainly is one of the coolest builders you will ever deal with!!!!

Crabby · #14 07-29-2010, 11:25 AM

That is a great idea. I have a master blend on my Robotalk 2 as well as a volume control for each channel. Works wonder for balancing the clean wet signal and keeping unity gain

dannybuoy · #15 07-29-2010, 12:02 PM

Funnily enough, the original Meatball that the Groove Regulator is based on has a blend, and is one of the things that various people were disappointed was left out! The other thing was the lack of expression pedal control. Oh well, can't please everybody I suppose!