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I Present the IdiotBox Effects's Blower Box

#921
Squanch72 said:
Can someone please clue me on the JohnK thing? He a TB member, a store, or both?
Click to expand...

John Kallas is a TB member, and among other things, a custom bass builder specializing in new basses built to vintage specs (also restores vintage items and builds his own custom takes). He also "dabbles" in effects by building them himself according to schematics and adjusting them to his taste (http://www.talkbass.com/threads/overdrive-fuzz-quest-part-2.974826/page-39#post-16265980). Not really a store, but he will sometimes mod or build you a pedal if you contact him directly...they are not cheap, but the craftsmanship and attention to sonic detail cannot be described.

Check out his awesome pedal sample page and don't be afraid to donate if you end up using it a lot. http://johnkvintageguitars.homestead.com/Overdrive-Pedals.html (also read his story while you're there, wow)
 
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#922
jumblemind said:
John Kallas is a TB member, and among other things, a custom bass builder specializing in new basses built to vintage specs (also restores vintage items and builds his own custom takes). He also "dabbles" in effects by building them himself according to schematics and adjusting them to his taste (http://www.talkbass.com/threads/overdrive-fuzz-quest-part-2.974826/page-39#post-16265980). Not really a store, but he will sometimes mod or build you a pedal if you contact him directly...they are not cheap, but the craftsmanship and attention to sonic detail cannot be described.

Check out his awesome pedal sample page and don't be afraid to donate if you end up using it a lot. http://johnkvintageguitars.homestead.com/Overdrive-Pedals.html (also read his story while you're there, wow)
Click to expand...
Thanks jumblemind! I did notice the website but wasn't sure how people were ordering the mod kits and didn't see any links to that and wanted to make sure that was the right site.
 
#924
I love all the response this pedal has received! I got mine when there were only a few pages to this thread.! That was a few months ago! Usually by now the novelty has long worn off and I'm clicking the pedal on cause I feel bad bout spending the money and not using it! And getting ready to post it on CL! NOT THIS TIME! !! This pedal is almost always on! I usually only click it off cause I feel bad about not letting my amp show off its clean tone! Ha!! Love this thing! Best $ 119.00 I've spent!
 
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#925
Squanch72 said:
Thanks jumblemind! I did notice the website but wasn't sure how people were ordering the mod kits and didn't see any links to that and wanted to make sure that was the right site.
Click to expand...

Well, he doesn't sell kits, that's not his business. If he comes up with a mod he just shares them here and people recreate it themselves.

And I hope you like the Beta, I love mine. I actually think it will pair really well with a BlowerBox, but I haven't freed up the funds to test this theory.
 
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#926
jumblemind said:
Well, he doesn't sell kits, that's not his business. If he comes up with a mod he just shares them here and people recreate it themselves.

And I hope you like the Beta, I love mine. I actually think it will pair really well with a BlowerBox, but I haven't freed up the funds to test this theory.
Click to expand...

I am taking a minimal gamble since I believe them to sound fairly similar, mmbongo hooked me up with his SSBS Mini and I dig it, but started lusting for the Beta and when JRock listed his Beta in trade for a Mini I traded him. I don't have a Blower Box...yet LOL, but I do have the Ron FN Swanson Super Fuzz and just love that pedal.
 
#927
Squanch72 said:
Thanks jumblemind! I did notice the website but wasn't sure how people were ordering the mod kits and didn't see any links to that and wanted to make sure that was the right site.
Click to expand...

It should be mentioned, jumble already did sort of, that John was kind enough to show off his little boost mod he did to the original BB. I thought it was right up my alley and also thought it was exactly what I needed for my uses of the pedal in the settings I am using it in. So I emailed him directly and asked if it would be possible for him to set me up with a "mod kit" so to speak where all I would have to do is open the pedal up and solder a few wires and be done with it. He was gracious enough to do so for a nominal fee. He went out of his way for me in doing all this so I greatly appreciate the guy for what he did and continually does. He builds, simply put IMO, masterpieces. The guy really knows his stuff and often shows it off here to us pedal heads and gear geeks on the forum. We happily drool over all his awesome creations and he sometimes sells some of them.

Just wanted to throw that out there ;)
 
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#928
Squanch72 said:
I am taking a minimal gamble since I believe them to sound fairly similar, mmbongo hooked me up with his SSBS Mini and I dig it, but started lusting for the Beta and when JRock listed his Beta in trade for a Mini I traded him. I don't have a Blower Box...yet LOL, but I do have the Ron FN Swanson Super Fuzz and just love that pedal.
Click to expand...

Ahh my old Mini! What a great pedal! But the Beta vs. Blower Box..hmm. I can't say they sound similar really. Compared to the Blower Box, the Beta is darker, fatter, has a LOT more mids, and is lower gain. I wouldn't put them in the same category really. I'd put the Beta with the Mini though, they are very similar but the Mini can actually get closer to the Blower Box than the Beta can.

I'll sum it up this way. The Blower Box sounds like this:

tony-schumacher-top-fuel-dragster.jpg




The Beta sounds like this:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
 
Last edited:
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#929
mmbongo said:
Ahh my old Mini! What a great pedal! But the Beta vs. Blower Box..hmm. I can't say they sound similar really. Compared to the Blower Box, the Beta is darker, fatter, has a LOT more mids, and is lower gain. I wouldn't put them in the same category really. I'd put the Beta with the Mini though, they are very similar but the Mini can actually get closer to the Blower Box than the Beta can.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I meant the Mini and the Beta being similar. The Mini is super sweet! I just have this feeling the Beta is a better fit for me but I could be totally wrong in a few hours lol.
 
#932
mmbongo said:
Ahh my old Mini! What a great pedal! But the Beta vs. Blower Box..hmm. I can't say they sound similar really. Compared to the Blower Box, the Beta is darker, fatter, has a LOT more mids, and is lower gain. I wouldn't put them in the same category really. I'd put the Beta with the Mini though, they are very similar but the Mini can actually get closer to the Blower Box than the Beta can.

I'll sum it up this way. The Blower Box sounds like this:

tony-schumacher-top-fuel-dragster.jpg




The Beta sounds like this:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Click to expand...


I own both and those images are accurate.
 
#934
I've just noticed that the blower box seems to come in a smaller box now...BLower_Box_125b_unpainted_copy.png

That may mean I need to get one of these as it really is the best 'Rat ' I have heard so far( or be it just clips...)
 
#935
mmbongo said:
Ahh my old Mini! What a great pedal! But the Beta vs. Blower Box..hmm. I can't say they sound similar really. Compared to the Blower Box, the Beta is darker, fatter, has a LOT more mids, and is lower gain. I wouldn't put them in the same category really. I'd put the Beta with the Mini though, they are very similar but the Mini can actually get closer to the Blower Box than the Beta can.

I'll sum it up this way. The Blower Box sounds like this:

tony-schumacher-top-fuel-dragster.jpg




The Beta sounds like this:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Click to expand...

Those glowing tubes are one of the prettiest pics I've ever seen. God I love the sight of tubes. There's not much else that looks as cool. Well maybe a fender P all beat up. But them tubes is damn fine!!!
 
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#939
Squanch72 said:
Thanks jumblemind! I did notice the website but wasn't sure how people were ordering the mod kits and didn't see any links to that and wanted to make sure that was the right site.
Click to expand...

Not much to add on he subject beyond what the others have said. I would just add that JohnK's OD/Fuzz quest threads are an amazing resource that will make you discover so many new/old/modded pedals. And, he posts sound samples that are actually usable and will let you discover the pedal, not just slap-only or crazy tones being sent through a maxed out amp or anything.
 
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