Your Favorite Clone Build

jam.majors · #1 09-22-2010, 08:07 AM

I'm looking into the clone websites because I'm cheap and soldering isn't super duper hard. So:
If you have built a clone from one of the many sites that enable such things, share which and why. Also, what you love or hate about it, what would have made it easier, and whether or not you ended up selling/trashing the pedal later.

Links are very much encouraged!
(One i'm looking at right now is: the GGG BMP Muff Clone)

Swimming Bird · #2 09-22-2010, 08:27 AM

I built a Lazy Sprocket (Boss Slow Gear), and an Armstrong Twin (Green Ring + Orange Squeezer) from Build Your Own Clone. I was very satisfied with the whole experience and highly recommend them.

I tired them because I couldn't find a Guyatone SV-2 that worked (all of the ones I tried had some sort of noise problem/grounding issue). The Lazy Sprocket worked well for me: IMO beat the SV-2 and the now out of production Pigtronix Attack Decay for swell time.

The Armstrong Twin also worked well, though I picked that up on a whim when I ordered the Lazy Sprocket. Head room is an issue on the compressor side, and the analog octave up can lose some lows, but otherwise it sounded pretty awesome. If you built in a clean blend and/or put it after a fuzz you could get some great, usable sounds.

Not a clone, but I'm thinking of ordering a kit from Devi Ever. Perhaps a Ruiner, or two Dark Boosts.

Erik Schieffer · #3 09-22-2010, 08:58 AM

I've built a few of the kits, including the GGG tuned Muff (great build, by the way.) If you just want to knock out a couple of pedals or dip your toe in the diy waters, the kits are a great way to start. I think the BYOC kits are the easiest place to start. The instructions are very well thought out and the support is top notch. Do they still include the Confidence Boost with your first order? That's a great way to try a build on the cheap. The GGG kits are great as well, but seem to assume a little more knowledge and experience.

I really enjoy the building process, probably moreso than actually using the effects. I tend to be a tinkerer by nature.

I actually didn't like the Armstrong Twin on bass, but that's just my tastes.

karter2000 · #4 09-22-2010, 09:06 AM

Another good couple of clone sites that sell pcbs are:

http://www.madbeanpedals.com/
http://www.guitarpcb.com/

Between the two of them, you can pretty much find most projects that are out there.

I've built a GGG Brassmaster, which turned out great. I just don't use it much. I've built a WM and OCD from Madbean that turned out great as well.

Probably the best thing I've built lately is a modded SFT from guitarpcb.com. Sounds amazing!

bigchiefbc · #5 09-22-2010, 09:07 AM

I've built 3 circuits from BYOC and am a very satisfied customer. Their instructions are great, the circuits work as advertised, and their forum is very helpful for any potential troubleshooting or mod ideas.

Erik Schieffer · #6 09-22-2010, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by karter2000

Probably the best thing I've built lately is a modded SFT from guitarpcb.com. Sounds amazing!

I've got all of the parts for the Bass Driver (SFT) and Paramix on my bench, but no time to build.

dune2k · #7 09-22-2010, 10:01 AM

http://www.madbeanpedals.com/ has some nice PCBs.
For those living in Europe musikding.de and uk-electronic.com also offer (nice) kits.

karter2000 · #8 09-22-2010, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erik Schieffer

I've got all of the parts for the Bass Driver (SFT) and Paramix on my bench, but no time to build.

Something that I learned from Madbean is to use a C1M, or reverse log pot for the gain. Apparently, it makes the gain more controllable, as with a regular log pot the gain is all bunched up at the end.

Pandafist · #9 09-22-2010, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by karter2000

Another good couple of clone sites that sell pcbs are:

http://www.madbeanpedals.com/
http://www.guitarpcb.com/

Between the two of them, you can pretty much find most projects that are out there.

I've built a GGG Brassmaster, which turned out great. I just don't use it much. I've built a WM and OCD from Madbean that turned out great as well.

Probably the best thing I've built lately is a modded SFT from guitarpcb.com. Sounds amazing!

What mods did you do to the SFT?

karter2000 · #10 09-22-2010, 11:19 AM

Not much other than the reverse log for the gain, and a mosfet booster on the end of the circuit (called the Stage 3 by it's designer). They are both in the same enclosure (1590BB) with switches for both.

I've not tried the original, so I'm not sure how it's gain works. With a regular log pot, the gain was all bunched up at the end with my build. I've heard people who owned the SFT say it does the same thing.

Pandafist · #11 09-22-2010, 11:32 AM

Oh cool. I was just curious.
I never really turn the gain past halfway (usually about a 1/4) up (I have other pedals for teh broots), so I'm not sure if I'd benefit from that mod.
:hmmm:
But still sounds like something I might like to try someday.

screaminglucy · #12 09-22-2010, 03:47 PM

i just built a flipster and i'm loving it so far

McSpunckle · #13 09-22-2010, 03:51 PM

I build a GGG Brassmaster, and I was pretty satisfied. Sorting the resistors took a bit of time, since they're all just in a bag together, but that wasn't a huge deal. The circuit board was very high quality, and overall it was pretty great.

I hate the layout of the enclosure, though. That's the only thing. Not for any functional reason.

I ended up selling it, but it sounded fantastic. GGG is way cheaper than BYOC, so I'd definitely recommend them.

GGG comes with the oh-so-wonderful pre-bonded stranded wire, too. Love that stuff.

jam.majors · #14 09-25-2010, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by karter2000

Not much other than the reverse log for the gain, and a mosfet booster on the end of the circuit (called the Stage 3 by it's designer). They are both in the same enclosure (1590BB) with switches for both.

I've not tried the original, so I'm not sure how it's gain works. With a regular log pot, the gain was all bunched up at the end with my build. I've heard people who owned the SFT say it does the same thing.

[slight highjack of my own thread]
That's exactly why I sold my SFT (and a lot of losing highs AND lows, of all things). I went back to the Distortron because it sounds much more like when I drive my Shuttle 6.0 hard, which is what I very much like.

However, I would love to have a booster in front of it. I'm using my Bass Big Muff for that because I like my Mastotron more! If only it weren't so dang huge.

screaminglucy · #15 09-26-2010, 07:03 AM

just built a red llama and it's definitely going to get some use