GK rails in a pedal?

[gregmon79]

So, I do believe that my Rails pedal is sitting in my apt office. I cant wait to get off work!! I will have a little feedback and possible samples in the next couple days. I know @bassmusic17 got his as well We be big pimpin

 

[Sahe_Bassist]

oooooohhhhh i like the graphics and backwards orientation.

edit: yea, real GK logo is probably not real cool with GK, even if its a one off.

 

[boomertech]

Yup she's looking good.

View attachment 618911

Did you build that yourself?

-Frank

 

[boomertech]

No I had a cool dude from Big Game pedals build it for me. It looks really nice. Can't wait to plug into it tonight!

Using the GK logo is a no-no!!!

-Frank

 

[gregmon79]

Using the GK logo is a no-no!!!

-Frank

Hes actually not going to build a whole bunch, just these two. So its not like a huge deal I wouldnt think. I see what youre saying and would be worried but again, they were special one offs. Or, two offs anyway I mean, its almost as bad as putting a GK sticker on my non GK amp no?

 

[Mosfed]

Yeah it's just as bad

 

[boomertech]

You'll have to take it up with Big Game. He did a couple one offs for me and Greg. Maybe others I don't know. It's not something he plans on putting into production. I had nothing to do with his design.

That would be GK's fight, not mine.

You may want to find out if your builder used Central Semiconductor transistors. Dom found that this design has issues with them.

-Frank

 

[kleinenenten]

Yup she's looking good.

View attachment 618911

I love my GK pedal, but this pic just reminds me how much I need to build a grey spec DOD 250...

 

[Feral Feline]

I like Big Game's putting bypass on the right. It's in keeping with how most pedals are oriented; I'd be hitting the boost when I meant to bypass if it was the other way 'round.

 

[TonyP-]

Quick informal first thoughts on Dom's pedal.

Overall I like this Sim that this Pedal does.
Visually: I really like that He keep the old GK color and knob scheme BUT the unit does not say the letters GK on it at all (which is a good thing). You know what it is supposed to represent without any issue. (Very classy and I appreciate that.)

Sound Wise: I wanted this pedal for times I'm just using the Basswitch, to sim that uber subtle grind that is there but not over the top. To me that is what this pedal is about, however it does more and has overdrive on demand so-to-speak with the boost knob (which surprised me a little).

I A/B/C-ed this with a old 80's GK 800RB, GK 1001RB and the under clean Basswitch using a Carvin power amp with lots of headroom so no amp breakup.
What I found using a Mike Lull JT5-24 was that I was able to get a simulation of classic RB tone by not using the Boost and leaving the input level just below flat/(noon) and output at noon. (This will probably vary slightly depending on the output of your bass).
The Boost control added volume and overdrive vibe that goes well beyond what any GK RB based amp does. I look at this pedal as having a dual functions, 1 as a RB based sim and the other as a overdrive.

 

[76jazzbass]

Not trying to start crap, but why is everyone acting like this is the first clone pedal we've seen on this website with a trademarked name or logo?

 

[TonyP-]

Not trying to start crap, but why is everyone acting like this is the first clone pedal we've seen on this website with a trademarked name or logo?

Actually (since I'm not a pedal junkie) it is the first time I have seen that. (Serious)

Also as a GK artist endorser, I know those guys over there and I'm sure they would not like to see that.
I'm not starting crap either, but instead pointing out what Dom did.

 

[nshuman]

Well, just my thoughts, @boomertech has expressed his objections to using copyrighted art without proper authorization before, outside of this thread. Given that he contributed greatly (understatement) on this pedal, I guess people should respect his wishes on this issue.

 

[nshuman]

Yeah I can understand that, but that doesn't apply here. Given that the builder isn't a TB member that I am aware of and was just emailed schems and built the pedal. He doesn't follow this site and in no way would of known that. His choice to use the GK logo was his alone. Just like JohnK chose to use an Orange logo on your preamp no?

Sure, that's fair. But, honestly, if we make Frank unhappy about this whole process, he does not have to share these kinds of designs in the future. The rails pedal is not just another Muff clone Ryan could have gotten from anywhere. I don't see a lot of other people sharing circuit schematics and PCB files on TB or other sites for original designs. What JohnK does on his pedals is not the issue here, it's what a completely different individual expressed as his wish/opinion.

 

[Mosfed]

Yeah I can understand that, but that doesn't apply here. Given that the builder isn't a TB member that I am aware of and was just emailed schems and built the pedal. He doesn't follow this site and in no way would of known that. His choice to use the GK logo was his alone. Just like JohnK chose to use an Orange logo on your preamp no?

You're right he doesn't. Like I said previously. Ryan would have no way of knowing that either. So I guess I should of sent a list of precautions along with the schems. Hell I didn't even know that. I know ignorance isn't an excuse but still. I don't scour every thread and every post. Also it's a public forum. It's only a matter of time before the schems are everywhere. It would be naive to think they would stay in a small group of hands. People are bound to do something someone doesn't approve of. So maybe next time he will make it private. Otherwise don't be surprised when something makes people frown.

I'm going to make a suggestion that you can naturally take or leave.

The best tact at this point would be just to say: "Sorry, we f*cked up. Didn't mean to step on any toes. Especially the toes of the people who were kind enough to dedicate their time and energy to create this amazing circuit that I am really enjoying".

Or you can throw mud at John who spent hours upon hours helping create the circuit. AND who provided the schematic so you could get it built by Ryan at a discount rate. I would be going more for "thankful" than "indignant" but that's just me.

 

[gregmon79]

I can see both points of view. And honestly, if this was a pedal that big game was going to make as a regular pedal, I don't think he'd use that box design. I mean, he's building me a muff and I was wanting him to use the same font as EHX and have BIG MUFF with a pi symbol below it. He came back with, let's try BIG GAME with the pi underneath it. He said he didn't want to get that close to the EHX logo. So it's not like the guy doesn't keep those things in mind. And again, these were one offs. Two in exsistence. I wanted the gk on it. That was my custom etch request. And since he knew there was only one or two being made, he was ok with that.

As far as frank goes, I sincerely appreciate you and john designing and sharing this circuit. It is really awesome of you guys to have done that. I hope that this hasn't spoiled the experience for you in any way. If you are that uncomfortable with the way my box was designed, please PM me and I'll will see about getting it changed to something else similar. I just love the GK logo and wanted it on there. I meant no disrespect to you so I hope it wasn't taken that way. I really enjoy you being in here in the forums with us. I know it means a lot to me that you take the time out of your busy schedule to do so.

 

[gregmon79]

I think we've all made our opinions known. I think we should just get back to the pedal and not the logo on it. Theres no reason to take this thread down the drain. Just my opinion.

 

[Feral Feline]

Quick informal first thoughts on Dom's pedal.

Overall I like this Sim that this Pedal does.
Visually: I really like that He keep the old GK color and knob scheme BUT the unit does not say the letters GK on it at all (which is a good thing). You know what it is supposed to represent without any issue. (Very classy and I appreciate that.)

Sound Wise: I wanted this pedal for times I'm just using the Basswitch, to sim that uber subtle grind that is there but not over the top. To me that is what this pedal is about, however it does more and has overdrive on demand so-to-speak with the boost knob (which surprised me a little).

I A/B/C-ed this with a old 80's GK 800RB, GK 1001RB and the under clean Basswitch using a Carvin power amp with lots of headroom so no amp breakup.
What I found using a Mike Lull JT5-24 was that I was able to get a simulation of classic RB tone by not using the Boost and leaving the input level just below flat/(noon) and output at noon. (This will probably vary slightly depending on the output of your bass).
The Boost control added volume and overdrive vibe that goes well beyond what any GK RB based amp does. I look at this pedal as having a dual functions, 1 as a RB based sim and the other as a overdrive.

Many thanks for your review and feedback. Very valuable to have someone with the gear that this pedal tries to emulate give an account of how they're similar and where they differ.

'Course, you didn't help alleviate my GAS any.

 

[boomertech]

Wow! I didn’t expect this mess. Let me be clear on using logo’s and artwork that are owned by someone else.

If you own the item and then put other peoples/companies logos and artwork on it, you are not violating any laws. You can do anything you want with property that you already own. Then that becomes subject to personal opinions on whether or not it is an ethical thing to do.

But if you use someone’s logo or artwork and then sell the item, you will be in violation of the law. If you pay someone else to include protected work in the design, you may or may not be in violation of the law… but the person that has agreed to include that protected work and receives compensation, clearly is in violation. It doesn’t matter if it is one unit or thousands of units, the laws have been broken and personal opinions on ethics are not relevant. The laws are there to protect everyone from theft.

I have been on the receiving end of similar types of theft and let me tell you… It may not seem like a big deal until it happens to you.

-Frank

 

[Stevorebob]

Wow! I didn’t expect this mess. Let me be clear on using logo’s and artwork that are owned by someone else.

If you own the item and then put other peoples/companies logos and artwork on it, you are not violating any laws. You can do anything you want with property that you already own. Then that becomes subject to personal opinions on whether or not it is an ethical thing to do.

But if you use someone’s logo or artwork and then sell the item, you will be in violation of the law. If you pay someone else to include protected work in the design, you may or may not be in violation of the law… but the person that has agreed to include that protected work and receives compensation, clearly is in violation. It doesn’t matter if it is one unit or thousands of units, the laws have been broken and personal opinions on ethics are not relevant. The laws are there to protect everyone from theft.

I have been on the receiving end of similar types of theft and let me tell you… It may not seem like a big deal until it happens to you.

-Frank

Well said. Profiting by using a trademark owned by another without permission is theft.